What we learned, Thursday 19 June
And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. Before we go, let’s recap the big headlines:
Iran’s ambassador to Australia called on the prime minister to condemn Israel for its attack on his country, claiming that its nuclear program is a “peaceful measure”.
Leaders from about 25 mostly environment and business organisations met with the environment minister, Murray Watt, in Canberra today to give their views on how to fix the national environment laws.
Three industrial units were extensively damaged in a fire in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville this morning, police said. About 60 firefighters responded just before 3.30am.
NSW Health issued an urgent alert to people who have been in the central Sydney suburb of Potts Point over the past 10 days, warning them to be vigilant for symptoms of legionnaires’ disease.
The federal opposition said Australia’s decline in global university rankings should be a “sobering message” for the Albanese government that current funding and policy settings towards higher education aren’t working.
The Victorian Liberal leader, Brad Battin, said he’s hopeful his party will be able to “move forward” after its administrative committee meets tonight to consider a loan for his predecessor John Pesutto.
Another group of Australians could be evacuated from Israel today as the deadly exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran enters its fifth day. The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, has said there are 2,700 Australians in the Middle East looking for assisted departure.
The second budget under Western Australian treasurer, Rita Saffioti, on Thursday delivered a $2.5bn windfall for the state for the current financial year, with a further $2.4bn surplus projected for 2025-26.
Tasmanian police have charged a 46-year-old man with murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault after a police officer was fatally shot in Tasmania’s north-west on Monday.
Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We’ll be back tomorrow to do it all again.
Updated
Man in critical condition after being shot by police during siege in south-western Sydney
A man has been shot by police during a siege in Sydney’s south-west.
In a statement, NSW police said:
Just after 12.15pm, police were called to a caravan park on Macarthur Road at Elderslie to check on the welfare of an occupant.
Officers from Camden Police Area Command attended a cabin at the property and attempted to speak to a 52-year-old man.
A perimeter was established after the man armed himself with a knife and made threats to self-harm.
Specialist resources attended to assist, and negotiators attempted to speak to the man who refused to cooperate.
Just before 3.30pm, officers attached to the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) gained entry to the premises and the armed man rushed at officers with the knife.
Police discharged a taser and less-than-lethal tactical rounds which were ineffective, before the man was shot.
The man was immediately treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics on scene and taken to Liverpool hospital in a critical condition.
A critical incident team from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Updated
