What we learned today, Thursday 27 July
Thanks for joining us on the Australia news live blog today. That’s where we’ll wrap up our coverage – here are some key developments:
A report from Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog found Victorian MPs and two councillors received large amounts of money and political donations to advance the interests of millionaire property industry identity John Woodman.
Tasmania police charged Scottsdale man with murder in relation to disappearance of teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell.
A South Korean defence contractor has beaten its German rival to win the contract to build infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian army, costing between $5bn and $7bn.
Julia Gillard’s former partner Tim Mathieson will plead guilty to one charge of sexual assault, his lawyers told the Melbourne magistrates court today.
Police say investigations are under way after a man was shot dead in Sydney’s south-west early this morning.
NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, described the shooting as “beyond comprehension”, promising police were working their hardest to stop the violence.
A New South Wales police taskforce has been formed to investigate the recent spate of shootings after a man was killed in Sydney this morning. Taskforce Magnus – led by the state crime command – has been created to investigate links between the shootings stretching back to the death of Alen Moradian in Bondi Junction on 27 June.
Claims former politician Craig Kelly breached electoral laws by using non-compliant United Party Australia federal election campaign material were rejected by a court.
Labor senator Deborah O’Neill, who is leading a Senate inquiry into government consultants, has called on former Coalition ministers to provide more information about how a $33m non-competitive grant was awarded to a new company part-owned by PwC.
The third and final day of public hearings for the Senate inquiry into consent laws across Australia was held in Sydney. The hearings expanded beyond consent to the court system, police, societal attitudes and rape myths in general, with the overwhelming consensus that consent legislation alone will not change rape culture.
The NSW Labor government has begun consultation with the state’s coal industry about a “possible new coal royalty system” as well as an extension of the coal price cap.
Come the next election the House of Representatives will return to 150 seats (it is currently 151) with the AEC review of federal electoral divisions finding that Victoria and NSW will lose a seat each, while WA will gain a seat.
Updated
Don’t let their shirts deceive you. Ola and Larry and their daughter, Ododoeye, are supporting both Australia and Nigeria tonight.
Ola swears the family were on their way to buy some Australian merchandise when I stopped them outside the stadium for a chat.
“It’s very exciting but it’s a tricky one because we are half-Australian, half-Nigerian. Anyone that wins is a win today… We’ll be happy with a draw.”
And I found some Nigerian fans!
— Eden Gillespie (@edengillespie) July 27, 2023
Ola and Larry and their daughter, Ododoeye, are supporting both Australia & Nigeria… so they’ll get a win either way @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/0ZIB1sV2jH
