What we learned, Thursday 13 March
That’s where we’ll wrap it up this evening. Here’s a rundown of some of the main events today:
The trade minister, Don Farrell, said the US had done itself “great harm” by imposing tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, including from Australia.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the federal budget on 25 March will include extra support for a “buy Australian” campaign as a result.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said retaliatory tariffs on the US would not be “in the interest of the Australian economy or Australian workers”.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, responded to reports of discontent among Coalition MPs.
Leonardo DiCaprio drew the world’s attention to the government’s decision to allow the mining company South32 to clear native forest in WA for bauxite mining. Albanese brushed aside the criticism.
NSW premier Chris Minns said he will not repeal controversial hate speech laws in the wake of revelations a number of antisemitic attacks were not hate crimes but a plot by organised crime figures to distract police and influence prosecutions.
The nation’s energy regulator says Australians should expect to see their power bills get more expensive over the coming year.
The AFP have conducted raids on properties in Melbourne today, reportedly in connection with alleged criminal and corrupt conduct in the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union.
A man has been arrested and charged after allegedly making a bomb threat to an Islamic school in south-western Sydney.
Islamophobic incidents – including physical attacks, verbal harassment, people being spat on and rape threats – have doubled in the past two years, new research showed.
Home affairs minister Tony Burke is reviewing the visa of an American influencer visiting Australia who stole a baby wombat from its distressed mother and uploaded the footage to social media.
Naplan tests were hit with a technical issue, causing a temporary delay for some Australian students this morning.
Nine Entertainment has formally appointed its former finance and strategy chief Matt Stanton as CEO.
The federal government announced a $1bn investment in a “missing link” rail connection in western Sydney.
The family of the surfer presumed taken by a shark off the coast of Western Australia has paid tribute to a “beloved partner, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend”.
Thanks so much for your company today. We’ll be back here tomorrow (Friday!) bringing you all the news of the day. Look after yourselves till then.
Updated
Albanese says American influencer who took baby wombat from its mother should try it with a croc
Albanese was also asked about Sam Jones, the American hunting influencer who took a wombat joey from its mother and filmed both the joey and parent’s distress.
Asked if he thought the influencer was “welcome in Australia”, Albanese suggested she try taking a baby crocodile from its parent instead:
Well, I’ve got to say, I’ve seen that footage of a baby wombat being taken from its mum. Now, wombats are amazing creatures. I did a walk not long ago around Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. And you come across these amazing creatures. They’re not kangaroos. They don’t run fast. They are gentle, lovely creatures.
To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage. And, you know, I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there. Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go there.
(This is not the point, but wombats are not always gentle – absolutely do not get in the way of an angry or scared wombat, even very small ones can barrel at you with a significant amount of force!)
There’s more on the influencer’s video and the public backlash here:
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