What we learned: Monday, 14 August
With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. If you’re catching a flight today, I hope you make it in time, safe and sound.
Here were today’s major events:
The Australian federal police are responding to an “emergency incident” at Sydney airport, after reports an international flight turned back due to concerns over a passenger’s behaviour. Flights are still continuing, the airport says, with delays expected.
Mark Latham has been dumped as the One Nation leader in NSW after the party’s federal leader, Pauline Hanson, staged an extraordinary intervention in the state branch to remove him.
More than 300,000 illegal vapes with a street value of $10m have been found in a warehouse in Perth, the largest seizure of the products in Western Australia. The health minister, Mark Butler, said a national crackdown on vapes has not been delayed, but talks between the states and territories may prolong the process as they work to nationalise an approach to the ban.
Tributes have been flowing for epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws, who has passed away at the age of 70 after a long battle with illness.
Qantas has confirmed its support for the Indigenous voice to parliament with Yes23 logos unveiled on three planes.
And the NSW Independent Education Union has given the green light to protected industrial action if an ongoing teacher’s pay dispute in the state isn’t resolved by Friday.
Updated
Domestic flights at Sydney airport delayed and cancelled
Back to the incident at Sydney airport, international flights are still departing as scheduled according to the airport’s website however a string of domestic flights have been delayed or cancelled.
Travellers are also suggesting the delays are impacting other airports.
Does anyone know what’s happening at Kingsford smith airport? I’m at a regional airport. My flight is 3 hours delayed. All Qantas flights have been cancelled? #sydneyairport #Qantas #Rex
— Lord Mondegreen of Sydney & Westminster (@dlew919) August 14, 2023
Updated
