What we learned: Sunday, 26 November
With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Have a safe and restful one, folks, we’ll be back first thing tomorrow.
Here were today’s major events:
Protesters blockading the world’s largest coal port over what they say is the failure of government to act on climate change have been arrested after defying a 4pm finish time. About 100 protesters were estimated to have remained at the Port of Newcastle, organisers claimed, with alleged arrests including a 97-year-old man. NSW police are yet to comment publicly on the operation.
Former Wentworth MP Dave Sharma has won the NSW Liberal Senate battle, beating out eight other contenders for the spot opened up by Marise Payne’s resignation.
Three red fire ant nests have been detected in north-eastern NSW, the state’s Department of Primary Industries has confirmed. The nests were found 13km south of the Queensland border, at South Murwillumbah, in the first detection of invasive fire ants in NSW since the infestation began in Queensland.
And Australians have once again amassed in major centres for the seventh week in a row demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. It followed a rally held in Sydney this morning by pro-Israeli supporters calling for the full release of hostages.
Updated
Rising Tide have published video footage of the alleged arrest of a 97-year-old man.
How to arrest a 97yo climate protector at the #PeoplesBlockade? Very carefully and to a heroes welcome! If charged, Reverend Alan Stuart will be the oldest person ever charged in Australia 😲
— RisingTideAustralia (@RisingTideAus) November 26, 2023
"I think it is my duty to do what I can and to stand up for what I know is right.” pic.twitter.com/mZLunitdRa
