What we learned today, Saturday 12 August
Here’s a summary of the key developments on the blog today:
Excitement built across the nation, as Australians woke up to the day of the defining World Cup moment for the Matildas with their quarter final clash against France.
Police announced that a motorcyclist in Victoria died yesterday evening after being hit by a car, and then run over by another car while lying on road.
Korumburra residents offered organ donations to their pastor in a critical condition after suspected mushroom poisonings.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to the Matildas he said inspire the younger generation to play team sport.
We learned the sad news that the frontman of alternative rock band Died Pretty, Ron S Peno, died at the age of 68.
Enjoy the rest of your afternoon – here’s hoping the Matildas pull off the win!
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And with that sad news, we are going to be closing this live news blog soon as the live match blog fires up for the Matilda’s clash this afternoon against France. You can follow all the action here:
As Australians around the country are getting ready to cheer on the Tillies, this is just one message of support our managing editor Alison Rourke captured on the water temperature reading at Manly beach in Sydney today.
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Frontman of Died Pretty, Ron S Peno, dies aged 68
The frontman of alternative rock band Died Pretty, Ron S Peno, has died at the age of 68.
Peno was diagnosed in 2019 with oesophageal cancer and died in his home in Melbourne yesterday evening.
The band’s social media page today paid tribute to him:
With great sadness we announce the passing of our singer Ron S Peno who left us peacefully on Friday evening in the presence of his loving wife, Charity, and his son, Zebadiah, at his home in South Yarra, Melbourne.
For the last four and a half years as he battled cancer, Ron displayed a resolute positivity and a profound depth of character that has proved inspirational to his fellow band members, manager and many friends. In the face of adversity he was towering.
For the 40 years Ron entertained us as Died Pretty’s frontman he was never less than always charismatic. He has provided warm and enduring memories for those who shared the stage with him and for his audience. For many he is the soundtrack of their lives. He leaves us a legacy of extraordinary recordings that will continue to be treasured into the future.
Our hearts go out to Charity, Zebadiah and all his family and friends at this time. Ron will be sorely missed. The world will be a smaller place without him.
Ron’s family and Died Pretty would like to thank his medical team at St Vincent’s hospital, the Calvary Bethlehem palliative care team, Support Act and everyone who made a donation or sent a message of love during Ron’s time of need.
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Albanese was also asked about Cheng Lei, the Australian journalist detained in China. He again said he was concerned for her welfare, and that she should be released:
This is three years too long. We have made those representations, we will continue to make those representations, as we do constantly stand up for the rights of Australian citizens, and Cheng Lei is an Australian citizen. She is someone who does not deserve this treatment, and she is someone who should be released. We have made that point at the highest levels. We will continue to make that point whenever Australia meets with China. And it is important that her human rights, as an Australian citizen, be respected.
‘Don’t use this issue to cause division’: Albanese says about Dutton on the voice
Albanese used the question about Dutton to speak more broadly about the upcoming referendum, including touching on the support announced this morning for the yes vote by NSW Liberals leader, Mark Speakman. Albanese said:
This will give respect to Indigenous Australians. It will lift up all Australians, make us feel better about ourselves when you acknowledge the fullness and richness of your history. And it will also be recognised by the world … It will be a sign that we are a confident, mature nation going forward.
I note as well, and I congratulate Mark Speakman, the leader of the Coalition in New South Wales, the Opposition leader, for his very clear statements that he will be voting yes and supporting yes in the referendum campaign, following on from Dominic Perrottet’s support for a yes vote in this Referendum campaign as well.
There were people during the Republic referendum who said, ‘Oh, I don’t particularly like this model. I will wait for the next vote.’ That was last century. It is 2023, we are still waiting and there is no vote on the horizon. I say to Australians, this is an opportunity. Don’t miss it.
There are people including the premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, including now the Opposition leader in New South Wales, Mark Speakman, including all of the Labor party premiers and leaders throughout the nation. But importantly, as well, business leaders, the Business Council of Australia, the union movement, sporting codes, including the Football Federation, the AFL, the National Rugby League. People like to name one great North Queenslander, the great Johnathan Thurston, is there in the yes pamphlet explaining why for him this is really important going forward. You have every single major faith group in this country calling for a yes vote, calling for reconciliation.It is not too late for Peter Dutton to say, ‘I’m going to try and argue against the prime minister on health or education or some other issue.’ Don’t use this issue to cause division.
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Albanese details long road to get to the voice referendum
Albanese was also asked about Peter Dutton’s support for constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians, while continuing to oppose the voice. He said:
Well, Peter Dutton was part of a government for nine years … When it comes to the constitutional referendum that will take place in the last quarter of this year ... This isn’t something that has come in a vacuum. This is something that came after a long process of consultation.
It begun under John Howard, progressed under Julia Gillard, then Tony Abbott established a Referendum Advisory Group, that he established when he became prime minister. It is the process that led to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, that one-page document agreed to in the First Nations constitutional convention, held in 2017. You then had a report established after a parliamentary committee, chaired by Julian Leeser and by Patrick Dodson. A Committee established by the government under Tom Calma and Marcia Langton which produced a report that went to the Morrison government not once but twice. Scott Morrison, before the 2019, said that there would be advance. I was there at the Garma Festival in 2019 when Ken Wyatt spoke about a referendum taking place. Nothing happened. Nothing happened.
The idea that Peter Dutton is going to advance this issue after he presided over a process in which he pretends that this is just arisen in recent times is quite frankly … disingenuous.
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Matildas inspire younger generation to ‘play team sport’, Albanese says
Albanese went on to say that:
The whole of Australia will be watching the Matildas and cheering them on. And what we are seeing here is something that isn’t just good for the health of young Australians to encourage them to play in a physical sense, which, of course, it is.
The inspiration that the Matildas are providing, particularly to young girls, but also to young boys, will encourage them to play team sport. Team sport is good, you learn how to win, you learn how to lose, you learn how to cooperate with your teammates. You learn something else as well, that the team is more important than any individual. And I think we’ve seen that.
Sam Kerr was our flag-bearer at the Coronation. She is a great Australian, and I certainly hope that she gets a whole lot of game time at five o’clock. But for people who said that the Matildas couldn’t win without Sam Kerr, quite clearly that has not been the case, and the two goals that they scored in the round 16 were just extraordinary, and if we see two goals like that at five o’clock, I’m sure we will be talking about the Matildas playing in the semi-final, but I wish them well at five o’clock.
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Albanese addresses potential public holiday if Matildas win
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, spoke to the media in Mount Isa earlier today (he was invited there by senator Bob Katter to celebrate the town’s 100th anniversary, apparently) and had this to say about the prospect of a national holiday should the Matildas lift the world cup.
Journalist:
You have talked about your desire to have a public holiday if the Matildas win, but small business says it is a bad idea and it will cost them. Do agree with their concerns?
Albanese:
Well, I do note that there were concerns expressed when we had the public holiday for the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II and some said that that was something that would cause economic disruption. What that did, of course, was lead to increased economic activity in a whole lot of businesses, particularly small businesses, and it actually benefited a whole range of those businesses.
Look, these decisions that are for state and territory governments, but the Matildas are inspiring an entire nation, is what it happening, and I certainly wish the Matildas all the best this afternoon at five o’clock at Suncorp.
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Prophetic Sydney penguins preoccupied
Our live news blog has previously brought you the World Cup forecasts of the prophetic gentoo penguins at Sydney Aquarium.
Unfortunately, the animal oracles are off duty for the Matildas big quarter final match tonight as Guardian Australia understands they are otherwise occupied with mating season.
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Sporting venues open for Matildas match
The Matildas quarter final might be in Brisbane, but Australians will be gathering at public sites around the country this evening, with Dan Andrews announcing the match will be on the big screen at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, in addition to the MCG.
Fed Square went off on Monday for the Matildas.
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 11, 2023
And tomorrow, Rod Laver will too.
We're opening the arena and putting the game on the big screen. pic.twitter.com/nRR27aw5lt
Gates at the MCG will open at 4.30pm today for fans wanting to catch the Matildas on big screen before #AFLBluesDees @7NewsMelbourne
— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) August 11, 2023
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Refugee group encourages government to expand humanitarian intake
Lisa Button, the ceo of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA), is encouraging the Albanese government to use the momentum of the expanded humanitarian intake, and share a roadmap for community sponsorship places for refugees.
Labor have a stated goal to increase the annual refugee and humanitarian program to 27,000 places with 5,000 additional places for community sponsorship but the government has not given a timeframe for when this commitment will be achieved in full.
CRSA provides Australians with opportunities to sponsor refugees through the government-backed Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP).
Button says:
We encourage the government to build on this momentum by sharing a roadmap towards its goal of 5,000 additional community sponsored places, using programs like the CRISP and other new models that we and others have been advocating for.
With the right programs and policy settings, everyday Australians can further add to the government’s efforts and generate significant shared benefits for refugees, for local community members and for Australian towns and cities.
A similar community-led approach in Canada has enabled more than 325,000 refugees to build their lives in safety over the last 40 years in addition to those who enter through the ‘government assisted’ stream and has helped speed up the integration of those refugees into their new communities.
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In some good news, Matilda the koala has tipped Australia to beat France tonight.
You can read our preview here:
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Increase in refugee intake backed by industry group
The national employer association has also welcomed the government’s move to increase Australia’s humanitarian intake and says business is ready to play its part in welcoming new arrivals.
The chief executive of the Ai Group, Innes Willox, said:
With the increase in the refugee intake there should be a matching increase in investment in settlement programs that support and help put new arrivals on the path to finding fulfilling employment and building their new lives in Australia.
It is often very difficult for new refugees to have success in the job market for multiple reasons including language, skills recognition and their recent personal circumstances.Business is ready to play its part with government in welcoming and assisting these new arrivals, and indeed all new migrants, to become a valuable part of the Australian community.
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Praise for Australia’s increase in refugee intake
Humanitarian and employer groups are welcoming the government’s announcement yesterday they will be increasing Australia’s refugee and humanitarian intake to 20,000 places per year, up from the previous cap of 17,875.
Paul Power, the CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) said:
This announcement by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles comes at a time of great need, with the global refugee population greater than ever before at 35.3m and 2.4m refugees identified by the UN refugee agency UNHCR as being in urgent need of resettlement.
At a time of such great need, every additional refugee resettlement place is welcome and signifies Australia’s willingness to increase its share of international responsibility for people displaced by persecution and conflict.
Power said it was the “perfect time” for Australia to demonstrate international leadership two months on from taking on the chair of the Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways (the global dialogue which brings together UNHCR, governments, NGOs and refugee representatives from resettlement states).
An expansion of Australia’s refugee program also provides long-term benefits to the nation, he said:
Refugees bring both youth and entrepreneurialism to Australia. New arrivals are on average around 15 years younger than the national median age and, after 10 years in Australia, are nearly twice as likely to be earning income from their own businesses.
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At-risk Indigenous families given $44m government boost
With Indigenous children almost 12 times more likely to be placed in out-of-home care, the federal government will spend $44m over four years to help their families navigate the child protection system, AAP reports.
The money is being committed to ensure a Closing the Gap target is achieved to reduce by 2031 the number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care by 45%.
Social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said in a statement today that the program takes a holistic approach to the issue and recognises the importance of place-based, community-designed support for Indigenous families and children.:
The role of government is to listen to communities who best understand their local context, aspirations and what will help families navigate early support services and the child protection system.
The funding will go straight to communities and families, so they can ensure better futures for their children.
Fifteen organisations have been chosen receive funds, with input from independent First Nations representatives, along with commonwealth, state and territory government officials.
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Korumburra residents offer organ donations after suspected mushroom poisonings
If you’ve been following the story of the suspected mushroom poisoning in Victoria, which has left three dead, South Gippsland council says people have been phoning up offering to be organ donors for the fourth man who remains in intensive care.
Ian Wilkinson’s wife Heather died, but the Baptist minister who also worked as a handyman at the local retirement village in Korumburra, is still in a critical condition.
Jenni Keerie, a South Gippsland local councillor, told the ABC:
I’ve had community members phone me this week and say, ‘I’ve heard Ian needs a transplant … and I want to be a donor so what can I do’.
You don’t get that often that people are willing to donate a part of their body to save the life of someone else but that is the type of people they were.
That is the calibre of people they were and their contributions to the community.
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Alice Springs bushfire spreads through national park
An uncontrolled bushfire is spreading through Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park near Alice Springs.
The fire started yesterday and authorities have yet to contain the blaze, which is spreading on multiple fronts.
Bushfires NT say the fire is extending east and north:
An uncontrolled fire in Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park is currently burning to the North and East of Simpsons Gap extending East towards Alice Springs and to the north-west towards the Hamilton Downs Youth Camp access.
Effective containment strategies are not yet in place.
Parks and Wildlife have closed Section 1 and 2 of Larapinta trail, the Woodland trail, the Simpsons Gap bike path and the Hell Line Mountain bike trail.
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Motorcyclist dies after being hit by car before being run over by another car
A motorcyclist in Victoria has died after being hit by a car, and then run over by another car while lying on road.
The collision occurred just before 9pm yesterday evening in Mornington, in the Mornington Peninsula south-east of Melbourne.
Police say they are working to establish the exact circumstances of the collision and investigations are ongoing:
It is understood a car and motorcyclist collided on Wilsons Road, at the intersection of Orchid Avenue, about 8.50pm.
Police were told another vehicle then crashed into the rider who [was] lying on the road with critical injuries.
Emergency services worked on the male rider, who is yet to be formally identified, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The female driver of the first car stopped at the scene.
The male driver of the second car also stopped at the scene.
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Emergency services are getting in on tonight’s action showing their support for the Matildas. I’ll let you judge their respective senses of humour for yourself:
No horsing around or doggone shenanigans, your peeps in blue are Green and Gold for you! GO THE MATILDAS! 🐕🦺🐴⚽🦘🏆#FIFAWWC #Matildas #MaryFowler #footballaus pic.twitter.com/Y0rBVlNt5X
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) August 11, 2023
BREAKING NEWS 🚨
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) August 11, 2023
We’ve just been informed there’s a STORM expected at Suncorp Stadium this afternoon. The Matilda’s are bringing the thunder from Down Under with lightning-fast plays and a flood of goals, blowing their opponents away! ⚽💨
Let’s go, Matilda's! 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/RVDUnwcEyy
Shakin' in our boots for this afternoon's game. Vive la Matildas! 💚💛
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) August 12, 2023
P.S. Sundays are good for cleaning your gutters, just saying... pic.twitter.com/jyFuWwKbcd
Anyone seen this wooden cabinet?
Police are looking for the owners of a wooden cabinet, inside which they found 60kg of methamphetamine hidden in silver packages behind a false backing.
The cabinet was sent via sea cargo from Canada and arrived in Sydney on 9 May, addressed to western Sydney, with the name of a Chinese national listed as the receiver.
The substance returned a positive test for methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $54m.
The multi-agency operation investigating how the illicit drugs were imported into Australia has been codenamed Taskforce Phobetor. (Phobetor, for those asking, was invented by Ovid as one of the sons of Sleep, a brother of Morpheus and god of nightmares who appeared in the form of a snake or bird)
Taskforce Phobetor Commander, Det Supt Stuart Cadden, said:
We are certain there are people in Australia who know something about this importation, either as the receiver or future distributer.
By now, these people might be concerned that their drugs have not arrived.
We are urging anyone who can identify the cabinet or who may have knowledge to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.
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Touching moment after Sweden knocks out Japan
Taking us back a moment to last night’s match where Sweden knocked out Japan, to appreciate the touching moment Jonna Andersson took time away from her team’s celebration to comfort Maika Hamano.
The Swedish fullback Andersson told reporters afterwards:
I got sad because I saw she was sad ... I said that she had a lot of championships ahead of her.
The 19-year-old Japanese forward Hamano has spent the current season at Andersson’s current club Hammarby in Stockholm, Reuters reports.
Sports reporter at The Age, Marnie Vinall, says she’s seen similar acts of cross-team solidarity at almost every game.
I've seen this at almost every game and I think it's something that really sets apart the women's game. Off the pitch, all players have been fighting together for better recognition, pay and conditions and to help grow the women's comps. There's a big sense of global camaraderie. https://t.co/IZQ0UE6ii5
— Marnie Vinall (@marnievinall) August 11, 2023
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One man dead, two others escape house fire
Stepping away from the Matildas, AAP have some sorry news out of Victoria:
A man has died and two other men have escaped unharmed after a fire broke out in a house in southwestern Victoria.
Emergency Services were called to a residence at Diana Street, Apollo Bay about 12.30am on Friday.
A 40-year-old man was removed from the property and given CPR but he could not be revived.
Another two men who were at the property were treated at the scene by ambulance crews.
A crime scene has been established as detectives establish the cause of the blaze.
We also have a very special bonus Full Story episode for you. Long time Matildas fan and assistant sport editor Jo Khan analyses the strategies that will be showcased tonight for newer Matildas fan Jane Lee:
If you’re like me and just realised what all the fuss about the Women’s World Cup is, you’re in luck! @_jokhan explains everything you need to know to watch the Matildas’ quarter final against France today in her Full Story debut 🎧 https://t.co/qmV6vw8VuL
— Jane Lee (@JaneSYLee) August 11, 2023
The nation’s papers (including a special edition of the Kerr-ier Mail) are covered in green and gold this morning. The Herald Sun takes the prize for best headline with “show ‘em no merci.”
It’s game day for our @TheMatildas and it’s a front page takeover nationally across tabloids. All of Australia is captivated. Let’s Go! #Matildas #TilitsDone #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/U8A9XqtOZh
— Peter Filopoulos (@peterfilopoulos) August 11, 2023
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If you missed last night’s action on the other side of the draw, Spain and Sweden have already secured their spots in the semis with super exciting wins you can catch up on here:
And here:
Good morning!
And welcome to our live news blog on this most important day for the nation as the Matildas take on France in a blockbuster Women’s World Cup quarterfinal.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson is yet to confirm whether striker Sam Kerr will start tonight, but says if she is fit, he’ll have no hesitation doing so.
As we wait for the match to get underway at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium at 5pm AEST, you can quantifiably prove your Matildas superfan status to your friends, family, and the world at large, by taking this quiz.
You can also read up on predictions for all of the Women’s World Cup quarter-final matches from Guardian columnist and former England football international, Anita Asante, here.
As Asante writes, were Australia v France the final there would have been few complaints, but – fair warning – you might not like her prediction of France to win on penalties.
There is of course other news around this morning, and we’ll be bringing you updates on the different moving parts around the country this morning as we collectively hold our breaths for what some are describing as the biggest night in sport since the Sydney Olympics.
Let’s get into it!
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