What we learned today, Saturday 2 July
With that, we’ll wrap our live coverage of the day’s news. Here’s a summary of the main developments:
- New South Wales residents are being warned the current bout of wet weather hitting the east coast is only going to get worse, with more rain, powerful winds and surging seas on the way. Two Australian Defence Force helicopters have been made available to assist with rescues as areas of the state brace for intense rainfall and possible flooding.
- Thousands of protesters have marched in Sydney and Melbourne demanding better abortion services after the US supreme court ruling limiting safe access to abortion.
- As airport queues stretched out the door on Saturday wreaking havoc on the holiday plans of hundreds of thousands of travellers, Sydney airport said people arriving too far in advance for their flight was exacerbating problems caused by wet weather, school holidays and continuing staff shortages.
- A file number bungle by an Australian government department caused a four-week delay in helping some Afghan citizens at risk of retribution from the Taliban as the militant group swept to power in Afghanistan, Guardian Australia can reveal.
- The NSW Coalition faces a tough road to re-election, with the latest Guardian Essential poll showing its primary vote falling below 40% as it defended the controversial appointment of former deputy premier John Barilaro to a New York trade role.
- Prime minister Anthony Albanese has met with Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Have a pleasant evening.
Updated
Sydney airport says people arriving too early worsens long lines
As airport queues stretched out the door on Saturday wreaking havoc on the holiday plans of hundreds of thousands of travellers, Sydney airport said people arriving too far in advance for their flight was exacerbating problems caused by wet weather, school holidays and continuing staff shortages.
In Sydney, Guardian Australia understands there were technical issues with luggage check-in systems across several domestic airlines on Friday and Saturday, which have contributed to long queues at baggage drops.
Baggage drop queues were snaking more than 100 metres out the front door.
Read more:
Updated
