What we learned today, Wednesday 15 January
This is where we’ll leave you for today, thanks for joining us on the blog! Here’s a recap of the main stories:
Thousands of commuters across Sydney have been affected by major rail delays and cancellations caused by industrial action.
The NSW government says balls that mysteriously appeared on Sydney’s northern beaches are still “a bit of a mystery” but there’s an ongoing investigation by the state’s Environmental Protection Agency.
Anthony Albanese says the Australian government will take the “strongest possible action” if any harm has been caused to Australian man Oscar Jenkins, who was captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine.
Australia’s special envoy for antisemitism, Jillian Segal, is calling for a national cabinet meeting on antisemitism, while the Labor MP Josh Burns says there are “clearly gaps” in Australia’s legal framework around the issue.
There are severe weather warnings in place across parts of NSW, the ACT and Victoria, with roads and homes already damaged, and power outages in some areas.
The children’s television legend Simon Townsend of Wonder World fame has sadly died, aged 79.
The blog will be back early tomorrow. Take care.
Updated
Sussan Ley endorses Gisele Kapterian over Warren Mundine
The deputy Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, has endorsed Gisele Kapterian in the preselection race for the federal seat Bradfield, saying the former Liberal staffer gives the opposition its “greatest chance of success”.
Kapterian is facing Warren Mundine, the face of the anti-voice campaign and the conservative faction’s frontrunner, for the marginal seat in Sydney’s north.
Ley joins the former treasurer Joe Hockey in endorsing Kapterian, who Liberal sources described to Guardian Australia last week as “centrist”.
Ley says Kapterian is “familiar with the systems of government” and has “real-world experience” from her roles in the private sector.
Ley says:
In Gisele, the people of Bradfield would find a Federal MP who isn’t just a community champion capable of advocating on their local issues, but also more than able to serve in future high office …
Warren Mundine is an ideological powerhouse in our party and as was demonstrated during the Voice referendum, he is a strong and persuasive communicator.
Our federal parliamentary party would be bolstered by Warren’s contribution and I was an enthusiastic supporter of his efforts in Gilmore at the 2019 election.
However, at this critical juncture, it is my judgement that Gisele Kapterian represents the future of Bradfield. I believe she affords us the greatest chance of success in what will be an extremely closely-contested marginal seat, where the Teal machine could potentially pour millions of dollars into trying to unseat us.
Gisele is the right candidate for Bradfield at the right moment and I urge preselectors to support her.
Updated
