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The Guardian - AU
National
Catie McLeod (now) and Emily Wind (earlier)

Rail unions back fresh industrial action across Sydney train network in lead-up to New Year’s Eve – as it happened

Jim Chalmers Australia NT Chris Minns Bali Nine New South Wales Bureau of Meteorology Coalition Economy John Hunter (Organization)
Sydney train
NSW rail unions stuck in negotiations for better pay voted to take fresh action in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve. Photograph: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

What we learned today, Monday 16 December

With that, we will wrap up the blog for today. Have a great evening, and stay cool out there if you’re reading this from somewhere hot.

Here were today’s major developments:

  • Former New South Wales police officer Kristian White has sought to appeal against his sacking from the force after he was convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting a 95-year-old woman in a nursing home with a Taser.

  • Parts of Australia sweltered through the day, especially in Victoria, which recorded its highest temperature – 47.1C – in five years, its hottest since the start of the catastrophic black summer bushfire season in 2019

  • Austrac is taking gambling giant Entain to court, alleging “serious risk of criminal exploitation” by the company, which runs Ladbrokes and Neds.

  • Two of four Australians who were hospitalised after a suspected mass alcohol poisoning event in Fiji have returned home. Fijian deputy prime minister, Viliame Gavoka, held a press conference earlier today, where he said the incident occurred at one bar, where “many” pina colada cocktails were served.

  • The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has said he is not aware of any deals with Indonesia regarding the return of the remaining Bali Nine members to Australia. Chalmers said he believes their release was an “act of cooperation and compassion” by the Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto.

  • And the body of an international tourist, aged in his 20s, has been recovered from the water after he went missing near a popular swimming hole south of Cairns yesterday.

Updated

Sydney to face a scorcher on Tuesday as Melbourne cools down

Before we wrap up for the evening, here’s a look at what the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting for capital cities tomorrow.

After a scorching day in Melbourne, relief is on the way for people in the Victorian capital later tonight when an expected cool change comes through.

Melbourne is set for a top of 24C tomorrow, with high chances of showers and a possible thunderstorm early in the morning.

It’s looking like it will be a sweltering day in parts of Sydney. A top temperature of 33C is expected in the CBD, but, as usual, it’s a different story for the city’s west.

The temperature is expected to reach 42C in Penrith and Richmond, 40C in Campbelltown and Liverpool and 38C in Parramatta.

A maximum temperature of 35C is forecast for Perth and a top of 34C is expected in Canberra. Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart can expect maximum temperatures of 26C, 29C and 21C, respectively.

It’s going to be hot in Darwin, where the temperature is set to reach 36C.

You can read more of our coverage of today’s heatwave here:

Updated

NSW government hits another hurdle in attempts to stop train strikes

The New South Wales government’s attempt to block industrial action across Sydney’s train network through legal means appears set for another hurdle, after rail unions negotiating for better pay voted to take fresh action in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve.

Late on Monday, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) released the results of a fresh protected industrial action ballot it launched after the Minns government made an 11th-hour decision to seek a court injunction to block industrial action last week.

While the legal case related to the injunction was still playing out before the federal court on Monday, RTBU members have since voted in favour of taking fresh industrial action which would not be subject to the injunction.

Members overwhelmingly voted in favour of the action, with between 78% to just under 80% in favour between the Sydney Trains and NSW Trains workforces, according to results seen by Guardian Australia.

The vote means that RTBU members will be able to take industrial action as early as 28 December, covering a range of actions from 24-hour work stoppages, to declining distances of work for drivers, as well as decisions to deactivate Opal card readers.

You can read more about the pay dispute here:

Updated

Kristian White applies for review of sacking by NSW police

Former New South Wales police officer Kristian White has sought to appeal his sacking from the force after he was convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting a 95-year-old woman in a nursing home with a Taser.

White was sacked in early December just days after a jury found him guilty of the manslaughter of Clare Nowland.

A spokesperson for the NSW police confirmed a case had been filed in the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales to appeal against the sacking:

NSW Police have been advised a former officer who was attached to Monaro PD, has filed in the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales an application for review under s 181E of the Police Act 1990.

Given the matter is before the IRC no further comment can be made.

White used a Taser to shoot the great-grandmother, who was armed with a serrated knife and threatening police and staff, at her Cooma nursing home in May 2023. She died a week later from head injuries sustained when she fell backwards from the force of the Taser shot.

Updated

Austrac takes gambling giant Entain to court, alleging ‘serious risk of criminal exploitation’

The financial intelligence agency has begun federal court action against gambling giant Entain, which runs the Ladbrokes and Neds brands, accusing it of “serious and systemic non-compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws”.

In a statement, Austrac’s chief executive, Brendan Thomas, alleged Entain “did not develop and maintain a compliant anti-money laundering program and failed to identify and assess the risks it faced”:

We are alleging this left the company at serious risk of criminal exploitation.

Money laundering is often a symptom of serious criminal activity, including fraud, scams and corruption, all of which have equally serious effects on our communities.

Austrac has also alleged “third parties, including businesses and individuals, accepted cash and other deposits on behalf of Entain to be credited into betting accounts in ways that could obscure the proceeds of crime”.

It has accused the company of not conducting ‘appropriate checks on 17 higher risk customers, including examples where Entain did not appropriately deal with the risk that its online betting sites were being exploited by criminals to spend the proceeds of serious crime’.

This includes allegations that Entain deliberately obscured the identity of some high risk customers, on its own systems, through the use of pseudonyms to ‘protect their privacy’

Thomas said the Australian arm of Entain was “part of one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups”:

The online betting sector, and all other businesses regulated by Austrac, must take their AML/CTF obligations seriously. This includes ensuring they have appropriate procedures to know who their customer is, even when they rely on third parties to process transactions.

Entain has been contacted for comment.

Updated

Man’s body found in Queensland swimming hole near ‘treacherous’ terrain, police say

A man’s body has been recovered from the water after he went missing near a popular swimming hole south of Cairns yesterday.

Queensland police Snr Sgt Rob Campbell has said the Babinda Boulders swimming hole is not on an authorised national park track and can be dangerous at this time of year.

At a press conference today, Campbell said:

This is quite treacherous terrain at this time of year because of the rainfall and the water coming through.

It’s not an authorised trail where it is so it’s not really a place that’s well maintained and kept, and it is rainforest as well.

Police said the man, an international tourist in his 20s, was reported missing about 2.20pm yesterday after he fell into the water and didn’t resurface.

Police, the State Emergency service, and Queensland Fire Department Swift Water Rescue crews immediately began searching for the man.

They suspended the search overnight.

After resuming this morning, police said they found the man’s body in the water about 11am.

Police have said the man is yet to be identified and they will prepare a report for the coroner.

Updated

Northern Territory releases Atar results

Atar results are out for students in the Northern Territory, with 1,447 Year 12 graduates obtaining their certificate.

It’s an increase of 78 compared with 2023, but below the record 1,610 students that graduated in 2020. Some 257 of the graduates are Aboriginal students.

The NT’s minister for education and training, Jo Hersey, said the results were a testament to the commitment of senior secondary students across the Territory.

She said:

These results are also a reflection of students’ families, teachers and schools, who have supported our students throughout their studies to achieve such fantastic results.

Darwin high school topped the list, educating 13 of the top 20 students in the Territory. A total of 47 A+ merits – representing exceptional achievement in a subject – were handed out across seven schools.

Updated

Temperatures of 44C or higher hit Victoria’s west

Here are some more details from Weatherzone about today’s heatwave in Victoria.

As we mentioned before, the peak temperature so far of 47.1C was recorded just after 2pm in Walpeup, a small town in the Mallee region in the state’s northwest.

Temperatures have reached 44C or higher at several other locations in the Mallee and Wimmera districts including Mildura, where the temperature has peaked at 45.1C.

In Horsham, in the Wimmera region in the state’s west, the temperature has reached 44C.

At Hopetoun airport, north of Horsham, the temperature has peaked at 45.4C. This is also the site of the hottest temperature on record in Victoria, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with 48.8C recorded on 7 February 2009.

Victoria’s southern coastline hasn’t escaped the heat today either, according to Weatherzone.

The temperature in the coastal city of Warrnambool, in the state’s west, reached 41.2C just after 1pm.

But that quickly changed, with the temperature dropping more than 10C in 30 minutes as a cooler west-southwesterly change pushed through.

It’s 36.9C in Melbourne now, according to the weather bureau.

Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying cool.

Updated

Victoria temperature hits 47C

The temperature in Victoria has hit 47°C for the first time since December 2019, according to Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino.

In a post on X, Domensino said the last time it was this hot in the state was at the start of the Black Summer bushfire season.

The hottest place in the state so far today is 47.1°C at Walpeup, a town in the Mallee region south of Mildura, although Domensino said this could change in the coming hours.

Updated

Thank you to my colleague, Emily Wind, for taking care of the blog this morning. I’ll be with you until the end of the day.

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today, Catie McLeod will be here to take you through the rest of today’s news. Take care.

More than 50 Victorian schools and early childhood centres affected by extreme heat

As we flagged earlier, Victoria’s Department of Education has listed more than 50 schools and early childhood centres that have closed, relocated or switched to remote learning, as the state responds to the extreme heat and fire danger.

The schools and early childhood centres span numerous districts in the state, including the south-eastern, north-eastern, north-western and south-western regions.

Updated

Bushfire threat downgraded in West Wimmera

Earlier we reported a Watch and Act alert had been issued due to a bushfire at Casterton-Edenhope Road in the West Wimmera region of Victoria.

The Country Fire Authority says the threat has been reduced, lowering the bushfire to advice level – meaning there is no immediate danger, and to stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Updated

Gavoka says four of the six will be released from hospital today

Viliame Gavoka said the resort where this occurred is “very highly rated” with high standards.

We don’t think anything untoward happened, and that the industry itself is a very caring one. We have no fear that anyone would be doing anything untoward.

Asked if this was methanol poisoning, the deputy PM said “we would like to wait for the results of the tests”.

That would be really in the extreme … We don’t believe it’s possible in Fiji.

He said that of the six people who are ill, four will be released from hospital today – but due to privacy concerns he wouldn’t disclose the nationalities.

Updated

‘Many’ pina colada cocktails served on night tourists fell sick: Fijian deputy PM

Viliame Gavoka described pina colada cocktails as a “pretty harmless drink” and said “many” were served that evening across five bars at the resort – but those who have fallen ill were all at the one bar.

In the same bar, there were many pina coladas served that evening. And with this resort, there are five bars altogether … so in the other four bars, pina colada was also served. No ill effects. So we really want to get down to the toxicology and really get to understand what really happened.

Updated

Gavoka says ‘Everyone is in a state of disbelief’

Taking questions, Viliame Gavoka was asked whether there is any possibility this was a deliberate action. He said the bar was full that evening, and the bartender has 16 years’ experience and is “someone who is known for their caring attitude”.

Pina colada is the drink here. A lot of people drank pina colada but it only affected these six or seven people. I don’t think that is the case. I think there’s something else we need to identify.

He said those affected were from different travelling parties. Toxicology results could take three or four days, he said.

We’re really keen to see the result of that. Everyone is in a state of, you know, disbelief this has happened.

Updated

Deputy Fijian prime minister providing update on suspected alcohol poisoning cases

The deputy prime minister of Fiji, Viliame Gavoka, is speaking to reporters in Suva amid news Australians were in hospital amid suspected alcohol poisoning.

He said this was a “very isolated incident” and authorities are waiting on the results of ongoing investigations and lab tests.

The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests. The incident occurred at only one bar and six tourists, ranging in the age from young to older, fell ill. Management is concerned, as we are, and are fully cooperating with the minister of health and other authorities to identify what happened and to ensure the safety of all guests.

He said Fiji has close to a million visitors annually and “this is the only reported case of its kind that we have experienced in memory.”

Updated

Updated hottest temperatures so far today, in each state and territory

Earlier we brought you the hottest temperatures recorded so far in each state and territory today.

Some even higher temperatures have now been recorded, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, including:

  • Queensland: Urandangi – 45.3C at 1.06pm

  • NSW and ACT: Smithville – 45.1C at 1.12pm

  • South Australia: Renmark Airport – 45.1C at 12.47pm

  • Northern Territory: Jervois – 45C at 12.36pm

  • Western Australia: Mardie – 41.3C at 11.07am

  • Tasmania: Low Rocky Point – 36C at 2.10pm

Victoria still has the hottest temperature recorded so far today – 45.4C at Walpeup, at 1pm.

Updated

Firefighters battle a grassfire at Westgate Park in Melbourne

Firefighters in Victoria have been responding to a grassfire at Westgate Park, directly under the West Gate bridge.

The fire is not yet under control, and is burning at advice level – meaning there is no immediate danger, and to stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Here is a photo from the scene, from AAP just earlier:

Total fire ban for Mallee and Wimmera districts tomorrow

Amid the extreme heat, a total fire ban has been declared for the Mallee and Wimmera districts in Victoria tomorrow.

No fires can be lit, or be allowed to remain alight, in the open air from 12.01am to 11.59pm, the Country Fire Authority said.

This follows a total fire ban for two-thirds of the state today.

Walpeup, in the Mallee region, has recorded the hottest temperature in Victoria so far today, reaching 45.4C at 1pm.

Updated

Simon Holmes à Court, director of The Superpower Institute and convener of Climate 200, has penned an opinion article looking at the Coalition’s nuclear energy plan – you can have a read of this below:

Australian shares on track for fifth day of losses

The local share market is on track for a fifth day of losses in its longest stretch since mid-April, AAP reports, with the mining sector the biggest drag.

At lunchtime, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 21.8 points, or 0.26%, to 8,274.2, while the broader All Ordinaries was down 28.3 points, or 0.33%, to 8,522.0.

Barring an afternoon turnaround, the ASX’s losing stretch will equal a similar five-day streak from April 11-17. Five of the ASX’s 11 sectors were lower at midday and four were higher, with the bourse’s two consumer sectors both basically flat.

Materials/mining was the biggest mover, dropping 1.2% as the price of iron ore fell. BHP and Rio Tinto were both down 1.4%, while Fortescue had fallen 2.3%. Goldminers were also down as the precious metal traded around US$2,652 an ounce, with Newmont falling 3.3% and Evolution down 1.6%.

The big four banks were mostly higher, with ANZ and NAB both up 0.2% and Westpac advancing 0.4%. CBA was the outlier, basically flat at $158.15. Insurance companies were faring better, with IAG and Suncorp both up 1.3%.

The Australian dollar was up to 63.71 US cents, from 63.58 US cents at Friday’s ASX close.

Updated

Watch and act alert issued for bushfire in West Wimmera

A watch and act alert has been issued for a bushfire in the West Wimmera region of Victoria.

The bushfire is at Casterton-Edenhope Road and is not yet under control, the Country Fire Authority said, travelling in a south-east direction with spot fires and embers starting fires up to 500m ahead of the main blaze.

A wind change was expected around 1pm, causing the fire to change directions towards Connewirricoo.

Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.

Communities in Chetwynd, Kadnook and Powers Creek are told that leaving now is the safest option:

Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.

Updated

Hottest places so far today in each state and territory

As we’ve already flagged, much of the country is experiencing heatwave conditions today, with some places expected to reach their hottest December days on record.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, these are the hottest temperatures recorded so far today in each state and territory:

  • Victoria: Walpeup – 45.4C at 12.31pm

  • Queensland: Birdsville – 44.6C at 11.45am

  • South Australia: Renmark Airport – 44.3C at 12pm

  • NSW and ACT: Smithville – 44.2C at 12.50pm

  • Northern Territory: Jervois – 44.1C at 11.02am

  • Western Australia: Roebourne Airport – 40C at 9.46am

  • Tasmania: Low Rocky Point – 35C at 12.45pm

Updated

Pleasant weather for carolling in Sydney on Saturday

The Christmas Day forecast is still a couple of days away, but carollers in Sydney and Melbourne are getting their first look at predicted conditions for the annual outdoor singalong.

Jonathan How, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the forecast for Sydney’s Carols in the Domain on Saturday is mostly sunny, with a maximum of 27C.

It will be quite a pleasant evening. We’ll have some cooler winds coming through in the evening. Definitely a warm day, but bring a jacket if you are going to the Domain.

Melbourne’s Christmas Eve carols are still just outside the Bureau’s weekly forecast range, How said, but the latest guidance indicated it could be dry and mild. As Melburnians know, the forecast could change quite dramatically, he said, so “watch this space”.

It’s too early to know the Christmas Day forecast until at least 18 December, even though some media outlets began offering forecasts three weeks out. You can read more on this below:

Updated

NSW police investigating fire in Sydney’s south-west

New South Wales police say they are investigating the cause of the fire that engulfed a pallet yard in south-western Sydney early this morning. In a statement police have said:

Officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command and firefighters were called to the factory in Huntsmore Road about 12.30am … after fire was seen in pallets stacked inside a factory.

Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze, with damage contained to pallets and a truck. No buildings were damaged.

Police say they have set up a crime scene which they will examine later today. They have asked anyone with information about the fire to contact Crime Stoppers.

Updated

Firetrucks partially melted due to intense heat while responding to Sydney blaze overnight

A dozen firetrucks responded to a large fire at a pallet yard in Sydney’s south-west, which caused some of the trucks to partially melt due to the extreme heat.

Fire and Rescue NSW said more than 50 firefighters responded to the blaze at Minto just after 12.30 this morning. The yard, about 20 metres by 50 metres in size, contained stacked pallets that were engulfed by fire with two adjacent factories under threat.

The intense radiant heat posed “significant challenges”, FRNSW said, with the sides of trucks – parked 20 metres away – partially melted and spot fires ignited in nearby stacks of wood.

It took about two hours to get the fire under control. The site has been handed over to NSW police for further investigation into the cause of the fire.

Updated

NT weather station records 43.2C heat

A host of inland regions are competing to be the hottest place in Australia – and probably the planet – today.

Presently, Jervois in the Northern Territory is the hottest station, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, at 43.2C.

Schools closed or relocated in Victoria due to heat: premier

Also at her press conference earlier, the state premier, Jacinta Allan, warned Victorians about the extreme heat conditions today.

She urged everyone to download the VicEmergency app and pay attention to local conditions.

We already have a number of schools in different parts of the state that have closed or relocated because of the weather conditions. These conditions are widespread, and also too with the change coming through its predicted that there will be dry thunderstorms and lightning. That is a particularly dangerous time when you couple that with high winds.

So I’m asking people to please pay attention to your surroundings. If you don’t have to go out in the periods of extreme weather and heat, please don’t. If you know that there are vulnerable members of our community, check in on your family and friends.

Stay cool and particularly pay attention to the localised information that will be coming through in the course of the day.

Updated

Victorian cabinet reshuffle to occur before Christmas: Jacinta Allan

Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, confirmed a cabinet reshuffle will occur before Christmas. An MP from Labor caucus will also be elevated to cabinet, she said.

With Tim’s announcement today, there will be a vacancy in the cabinet. There will be a caucus process. I’ll let that caucus process run its course, because that is the responsibility of my caucus colleagues, and once that’s concluded, we’ll be able to provide further details of who will be stepping into some remarkably large sized shoes to continue that journey for the decade ahead.

As for the Werribee candidate, she said preselection was a matter for the party.

As someone who has lived and worked in my community for the past 25 years, having good strong local connections is a good place to start.

Updated

More from Tim Pallas’ earlier press conference

Just circling back to Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas’ press conference, where he announced he would resign from politics.

True to form, he was full of great lines, quoting Sinatra when asked about regrets:

I have a few, but then again too few to mention.

He went on to say that “my life in public office is now at an end, and it is your right to eulogise whether my passing is a good or a bad thing, it is entirely up to you.”

Pallas also said he takes full responsibility for “all the bad things that have come out of our budget position”.

The good things, of course, the premier has the vision and the leadership … so please feel free to vent any frustrations you have, and blame me for them. But be assured of this at no stage ever did I lose sight of my responsibilities to look after the welfare of the Victorian people and never to employ austerity – that is making my problems reflected in the balance sheets of families or businesses.

On his retirement plans, Pallas said he spoke with Steve Bracks and joked “we’re going to buy two rocking chairs”.

We’re going to put them on the porch. We’re going to rock back and forth, and at any passerby that goes past, we will harass them with stories about how good we were.

Updated

Chalmers on future of coal demand from trading partners, especially China

A reporter asked Jim Chalmers about the demand for coal into the future, particularly from trading partners such as China as they move to renewables.

The treasurer said he was “an optimist about the future of Australian resources”, but said “preferences from our major trading partners will evolve over time.” On China, he said:

Particularly when you think about the stunning transformation in the Chinese economy, not just in the decades to here, but in the decades from here as well. Their population is ageing, they’re making a huge play when it comes to AI and technology and automation and robotics, huge play. We’re already seeing the middle-classing of their economy as their emphasis in the economy shifts from industries like construction to more consumer-focused industries.

So we’re seeing a stunning transformation of the Chinese economy. We have been a big beneficiary of that and I think we’ll be a big beneficiary of it into the future as well. If you think about the big transformations that we are dealing with and trying to maximise and manage, all of them, in one way or another, involve a very productive and prosperous relationship with China.

After one more question, Chalmers’ press conference in Canberra wrapped up.

Updated

New RBA board in the works since July, Chalmers says

Chalmers notes in his press conference that the board members were in the works since July (when the opposition was not very cooperative).

Stressed borrowers will be wondering what the new board means for interest rates. In the near-term, not so much.

The next RBA board meeting is 17-18 February – which is prior to when the new boards get going. (The next board meeting is due 31 March - 1 April.)

As of Friday, there was about a one-in-four chance of 25 basis-point cut in the cash rate for the next RBA meeting, and almost a certainty for the 1 April date. A lot, of course, might change between now and a couple of months into 2025 (eg 20 January, when Donald Trump retakes the White House).

Guardian Australia, as it happens, got to ask Andrew Hauser – the RBA deputy governor who was hired from the Bank of England at the start of 2024 – whether our central bank would have acted differently this past year if there’d been a specialist monetary policy board in place.

“My guess is much the same, actually,” Hauser said, adding that “all committees have strengths and weaknesses”.

On the one hand, having a lot of expertise – eg on monetary policy – can provide “a lot of technical debate [but] sometimes we slightly miss the big picture”.

The present board has a varied background in business, academia and the law. That diversity of views can help when you have to deal with “only about one variable” (that is, borrowing costs), Hauser said.

In any case, borrowers will hope 2025 is not a repeat of this year when the RBA left the key interest rate unchanged (now for nine meetings in a row, starting last December). A few early cuts would help them – and likely boost the odds of the Albanese government getting a second term.

Updated

Indonesian minister says Bali Nine transfer 'reciprocal in nature'

The Australian government is saying there was no “deal” to get the Bali five prisoners home, but an Indonesian minister has appeared to indicate there was a “reciprocal” arrangement.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said this morning that it was simply an act of compassion from Indonesia. Asked if there was any deal or “payback arrangements expected” from Indonesia, Albanese replied: “no”. Yesterday he said there was “an arrangement agreed between our two countries.”

But AAP reports that Indonesia’s senior minister for legal affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said the transfer was “reciprocal in nature”.

If one day our government requests the transfer of Indonesian prisoners in Australia, the Australian government is also obliged to consider it.

The five are banned for life from entering Indonesia, Yusril said in a statement.

Indonesia has said it would respect any decision by Australia when the prisoners returned home, including whether to grant pardons.

Updated

Chalmers labels Liberal nuclear policy a ‘meltdown’

Moving to the opposition’s nuclear energy policy, Jim Chalmers labelled their announcement last week as “a joke.”

It wasn’t modelling, it was a meltdown. It was a proper nuclear meltdown, what we saw from [Peter] Dutton and [Angus] Taylor last week.

He said that “no self-respecting alternative government could possibly sign up to the rubbish that was released last Friday.”

We have seen this pattern of behaviour from Peter Dutton. He announced he was going to have these stage-three tax cuts and then had to walk away from them in a very humiliating fashion, and then he announced he was going to have a net overseas migration target. He walked away from that. You can see this going the same way.

He continued to lash the policy, labelling it a “shambles” and saying “It’s one of the maddest things I have ever seen, what they tried to inflict on us last week.”

Updated

Chalmers says he is not aware of any deals with Indonesia regarding release of remaining Bali Nine

Jim Chalmers was also asked about the returning Bali Nine members – will Indonesia be expecting any favours into the future because of the deal? The treasurer responded “not that I’m aware of.”

I think this was an act of cooperation and compassion from President Prabowo, and I’m very grateful and the government is very grateful to President Prabowo for his cooperation and his commitment to working with Australia in this instance.

A reporter notes that compassion for drug smugglers isn’t something that Indonesia has shown much of in the past – what’s different here? Chalmers said this was a question for Indonesia.

At our end, you know, we respect Indonesian laws, we respect the Indonesian system, we’re grateful to President Prabowo for this act of cooperation and compassion. We don’t deny that these Australians did the wrong thing, but it was time for them to come home and I’m very pleased they have come home.

And asked if there should be fast-tracked visas granted for any family members of the five men, Chalmers said he wasn’t aware of those sorts of considerations.

Updated

Chalmers says he is ‘optimistic’ about future of WA’s resources sector

The treasurer has been asked about the forecast downgrading of mining exports by $100bn in the mid year budget update, amid slower growth in China – how will this impact Western Australia?

Jim Chalmers said he was not “pessimistic about the future of the resources sector”.

This just reflects the reality of less demand out of China, largely, and a couple of other less substantial factors … I’m very optimistic about the future of our resources sector. I see it playing an absolutely central role in our economy. The people, and industries of WA do so much of the heavy lifting in our national economy …

Chalmers said he was monitoring developments in China very closely.

Updated

Reserve Bank should be ‘beyond party politics’: Chalmers

Jim Chalmers has been asked about efforts to ensure the RBA appointments were as bipartisan as possible. He began by responding:

My preference all along, as you know, was to include the other big governing party. When that became impossible, when Angus Taylor’s party room had a different view to him, I had to play the cards I was dealt with in the Senate, but I still intend to ensure that the future of the Reserve Bank is beyond politics.

Chalmers said he has “done my best to be as consultative as I can, you know, going all the way back to July”.

I won’t go into the conversation but I can say that we provided those names to him, and three of the four names in the governance board. And so people should expect that type of consultation to continue because the future of the Reserve Bank should be beyond party politics.

Chalmers praises Tim Pallas and says state treasurer has ‘earned the right to go and do something else’

Back to Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas’ resignation, Jim Chalmers was asked whether Victorians would be as “effusive” towards him, given that he leaves the state with a downgraded credit rating and upgraded debt.

The federal treasurer said he wasn’t going to “have a shot of him on the way out the door”.

I’m focused on my budget and the budget update that Katy [Gallagher] and I will update on Wednesday.

I won’t give the Victorians free advice. All of us have got pressures on our budget. The pressures on the Victorian budget are well known.

My experience of Tim has been a very dedicated person, very intelligent person, somebody who I have enjoyed working with, and so I see no point in trying to run him down as he exits after 10 years and 10 budgets. I think he’s earned the right to go and do something else.

Updated

Chalmers forecasts new opportunites for RBA board to ‘explain to Australians how they’re thinking’

Jim Chalmers has now been taking questions. He highlighted one outcome of the RBA review being that there would be more opportunities for the governor, deputy governor and others to “explain to Australians how they’re thinking is evolving when it comes to monetary policy, but also to the economy more broadly”:

I think that’s a really good development and I think most of you, if not all of you, would agree that the press conferences on board decision days are especially informative and useful to people. We want to build on that.

Michele Bullock has said … when the board meets in March [she would like] to begin a conversation with the new boards about the best way to go about that – whether it’s the public commentary and speeches from new and existing members … That’s now a conversation which is most appropriately had by the new boards when they meet in March.

Updated

Chalmers says travel advice for Fiji has been updated after suspected alcohol poisoning incident

Jim Chalmers also said be was very concerned about the news out of Fiji that four Australians have been hospitalised over the weekend with suspected alcohol poisoning.

He said this was no doubt a distressing time for the families and Dfat officials are providing consular assistance.

Fiji police are investigating to determine the cause of the illnesses and we’ll try to keep people updated as that investigation continues. Dfat has updated its travel advice for Fiji with some extra information, and Australians who are travelling this summer should always check Smart Traveller to make sure they have got the most up-to-date information.

Beyond that, people who are affected by this are entitled to their privacy, so we won’t say more about their particular situation until or unless it’s OK with them.

Updated

Chalmers on Pallas’ resignation from politics

Commenting on Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas’ resignation, as we just reported, Jim Chalmers said he has known Pallas for some time and considers him a friend and a “person of great intellect.”

He’s made an enormous contribution to the state that he loves. He’s wonderful company and I’ll be sad to see him go. From time to time, we butt heads about issues – that’s fine, that’s to be expected – but nobody could doubt his commitment over 10 years and 10 budgets and all of his experience before then, he has been a huge contributor to the state of Victoria … I’ll be sad to see him go, but I can understand that after 10 years and 10 budgets, he’s earned the right to put his feet up. So, Tim, I wish you well, mate, and all the best for the future.

Updated

Chalmers says mid-year budget update will show ‘biggest-ever positive nominal turnaround’

Jim Chalmers has also spoken about the mid-year budget update, to be released by him and the finance minister, Katy Gallagher, on Wednesday.

He said it would show that over the first two and a half years of this government, “we have seen the biggest-ever positive nominal turnaround in a budget on record.”

We have delivered the first back-to-back surpluses in the best part of two decades. [There has been] very substantial investment and that’s saving the Australian people tens of billions of dollars when it comes to debt interest.

Chalmers said there were pressures that need to be accommodated in the update, with the estimated variations to be “very substantial.”

Slower growth in China will also have a substantial impact on the budget. What you’ll see in Wednesday’s figures is that we are downgrading mining exports by more than $100bn as a part of that, or as a consequence of that. Company taxes will be down $8.5bn in the budget update. That’s actually the first downgrade in company taxes since 2020.

Global economy is uncertain and that’s weighing on our own economy and weighing on our budget. Some of these pressures on our budget are intensifying. Global volatility is a big part of the story and you’ll see that in the mid-year update.

Updated

Chalmers speaks on ‘robust and consultative’ aspect of RBA board appointments

Jim Chalmers has also spoken about the “robust and very consultative process” of the appointments, which ran over a number of months.

He said the RBA’s review process included a panel of three people; he consulted his cabinet, and the shadow treasurer in July (five months ago) and again last week.

I wanted to make it clear that the two new members of the monetary policy board were the same names that I proposed to the shadow treasurer in July and almost all of the governance board nominees as well … You would know just how much effort and work we tried to make this as bipartisan as it could be and that extended to the way that we consulted in a genuine way.

Updated

Chalmers says RBA board appointees adds continuity

Jim Chalmers has been outlining the new board appointments at a press conference in Canberra, and said:

These are first-class, first-rate people with the right skills and with decades of relevant experience. What we’re announcing today means that we get some continuity on both boards, and not just on one of the boards.

Chalmers said he was proud that women would make up the majority on both boards, with six of nine on the governance board and five of nine on the monetary policy board.

Updated

RBA’s new monetary policy to include former central bank reviewer, ex-bank CEO

The Albanese government has revealed its two appointments to the Reserve Bank’s new specialist monetary policy board – Renée Fry-McKibbin, who was one of the three panelists on the RBA review, and Marnie Baker, an ex-commercial bank chief executive.

Fry-McKibbin, a professor at the Australian National University, helped lead the RBA review that was launched soon after the government took office in May 2022. The review made 51 recommendations, including creating “an expert monetary policy board with diverse perspectives and knowledge”, separate from a governance board.

Fry-McKibbin will be joined by fellow newcomer Baker, also on a five-year term. Baker brings 35 years of experience in the financial services sector, including recently stints as CEO of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and deputy chair of the Australian Banking Association.

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, had offered existing board members the opportunity to switch to the new unit specialising in monetary policy along with automatic appointees the RBA governor, Michele Bullock, the deputy governor, Andrew Hauser, and the treasury secretary, Steven Kennedy.

Four of the remaining six board members took up the offer to serve on the monetary policy board: Carolyn Hewson, Ian Harper, Iain Ross and Alison Watkins. The other two – Carol Schwartz and Elana Rubin – agreed to serve on the governance board as deputy chair and member, respectively.

Also named to the new governance board are Jennifer Westacott, David Thodey, Danny Gilbert, and Swati Dave.

The new boards are scheduled to commence from 1 March next year.

Updated

Allan on Pallas’ resignation from politics

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan said she’s been friends and colleagues with Tim Pallas for 25 years and thanked him for his service:

One of the foundations of our relationship, whether it’s been as MP to a premier’s chief of staff, ministerial colleagues, as treasurer and premier, one of those foundations has been our shared firm belief in strong Labor values. That we are here to serve our communities. Victorian families rely on Labor governments to support them to have good, secure jobs.

Updated

Pallas to leave midterm, outlines decision to resign

Tim Pallas is explaining why he’s resigning:

The answer is, I think, simple. In fact, after 10 years [and] after being the longest serving standalone treasurer the state has ever had, having recently worked with the premier and landed the economic growth statement, and recently the mid year budget update – I think we can look back on the body of work and say the economy is solid, the fiscal position is improving and sound, and ultimately there’s no great time to leave the the great honour that is high office.

He said he doesn’t have “exclusive tenure” of the role of treasurer and it’s time for “renewal”:

We do need to present the opportunity for renewal, a new treasurer, new perspective, new insights, all of those things I think are important. Good governments know that they have to renew themselves.

Pallas just confirmed he will be living midterm, which will trigger a by-election in his seat of Werribee.

Pallas says he is ‘humble staffer who got a little ahead of himself’

Announcing he will quit politics, Tim Pallas said:

I’ve never let a second go by without trying to take the opportunity that this great office has provided … and turn it into something on very substantial value for the wellbeing of the people of Victoria, particularly those who need government support and assistance, a government intent and committed to looking after their wellbeing.

He described himself as a “humble staffer who got a little ahead of himself”.

Tim Pallas to quit politics

Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas has confirmed he will quit politics.

Speaking to reporters outside his office at 1 Treasury Place, he has just said:

Can I say that after 25 years in senior positions, either as chief of staff to the premier Steve Bracks … 14 years as treasurer and 18 years serving the people of Werribee, this has been the great honour and privilege of my life.

His departure will trigger a byelection in his seat of Werribee, which he currently holds by a 9.2% margin, though the Liberals are planning to target it.

Pallas joins a long list of senior government ministers who have quit politics in recent years, including former deputy premier James Merlino, former health minister Martin Foley and former police minister Lisa Neville, who all quit ahead of the 2022 state election, as well as Martin Pakula, Jill Hennessy, Jaala Pulford, Richard Wynne and Luke Donnellan.

Snap press conference called in Victoria with Allan and Pallas

The Victorian government has called a snap press conference with the premier, Jacinta Allan, and treasurer, Tim Pallas.

For months now there has been speculation Pallas – the member for Werribee, who has been treasurer since Labor won the 2014 election – will resign.

Last month he told reporters he had no plans to do so. But Daniel Andrews said the same just weeks before he resigned in September 2023.

Guardian Australia has spoken to several Labor MPs within Pallas’ socialist left faction who expect he will step down as treasurer today. But it remains unclear whether he will immediately vacate his seat of Werribbe, which would trigger a by-election.

He holds the seat by a 9.2% margin. We’ll have more soon.

Updated

Multiple South Australian towns surpass 40C before 10am

It has already surpassed 40C in some parts of South Australia this morning, amid widespread heatwave conditions.

Pallamana reached 41.1C at 9.43am this morning. Edinburgh, in the outer north of Adelaide, hit 41C at 9.55am. Parafield reached 40.8C at 9.48am, while Renmark airport hit 40.1C at 10am

Roseworthy reached 40.9C at 10am, Port Augusta hit 40.3C at 9.55am, and Marree airport recorded 40.3C at 9.54am.

Updated

‘That’s something only the PM can comment on’: Dutton on potential Bali Nine deal

Continuing from our last post: the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, had previously raised major reservations over the possible release of the five men, strongly questioning the exact circumstances of the arrangement, what Australia would be “giving up” and how much it would cost taxpayers.

Government sources at the time said it was a delicate situation and were wary of jeopardising the potential release.

Peter Dutton today didn’t repeat those questions that Cash had raised when asked about his thoughts on whatever deal may have been made:

That’s something only the prime minister can comment on. I’ve had a call from the prime minister in relation to the matter and I’ve had one other conversation with him as well. So obviously they’ve been working behind the scenes in relation to this matter.

President Prabowo is a good friend of Australia, and a very good man, so he’s obviously seen fit to provide this act of clemency or this act of generosity. We have a great deal of respect for him and for his government. Indonesia is an incredibly important partner for us and more and more so into this century.

Updated

Dutton declines to weigh into Bali Nine release debate

Peter Dutton has declined to weigh into the debate over the details of the release of the remaining members of the Bali Nine from Indonesian prison, saying he had conversations with Anthony Albanese on the issue before their return to Australia.

Speaking on 4BC radio earlier, the opposition leader said their release would bring “relief for the families involved – 20 years is a long time”:

I think the most important message is for young Australians who are travelling to Bali or Asia or indeed anywhere in the world, that you can make a decision which can result in 20 years of your life being taken away from you – and the most important 20 years.

I think there are some valuable lessons here. These people don’t come back as heroes of our country, they haven’t been in political captivity. They have been sentenced under the rules of law that operate in that country for trying to import heroin.

As a police officer, I can tell you, I went to countless scenes of domestic violence delivering death messages and other [scenes] of people who had been afflicted with a drug addiction, and heroin is one of the most evil of substances. So, I think we need to put it into perspective. But as I say, at a personal level, and for their families, particularly coming into Christmas, you can understand the excitement and the relief that they’ll have.

Updated

Chalmers to reveal makeup of RBA’s specialist board shortly

After the Albanese government managed to get its amendments to the RBA act through parliament in the final legislative rush a couple of weeks ago, we’ve been waiting to see whom the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, would pick for a new monetary policy board at the central bank.

We’ll find out shortly when Chalmers holds a media conference in Canberra at 11am Aedt, in about half an hour.

The creation of a specialist board was one of the recommendations of the first review into the Reserve Bank in decades, launched by the Albanese government after it took office.

The review, conducted by a three-person panel, reckoned the RBA’s single board of nine members should be modified to create a specialist monetary policy unit and one dealing with the governance of the central bank itself.

The thinking behind creating a more expert board to deal with interest rates was that the nous to deal with setting borrowing costs demanded a mastery of sometimes arcane economic theories and practice.

Without it, board members often drawn from the business community (and once upon a time, the unions) might not be able to push back against the governor (and the RBA’s inhouse team of boffins).

Critics, though, wondered if the Bank of England and other central banks that have such specialists setting interest rates had fared better than Australia’s.

The Coalition opposed the measure, worrying that Chalmers might “sack and stack” the board with pro-Labor mates, undermining the RBA’s independence.

We’ll know soon enough if those qualms are justified when the list of new members is released. Stay tuned here.

Updated

UNSW first tertiary institution in Asia Pacific to team up with ChatGPT company

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney has become the first tertiary institution in the Asia Pacific to team up with the company behind ChatGPT.

The education agreement, sealed with the US-based OpenAI, is part of the university’s wide ranging strategy to embed artificial intelligence into “all aspects” of the institution.

Universities are increasingly pivoting to embrace artificial intelligence despite ongoing concerns over widespread cheating and the environmental costs of large language models. In November, La Trobe announced a new “AI first” strategy in a partnership with Microsoft and CyberCX.

UNSW’s vice-chancellor, Prof Attila Brungs, said AI was “revolutionising research and education by making learning more personalised, accessible, and impactful”:

We are excited to be the first university in the Asia-Pacific to sign an agreement with OpenAI, expanding our reputation as the place where leading entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers choose to work and study.

The partnership will give researchers and students access to OpenAI’s secure platform ChatGPT Edu, joining global universities including Oxford, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Updated

PM says no deal made with Indonesia to secure Bali Nine members release

Anthony Albanese also spoke on the release of the five remaining members of the Bali Nine, who arrived back into Australia yesterday. Asked if there were “any payback arrangements expected” or any deal with Indonesia to secure their release, the PM said: “no”.

This is an act of compassion by President Prabowo and we thank him for it. After 19 years in Indonesian prison, it was time for them to come home. And I had the opportunity to speak to a number of the parents last night of these people. They are grateful that their sons have been able to return home.

They did a serious crime and they have rightly paid a serious price for it. But it was time for them to come home.

PM speaks at memorial to Lindt cafe siege victims

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has spoken at a memorial for the victims of the Sydney Lindt cafe siege, 10 years on from the hostage situation. Speaking in Sydney a little earlier, he said:

Today, 10 years on from this terrible event which traumatised this city, we pause to remember those who lost their lives, Katrina and Tori. We’re here as well with Katrina Dawson’s parents today paying respect to them. But for those who were injured and all those who are traumatised by this catastrophic event, it is a time to remember them and to pay our respects.

It’s also a time to pay our respects to the first responders who responded so quickly and so bravely and who remain, as we know, deeply, deeply affected by the events during something that we didn’t expect to see here in this great city of Sydney. It is a time for us to remember them and to thank them for what they did during that period.

Updated

Politicians place wreaths in Martin Place to mark 10-year anniversary of Lindt Cafe siege

A number of politicians have placed wreaths in Martin Place to mark the ten year anniversary of the Lindt cafe siege – including the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, the NSW premier, Chris Minns, Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, the governor general, Sam Mostyn, and the NSW governor, Margaret Beasley.

Updated

Victorian Liberals select Prahran by-election candidate

The Victorian Liberal party has chosen Rachel Westaway as its candidate for the upcoming Prahran by-election.

Westaway, who lives in South Yarra, was chosen by the local branch at a meeting yesterday. The mother of two is a businesswoman and serves as the president of the Thai Australian Chamber and volunteers for the Prahran Junior football club and Toorak Prahran cricket club.

In a statement she said she was thrilled to have been chosen as the party’s candidate:

The people of Prahran, South Yarra, Windsor and St Kilda East are sick of the rising cost-of-living issues facing them, and the violent crime that impacts our entire community. We all want Chapel Street to be safe and vibrant, and to celebrate the diversity of this wonderful electorate.

I have lived in the seat of Prahran for 20 years raising my children and intend to work extremely hard to give our community a stronger voice at the by-election on 8 February.

She will be running against the Greens’ Angelica Di Camillo, an environmental engineer, and independent candidate and former Labor MP, Tony Lupton, in the by-election which was triggered by the Green’s Sam Hibbins’ resignation after he admitted to a “consensual relationship” with a staffer.

The Greens currently hold the seat with a 12% against the Liberals. Labor has chosen to sit the byelection out.

Updated

Australians will spend less on Christmas in 2024

A survey of 1,000 respondents found that Australians are spending $1,357 on average this Christmas, down almost 10% from $1,479 in 2023, according to comparison site Finder.

Spending on presents and travel this holiday season is projected to decrease in 2024, according to research.

But Australians will be spending a third more on eating out than they did in 2023, with $3.6bn projected to be spent on eating and drinking out.

Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder said:

The festive season can be financially stressful, particularly after a challenging couple of years marked by inflation and high interest rates.

Updated

Two-thirds of Victoria under extreme fire danger

Two-thirds of Victoria are under an extreme fire danger rating today in the hottest day of the year so far.

In case you missed the fire weather briefing yesterday, CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the risk would be highest in a number of small communities west and southwest of Ballarat, including Lake Bolac, Westmere, Strentham, Cressy and Winchelsea, where the fire danger rating will be “at the very top of extreme” and may tip into catastrophic fire danger.

We go into the day with no fires in the landscape… I would like to keep it that way.

Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer of Forest Fire Management Victoria, named Wombat state forest, the Lower Glenelg National Park, Grampians National Park, Wyperfeld National Park, and Great Otway National Park as “in the highest fire risk part of Victoria”.

Hardman said there were 54 aircraft positioned in key areas around the state to respond to fires, along with repel crews who would be sent into fire areas.

We’re going to be doing hard, aggressive first attack to make sure that we keep fires small.

If you’re in a rural or semi-rural part of Victoria today, keep across the bushfire information on the VicEmergency app and through ABC local radio.

Physician suggests Australians need to rethink heat in nation’s phsyche

Dr Arnagretta Hunter, a physician and public policy researcher at the Australian National University, suggests its time for Australians to rethink how it views heat amid increasingly hot summers.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast about the heatwave conditions lashing the country, with some places expected to surpass 45C, she said:

I think heat is a big part of the Australian psyche. We always had hot summers, it’s part of what we celebrate about this nation, but heat can be a significant source of morbidity and mortality. It can kill people and detract from our health and wellbeing. I think that’s the conversation we need to have, with increasing urgency, particularly going into a summer like this year.

She said heat becomes “heat stress” when people cannot cool their bodies, with the combination of heat and humidity particularly lethal.

We start to see stress. We would see a heart rate go up, we start to feel hot and feel uncomfortable. It might change how our imagination and our how brain is functioning, how we’re processing information around us. That’s one of the early signs of heat stress. You may be making decisions that are not the normal sort of quality decisions one would make.

Updated

Spender says Islamophobic graffiti ‘must not be tolerated’

Independent MP Allegra Spender says the Islamophobic graffiti in Sydney’s west at the weekend “must not be tolerated”.

In a post to X earlier this morning, she said:

This Islamophobic graffiti is intended to incite hatred and must not be tolerated. These are acts of the few and not the spirit of our country. The perpetrators must be held to account. No group – whatever their religion, ethnicity or sexuality – should be targeted in this way.

Liberal senator scathing of release of Bali Nine members

Liberal senator Hollie Hughes has been scathing of the release of the five remaining Bali Nine members back into Australia. As AAP reports, she spoke with Sky News earlier and said:

I’m sure those Australians doing it really tough at the moment will be just thrilled to know that their taxpayer dollars are going to pay for this.

I feel very badly for families who had children or loved ones lost to heroin addiction, which was what these drug smugglers were trying to bring back to our country.

They would have wreaked death and destruction for a whole lot of families and I think that’s been overlooked here.

Updated

Some Melbourne businesses told to reduce dust amid heatwave conditions

The Victorian EPA says it has alerted a number of businesses in the Melbourne suburb of Brooklyn to reduce dust today, amid the heatwave conditions and extreme fire dangers.

It wrote on X:

[W]e have alerted 38 industrial businesses of windy, dry conditions, and advised them to reduce dust by using water carts, sprinklers, street sweepers and limiting dust producing activities.

Regulator sues HSBC Australia over scam response

The corporate regulator is suing HSBC Australia over allegations it failed to adequately protect customers from being scammed out of millions of dollars.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic) alleges in a new federal court action that the bank “let its customers down when they needed their help the most” after taking an average of 145 days to investigate customers’ reports that they had been scammed.

Between January 2020 and August 2024, HSBC customers lost about $23m, with the majority of scam losses incurred during a six-month period amid an escalation in activity, according to the court claim.

The escalation occurred after scammers obtained access to accounts by impersonating HSBC Australia staff.

Some customers lost more than $90,000, while HSBC Australia “compounded the problem” by failing to comply with its various obligations, according to the regulator.

Asic’s deputy chair, Sarah Court, said:

We allege HSBC Australia’s failings were widespread and systemic, and the bank failed to protect its customers.

An HSBC Australia spokesperson said the bank acknowledged the Asic claim.

We are considering the matters raised and will continue to cooperate and work constructively with ASIC. Protecting our customers from scammers remains a top priority. We continue to make significant investments in our fraud and scam prevention, detection, and response.

Updated

74 women killed so far this year due to gender-based violence

So far this year, 74 women have been killed due to gender-based violence – the highest on record since 2015.

This is according to data from Domestic Violence NSW, who said the true tally of people murdered due to domestic and family violence is much higher “given there is no data collected on the number of children, men and gender diverse identities killed.”

Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan said:

These devastating figures highlight an ongoing crisis that demands urgent action – and comprehensive funding across the specialist domestic and family violence sector. Each life lost represents a failure of our systems to protect and support those at risk. We need extensive, intersectional strategies that address not only gender-based violence, but the broader systemic inequalities that create it.

Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows DV-related assaults are increasing on average by 3% per year.

NSW is recording the highest rate of murders, but still has the lowest per-capita spend on domestic and family violence in the country – spending just $39 per person in 2022-23, compared to the national average of $53.

Clare: antisemitism and Islamophobia ‘just as bad as one another’

Circling back to the education minister Jason Clare’s interview on ABC News Breakfast:

Asked about Islamophobic graffiti in Sydney’s west at the weekend, Clare said that antisemitism and Islamophobia was “just as bad as one another”.

He told the program that children “aren’t born racist” and this is a “parasite that eats away at people and our community”:

As community leaders and in the media we’ve got to call this out when it happens, and we’re the best country in the world because we’re made up of people from all backgrounds living in harmony and this is the opposite of that.

A Jewish friend of mine contacted me and he wanted me to know his little boy’s best friend, before 7 October, was a Muslim boy called Mohammad. He still wanted me to know he’s still his best friend … Next year is his little boy’s bar mitzvah and Mohammad will be there. That’s what is happening in our communities.

It’s brain-dead morons writing things on walls on the streets of Sydney like this that undermine all of that. That’s why we need to call it out and … why we need to do everything we can at the moment to keep our country together.

Asked if there should be a national approach to stopping protests outside of places of worship, Clare said they should be “sacrosanct”.

They’re not the places you want to see protesting let alone people burning them down.

Updated

Police appeal to locate woman missing in Blue Mountains

NSW police are appealing to the public to help locate a missing woman in the Blue Mountains.

Marissa Gee, aged 33, was last seen at Katoomba on Friday evening. On Saturday, her vehicle was located abandoned on Galwey Lane, Mt Wilson. Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare.

She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 167cm tall, medium build, tanned complexion, brown eyes and curly blonde/red hair, and is possibliy wearing hiking pants and hiking boots.

Marissa is known to frequent the Katoomba, Mt Wilson and Bilpin areas.

Police and emergency agencies are conducting a land search of bushland at Mt Wilson.

Hillcrest families launch class action against Tasmania after jumping castle tragedy

Families of the children killed and injured in Tasmania’s 2021 jumping castle tragedy have launched a class action against the state and equipment operator, AAP reports.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn announced the move this morning on behalf of lead plaintiffs Georgina Burt and Andrew Dodt, whose sons Zane and Peter died in the incident at Hillcrest primary school in Devonport.

It comes exactly three years after a jumping castle and zorb balls were lifted into the air by a wind gust during end-of-year celebrations at the school, killing six children and injuring three others.

In a writ lodged with the supreme court, the case alleges the state, as operators of the school, and the company that set up the equipment involved in the tragedy, Taz-Zorb, owed a duty of care for the students.

The case also alleges the defendants failed to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the children taking part in the activities.

The principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Dimi Ioannou said the aim of the class action was “some accountability for what happened on that day”.

The families affected by the tragedy of what happened at Hillcrest feel the pain and the trauma of their loss every day. Nothing will erase the suffering or bring back their lost children. This class action is the first step in the path to securing a measure of justice for the families affected by the Hillcrest tragedy.

Those eligible to join the class action include children who suffered a physical or psychological injury, witnesses and close family members of those killed or injured.

A decision in that case is expected in February.

Updated

Clare says it will ‘take some time’ for Bali Nine members to reintegrate back into society

Jason Clare also weighed in on the release of the remaining Bali Nine members back to Australia, and told the program the deal was locked in over the last few weeks.

These men committed a very serious crime, drug trafficking, and they have done serious time, 19 years in an Indonesian prison. They lost a big chunk of their lives for the crimes committed … I think most Australians agree it [was] time for these men to come home.

He said the rehabilitation process was underway in Darwin, as well as reintegration back into society.

When you have been in prison for the best part of two decades it’s going to take some time for these men to rehabilitate and reintegrate into Australian society.

Question from the presenter: At least one of the men is married with a child – what happens to their partners now, since the men can’t go back to Indonesia?

Clare said if their partners wish to come to Australia “that would be the subject of the normal visa processing requirements.”

Updated

Clare said it was ‘terrifying news’ four Australians in hospital in Fiji

Earlier, the education minister, Jason Clare, said it was “terrifying news” that four Australians were in hospital in Fiji, with what local authorities suspect is alcohol poisoning.

He told ABC News Breakfast that consular officials were on the ground helping families, and Fijian officers were conducting an investigation.

I guess my message for Australians travelling overseas is just be really, really careful with whatever you consume. Whatever you’re drinking when you’re overseas … There’s a real terrifying sense of de ja vu, it’s only a month ago two young Australian women died in Laos from methanol poisoning. And then when we wake up to hear this horrific news in Fiji, I’m sure all Australians … are hoping for the best.

Updated

Released Bali Nine members and family issue statement

The five members of the Bali Nine and their families have released a statement, after they were released back in to Australia yesterday.

Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj were first arrested on 17 April, 2005. The men said in a statement they were “immensely grateful to President Prabowo and the Indonesian government for allowing them to return to Australia, and sincerely thank them.”

Over the years of their imprisonment, successive Australian Foreign Ministers and governments have advocated for the men. The men and their families sincerely thank them.

The men made special mention of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, saying:

In both Australia and Indonesia, at both a senior level and in prison visits and personal assistance, over many years, Dfat have offered professional and enduring support. The men and their families will always be grateful.

They also thanked their Indonesian lawyers, friends in Indonesia, academics and others in Australia, and numerous friends in Australia:

This support has been essential and invaluable. The five men are relieved and happy to be back in Australia. They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society. The welfare of the men is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust our media and community will make allowance for this.

Updated

Chalmers comments on ‘disgraceful’ Islamophobic graffiti in Sydney’s west

Wrapping up the interview, Jim Chalmers was asked about Islamophobic graffiti in Sydney’s west at the weekend, with the National Imams Council saying there has been a surge in these kinds of incidents and a failure to address them effectively.

Is the government doing enough on this issue? The treasurer said the responsibility of leaders is to “try and calm these divisions where they exist, and not try and inflame them or make them worse”:

We’ve shown a willingness, whether it’s antisemitism or Islamophobia, to provide the necessary resources to try and keep people safe.

But what we saw with this graffiti in Western Sydney was completely disgraceful, completely unacceptable. It was cowardly, and there’s no place for it. We don’t want to see the problems of the world tearing our communities apart. There’s too much of this, and we all need to come together at this time, because people are genuinely worried about their own communities and their own safety.

Updated

Chalmers says opposition’s nuclear policy announcement raised more questions than answers

Moving to energy, Jim Chalmers was asked about the Coalition’s nuclear policy and whether the government was open to having nuclear in its energy mix.

The treasurer lashed the opposition’s “modelling meltdown” which raised more questions than answers:

It’s just a shambolic attempt to paper over the fact that the Coalition’s [policy] is a recipe for less growth, less energy and higher prices. And you know, some of the most basic questions, what does it mean for bills? How big will the off-budget funds be? Why don’t they think they need any transmission?

All of these questions have been unanswered, and that’s why the energy experts and the economists have been so scathing about this shambolic economic insanity that is Peter Dutton’s nuclear fantasy.

Mid-year budget update ‘not opportunity for big new policies’

Jim Chalmers also took some questions on the mid-year budget update, due to be released on Wednesday, and said it would show the “really quite remarkable progress we’ve made in the budget since we came to office”:

That’s a big part of what we’ll be doing on Wednesday, accommodating the pressures on the budget, accounting for them. And one of the big ones is the weakness in the Chinese economy – and that does have implications for us, for our economy and for our budget …

We’ll be downgrading mining exports by about $100bn, we’ll be downgrading company taxes by about $8.5bn dollars over the next four years, and what that shows is that the global economy is uncertain, and that’s weighing pretty heavily on our budget and on our economy more broadly.

Will the government still roll out cost of living relief? Chalmers said the government’s priority was “rolling out the relief that we’ve already announced and already budgeted for.”

Obviously there’ll be new measures in the budget [next year], but the nature of those we haven’t taken decisions on that.

He said the government had already indicated people shouldn’t expect surpluses in the mid year budget update:

We’ve been upfront about some of the reasons why, in some of the years, there’s a little bit of slippage in the budget – but not every year – and that’s the inevitable consequence of some of these pressures.

Chalmers ‘grateful’ to see five Bali Nine members released back to Australia

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, spoke with ABC RN just earlier and also welcomed the arrival of five Bali Nine members back into Australia.

Asked if there were conditions placed on their release, Chalmers said not as he understands it:

I think this was an act of cooperation and commitment and compassion from President Prabowo, and we’re very grateful to him for that. These guys committed some serious offences, but they’ve been in Indonesian jails for the best part of two decades. Now it was time for them to come home, and I’m pleased that they’re home.

And asked to describe the Australia-Indonesia relationship, Chalmers said this shows “the capacity to work closely together and on a range of fronts”:

Not just this one, certainly on the economic front. I work very closely with the finance minister, Sri Mulyani, and my colleagues work closely with their counterparts. And I think this is an indication, really, that President Prabowo has done a good thing, the right thing, and we’re very grateful to him for that.

Second person dies following fatal crash between car and cyclists

A second person has died following a fatal crash in Armidale at the weekend.

A car and several cyclists collided about 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon, before the car continued and hit a tree, NSW police said. One of the cyclists, a man in his 60s, died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.

Three other cyclists – aged 57, 39 and a teenage boy – were treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter hospital and Armidale hospital in a stable condition.

The driver of the vehicle, a 30-year-old woman, was trapped and released shortly after emergency services arrived. She was treated by paramedics and airlifted to John Hunter in a critical condition and died in hospital yesterday.

Officers established a crime scene, which was examined by the crash investigation unit, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

EV sales represent one in 10 new light vehicle sales in 2024

Electric Vehicles represent nearly one in ten new light vehicle sales, a 150% increase on 2022, according to the Electric Vehicles Council.

Its state of EVs report, released today. forecasts new EV sales will reach at least 15% to 19% in 2026, based on current policies in Australia.

NSW claims the top spot based on EV policies, followed by the federal government and ACT, WA, QLD and Victoria, SA and Tasmania and the NT. The report also highlights that in Australia this year:

  • About 110,000 new EVs are expected to be sold this year, a major milestone for the Australian market;

  • There are now 122 EV models, and more than 220 variants – a 50% increase in variants compared to 2023.

  • The number of fast and ultra-fast charging locations across Australia has nearly doubled within a year, surpassing 1,059 sites nationwide. At these locations there are more than 1,849 high power public chargers.

The council’s chief scientist, Dr Jake Whitehead, said:

It’s clear that a growing number of Australians are seeking cleaner, more efficient cars. This year’s gradual growth in EV sales and market share builds on the momentum of a blockbuster 2023, further driving the upward trend in BEV and PHEV adoption.

By any measure, there are more EVs on our roads today than ever before and that is set to grow. The pace of this growth, however, will depend on the level of support from governments and industry.

NSW premier glad five Bali Nine members back in Australia

Chris Minns also weighed in on five of the Bali Nine members being returned to Australia over the weekend. He told the program he was glad they are back in Australia:

I’d say that the drug trade is horrible and insidious and it does take lives, but these people have been in jail in a third-world country for 20 years. That’s a big price to pay.

I have to say, I’m glad they’re back in Australia. I also think it serves as a warning, particularly to young people, of how strict and applied the prison sentences are in south-east Asian countries for drug importation and indeed for many of them, if not all of them. The sentence is death.

So as morbid as that is, I hope it’s a reminder to particularly young people to never get involved in this horrific trade, because it could take your own life in the process.

Updated

Chris Minns marks 10 years since Lindt Cafe siege

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, will today lay a wreath in Martin Place to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Lindt cafe siege.

He spoke with the Today Show earlier and said the siege occurred before he was in politics and he remembers watching it on television live everyone else and “being gripped by what was [happening and] staying up through the night.”

It was a horrifying evil act, and it’s terrible that it took two people’s lives. But I think if there’s a glimmer of hope, if you squint and you see a glimmer of hope, it’s that there was an absolute outpouring of love and community solidarity in the days afterwards. And I think we remember that as much as the evil acts on those two days.

Updated

Bureau of Meteorology says highest temperatures since black summer fires forecast across certain areas

Dean Narramore, a Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist, spoke with ABC News Breakfast earlier to provide an update on the heatwave conditions across the country.

He explained that for some areas, this is the hottest summer conditions since the black summer fires, five years ago:

It’s the first big burst of heat of summer and for some, it’s probably the hottest temperatures we have seen since the terrible black summer of 2020. Five years in some areas.

As we flagged earlier, large parts of South Australia and Victoria today, including Melbourne, are facing dire temperatures:

So hot, dry windy conditions, and some dry thunderstorms this afternoon with some gusty winds definitely [are] a fire concern.

Ben Shepherd, an inspector with the NSW Rural Fire Service, said NSW would fare a bit better when it comes to fire danger because grass cutting rates are higher:

The grass is still greener than we would typically see, but it’s not going to take much until we start to see dangerous fire conditions … It now looks like we’re banking up heatwaves or high fire danger for a number of days.

That’s going to prove problematic, especially as we approach Christmas as well, and we start to see people travelling around the state and potentially entering high risk areas.

Updated

New funding to fast-track pre-election social housing projects

The Albanese government says it is unlocking up to $3b more from the Housing Australia Future Fund (Haff) and has partnered with state and territory counterparts to fast-track social housing projects and build up to 5,000 new homes for low-income Australians.

The new partnership, which will be announced formally by the housing minister, Clare O’Neil, today, involves state and territory governments releasing land and joining with community housing providers to devise and oversee projects that will boost social housing stock.

The approval process is being fast-tracked, with applications closing at the end of January and decisions to be made soon after. This timing would enable the Albanese government to announce the locations of the housing development projects before the federal election, due by mid May.

Yesterday, O’Neil said:

The way out of this housing crisis is to build, build, build. This partnership is about building thousands of homes quickly and it’s one part of Labor’s ambitious plan to build more houses right across Australia, making housing more abundant and affordable.

The first round of Haff funding, announced in September, aims to build up to 13,700 social and affordable homes.

More from the funding for local news and community broadcasting

Continuing from our last post: The funding for AAP over three years is designed to recognise its key role in supporting media diversity and local news. The subscriber news service provides news from around Australia and is a mainstay for local news organisations in particular.

It was saved from closure in 2020 by a consortium of philanthropic investors.

Another $3.8m is being directed towards a national media literacy strategy to help Australians apply a critical eye to the news and information they consume.

The federal government has also vowed to devote at least $3m a year of its overall advertising budget to advertising in regional newspapers for the next two years.

It is establishing an expert advisory panel to advise on how the media sector can best be supported, including through philanthropy. It also has a review under way into the sustainability of the community broadcasting sector.

The funding announcement comes after the government confirmed last week that it would impose a levy on major tech platforms which did not strike ongoing financial deals with media organisations for the use of their news content.

New funding for AAP and local media to support 'the health of our democracy'

The federal government is committing $180.5m to support local news outlets and community broadcasting through a newly established news media assistance program which includes $33m for the national news wire service, Australian Associated Press.

The funding package includes $116.7m over four years to support media organisations’ capacity to deliver public interest journalism and local news, though details were not available ahead of the formal announcement due on Monday.

A further $15m will be spent on community broadcasting, $3m of that on community television, and another $12m will support First Nations media through the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program.

In a joint statement, the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, and Indigenous Australians minister, Malarndirri McCarthy, said local media and community broadcasting are “critical to the health of our democracy, social cohesion and informing communities”:

Local news and community broadcasting is at the heart of local communities, and makes a vital contribution to national identity and media diversity in Australia.

Scorching temperatures to hit most of the nation

AAP has more details on the extreme heat warnings in place, as a sweltering heatwave brings one of the hottest December days in years.

Temperatures in the high 40s are expected in parts of Victoria and NSW, while the Northern Territory faces severe to extreme heatwave conditions for much of the next three days.

While Adelaide sweated through a 40C day yesterday, Victoria and NSW endured a night of minimum temperatures between 12 and 16 degrees above average.

Extreme fire danger has been declared in Victoria’s central and western districts while Melbourne, with an expected forecast of 41C, will face its hottest day since January 2023 and its hottest December day since 2019.

The mercury is expected to hit 46C in Mildura in the state’s north-west, 45C in Swan Hill and 44C in Horsham. Total fire bans have been declared across most of Victoria with incident management teams and firefighting aircraft on standby in critical regional areas.

While Sydney can expect a mild start to the week with a 28C maximum forecast for Monday, parts of inland NSW could face even more extreme heat than Victoria. A maximum temperature of 47C is expected in Wilcannia, in central north-western NSW, and 46.5C in Ivanhoe, about 180km further south.

Updated

Good morning

Happy Monday, and welcome back to the Australia news live blog. My name is Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage throughout most of today.

The federal government is committing $180.5m to support local news outlets and community broadcasting through a newly established news media assistance program. This will includes $33m for the national news wire service, Australian Associated Press.

The funding comes after the government confirmed last week it would impose a levy on major tech platforms which did not strike ongoing financial deals with media organisations for the use of their news content. Karen Middleton will have all the details shortly.

Meanwhile, much of Australia will bake under intense heatwave conditions over the coming days, with multiple regions set to record temperatures above 40C. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued heatwave warnings for large parts of northern, eastern and central Australia, covering every state and territory except Western Australia and Tasmania.

As always, you can reach out with any tips, feedback or questions via email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

Let’s get started.

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