What happened on Monday 2 October 2023
With that, we’ll wrap up our live coverage of the day’s news.
Here’s a summary of the main developments:
Campaigners for both sides of the Indigenous voice referendum have hit the hustings as early voting opens across the country. Midnight Oil and NRL grand final hero Nathan Cleary have voiced their support for the yes campaign.
Very few human remains were found following a horror road crash that killed six people – two adults and four children – in the Northern Territory, authorities say.
September was one of Australia’s driest month since records began with a national average rainfall of just 4.83mm. The Bureau of Meteorology originally announced it had been the driest on record, but revised this to one of the driest months later on Monday.
Leaders of the embattled consulting giant PwC are expected to be called before a Senate inquiry later this month as fresh allegations emerge of more confidentiality breaches.
The News Corp-backed betting agency Betr is in the process of paying out $40m in bets after Penrith’s grand final win on Sunday, which the company believes is an Australian record.
Thanks for reading. Have a pleasant evening.
Updated
Yes campaign launches new ad
The yes campaign will launch a new broadcast ad highlighting infant mortality rates, employment and life expectancy issues for Indigenous Australians, in the final fortnight of the voice referendum campaign.
The striking, black-and-white ad was shared today by Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, the main yes campaign vehicle. It ends with the new slogan “a no vote means no progress” – a theme and message the yes campaign and Labor government have been airing in recent days.
As Guardian Australia reported on the weekend, the yes campaign’s final weeks will aim to highlight what the voice’s supporters believe are the consequences of a no vote for Indigenous Australians.
The new campaign message is an answer to the anti-voice group’s “if you don’t know, vote no”.
The ad notes infant mortality rates for Indigenous Australians are twice that for the wider population, that employment rates are half, and life expectancy is eight years less.
Updated
Labor senator labels PwC CEO’s visit a ‘PR exercise’
Leaders of the embattled consulting giant PwC are expected to be called before a Senate inquiry later this month as fresh allegations emerge of more confidentiality breaches.
Meanwhile the firm’s global CEO, Bob Moritz, will visit Australia this week to meet clients and partners, but Labor senator Deborah O’Neill believes the visit should be seen as no more than “another PR exercise”.
“There’s nothing wrong with doing that but let’s not pretend it’s anything more than that,” O’Neill said.
Read more:
Updated
Senators Lambie and Pocock urge splitting of IR bill
Influential crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock are not giving up on their attempts to convince the government to split its IR omnibus bill to allow some urgent measures to pass before the end of the year.
Pocock and Lambie were among the crossbench senators who voted with the Coalition to delay Tony Burke’s closing loopholes IR bill until at least February next year, saying they needed more time to examine its implications.
But they have consistently argued for the government to split other elements of the bill to allow certain aspects to pass quicker, including measures making it easier for first responders to claim for PTSD, increase protections for victims of family and domestic violence in the workplace, protection for redundancy payments for small businesses contracted to larger businesses and an increased focus on silicosis.
So far, Burke has shown no inclination to split the bill.
Now, Lambie and Pocock are trying to force the issue with private members bills they are releasing for consultation ahead of the 16 October sitting week, when they will introduce them into the senate.
The four bills each bring forward a measure contained in the government’s omnibus bill the crossbenchers want brought forward.
Pocock said it made sense to carve out the urgent part of the government’s legislation, while still allowing time to review the closing loophole impact on industry and business.
He said:
This isn’t about leaving any workers behind, it’s about bringing forward simple changes that have broad support and will improve worker safety and protections.
Other parts of the omnibus bill are more complex and require time to properly examine, consult on and consider whereas these areas are straightforward and uncontroversial.
While the private member’s bills have a chance of passing the senate, in order to pass the house, they would need government support. So far, the government has not looked willing to compromise on the split.
Updated
Midnight Oil launch ad targeting voice ‘scare campaigns'
Midnight Oil have produced, recorded, and paid for a radio advertising campaign explaining why people should vote yes in the referendum and not get sucked in by “bullshit scare campaigns” on an Indigenous voice to parliament.
The Oils’ radio ad, launched today, uses their song, Power and the Passion as an accompanying voiceover by lead singer Peter Garrett delivers the following message on behalf of the whole band:
“Of course YOUR vote is totally up to you but don’t get sucked in by all the bullshit scare campaigns. If you don’t know, find out!”
In a post on their social media channels the band also urged “don’t let anyone treat you like a mug”.
The ads will run through to 14 October.
Updated
The minister warned against pill testing at festivals being treated like a “silver bullet” and said that even if it was in place, it could not prevent all deaths.
Ryan Park said:
What I don’t want people to believe is that one thing – pill testing, for example – is going to be a silver bullet that will prevent overdoses, that will prevent deaths. That’s not the case at all.
He said pill testing would also not provide a “green light” for festivalgoers to take drugs and confirmed the issue would be addressed at the government’s promised but not yet planned drug summit.
Updated
NSW minister expresses condolences over ‘harrowing’ deaths
The New South Wales health minister, Ryan Park, has expressed his condolences to the families of the two young men who died following a music festival in Sydney on Saturday.
Speaking in Wollongong on Monday afternoon, Park said:
I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering those two families are going through. We want young people to enjoy the festival season. All of us were young once and all of us want an opportunity to go and explore these great acts, but we need to do it safely.
He described the deaths of the 26 and 21-year-olds at “harrowing” and “terrible”.
Updated
Victorian rail union cancels strike planned for next week
Victoria’s rail union has called off strike action across Melbourne’s train network over a pay dispute, saying an in-principle agreement has been reached.
The strikes had been planned for Friday and next Wednesday.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says an in-principle agreement was struck with Metro Trains on Sunday. It says the agreement meets workers’ key demands such as job security and work-life balance.
Metro Trains and the rail union have been in negotiations over an enterprise agreement since March, after it expired in June. The union previously rejected two offers by Metro Trains, labelling them “subpar”.
Updated
Australia records driest September
Australia has recorded the driest September since records began with a national average rainfall of just 4.83mm.
The Bureau of Meteorology said September was dominated by high pressure systems which brought settled weather conditions and cloudless skies for most of the country. Combined with a positive Indian Ocean dipole, the recently declared El Niño and the long-term influence of climate change, that meant total rainfall was 70.8% below the long-term average for September.
The national mean temperature was also 2.43C above average, making the past month Australia’s third warmest September on record.
In some states, those temperatures pushed higher still. Western Australia recorded its warmest September on record and New South Wales and Victoria their second warmest. Those three states also recorded their hottest September days on record.
The mean maximum temperature nationally was 3.38C above average, the second highest on record for the month of September.
Climatology specialist Nadine D’Argent said “the high pressure systems were the main influence for our warm and dry weather across Australia throughout September”.
The influence of El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean dipole means the long term Spring outlook for most of the country is for below median rainfall and above median maximum temperatures.
Need a refresher on what, exactly, is the El Niño? The Guardian’s Matilda Boseley is here to help …
Updated
Medibank launches federal court action to stop investigation into alleged privacy breach
Medibank has launched a federal court case against the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in a bid to stop the privacy commissioner investigating the alleged privacy breach resulting from the hack on the company last year while a class action is being brought against Medibank.
The privacy commissioner, Angelene Falk, has two investigations underway regarding the Medibank hack last year: one initiated by the commissioner herself, and one brought by an individual seeking redress under the Privacy Act.
At the same time, there is a class action case before the federal court seeking compensation for consumers affected by the hack last year that exposed the personal information of 10 million customers.
In August, the judge, justice Jonathan Beach, overseeing the class action against Medibank over the breach, directed Medibank to launch a separate case to decide whether to prevent the federal privacy commissioner from investigating the complaint about the hack.
Medibank in mid-September launched that case, and in orders made late last week, a hearing for the case was set down in December.
The action would not prevent the OAIC from continuing its own investigation, and in orders in the class action case in early September, the court ordered Medibank provide through discovery a range of documents about the hack, including the communications with government, and cybersecurity reports prepared by CyberCX and Deloitte – which to date Medibank has not released publicly.
The court also ordered the handover of communications with a range of government agencies including the Australian federal police and Australian Signals Directorate, subject to those agencies objecting to the release last month.
The class action case returns to court in early November.
Medibank was contacted for comment.
Updated
Woman in a stable condition after shark attack in SA
Just a little more information on that shark attack at Beachport in South Australia we reported earlier, via AAP.
The 64-year-old woman was swimming at Beachport in the state’s south-east when she was bitten just before 8am on Monday, police say.
She was helped out of the water by other beachgoers who performed first aid until emergency crews arrived.
The woman, who has been identified as Pamela Cook by media outlets, suffered extensive injuries to her legs and was taken to Mount Gambier hospital.
She was initially in a serious condition but has improved to be stable by Monday afternoon, SA Health confirmed.
Police closed the beach on Monday as State Emergency Service crews searched for the offending shark.
They were using a drone to scour waters about 800m off the coastline but were yet to locate the shark, a spokesman said.
It comes after a 46-year-old man was killed in a shark attack in May at Walkers Rock Beach, about 365km west of Adelaide.
Updated
Bureau warns of potential flash flooding in Victoria
Parts of Victoria under fire danger on Monday have been warned of damaging winds and potential flash flooding in coming days.
The Bureau of Meteorology on Monday warned of an approaching cold front that could cause winds to pick up in the west of the state. Combined with warm temperatures, that has already led to the issue of an extreme fire risk and total fire ban in the Mallee.
The front will also create damaging wind gusts of 90-100km/h through the Central and Eastern Ranges on Tuesday morning, the BOM said.
The cold front will cross the state on Tuesday, bringing showers to the west in the morning. In the Eastern Ranges, this will be heavy rain, and could lead to flash flooding on Tuesday afternoon.
By Wednesday, a low pressure system is expected to move over north-east Victoria, which will also bring heavy rainfall and potentially flash flooding.
Updated
Penrith Panthers’ Nathan Cleary – fresh from winning the NRL grand final on Sunday – has delivered a message of support for the Indigenous voice to parliament.
Freshly minted Clive Churchill Medalist and Panther’s Co-Captain Nathan Cleary is onboard too! It’s simple for him. Give Indigenous people a choice, a chance! #VoteYes #VoteNo #VoiceToParliament #UluruStatement #NRLGrandFinal #Panthers pic.twitter.com/cTaRvgvldz
— eddie synot (@EddieSynot) October 2, 2023
Woman dies after falling from lookout
A woman has died after she fell from a lookout on the New South Wales south coast on Monday.
A police operation is now under way after emergency services were called to a lookout at McKenzie Saddle walking track at Buangla, about 25km west of Nowra, at about 11.45am.
Officers attached to south coast police district and police rescue attended as well as the TOLL rescue helicopter, police said.
The body of a woman was found a short time later, about 50m below the lookout, with an operation now under way to retrieve her body.
Updated
Bushfire prompts evacuation warning in Tasmania
Authorities in Tasmania have issued a bushfire emergency warning for the areas of Mount Tanner and Leeka, telling residents to “leave immediately if safe”.
The Emergency Warning message relates to West End Road, for communities of Pine Scrub and Leeka. These communities are expected to be at severe risk shortly after 2pm on Monday.
The bushfire near West End Road is out of control.
The warning states:
Burning embers may threaten your home before the main fire arrives. Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe.
Tasmania Fire Service and Parks and Wildlife Service are on scene. Conditions are expected to worsen.
Authorities said that “if your home is built using contemporary bushfire design standards, is well prepared and you can actively defend it, it may provide shelter. If your home is unprepared, go to a safer location now only if the path is clear and safe. If you have made a bushfire plan, use it now.”
Updated
October’s hot start prompts warnings for fire season
Authorities have issued wind warnings in South Australia, Victoria and NSW amid concerns strong winds could worsen fire conditions.
A total fire ban is active in SA for the north-east pastoral, west coast, and eastern Eyre Peninsula, with extreme fire danger warnings also in place.
The NSW RFS has issued a total fire ban for the south-west region bordering Victoria.
More than 70 fires are burning across NSW with 13 yet to be controlled as crews face a scorching start to October.
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers is worried this bushfire season will be the worst since 2019/20, telling 2GB radio “clearly, fire season is here”.
He said:
We know there is community anxiety so we’ve got to balance between not scaring people but making people take it seriously so they do some simple things to make sure they look after themselves and their family.
Rogers expects an elevated fire risk until Wednesday but hopes rain forecast for later in the week will help ease conditions.
Temperatures across NSW soared into the 30s on Sunday – about 14C above average in some areas – ahead of a cool change on Monday.
Total fire bans are in force for WA’s Goldfields-Midlands region.
Updated
NT police reveal four children died in Pine Creek crash
Four children are believed to have died in what was the deadliest road crash in the Northern Territory in 15 years, as investigators examine if alcohol was a factor in the disaster.
Police are still scrambling to figure out what caused the incident on Friday afternoon, when a four-wheel drive collided with a road train near a small town in the Katherine region.
The six people who were in the Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD died, four of whom were children.
The driver and a passenger of the road train – which was carrying mangoes – escaped with non-life-threatening injuries.
However Michael Murphy, the NT police commissioner, said their psychological injuries will be “phenomenal”.
Murphy said:
It’s very upsetting, it’s very distressing … We’ve never seen anything quite like it.
Murphy said investigators were exploring a range of factors, including fatigue, distraction and alcohol.
Detective senior sergeant Brendan Lindner said:
This was a confronting crash that has resulted in significant loss of life.
Lindner said the investigation was still in its infancy, but that there was some indication alcohol had been involved. He did not indicate if alcohol was involved on the part of the car or the road train.
Authorities received reports of a collision between a truck and car along the Stuart Highway, approximately 12km south of Pine Creek, about 4.15pm.
Updated
Property destroyed in Victorian bushfire
A Victorian home has been destroyed in a bushfire as crews across the country tackle blazes in hot and windy conditions.
The Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) has declared a total fire ban for the Mallee area in the state’s northwest for Monday and is also battling several blazes in the Gippsland region where a property was lost.
An out-of-control fire burning in difficult terrain north of Maffra on Sunday triggered evacuations for residents at Briagolong, Culloden, Moornapa and Stockdale and surrounds.
CFA deputy chief for the south-east Trevor Owen says temperatures have dropped and winds eased overnight but with 5000 hectares already blackened and the potential for the blaze to make a run east, concerns remain.
Owen told ABC radio:
We did lose one residence in that area and we’re doing some further assessment today on the impact to any other outbuildings.
The fire ran back into the forest ... and that’s the one we’ve been working hard on overnight and obviously yesterday as best we can.”
Some residents in the fire-ravaged areas have not been receiving alert notifications from the Emergency Vic app due to an Apple iOS update.
But if you do have an Apple iPhone ... just be mindful that you’re going to have to check that Vic Emergency app more regularly to make sure you are getting the most up-to-date information.
AAP
Updated
Tasmania’s Liberal government faces early election risk
Australia’s last Liberal premier concedes the fate of his minority government is in the hands of the state’s former attorney general who is reconsidering her decision to quit parliament.
Elise Archer announced on Friday she was resigning after bullying allegations against her and claims she sent inappropriate text messages started to become public.
Archer on Sunday indicated she was reconsidering her decision and was tossing up whether to sit in parliament as an independent.
The government holds just 10 of 25 seats in the lower house, making it extremely vulnerable to losing a vote of no confidence on the floor. The Australian newspaper reports Archer is open to supporting a vote of no confidence in the government if she stays as an independent.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Archer should leave parliament if she was not going to provide a guaranteed vote of supply and confidence as an independent.
Rockliff told ABC radio on Monday:
[An early] election is really in Ms Archer’s hands … Should she make the decision not to resign from parliament I would expect [her vote of] confidence and supply.
Rockliff also said it was not his intention to call an early poll, which is due in May 2025. “There’s too much to do. I’ll consider my options in the best interests of getting things done,” he said.
AAP
Updated
Vanuatu MP says no vote on voice would be 'disastrous to our relationship'
Ralph Regenvanu, a Vanuatuan MP, on the voice and what it means for his country’s views of Australia.
“A no vote will be a blow to our relationship, especially perceptions of Aust[ralia] in our general public,” he said.
Respect for Australia in the Pacific will be elevated by a positive Yes vote. It is almost inconceivable to us that this may not happen, but that possibility fills us with dread. A no vote will be a blow to our relationship, especially perceptions of Aust in our general public pic.twitter.com/yWToYY2KTl
— Ralph Regenvanu (@RRegenvanu) October 1, 2023
Updated
International students face barriers to seeking help, inquiry finds
International students in crisis are not accessing support services for mental health, a coronial inquiry into the suicide deaths has found.
The Victorian inquiry analysed the suicide deaths of five international students during 2020. The students were born in different nations and across four institutions in the state.
The court heard the “striking feature” of the students’ circumstances was how little engagement they’d had with student services and health services external to the universities.
Some hadn’t disclosed their mental health issues or suicidal thoughts with family and friends.
Coroner McGregor said there was “no concern” with the design or delivery of student services provided by the universities but the sector was facing a different challenge - how to encourage international students to seek help.
“None of the five international students engaged with health services in wider community … the challenge may be even broader than this. How to encourage international students to seek help at all.”
McGregor acknowledged there were cultural, linguistic and financial barriers to seeking help and feared a coronial investigation wasn’t the “most suitable mechanism” for reform.
He recommended the Victorian Department of Health develop a resource targeting international student wellbeing and ways for individuals experiencing crisis or suicidal ideation to seek help.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Updated
Universities Australia expresses support for federal government’s tertiary education changes
Universities Australia, the peak body for the tertiary sector, has welcomed announcements made by the federal government today to improve the integrity of the international education sector.
The reforms prevent educational agents from gaining commission funnelling students into new courses once arriving onshore and enhance monitoring requirements of the regulator.
The chief executive, Catriona Jackson, said international students seeking a world-class education at Australian universities deserved “nothing less”.
These latest steps the government is taking will help protect students from unscrupulous operators seeking to exploit them for personal gain. Enough is enough.
We are fully supportive of the government’s focus on putting students first – that’s where they belong.
Jackson said universities had been lobbying for enhanced monitoring and compliance measures in the international student sector and said today’s measures sent a “firm message to dodgy agents that we are cracking down”.
Our international education sector is a national asset worth protecting and we’ll continue to work closely with government to ensure it continues to deliver for students and the nation.
Updated
Opposition leader John Pesutto has also unveiled his shadow cabinet this morning. Key changes include Jess Wilson in education and the return of Matthew Guy to the front bench pic.twitter.com/OIGCNGqEBu
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) October 2, 2023
Elias Visontay is taking the wheel. Thanks for joining me this morning.
Updated
Allan foreshadows ‘really difficult season’ of storms and fire risk
What’s Gabrielle Williams’ new portfolio of “active transport” all about? The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says it is a “signal that we want a focus on those last mile connections that make it easy to get the kids to school, make it easier to get to work and safer” and that new housing estates need better transport connections:
We’ve got to make sure that we can have those local connections, to make sure it’s easier to get around local communities. It’s safer. It’s also brings with it strong environmental outcomes. It’s good for your health and wellbeing. There’s many benefits to having a focus on active transport and that’s what I’ve asked minister Williams to do.
Allan also says she’ll be receiving a briefing on the state’s bushfires this afternoon:
I was talking with the Emergency Services Commissioner this morning about the fire activity in Gippsland and I also want to note we’ve got a total fire ban in the Mallee today too. Both ends of the state, we’re seeing some really challenging weather … and the forecast for this week also has some extreme storm events as well. So it does speak to a really difficult season we are coming into, but as someone who lives in a very high fire risk area, you always have to be prepared … it’s a timely reminder, get ready for what has been predicted to be a hot summer.
Updated
Huge Victoria housing commitment means portfolio must be split: Allan
More on the cabinet reshuffle announced by Victoria’s new premier, Jacinta Allan.
Allan says the treasurer, Tim Pallas, will also be given the portfolio of “economic growth”:
Whether it’s working with overseas investors, looking at how we can work particularly across the innovation space, the already world-leading research and work that’s being done here in Victoria, how can we can stimulate that, support it and continue to drive new jobs in those new parts of the economy.
Ben Carroll, the deputy premier, says he’s excited to take on the education portfolio:
I’m already rolling up the sleeves … I can’t wait to get on and build on the legacy of James Merlino and of Natalie Hutchins, and do great things as education minister.
Allan denies Colin Brooks is being demoted – she says due to the huge commitment made under the housing statement, the portfolio needs to be split:
I would suggest minister Brooks has picked up the really important portfolios of Development Victoria and precincts which are housing portfolios. His focus will be on working with the housing industry … to build more homes. Development Victoria is the government’s builder, if you like; it already has its own significant housing program and Colin can bring that terrific experience in the housing portfolio to that task.
We’ve got a massive job here. This is the number one issue here in Victoria. We’ve got to build more homes and we’ve got to make sure that they’re affordable for Victorians.
Updated
Albanese’s press conference is no longer being shown, but the main points were: the no campaign is continuing to push negativity and conspiracy, that a vote for yes will make people feel the same way as they did after the national apology to stolen generations and after the same-sex marriage vote, and that the large number of undecided voters should seek information about the voice, because if they do they will land on a yes vote.
Updated
Opposition has ‘commitment to destruction’: Albanese
Albanese is asked whether he thinks some people are opposed to the voice because they may feel the government should instead be focusing more on cost-of-living pressures.
He lists a whole range of measures the government has delivered, before pivoting to saying the opposition is just saying no to everything, including the voice:
They just have a commitment to destruction … they just have the Tony Abbott playbook.
If you just say no to everything, you don’t have an alternative going forward.
Updated
Undecided voters ‘arrive at a yes vote fairly comfortably’ after discussion, PM says
Albanese says he will continue to be positive, but addresses those who have not made up their minds regarding the voice, two weeks before the referendum:
I know a lot of people have not made up their mind.
When … they talk through the issues, they arrive at a yes vote fairly comfortably.
Updated
PM encourages Australians to ‘come together’ for voice referendum
Albanese says that Australians should “come together” as part of the voice referendum. He says he has been told people have been shocked about the negative messaging of the no campaign, compared to the yes campaign.
Updated
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking to the media in Melbourne.
Allan says building more homes ‘number one issue’ for Victorians
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, is holding a press conference after her cabinet reshuffle this morning. She says the new-look ministry has a strong focus on building more homes:
This is the number one issue for Victorians across the state, whether you’re in the suburbs of Melbourne, the outer suburbs, regional cities or country towns, this is an issue with critical importance and less than two weeks ago the government released a critically important policy document that we are now very, very focused on delivering – building 80,000 homes a year every year for the next ten years.
She also said the new portfolio for children, held by upper house MP Lizzie Blandthorn, signalled a “clear new social policy priority for the government going forward”:
We have a fantastic [foundation] to build on here … [the government has] increased the hours of four-year-old kinder, rolling it out across the state, in addition to the critical reforms to child protection that were released in this year’s budget. But I feel that we do need to look at how we can work more collaboratively across government on supporting children and families because what goes on in inside schools also has an impact outside of schools and bringing that whole of government focus is going to be the task of the minister.
Updated
Just a reminder not to be a flamin’ galah and to vote in bird of the year today:
Updated
Oligarch wants sanctions regime declared invalid
Court documents show that Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who was sanctioned over his alleged links to Vladimir Putin, has asked a court to render Australia’s sanctions regime invalid.
Deripaska was sanctioned in March last year as part of Australia’s efforts to “pressure on the oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin”. Deripaska challenged the decision in the federal court.
Last week, he amended his case to seek that the regulations governing Australia’s sanctions regime be deemed invalid, according to court documents.
The oligarch says the sanctions regulations are invalid because they effectively stop him from personally travelling to Australia and approaching a court to challenge the sanctions decision.
His lawyers can only approach a court on his behalf with the minister’s permission and under certain conditions, and his lawyers’ freedom to communicate about “any government decision relating to [Deripaska] is infringed in a manner that contravenes the implied constitutional freedom of political communication”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was unable to comment on the new aspect of Deripaska’s case, because it was before the courts.
Updated
Jacinta Allan reveals major cabinet reshuffle
Rather than tinkering around the edges of Daniel Andrews’ existing cabinet, Victoria’s new premier, Jacinta Allan, has decided to completely reshape it.
It’s a clear signal she wants to do things differently from her predecessor and keep Labor’s factions on side.
The deputy premier, Ben Carroll, who seemed a natural fit to take over her huge transport infrastructure portfolio, has instead been given education. It’s an opportunity for him to show off his personality and social policy skills. A peace offering, one could argue, given he is from the opposing right faction to Allan’s socialist left.
It’s also meant Tim Pallas – the left’s pick for deputy – can stay on as treasurer. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to keep him in parliament.
The reshuffle also tackles what Allan has described as her most pressing issue, housing affordability, with four ministers now tasked with implementing the landmark housing statement the government release just a week before Andrews’ resignation. On paper, it’s a significant promotion for Harriet Shing, who becomes housing minister, and possibly a demotion for the existing minister, Colin Brooks.
Interestingly, the ministers responsible for determining whether the state will have a second safe injecting room and whether duck hunting will be banned in the state have changed. It remains to be seen how the new ministers – Ingrid Sitt and Steve Dimopoulos, respectively – feel about either issue, which have become political hot potatoes.
Allan is expected to address media any minute. We’ll have more for you soon.
Updated
New Victorian cabinet sworn in
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, is currently swearing in her new cabinet. Lots of changes in there but here are some of the most significant.
The deputy premier, Ben Carroll, ditches the public transport and industry portfolios to become education minister. Natalie Hutchins will take on the industry portfolios, as well as becoming minister for treaty and First Peoples. She remains minister for women.
Harriet Shing will become the housing minister, overseeing the implementation of the redevelopment of the state’s public housing towers.
Colin Brooks, the current housing minister, will step into a new role as minister for Development Victoria and precincts. He will also become minister for creative industries.
Sonya Kilkenny will retain her responsibilities as minister for planning and also become “minister for the suburbs”.
Danny Pearson takes on Allan’s former portfolio of transport infrastructure and will retain his responsibilities as assistant treasury and minister for Worksafe and the TAC.
Gabrielle Williams take over his portfolio as department of government services. She will also take over consumer affairs and public and “active” transport.
Ingrid Stitt will become minister for mental health, responsible for making a decision on the second safe injecting room and will also become minister for ageing and multicultural affairs.
Steve Dimopolous will become minister for the environment and outdoor recreation. He will also retain his role and minister for tourism, sport and major events.
Tim Pallas will stay on as treasurer, and Jaclyn Symes will retain attorney general and emergency services.
Updated
Allan reveals new ministry
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has revealed a shuffled ministry after she replaced the outgoing Daniel Andrews last week. At a glance, the main changes are that Allan’s deputy Ben Carroll will take on education (typically deputies have been able to choose their portfolios) and Danny Pearson will take on Allan’s old portfolio of transport infrastructure.
Here’s the first look at Victorian premier Jacinta Allan’s first cabinet. More to come via @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/kSFiXgaU4q
— Benita Kolovos (@benitakolovos) October 1, 2023
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With that, I will place you into the safe arms of Nino Bucci.
Thanks for spending your morning with me.
Updated
Victoria’s new premier is remaining tight lipped on her new ministry, while enjoying Melbourne weather.
New premier @JacintaAllanMP says she is excited to be at Government House to swear in her Ministry. “Beautiful day,” she says.
— Simon Love (@SimoLove) October 1, 2023
Asked if it was a long weekend sorting positions, she answered: “if you were a Collingwood supporter it was,” #springst @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/mzYygl7e7L
Jacinta Allen to be sworn in as Victorian premier
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan’s new cabinet is set to be sworn in at Government House this morning.
Steve Dimopoulos - currently the minister for creative industries, tourism, sport and major events (also known as the minister for fun), has confirmed he will be taking on a new portfolio, but wouldn’t say what it was.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” he told reporters as he arrived.
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National home value recovery expected by end of November, CoreLogic research director says
CoreLogic’s research director, Tim Lawless, says the national home value index is expected to recover to a new nominal high by the end of November judging by current rates.
He noted the performance of the housing market in each city reflects the underlying supply dynamic.
The three capitals recording the highest capital gain each have advertised supply levels that are around 40% below their previous five-year average.
Advertised supply levels across Hobart, where values are still trending lower, have been holding at above average levels since June last year and were almost 40% above its five-year average.
Adelaide recorded the largest quarterly gains among the capital cities at 4.3%, followed by Brisbane (3.9%) and Perth (3.6%).
Updated
National home value index records 0.8% rise in September
Australian home values have continued to rebound for an eighth month and are expected to reach a new high, although the pace of quarterly growth has eased.
CoreLogic’s national home value index recorded a 0.8% rise rise in September, adding about $38,000 to the average dwelling since January.
Last month’s increase followed a 0.7% increase in August, revised down from 0.8%, taking the pace of quarterly growth to 2.2%.
This was down from the June quarter’s 3.0% growth as a rise in housing advertisements amid high interest rates and cost-of-living pressures helped take some heat out of the market.
However, CoreLogic’s report says Australia’s housing recovery remains entrenched, with national dwelling values only 1.3% off record highs.
Capital cities are 7.4% higher in the first nine months of the year and regional values are 2.6% higher, with values likely to rise further.
Adelaide had September’s biggest monthly gains at 4.3% followed by Brisbane and Perth, while Hobart was again the only capital to post a fall in value.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release its latest lending data on Tuesday, the same day as the Reserve Bank’s monthly interest rate decision.
-AAP.
Updated
60-year-old woman dies on flight from Doha to Sydney
A woman has died on board a Qatar Airways flight bound from Doha to Sydney over the weekend.
The 60-year-old was found unresponsive around halfway through the 14-hour flight on Friday afternoon.
A spokesperson for NSW Police confirmed officers attended the scene at Sydney Airport after the plane landed at around 5pm.
On arrival, police found her deceased on the aircraft. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Updated
University of Melbourne strikes continue for better working conditions
Meanwhile, the University of Melbourne is going on strike for another full week from today as the union continues to lobby for better working conditions ahead of the next enterprise agreement.
Two weeks ago, a mass meeting of around 400 members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) voted overwhelmingly to escalate to an all of university week-long strike from 2 October.
Strike today @UniMelb 12pm Oct 2 until 11.59pm Oct 8
— NTEU UniMelb Branch (@NTEUUniMelb) October 1, 2023
See you at South lawn at 12.30pm for a rally to start the week off!https://t.co/VoNNOP5wNf#unimelbstrikes 🎳🎳🎳🎳" pic.twitter.com/VoBoVWCxup
It followed a partial shutdown of the prestigious university for a week at the end of August, including an all-work stoppage on Day 1.
This week is believed to be the most substantial strike in the history of higher education in Australia, since the stonemasons walked off from building the Old Quad in the Eight Hour Day dispute of 1856.
The union wants better job security, wage increases in line with the consumer price index, reduced workloads, flexible working arrangements and a move away from casualisation.
Updated
Queensland man charged with murder over fatal assault
Police will address the media in Queensland this morning following the charge of a man with murder over a fatal assault in Yeronga on Sunday afternoon.
Police allege around 1.40pm a call was received following reports an elderly man was allegedly thrown over a first floor balcony, hitting the cement below.
The 74-year-old Yeronga man sustained serious head injuries and was transported to hospital where he later died.
A 49-year-old Yeronga man was detained at the scene and has been charged with one count of murder. He will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
Police further allege the two men are not known to each other.
Updated
Early voting opens for voice referendum
Early voting for the voice referendum has kicked off today for states and territories that aren’t enjoying a public holiday.
Locations and opening times are available at the Australian Electoral Commission’s website.
Living in NT, TAS, VIC or WA? Early voting for the referendum starts today!
— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) October 1, 2023
You can find locations and opening times at https://t.co/0CRbYiljyn
ACT, NSW, QLD, & SA, you’re up next! Early voting commences tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/KYaJr2LYC2
ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia will follow tomorrow ahead of the official referendum date on 14 October.
A reminder, if you’re still feeling confused, or want more information, we have a whole swathe of coverage on our website.
Updated
Woman suffers shark bite at Beachport, SA
A woman has been transported to hospital after being bitten by a shark at Beachport in South Australia’s south-east.
Police confirmed they received reports the woman had leg injuries from the shark bite this morning.
She has been transported to Mount Gambier Hospital in a stable condition.
Updated
One person confirmed dead after single-vehicle crash in Western Australia
In Western Australia, at least one person has died following a single-vehicle crash north-west of Kalgoorlie yesterday afternoon.
Previously, police said a teenager was in a critical condition following the crash. Police allege six people were in the car at the time, aged between 14 and 18, when the car rolled on a dirt track.
This morning, police confirmed the crash took place in the suburb of Kanowna, and had become fatal.
Updated
Vote now: Tawny frogmouth leads polls in 2023 bird of year
Now to important bird news.
We are just three days from voting going dark, and four days from Australia’s 2023 bird of the year being crowned.
The Tawny frogmouth is currently leading in the polls today with 483 votes, closely followed by the Swift parrot (437) and the Gang-gang cockatoo (372), a personal favourite of our editor Lenore Taylor.
A reminder, the bottom five birds are eliminated at the end of each weekday, with everyone able to vote again once in the next round each day.
If you want to save your favourite bird, get in quick.
Updated
Fire bans across four states
Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have fire warnings in place today, including a severe weather warning active for parts of WA’s south.
Hot, dry and windy conditions have prompted a warning for Victoria’s Mallee region, with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advising residents to action their bushfire survival plan and monitor the situation throughout the day.
Fresh and gusty northeast to northwesterly winds will result in locally extreme fire danger during Monday across the Mallee district. Dry thunderstorms are a risk across parts of the Mallee during Monday.
The NT’s Lasseter and Simpson east regions are under warnings as is SA’s north-east Pastoral, west coast and eastern Eyre Peninsula. In WA, a fire warning is active for the south Interior district, with wind gusts in excess of 90km/h expected.
A cold front moving across the southwest of WA will lead to a risk of damaging wind gusts across coastal areas.
Damaging wind gusts with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible over coastal areas of the South West and South Coastal districts, extending into the South East Coastal and southern parts of the Great Southern district during Monday.
Winds are forecast to ease below warning thresholds from the west during Monday afternoon or evening.
Updated
Stay safe on the road this long weekend, folks.
GOSFORD: 1 of 2 lanes is closed in each direction on the Central Coast Hwy at Vaughan Ave due to a car crash. Emergency services are on site, exercise caution.
— Live Traffic NSW (@LiveTrafficNSW) October 1, 2023
Man allegedly set on fire at Deniliquin Ute Muster festival
Police are appealing for information after a man was allegedly set on fire at a New South Wales festival over the weekend.
Early Saturday evening, emergency services responded to reports a man had been set alight within the campsite area at the Deniliquin Ute Muster.
A 22-year-old man was found suffering significant facial burns, after he was allegedly set on fire by a man attempting to ignite an aerosol nearby.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being airlifted to hospital in Victoria, where he remains in a serious condition.
An investigation has begun and inquiries continue.
Updated
Victoria’s cabinet reshuffle to be announced before parliament returns
Victoria’s new premier is poised to unveil a cabinet reshuffle after taking the reins following the departure of Daniel Andrews.
Jacinta Allan spent the AFL grand final long weekend finalising her cabinet and is expected to announce changes before state parliament returns on Tuesday.
Treasurer Tim Pallas will stay in the role he has held for almost nine years after his failed tilt to become deputy premier.
Eltham MP Vicki Ward will be elevated into cabinet, filling Andrews’ vacant spot.
Allan will no longer serve as minister for transport and infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop, paving the way for someone else to take on those key portfolios.
Tourism, sport and major events minister Steve Dimopoulos wasn’t sure whether he would retain the same role but was expecting a phone call on Sunday.
The Bendigo East MP was sworn in as the state’s 49th premier last week following the abrupt retirement of Andrews.
Allan, who like Andrews is from the party’s left faction, was officially elected to the position unopposed less than 24 hours after his shock resignation.
-AAP.
Updated
Crackdown on providers poaching international students for work
The federal government is continuing to crack down on the embattled international education sector with further steps announced today aiming to restore integrity and protect students from exploitation.
Risk indicators will be built across the international education system driving targeted compliance by education regulators, alongside a strengthened test for providers educating overseas students.
Monitoring of student attendance will also be increased, and agent commissions will be banned on student transfers between providers to remove incentives for agents and providers to “poach” students.
The announcement follows the Nixon Review into the exploitation of Australia’s visa system.
In August, the federal government removed a loophole used to move students who had been in the country less than six months to new providers to facilitate work instead of study.
Education minister Jason Clare flagged further announcements will be made on VET courses in coming days.
International students are back, but so are the shonks seeking to exploit them and undermine our international education system.
The Nixon Review identified the need to increase monitoring and compliance in the international education sector and the government is responding.
The government will outline further measures to crack down on dodgy and unscrupulous players in the international education sector in the next few days.
Updated
Australia’s sole Liberal government ‘becoming more unstable’, Tasmanian independent says
In Tasmania, independent member for the state’s legislative council Meg Webb is appearing on ABC’s Radio National as turmoil swirls around Australia’s sole Liberal government.
Webb says for a government that’s asserted itself as a “strong, stable majority”, there have been three premiers, five resignations and two backbenchers defecting.
On Friday, then attorney-general Elise Archer resigned from parliament after meeting with her leader.
What started as a strong stable majority is now anything but that, quite the opposite … we have to imagine the premier is perhaps considering his options including visiting the governor for an early election.
It sounds very chaotic and that’s because it is. The government is becoming more unstable by the day … it’s highly likely we will be looking at an election not too far in the future.
Updated
Teenager in critical condition from car crash, six people involved
A teenager is in a critical condition after a major crash in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, believed to have involved six people between 14 and 18.
St John WA advised police they were responding to a crash in bushland about 10km from Kalgoorlie late Sunday afternoon.
After attending the scene, police alleged a Ute had rolled on a dirt track.
At the time of the crash it is believed there was a driver and five passengers.
At this time, based on initial information available, it is a believed the six people involved are aged between 14 and 18 years old.
At least one of the people involved is critically injured.
The response to the crash is ongoing, with investigations underway.
Updated
Woman dead; man in hospital after confronting police with knife
A woman is dead and man is undergoing assessment in hospital after allegedly confronting police with a knife in Sydney’s south-west.
Fire crews were called to and extinguished a small blaze at the rear of a home in Wattle Street at Bankstown where they discovered a woman suffering serious head injuries, about 7pm on Sunday.
Police were called and arrived at the address to be allegedly confronted by a man wielding a knife.
Officers deployed a taser and the 31-year-old was arrested.
The injured woman was assessed by paramedics before being declared dead. The 67-year-old is yet to be formally identified.
Strike force detectives have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The man, who police say was known to the woman, was taken to Bankstown Police Station and has since been transferred to hospital for assessment.
-AAP.
Updated
Sydney: alleged stabbing of two men
In New South Wales, investigations are continuing after the alleged stabbing of two men in Sydney’s south-west overnight.
Just after 9pm, emergency services were called to Miller following reports of a stabbing.
On arrival, officers found an 18-year-old suffering serious wounds to his neck. CPR was performed before he was transported to hospital in a critical condition.
A short time later, a 19-year-old man presented to Liverpool Hospital, suffering stab wounds to his back.
A crime scene was established, and investigations commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incidents, which police allege are linked.
Updated
‘States need to be engaged’ on best education system for schoolchildren with disabilities, Shorten says
The disability royal commission was split on the subject of special schools, amid allegations Australian schoolchildren with neurodevelopmental disorders are being “dumped” from the mainstream system.
Shorten says he’s sure “everyone shares” the support for an inclusive education system but it will require consultation with states and territories to decide a way forward.
You can’t just click your fingers and make things happen – we need the states to be engaged in that.
The federal government doesn’t run any schools, we need states to decide that’s where they want to go.
Updated
Disability royal commission: Bill Shorten says ‘all levels of government’ needed to enact change
Minister for government services Bill Shorten is appearing on ABC Radio National this morning following the release of the final report of the royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
Shorten says it’s “going to take all of us” and “all levels of government” to implement the changes needed, however there are specific actions that can be introduced.
The report found 400 deaths of people with intellectual disabilities a year could be considered avoidable.
Shorten says he was “upset” and “shocked” by the findings.
I want to find out more about what that meant - of all of the statistics that was right up at the top. We’ve got to understand why that happens and then reduce it.
Updated
Good morning
Australia is bracing for more hot, windy conditions today with total fire bans in place across four states.
Victoria’s north-west is under a total ban as crews continue to battle blazes in the Gippsland region, while a ban is also in place in parts of South Australia’s northeast, the New South Wales border with Victoria and Western Australia’s Goldfields region.
Temperatures in NSW soared in excess of 30C on Sunday ahead of a cool change for today’s public holiday.
Meanwhile, voters in four states and territories will be able to hit the polls early for the upcoming referendum from today.
The Northern Territory, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania have opened early polls ahead of the 14 October referendum, which will decide whether Australia will enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament in the constitution.
And, still in Victoria, the state’s new premier, Jacinta Allan, is poised to unveil her cabinet after taking the reins from Daniel Andrews, who resigned last week.
Caitlin Cassidy here to take you through today’s news.
Let’s dive into it.
