What we learned; Wednesday 23 January
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Here are today’s main stories:
Some antisemitic attacks appear not to be “motivated by ideology but paid actors”, Anthony Albanese said, as the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, rejected an Israeli claim that was Australia slow to act on antisemitism.
There were 44,884 new homes built in the September quarter, representing a slide in the number of completions that has put the country behind on its housing targets, according to the Property Council of Australia.
Santos has stalled plans for a $3.4bn oil and gas project in Western Australia which is estimated to emit 168.6m tonnes of emissions in its lifetime.
The president of the Carlton football club, Luke Sayers, says he will step down from the role, despite the AFL finding his X account was compromised when a lewd photo was published on it earlier this month.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that thunderstorms with severe winds could hit parts of central Queensland this afternoon, as the state is also hit by a heatwave.
The New South Wales government is hopeful it will be better able to negotiate a new pay deal with rail unions after they committed to halt industrial action work bans that had wrought havoc across Sydney’s train network.
And the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says Labor is taking no new taxes into election, which will be held later this year.
Enjoy the rest of your evening. See you here again tomorrow.
Updated
Boy dies after accident during school holiday program at WA museum
A boy has died after being crushed by a falling parking meter stored in the courtyard of a museum in Western Australia, AAP report.
The five-year-old, Sam, was seriously injured at Bunbury museum and heritage centre and later died in hospital, police said in a statement.
His family said:
We are so grateful for the support that we have received from family, friends and the general public. We would also like to acknowledge the support from the staff at the museum, first responders and the care given to Sammy at the BRH [Bunbury hospital] and PCH [Perth Children’s Hospital], which was so loving and respectful. Sammy impacted everyone he met. He was wise beyond his years and brought so much joy with his cheeky, playful nature.
The incident happened during an environmental education school holiday program run by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The city of Bunbury’s chief executive, Alan Ferris, said the council’s staff were devastated by the incident.
Updated
