What we learned: Wednesday, 21 December
With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Four sleeps till Christmas, for those who partake!
Here were the major developments of the day:
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has fronted the media in China ahead of a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Asked if she was looking forward to “breaking the ice”, she replied “ice thaws, but slowly”.
China’s president, Xi Jinping, has said his country is “ready to advance relations with Australia based on mutual respect, win-win principles”, Chinese state media outlets have reported.
In Australia, a body believed to be that of a missing elderly Queensland man has been recovered from flood waters in south-west NSW.
Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow have been ordered posthumous medals following their killings during service in Wieambilla, Queensland. Annastacia Palaszczuk, the state’s premier, said at a police memorial attended by thousands today that “no words” could heal the “awful grief” of the event.
And the ACT chief minister has announced an inquiry into the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann prosecution.
Updated
An update of the schedule in Beijing tonight
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is due to begin the meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing in about half an hour (6.30pm AEDT).
That will be followed at 8pm AEDT by a commemorative ceremony to mark today’s 50 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China.
At this stage, Wong is due to hold a press conference from about 8.10pm AEDT when she will face questions from the small number of Australian journalists who have accompanied her on the trip. Wang is not expected to attend the press conference, with officials citing “China’s Covid-19 protocols”.
Updated
Perth Zoo’s Tricia the Asian elephant to be remembered at a new memorial
Nearly six months after her death, Tricia the Asian elephant’s final resting place at Perth Zoo has been revealed, AAP reports.
The ashes of the beloved 65-year-old pachyderm will be placed under a jacaranda tree named in her honour, with a memorial plaque also to be unveiled at the site.
Tricia’s Tree stands on the site of the zoo’s original elephant exhibit and was one of her favourite places during her regular walks.
Tricia died in July this year from old age having lived at the Perth Zoo since 1963, making her one of the world’s oldest Asian elephants in captivity.
While her more than three tonne body was initially taken to the WA Museum, her ultimate resting place had been uncertain.
Western Australia environment minister Reece Whitby said Tricia’s Tree would “brighten Perth Zoo for many years to come”, just as the elephant did as a wildlife ambassador.
Perth Zoo said in 2018 it would not replace Tricia when she died and would rehome its two younger elephants.
Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold have been posthumously awarded the National Police Service Medal, National Medal, Queensland Police Service Medal, and Queensland Police Valour Medal.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 21, 2022
Xi Jinping reportedly says China 'ready to advance relations with Australia'
China’s president, Xi Jinping, has said his country is “ready to advance relations with Australia based on mutual respect, win-win principles”, Chinese state media outlets have reported.
Xi has exchanged congratulatory messages with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the governor general, David Hurley, to mark today’s 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia.
State media reports say Xi said pragmatic cooperation between the two countries had achieved fruitful results over the past 50 years.
He reiterated that he saw China and Australia as both being important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and repeated Beijing’s regularly stated position that the healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations was in the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
Updated
It’s just passed 5pm AEDT and you know what that means … Guardian Australia’s Afternoon Update is here!
Missed the news? Catch all the major headlines below, with a special guest appearance from an angry Bob Katter:
Environment Victoria urges changes to state’s climate laws
Environment Victoria has called for changes to the state’s climate laws after it lost a legal challenge to a decision by the state’s environmental regulator to renew the licences of three coal-fired power stations.
The environment group launched legal action in the supreme court last year, alleging the Environment Protection Authority failed to limit carbon or toxic air pollution when it renewed the licences of the Loy Yang A, Loy Yang B and Yallourn power stations.
In a judgment on Wednesday, the court found the decision was legally valid.
The case was the first to test climate laws introduced in the state in 2017. In court hearings in October, the group argued the EPA failed to properly consider the laws when making its decision about the licences.
Environment Victoria’s chief executive, Jono La Nauze, said the court’s decision was disappointing “and makes us question whether Victoria’s climate change laws are up to the task”:
If the Climate Change Act doesn’t require limits to pollution from coal power stations – the biggest single source of emissions in the state – then it’s not really doing what the community expects and needs to be fixed.
Charley Brumby-Rendell, specialist lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia, said Environment Victoria would work through the decision and consider its next steps.
The communities who will be most impacted by coal pollution and climate change must be able to have a say. If this decision stands then our environment laws don’t give communities a real voice – and this must urgently be fixed.
Updated
Albanese says commonwealth wants to partner with Queensland on energy
Albanese is asked what other states can expect in terms of their own announcements.
He says the commonwealth wants to partner with Queensland and has a $20m fund to do so.
We’ve already had announcements in Tasmania and in Victoria. We now have an announcement in New South Wales. We’ll have more to say in Queensland, working with Queensland, particularly with their program that they’ve already announced for central Queensland.
Back to NSW, Perrottet says the almost $8bn investment is a “game changer”.
Every every state has different energy needs, and different energy sources, but [we’re] working together … to be in a position where the nation has come together as one when it comes to energy not just in the short term, but in the medium and long term I think will make a real difference in generations to come.
There aren’t many announcements that you made that are more important than this one today. This is billions of dollars going into transmission that will set up our energy future here in our state.
Updated
Albanese says energy plan is ‘one of the biggest announcements that will be made in my prime ministership’
On to questions.
The prime minister says today’s announcement will be one of the biggest made in his or the premier’s leadership – “however long we’re around”.
He says it is about “looking beyond” the initial short-term plan to ease household pressure in light of the energy crisis.
What we have is a short-term plan to deal with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and that consists of two measures – the price cap on gas and the price cap on coal at $12 and $125 respectively.
What today is about is looking beyond the next few months of how we transition to a clean energy future, how we bring the green into the 21st century. Today’s announcement is about more secure, more reliable, more affordable energy for NSW and for the entire east coast. It will make an enormous difference.
This is one of the biggest announcements that will be made in my prime ministership, or Dom’s premiership or Chris or Matt. However long we’re around for, this is a very big deal of putting transmission into the 21st century. And that’s what it’s about … you have a federal government that’s prepared to work with state and territory governments right around the country and say, how do we get things done in the interests of our population and our people and our businesses?
Updated
Matt Kean hails $8bn for ‘critical transmission infrastructure’ projects
NSW treasurer Matt Kean is up.
He thanks the prime minister for his leadership and says the state government is “delighted” to work together with the commonwealth on the project.
We’re building the biggest network battery anywhere in the southern hemisphere … that will set this state up and secure our energy supply for generations to come.
I’m so proud that NSW is leading the nation when it comes to rolling out renewable energy, ensuring that we get the cheapest electricity but also the cleanest and most reliable and that’s exactly what this deal today will deliver. This $8bn investment will unlock not only the opportunity to connect our renewable energy zones into the electricity grid, but it will plug Snowy 2.0 in as well.
It will ensure NSW gets the cheapest electricity, the most reliable electricity and also the cleanest electricity. That’s great for households but it’s even better for businesses in the industry, particularly heavy industry that will be relying on that clean, cheap, reliable electricity to produce the products … that the rest of the world is demanding right now.
The $8bn will go towards eight “critical transmission infrastructure” projects around the state, providing about 3,900 jobs.
Kean says it will place NSW as an energy superpower, the likes of which the rest of the states can “only dream” of catching up to.
It will unlock the opportunity to deliver $32bn worth of private capital that will deliver new generation storage and firming over the next decade. This is an absolute game-changer for NSW. It’ll ensure that we are the renewable energy superpower of the nation, not only now, but we’re creating the running that the rest of the states can only dream of catching up to.
Updated
Perrottet says the $7.8bn investment between the federal and state governments will “drive drive our energy future here in our state”.
This is the future. We’re moving to a cleaner energy future … not just in the medium term but for generations to come.
This is the planning, this is the construction, this is the investment that will come when you have governments putting in at a state and commonwealth level … What will we have? Energy security in the long term and, as well, lower pressure on prices in the short term.
Updated
Perrottet says energy bill will ensure households ‘better off next year’
Perrottet says the energy bill is still being debated in the legislative council but will pass in an emergency sitting today.
I want to thank the prime minister, the energy minister and my treasurer, Matt Kean, for the constructive discussions we had in getting here today … this is focused on putting downwards pressure on household bills right across NSW.
Ultimately we need to focus on the short term, the medium term and the long term. Today’s legislation will ensure households across NSW will be better off next year in difficult circumstances arising out of the illegal war.
He says the legislation will be supplemented by low income support packages, bolstered by an additional federal government package to provide household relief during a “difficult time”.
We know it’s a difficult time and the country coming together to deal with this across party political lines shows the maturity we have to put people first, not playing politics.
Updated
Dominic Perrottet pays tribute to killed Queensland police officers
NSW premier Dominic Perrottet is up.
He starts by extending condolences to the Queensland police who lost their lives last week.
Police officers right around our country, those in NSW but everywhere do an amazing job every day putting their lives on the line to keep our communities safe … our thoughts and prayers are with their families but all police officers … we thank you for your service.
Updated
Albanese says Hunter will become renewable energy ‘superpower’ under grid deal
The prime minister is in Colongra now following the announcement of a landmark $7.8bn agreement between the federal and New South Wales governments.
NSW’s renewable energy zones and the Snowy 2.0 hydro project will be plugged into the grid under the agreement.
Anthony Albanese said the agreement shows the “effort to bring the country together” and would help the Hunter region become a “renewable energy … superpower”.
It’s about the medium term – we have addressed short-term issues with price caps … but on the medium and long term we need to make sure we transition to a renewable economy.
I want to work with state and territory governments right across the country to deliver on that transition
The project is one of eight to be jointly funded under the Rewiring the Nation program, with $4.7bn to come from the federal government and the rest to be provided by the state.
This is about the transformation of not just NSW but the entire east coast energy network.
Albanese acknowledged support “across the political spectrum”.
Updated
A man in his 70s has had his foot severed by a car as it reversed out of a driveway in Sydney’s west, AAP reports.
NSW Ambulance says paramedics responded to the accident in Blacktown at around 2pm on Wednesday with the Careflight Helicopter deployed to provide additional support.
It is not yet known what condition the man is in or how his foot was severed.
Hang glider crashes into cliff on Sydney’s northern beaches
A hang glider has walked away unharmed after crashing into a cliff on Sydney’s northern beaches, AAP reports.
Paramedics were called to the southern end of Newport Beach, near Barrenjoey Road, shortly before 2pm today.
Emergency services said the man didn’t require rescue and was apparently able to get himself down after lodging his glider in a tree.
NSW Ambulance paramedics have attended and the hang glider was not injured. They were not taken to hospital.
The headland at the northern end of the beach is a popular take-off spot for hang gliders and paragliders.
Specialist NSW Fire and Rescue trained vertical rescue firefighters attended the scene along with police. A rescue helicopter was also sent to assist but was not required.
Updated
I will now hand you over to my colleague Caitlin Cassidy, who will expertly guide you through the remainder of the day.
Penny Wong says ‘the ice thaws, but slowly’ ahead of China talks
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has joined the Australian ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher, for a walk around the Diaoyutai Gardens in Beijing.
Australian pool reporters who travelled to China for the occasion say it was minus 6C for the morning walk. The reporters observe partially frozen ornamental man-made ponds and rivulets in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse compound in Beijing’s Haidian District – and say the sun has melted patches of the frozen ponds and created large cracks in the ice.
Asked whether she was “looking forward to breaking the ice” ahead of her meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, later today, Wong quipped:
The ice thaws, but slowly.
Jan Adams, now the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade but a former Australian ambassador to China, is among a small group of officials who accompanied Wong on the trip to China – the first by an Australian minister in three years.
The pool reporters also tell us that Wong and Fletcher have indicated Australia wants to resume the annual leaders’ meetings between Australia and China, plus annual talks between the Australian treasurer and trade minister and their Chinese counterparts. To date, China has not officially agreed to the resumption of these meetings.
Wong said such talks would “provide an opportunity to have the discussion between those different ministers about the trade issues” – a reference to China’s tariffs, bans and restrictions on a range of Australian exports including wine and barley.
Fletcher said:
It covers trade, it covers investment, it can cover economic issues of importance to both sides in terms of domestic policy. Those matters are certainly of interest to us: the way China’s economy is tracking. They’re interested in our experience and our economic story as well.
Wong thanked Fletcher and the staff at the Australian embassy in Beijing for their hard work over recent years in challenging circumstances. She said:
It’s been difficult period in the relationship and a difficult period because of all the Covid lockdowns.
(With thanks to Clare Armstrong of News Corp and Matthew Knott of the Nine newspapers for supplying us with pool reports from the scene.)
Updated
Body recovered in NSW floods
A body believed to be that of a missing elderly Queensland man has been recovered from floodwaters in southwest NSW, AAP reports.
NSW Police say the 89-year-old man was last known to be travelling from Gympie on 31 October and was headed for South Australia via Victoria.
When he could not be contacted, officers attached to Riverina Police District were notified.
About 2.30pm on Tuesday emergency services received reports that a flooded vehicle had been spotted at Williams Crossing Rd, in the small rural town of Barmedman.
Murrumbidgee police officers and the NSW SES fished the vehicle out and found the man inside.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing man.
7News is reporting a man in his late 20s has been rescued and revived on Bondi beach, and is being transported to hospital.
A man, aged in his late 20s, has been rescued from the water in an unconscious state at Bondi beach. He has been revived, and is about to be transported to hospital. https://t.co/OF81oZFF1j #Bondi #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/yw3gPXOMgo
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 21, 2022
Widespread rain and cooler conditions will develop over northern Australia in coming days as the #monsoon arrives.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 21, 2022
A Flood Watch is current across some areas; heavy falls are expected with a low pressure system.
Latest: https://t.co/4W35o8i7wJ pic.twitter.com/kg50T1ESCP
Josh Taylor is going to take you through the next part of the afternoon.
Take care of you.
Updated
Also in Victoria news (via AAP)
Victoria’s highest court has thrown out a case against the environmental regulator after allegations it had breached climate change legislation.
The supreme court of Victoria has dismissed Environment Victoria’s request to review an Environmental Protection Authority decision to alter the mining licences of three coal-fired power stations in the state’s southeast.
The conservation group said the EPA failed to consider Victoria’s 2017 Climate Change Act in its licence reviews.
The court was satisfied the EPA had taken climate change considerations into account when it amended the licences, and that the relevant climate change legislation didn’t apply to the regulator’s decision not to impose restrictions on the energy companies.
The court also found the use of the word “should”, when considered in the context of the Environmental Protection Act 1970, had an aspirational meaning, rather than a mandatory one.
EnergyAustralia welcomed the court’s decision.
Environment Victoria, AGL and Alinta Energy have been contacted for comment.
Updated
VicForests posts $50m loss
VicForests has recorded losses of more than $50m in what environmental campaigners have labelled “crazy waste”.
The state government owned logging agency has tabled its annual report for 2021-22, which shows financial losses of $54.2m, up from $4.7m the previous year.
The agency blamed the losses on legal injunctions associated with court proceedings, which its chief executive, Monique Dawson, said had resulted in some coupes becoming “unviable” for logging and supply targets not being met. Court judgments in recent months have found VicForests failed to protect threatened species, including the greater glider.
The losses were recorded despite VicForests receiving a $23m loan from the Victorian government during the financial year. That loan has since been increased to $80m according to an affidavit filed in recent legal proceedings.
David Lindenmayer, a professor of ecology and conservation biology at the Australian National University, described the loans as a waste of public money:
VicForests is not laughing with us, they’re laughing at us. They just keep making more and more losses, asking for bigger and bigger loans, for what end? To employ fewer and fewer people.
I just find the whole thing disgraceful that so much public money is just wasted like this. It really is time for a royal commission and I mean that fully.”
The Victorian Forest Alliance said it was “time to end the crazy waste”, saying the loans to VicForests could be better spent on nurses and teachers.
Environment East Gippsland said VicForests had found itself in court because it had failed to protect wildlife as required by law. The organisation said the state government should not be waiting until 2030 to phase out native forest logging.
This week, countries agreed to a new once-in-a-decade global biodiversity framework to protect and restore nature.
Tim Beshara, of the Wilderness Society, said that agreement included a target requiring reform and substantial reduction of environmentally harmful subsidies:
Having the Victorian government prop up an otherwise technically insolvent native forest logging business is the exact sort of subsidy the framework says must be discontinued.”
Updated
Ambulance Victoria’s new CEO announced
Victoria’s ambulance service has a new chief executive – who has a big job on their hands, as AAP reports:
Victoria’s ambulance service has named its next chief executive after the body’s long-overdue annual report highlighted the scope of its deteriorating response times.
Department of Health deputy state controller Jane Miller will become Ambulance Victoria CEO late next month, replacing Tony Walker after he stepped down in October.
She has previous experience working in senior roles at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital for 13 years, including as acting chief executive and chief operating officer.
“I know Jane will be an inspiring and inclusive leader as she steps in to drive the important cultural and operational strategic reforms currently under way at Ambulance Victoria,” chair Shelly Park said on Wednesday.
Prof Shelley Dolan will continue to serve as interim CEO until Miller joins the service.
It comes after Ambulance Victoria’s annual report was tabled in state parliament late on Tuesday, among a cache of 265 documents.
It shows the service responded to more than a million incidents by road and air in 2021/22 and worsening response times for the most serious “code one” incidents.
Of those events, 67.5% were responded to within the benchmark of 15 minutes or less, compared with 77.2% the year before. The statewide average target is 85%.
Overall, the average response time for code one incidents was 15 minutes and two seconds, after three consecutive quarters of record demand spurred by Covid-19.
“A 16.7% increase in time-critical code one emergencies had an impact on our performance,” former chair Ken Lay and Walker wrote.
“While we know more needs to be done to meet our targets and community expectations, it is important to recognise that response times are only one measure of a quality ambulance service.”
A separate annual report into the state’s emergency call-taking service showed 64.2% of ambulance calls were answered within five seconds across 2021/22, below the monthly benchmark of 90%.
Updated
Oh and Elon Musk says he will step down as Twitter CEO…at some time
I will resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job! After that, I will just run the software & servers teams.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 21, 2022
But it is probably about time we all started looking at what these people do, rather than what they say (and also, Musk was always going to step down as soon as he found someone to install in his place, and the Twitter poll he ran was just a way of getting more attention.
And you know, Vladimir Putin also ‘stepped down’ and put loyalist Dmitry Medvedev in his place, before Putin came back, so even stepping down doesn’t mean anything if you don’t want it to.
Updated
Who’s gonna make the rounds on Twitter?
Just a small foray into pop culture for anyone looking at Twitter and wondering what is going on.
It’s 21 December, the date referenced in Paul Kelly’s Christmas song, How to Make Gravy. It has become known as “Gravy Day” and twitter is divided over whether to love or hate the song, or love it because now everyone has decided to hate it.
The other big Australian twitter convo is about who the Australian “nepo babies” are. US publication Vulture put together a list of all the nepo babies in Hollywood (nepo, being short for nepotism, so it is a list of actors/entertainers/famous people who have parents/relatives in the industry), so of course, the conversation has turned to who are the Australian nepo babies (the Irwins, the Murdochs and Hugo Weaving’s niece, Samara Weaving are pretty much leading the list, although all other Hemsworths after Chris should probably also be on there).
You are now up to date.
Updated
Football Australia urges A-League clubs to engage with fans over finals
There are still some issues to be worked out between Football Australia, A-League bosses and fans, as AAP reports:
Football Australia chief executive, James Johnson, has urged A-Leagues bosses to engage with supporters and reach a resolution on the fate of the competitions’ grand finals.
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) decision to sell the next three A-League Men’s and Women’s grand finals to Sydney as part of a deal with tourism body Destination NSW sparked fan outrage last week.
The issue has been somewhat lost in the wake of Victory fans violently storming the pitch in Saturday night’s derby with Melbourne City, when City goalkeeper Tom Glover was hit with a metal bucket and suffered a concussion and facial laceration.
Other fans either peacefully walked out of their games at the 20-minute mark, or in Sydney FC’s case boycotted a match altogether.
On Tuesday night, 11 supporter groups - representing every ALM club except Victory - reaffirmed their “commitment to the cause that saw supporters boycott and walk out of stadiums this past round”.
The APL has shown no sign of budging on its plans.
Football Australia were not involved in the deal to sell the grand finals but were made aware of it last Sunday night, the evening before it was announced.
“On one hand, the league needs to grow its own economy,” Johnson told the ABC on Wednesday.
“That’s important so that the clubs and the league can invest in their product.
“But they also ... need to ensure that fans remain at the heart of their thinking and decision making.
“So the view of Football Australia is simply that we need a resolution.
“We need a dialogue between the A-League, the clubs and the fans, and we need better explanation as to why that decision was made.
“We’re happy to see that the A-League is talking to the fans and we encourage further dialogue, so at least there’s a better understanding of the rationale behind the decision.”
In their joint statement on Tuesday night, supporters urged the APL to explore reversing the decision to sell the grand finals to Sydney, to look at “any commercial alternatives available” and to apologise for making the decision without consulting players and supporters.
Fans also called for the APL to change its board structure, which currently features several club chairs, to “have total independence from any club’s involvement”.
In addition, they want the league to establish a supporters’ committee, to be consulted by the APL on key decisions.
Updated
If you live in regional Australia, you might be interested in this decision from the ACCC
NSW parliament debating energy bill
The NSW parliament is just about through its debate on the energy bill it needs to pass in line with the federal government’s energy bill.
It’s also been recalled for a special one-day sitting.
Queensland doesn’t have to do anything because it can make the necessary changes to the coal price (what NSW is doing) through regulations.
Updated
Bob Katter’s Christmas message to capitalists
Kennedy MP Bob Katter has taken time out from his busy schedule worrying about crocodiles to save Christmas.
The Queensland independent was absolutely incensed to discover capitalism had captured Christmas and set out to do something about it.
And in news that will send greedy profiteers absolutely shaking, he’s done it.
Bob Katter has defeated capitalism.
With a nativity scene.
“You switch the TV on and you see all these advertisements, and it’s people making money out of the birth of Jesus,” Katter said.
“This is just so wrong, the message of Christmas is the complete opposite message - not to make money for yourself but to go around give.
“But what we see on TV every night is the message; give something to me.
“The giant supermarket chains - ‘spend more money this Christmas, buy more plum puddings and we’ll make more profit and our shareholders will be real happy’. And I just got so sick of it.”
The nativity scene was hand-crafted by Katter, his neighbours and Charters Towers artist Midge Read and is being displayed on Katter’s north Queensland property.
So on 25 December, make sure you take a moment to think of Katter and thank him. After decades of commercialisation, Katter has wrestled Christmas back. John McClane must be SHAKING.
Updated
Bruce Lehrmann has released a statement about the ACT government’s inquiry into his case.
In a statement on behalf of Lehrmann, his lawyers said:
Mr Lehrmann welcomes an inquiry and hopes the terms of reference will extend to an examination of all aspects of this matter, including decisions not to prosecute various individuals and the efforts taken by the DPP to ensure a fair trial.”
The Australian Federal Police Association has also responded welcoming the inquiry, but warned it should respect the privacy of individuals including by only holding public hearings in “exceptional circumstances”.
AFPA president, Alex Caruana, said:
To ensure the inquiry is completely transparent, holistic and free of political interference the conduct of Mr Rattenbury and his office should be included in terms of reference of the probe. Furthermore the inquiry should examine whether Mr Drumgold’s explosive public statements were befitting of the ACT’s top prosecutor. The national media frenzy caused by these claims have eroded the community’s faith in its institutions. Several more suitable mechanisms were available for Mr Drumgold to air his grievances.”
Just a quick fact check on that – Drumgold’s concerns were raised in a letter to ACT Policing that was later produced under freedom of information, so the idea they were “public statements” is disputed.
Updated
Man charged with murder of Sydney woman
A man has been charged with murder after a woman was found unresponsive in a home in Western Sydney on Sunday.
The 33-year-old was arrested shortly after midnight on Wednesday morning following a standoff with police in the Blue Mountains.
He was then charged with the murder of Dannielle Finlay-Jones, 31.
The Five Dock man was refused bail and will appear at Penrith local court later today.
Updated
A very big thank you to Natasha for taking us through a big day.
I will be with you for the next little bit.
Thanks for your attention today everyone. I’m handing you over now to the ever wonderful Amy Remeikis.
Football Australia receives Melbourne Victory's show cause notice
Football Australia has confirmed it has received a response from Melbourne Victory to the show-cause notice issued on Monday, in which the club was asked to justify why it should avoid heavy sanctions for the behaviour of fans that caused the abandonment of the weekend’s Melbourne derby.
The club met this morning’s 9am deadline for the submission, as the club faces potential financial penalties, the loss of competition points and the threat of playing games behind closed doors.
An FA statement on Wednesday read:
Football Australia understands the importance of swift action; however, it will take whatever time is necessary to work through this submission before determining what sanctions will be imposed upon the club. No timeframe has been put on this process.
Football Australia is also assessing what measures may need to be implemented, and will be working with the Australian Professional Leagues, Melbourne Victory FC, Western United FC, and the operators of Aami Park as to how they plan to ensure the safety of all fans, players, officials, and staff at the scheduled A-League Men’s Boxing Day match.
It comes after two Victory fans involved in the chaotic scenes at Aami Park on Saturday night, which resulted in injuries to City goalkeeper Tom Glover, the referee, a camera operator and two security personnel, were handed life bans from football on Tuesday night.
Victoria police has charged three men in relation to the pitch invasion, with a further five men identified on Tuesday. Investigations are continuing.
Updated
The memorial service has ended but the guard of honour continues.
The Governor attended the Queensland Police Memorial Service for Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, laying a wreath and paying her respects to the fallen officers. With honour they served. @QldPolice pic.twitter.com/Q8ICpWyt4X
— Governor of Queensland (@QldGovernor) December 21, 2022
#LIVE: A special Queensland Police Memorial Service with full police honours is being held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre to commemorate fallen Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold. #9News https://t.co/cPHI7pkaOJ
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) December 20, 2022
Arnold and McCrow's coffins leave memorial with guard of honour
A final prayer is given by the chaplain and the entire room stands again before the police flag and banner parties prepare for the recessional.
Drums announce the pallbearers who lift McCrow and Arnold’s coffins and carry them out of the service to the sound of bagpipes.
All serving, retired and former police officers and Queensland police staff follow the constables’ families and commissioner Carroll to form the guard of honour.
Updated
A minute’s silence follows police ode
The audience is asked to be upstanding as Senior Constable Andrew Gates reads the Police Ode.
As the sun surely sets, dawn will see it arise.
For service above self demands its own prize.
You have fought the good fight, life’s race has been run, and peace your reward for eternity begun.
And we that are left, shall never forget, rest in peace friend and colleague, for the sun has now set.
We will remember. We will remember.
The Police Requiescat is then played before a minute’s silence.
Arnold and McCrow awarded police medals posthumously
Carroll says she would like to acknowledge Matthew Arnold’s and Rachel McCrow’s professionalism and dedication to the QPS by awarding them the following awards:
The National Police Service Medal and National Medal are two national service levels which are for Australian awards and honours systems. … These two medals are usually awarded to Australian police officers in recognition of 15 years of diligent and ethical service as a police officer and for protecting life and property. These two medals can be awarded in circumstances when police officers’ services have been cut short. I thank His Excellency, General the Hon David Hurley AC DSC, who has posthumously awarded these two national award levels to Matthew and Rachel.
Similarly, the Queensland Police Service Medal may be awarded in similar circumstances. This medal is usually awarded after a member of QPS has ten years of service of ethical and diligent service. And it is my great honour to posthumously award these two, to our two young Constables.
Finally, the acknowledgement of the exceptional bravery displayed by Matthew and Rachel. I have posthumously awarded them the Queensland Police Valour Medal, which is the highest bravery award the Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service can award.
The Queensland community has been well and truly served by Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow. And the Queensland Police Service is a better organisation for having had Matthew and Rachel as our valued members.
Updated
Carroll details the other jobs Arnold held, including in hospitality, before becoming a police officer:
Matthew would never let go of his dream, which became a reality when he was accepted into the Queensland Police Service some three months after his first security job.
Whilst at the academy, Matthew excelled in all his studies. His Facilitators remember him as a lovely, kind young man, with a cheeky disposition and always smiling. He was someone that got along with everyone, and the type of person that you could rely on.
Matthew graduated from the academy on 27 March 2020 and began his career as a general-duty police officer at Dalby police station. Matthew was well liked by everyone at the station and his passion for policing grew very quickly.
He quickly moved through the first-year constable development program and after a year of dedicated service was confirmed as a constable of police.
On 23 April 2021, Matthew transferred to the Tara police station and remained at the station until his tragic passing on 12 December 2022.
In his time at the station, Matthew was extremely well respected and always dedicated his time to community.
Updated
Carroll moves onto speaking about Matthew Arnold:
Matthew’s dream to become a police officer first started when he was in Grade 9 and St Laurence’s College. His father, Terry, mentioned this to several police dads and St Laurence’s, who threatened to take him to visit the watchhouse on a Friday night. His passion, however, never dissipated, despite these warnings.
During high school, Matthew initially excelled at cricket, playing A grade and scoring 105 off 54 balls. Matthew then decided to give volleyball a go and went on to represent Australia in the Australian Schoolboys’ side.
Updated
Carroll continues:
Rachel’s commitment to service life commenced at the Queensland Police academy on 4 January 2021 at Townsville as a recruit. Whilst at the academy, Rachel excelled in her academic and operational training.
Rachel’s facilitators remember her as a beautiful person who always strived to achieve the highest and was always willing to assist others.
Rachel graduated from the academy on 24 June 2021 and began her career as a general-duties officer at Dalby police station.
Rachel was very popular at the station and her enthusiasm for policing and the community became a way of life. Rachel quickly moved through the first-year constable development program and after a year of dedicated service was confirmed as a constable of police.
On 21 July 2022, Rachel transferred to Tara police station and remained at the station until her tragic passing on 12 December 2022. During this time, Rachel’s commitment, passion, and unwavering service matured and she became a much-loved and respected member of that community.
Updated
Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll steps up to speak next.
I am honoured to stand here today representing the Queensland Police Service to deliver the valedictory for our colleagues, Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold, who served the community of Queensland and our organisation with great integrity, compassion, and dedication.
She goes on to give biographical details about the lives of the young officers.
From day one, Rachel was regarded as warm, loving person, who always had a funny story to tell, but was always ready to support anyone who needed it. Rachel also displayed courage and was the first one to stand up and support others when there were other issues to be resolved.
She excelled both academically and in the sporting arena, becoming the swimming champion for Genesis College for a number of years. This required 5:00am training sessions and sleepovers at friends’ houses for the early-morning starts. She was so dedicated that when Rachel broke her arm, she insisted on a water-proof cast so she could continue training at 5:00am in the morning.
Upon finishing her senior schooling, Rachel commenced justice studies at the Queensland University of Technology. During this time, Rachel worked at a number of part-time jobs, including one as a research assistant in the aged care environment observing people living with dementia.
Updated
Police ‘will not be broken’, chaplain says
Police chaplain Jeffrey Bails follows:
What happened on December 12 was un-Australian and does not belong in this country. It was abhorrent. It was not of God. It was absolute evil. This barbaric act has shocked our community, and it’s irreparably damaged the Arnold family and the McCrow family.
And we stand and we sit with you in your grief today, and in the days that lie a head, and I can truly say on behalf of everybody present, and on behalf of everybody online, our hearts go out to you. In times like this, ladies and gentlemen, it is necessary for us to pause, to honour, and to grieve.
We have had a major attack on the police in Queensland but…we will not be broken.
But we will, tomorrow, turn up to our shift and we will stand shoulder to shoulder again and seek to do the best we can to keep Queensland safe and fulfil our duties as outstanding men and women.
Updated
A slideshow of pictures from Rachel McCrow’s life also follows, set to the music of Daryl Braithwaite’s the Horses.
Childhood pictures of constable Rachel McCrow shown in a slideshow at her memorial. pic.twitter.com/x0bwXYjcmH
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) December 21, 2022
Images of Rachel MCrow and dog Archibald shown at her memorial. pic.twitter.com/earCDZ67N1
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) December 21, 2022
Updated
‘The police officer that the world now so loudly demands’
Hardigan goes on:
You were the police officer that the world now so loudly demands – a copper who deals in fairness, respect and love. A copper who truly listens, a copper who deeply cares. A copper with a strong sense of justice and a copper who will fight to protect those they have sworn to serve.
Rach, you spoke about the desire to work in child protection and youth justice. It would have been the first career step of many for you. I could see you achieving the rank of the officer that has supported your family with such beauty and vulnerability this week, the police commissioner.
Judy, you raised Rach and Sam into such beautiful, strong and intelligent women. Rach was so proud of Mama McCrow. The world will know about the sacrifices you made to raise Rach into such a wonderful woman.
Dr Judy, being asked by you to speak today is the greatest honour of my life. Sam, Jess, Jay, Jake, Andy, thank you for taking me in and sharing your memories of Rach with me. You are all as amazingly beautiful as Rach described. The blue family is forever here with you.
Rach, you will forever mean so much to us. You were the linchpin holding our eccentric groups of recruits together. You were welcomed and then adored by every person in every group by just being you, the absolute goof that we love. Rach, you will forever mean so much to me. We are struggling, Rach, but we will continue to tell your story. We will tell of your dedication. We will tell of your laughter. We will tell of your warmth. We will tell with honour you served.
Updated
‘Everything was done in such a genuine and loving way’
Constable Freddie Hardigan who trained with Rachel McCrow at the Townsville academy shares his memories of not only her achievements but her generosity.
It is with honour that I stand here as a fellow member of the Townsville academy and loving friend of Constable Rachel McCrow. Rach started her policing career at the Townsville police academy in January 2021. Rach was a live-in recruit at the luxury accommodation there. And Rach was stuck with us 24 hours a day for six months until she marched out with incredible pride as a sworn police officer in June 2021.
Rachel exceeded every benchmark in every aspect of academy life. She achieved excellent results in academic testing. She was dedicated to physical fitness and fierce in a wrestle.
But for every drop of sweat Rach put in for herself, she genuinely would put 10 in for the team. Rach organised group runs and early-morning beep tests for those that were struggling with their fitness.
She volunteered as a driving instructor, volunteered at a charity swim for multiple sclerosis research, and volunteered selling raffle tickets at the Cowboys House boarding school, parading around Cowboys Stadium like an absolute fool. Rach provided study sessions to recruits who needed it.
Everything was done in such a genuine and loving way, and Rach saved me and Nath multiple times by giving us her study cards the day before the exam.
Fresh out of the academy, Rach was posted to Dalby police station and from there continued to serve in Queensland’s south-west. With the majority of intake 44 in Townsville being posted to the farther north of Queensland, I know a lot of 44 regret losing contact with Rach as they started their own policing career.
But 44 is here with you today, Rach. Burnsey and the team from Townsville have come down. The girls from Mackay are here. The lads from Cohen had to drive down. Charleville, Bamaga, Aurukun, Rachel you are the only person who could have brought us all together.
Updated
‘I’m so proud of you for the courage you displayed in your final moments’: Rachel McCrow remembered
Constable Melissa Gibson pays tribute to Rachel McCrow, her voice cracking as she delivers her eulogy.
Gibson remembers McCrow for her kindness as well as her larrikin spirit.
I stand here today as a representative of multiple families in grief. Rach and Matty’s immediate family, their family in blue and a community both in shock and in mourning. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mel, and it is both a privilege and an honour to be able to stand here today and tell you about my mate, Rachel.
Rach was so much more than the uniform she so proudly wore. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a colleague and an amazing mum to her beloved four-legged Archibald.
Family was everything to Rach and she was everything to them. Rach was simply one of a kind. She could literally light up any room on the darkest of days with her beautiful, infectious smile and those pearly white teeth.
She was the kindest and most positive person I know. She had the purest of souls and the warmest of hearts. Rach was the very essence of compassion and selflessness, which are two of the characteristics that made her such an incredible police officer and an even better friend.
Behind all of that was this cheeky larrikin, who loved a laugh, loved a good prank and loved a good meme, often at our expense. There will never be enough words to truly express how amazing she was or how lucky we all were to have crossed paths with her.
To Rachel’s brothers and sisters in blue, who showed an enormous amount of courage to go in and bring her out, thank you for not leaving our sister behind. To Rachel’s remaining brothers and sisters in blue, I know she would be proud of you for continuing to kit up and show up to protect the community in your efforts to make the world a better place.
For every bit of evil in this world, Rach, more than anyone, would be reminding us that there are still good people who need our help. Rach – I’m so proud of you for the courage you displayed in your final moments, and for being the fighter that you are.
I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you when you needed me the most. That is something that will forever haunt me. Thank you for coming in to my life and impacting it in such a beautiful and positive way. I’m a better person for having known you and I hope that you knew how much I loved you.
I take comfort in knowing you’ll continue to have my back up there and I’ll see you and those pearly white teeth again one day. How lucky are we to have had someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Heaven has truly gained an angel. Fly high, beautiful girl.
With honour and courage you served.
Updated
Harris’s speech is followed by a slideshow of images of Arnold’s childhood, including baby pictures of Arnold and his triplet siblings, his school days, on the sports field and up to the present.
Family picture of constable Matthew Arnold shown in a slideshow at his memorial. pic.twitter.com/any1da2SdO
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) December 21, 2022
Childhood picture of constable Matthew Arnold and siblings shown in a slideshow at his memorial. pic.twitter.com/R6BtIMc6Tv
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) December 21, 2022
Childhood pictures of constable Matthew Arnold shown in a slideshow at his memorial. pic.twitter.com/WYtdKOBUGj
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) December 21, 2022
Updated
Harris continues:
He realised there were two options to get through high school. The first was dedication to study. The second was charm. He chose the latter. Such a broad, cheeky smile always got him out of trouble – particularly during parent-teacher interviews!
As Matthew was about to graduate from school, it was customary for the Year 12s to receive letters from their parents containing fond memories and proud moments. In Matthew’s letter, it read: “You have been blessed with height and people will have to look up to you during your lifetime. The important thing is to be the kind of man that makes them want to.”
Nearly 10 years later, we can now say with certainty that Matthew took this advice to heart. What we’ve come to realise since his passing was that Matt excelled in positions where he was able to work with others and grow from the experience. Whether this was through competition on the sporting field or working with his family in the police service, Matthew was a leader and an inspiration in environments where he was surrounded by those he loved.
Other words written to Matt in his Year 12 letter included: “Matt, you have an incredible life ahead of you. Make your life [be] whatever you want it to be. Find your position, the thing that makes your heart sing. And then follow that path to wherever it leads.”
Matt was so proud to be a police officer. And it was clear he found his true passion and purpose. We are so proud of the man he became. Matt, you deserved so much more from the public you lived to protect. You are a hero and will never be forgotten.
May your name and memory never leave the mind of others. We love you always. We love you forever.
I will leave you with a quote directly from Matt from a message he wrote in reply to his parent’s Year 12 retreat letter. Matt wrote: “Thank you for everything. I may be gone some day, soon perhaps, but just know that I will never leave you. I will cherish every moment we’ve had together in my heart forever.”
Vale Constable Matthew.
Updated
‘A big man with an even bigger heart’: Matthew Arnold remembered
Snr Sgt Laura Harris, a close family friend of Matthew Arnold, follows Palaszczuk.
Harris pays tribute to Arnold’s natural abilities as a leader, from being an older brother to school captaincy.
It is my profound honour to speak on behalf of my dear friends, the beautiful Arnold family. It is impossible for words to do justice to the brave, kind and man that was Matthew Joseph Arnold.
It is overwhelming to see just how many lives he touched, and how many lives were made brighter having known him. We know that if Matt were here, he would be honoured to see such amazing support from everyone in the community and the Queensland police service.
The police truly were a second family to Matt, and we know he would be so appreciative of everything they have done for us during this devastating time.
We knew from a young age that Matt would go on to dedicate his life in the service of others. As a triplet, Matt was the older brother by just a few minutes. But this made him no less of a big brother to his siblings.
He was always a protector, a leader and a big brother to all those who knew him. He was a big man with an even bigger heart so filled with love for everyone around him. At school, Matt was a role model for everyone. Whether it was captaining a sports team, acting as a peer mentor for younger students, coaching or leading school camps, he inspired greatness in those around him. Matt’s smile and charisma were his best tools, and he used them relentlessly.
Updated
No words can heal this awful grief: Palaszczuk delivers eulogy
Annastacia Palaszczuk, the premier of Queensland, is the first dignitary to present a eulogy:
Any of us would probably say there are limits on what we can ask of each other, friends and families – we are too busy to see. Communities we no longer feel part of. A world so full of anger, division and ugliness that sometimes we barely recognise it.
And then there are people like Rachel and Matthew who remind us all that those thoughts are wrong. Rachel and Matthew were so completely determined to help, to be a force for good. They dedicated their lives to it.
And they are not alone. Keely and Randall are exactly the same. In a stunning example of the everyday selflessness we count as just being Australian, a random stranger named Alan Dare saw there was trouble and jumped the fence. He was followed by 16 general-duties police from the surrounding districts of Dalby, Tara and Chinchilla. Members of the special emergency response team. And paramedics. All of them running towards danger.
There are no words that can heal this awful grief and crushing loss. Which is why we come together today – families, friends, colleagues, even strangers. From the smallest communities, where Matthew and Rachel served, to our biggest cities. Even around the world. We recognise and appreciate that every-day heroism of our police in this sea of blue on an ocean of tears.
Across our state and around our country, we will shoulder this burden together. We will rededicate ourselves to their example of there being far more good than there is evil, in honour of two young people who lived what they believed: Rachel and Matthew.
Updated
A Queensland police officer begins proceedings with an acknowledgement of Country and the contribution of First Nations to the protection of the state of Queensland.
She says:
It is a privilege and honour to be on traditional country. We acknowledge elders of the past, present and future, for they are the holders of culture, knowledge, wisdom and leadership that is passed from generation to generation. We acknowledge the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards the protection and safety of all people in this great state we live in and share.
She then acknowledges the dignitaries and guests in attendance.
On behalf of Rachel and Matthew’s families, and the Queensland police service, the presence of the following dignitaries and guests is acknowledged. Her Excellency Dr Jeanette Young, governor of Queensland. Brigadier William Date, representative of the commonwealth of Australia. His excellency the honourable David Hurley DSC retired. The honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, premier of Queensland and minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The honourable Anthony Albanese MP, prime minister of Australia. Members of the Queensland executive council, including the honourable Mark Ryan MP, minister for police and corrective services and minister for fire and emergency services. The honourable Curtis Pitt MP, speaker of the legislative assembly. Mark Dreyfus, attorney general. The honourable Peter Dutton MP, federal leader of the opposition. Queensland and Australian members of parliament.
Mayor Paul McVeigh and deputy mayor Andrew Smith, Western Downs regional council. Commissioner Katarina Carroll APM, Queensland police service. Police commissioners, senior executives and representatives from all states and territories, Australian federal police, New Zealand, New York police department and United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr Jim O’Sullivan, Mr Bob Atkinson AO APM and Mr Christian Stewart, retired Queensland police commissioners. Mr Ian Leavers of the Police Union. Representatives of Police Unions from around Australia. Mr Shane Prior, president of Queensland Police Legacy. Families and representatives of Queensland police officers who have died on duty.
Guests are then asked to stand for the banner and flag party.
The room falls silent and only the marching steps are heard.
Updated
Key event
Police memorial service starts
The public memorial service is beginning for constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold killed in the Wieambilla shooting last week.
Mourners are taking their seats after gathering before the coffins, which are at the front of the room, draped in blue and flowers. The constables’ hats are also atop the coffins.
Updated
Live coverage has shown the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, are in attendance at the memorial and laid wreaths.
Today we acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Matthew Arnold.
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) December 20, 2022
With honour they served. pic.twitter.com/6XzqnFnKMz
Updated
Key event
Stadium shrouded in silence at Queensland police memorial service
I’m here at the public memorial for constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.
A sea of blue fills the stands of Brisbane Entertainment Centre, with thousands of officers here to honour the lives of the young constables who were murdered last week on a Queensland property.
Tissues were handed out on arrival, with the stadium shrouded in a deeply sad silence.
The police ode is printed on the back of the memorial brochure:
The sun surely sets, dawn will see it arise. For service above self demands its own prize. You’ve fought the good fight, life’s race has been run, and peace your reward for eternity begun.
Updated
Victoria records new measles case in returned overseas traveller
Victoria has recorded a new measles case in a 41-year old who returned from India.
The Victorian health department said the person was infectious from the time of their return to Victoria on 12 December.
There are multiple public exposure sites that have been identified – you can find the full list here.
Authorities are urging those who attended these sites to get medical care if they develop symptoms, and to wear a mask and call ahead to ensure they can be isolated from others.
The illness usually begins with common cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, red eyes and a cough, followed by fever and a rash, according to the department.
Six measles cases have now been reported in Victoria since the beginning of this year. The department says recent previous cases of measles have been identified in people who are not fully immunised against measles .
Victoria’s chief health officer, Prof Brett Sutton, said
People can develop pneumonia and other serious complications from measles, and particularly children may need to be hospitalised. Please seek medical attention right away if you notice any symptoms, especially if you have recently returned from overseas.
People who are planning to travel overseas should ensure they have received appropriate vaccinations, including an MMR vaccine if they don’t have a history of two previous MMR vaccinations.
Updated
Memorial service for Queensland constables to begin in half hour
Some emotional scenes as police arrive ahead of the ceremony.
Updated
Police arrive at memorial for constables killed in Wieambilla shooting
Police are filing into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, where the memorial service for the two police constables killed in the Wieambilla shooting in Queensland will take place in a half hour.
Here are some of the images captured by AAP photographers as officers are arriving ahead of the service.
Updated
ACT chief minister announces inquiry into handling of Lehrmann prosecution
The ACT chief minister, Andrew Barr, has held a press conference with the attorney general, Shane Rattenbury, announcing an inquiry into the handling of the Lehrmann prosecution which he said would be “robust, fair and respect the rights of those involved”.
Barr said the inquiry would be able to hold public and private hearings and would have compulsory powers but that agencies including the DPP, ACT policing and victims of crime commissioner had all agreed to cooperate.
The inquiry will report back by 30 June, after which the report will be released – unless Barr makes a statement to parliament explaining why sections must be redacted or the report not released.
Rattenbury said the complaints raised by the DPP about alleged ACT policing interference in the case – first revealed by Guardian Australia’s Chris Knaus – were “concerning”. He expressed hope it would not affect the two agencies’ cooperation, but said it was necessary to examine the “fracture points” in their relationship.
Rattenbury said part of the function of the inquiry was to “ensure public scrutiny” and test claims in public, but it will be up to the as-yet not appointed inquirer to decide if particular hearings are in the public interest.
It would also be up to them to decide whether to call Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins, he said. The inquiry will have to “take into account” the mental health of participants.
Rattenbury said the government would consider legislating potential penalties for juror misconduct after the inquiry, and revealed it was already considering other reforms such as majority verdicts.
Updated
ACCC strikes down Telstra and Vodafone’s mobile network sharing plan
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided against authorising a plan for Telstra and Vodafone to share mobile networks in regional areas, in a blow to the two companies but a win for rival Optus.
The competition watchdog found that while the deal, which would see TPG – Vodafone’s parent company – being able to use Telstra’s mobile network infrastructure in regional areas, would initially improve coverage, in the long term it would be detrimental.
ACCC commissioner Liza Carver said:
We examined the proposed arrangements in considerable detail. While there are some benefits, it is our view that the proposed arrangements will likely lead to less competition in the longer term and leave Australian mobile users worse off over time, in terms of price and regional coverage.
The watchdog found that while it would increase Vodafone’s network footprint from 96% to 98.8% of the population, the enduring impact of the proposal would lessen infrastructure-based competition, which would ultimately make it worse for consumers.
Competition between separate mobile networks drives companies to improve coverage for mobile users and to offer new technologies to more areas. For example, when Optus improves its regional network, Telstra responds by improving its network to maintain its market position.
Infrastructure competition is what drives investments by mobile companies in broader, deeper and faster mobile coverage. We have looked beyond the potential short-term effects to consider the long-term impact from the reduced incentive to innovate and improve networks. We have concluded the proposed arrangements would likely significantly weaken this competitive process.
The ACCC said the deal would also effectively entrench Telstra’s dominant position in the mobile market, and there was the likelihood that as a result of the deal, TPG and Optus would both invest less in infrastructure in regional areas.
Updated
Australians celebrate gravy day
Today, 21 December, marks the day Joe – the fictional narrator of Paul Kelly’s How to Make Gravy – writes home from prison lamenting he won’t be there on Christmas Day to make the titular gravy.
Happy gravy day! The most tangy day of the year! pic.twitter.com/pxdh775UFZ
— Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) December 20, 2022
Happy Gravy Day Australia! Huge thanks to Paul Kelly for supporting bushfire recovery concerts in East Gippsland this year… what an amazing story-teller. #lovegippsland pic.twitter.com/rXqUC2x0Sx
— Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) December 20, 2022
To mark the day, Guardian staff have put together this list of other Christmas playlist favourites. Have a read and comment on your favourite track to play this time of year:
Updated
NSW parliament recalled today
The New South Wales parliament has been recalled to enable the federal government to enact new laws to lower the cost of power bills, as Labor and the Greens try urgently to pass laws to provide relief to renters.
Legislation was passed by the federal government last week to put downward pressure on power bills, but requires legislation by the states to come into full effect.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said MPs would be recalled to debate amendments to an existing bill.
The parliament disbanded last month ahead of the 25 March election.
The bill allows the government to force coal companies to cap prices at $125 a tonne and gas companies at $12 a gigajoule.
Australians can expect to pay about $230 less on their power bills once the laws come into effect, about midway through next year.
Until then, power bills will likely continue to rise.
The premier, who is on leave, will return to help get the legislation through the parliament.
MPs who are unavailable or on leave have been granted pairs, allowing them to be absent without any repercussions.
– from AAP
Updated
Public memorial for Queensland constables starting in an hour
Thousands of people are expected to attend a public memorial service today to honour the lives of two young Queensland officers who were murdered in a premeditated attack last week.
Rachel McCrow, 26, and Matthew Arnold, 29, were showered with bullets during an ambush at a Wieambilla property. They had arrived with two other officers to investigate a missing person’s report.
Both officers had recently graduated from the police academy – Const Arnold in 2020 and Const McCrow in 2021.
The Boondall Entertainment Centre in Brisbane will hold the event, which begins at 10am AEST. The event will be broadcast on free-to-air TV and live-streamed at King George Square in Brisbane, Townsville Stadium, Mackay Entertainment Centre, Chinchilla Country Hope Church, Dalby Event Centre and Tara Memorial Hall.
Guardian Australia will also be on the ground and live-blogging the event.
Thousands of police officers will then form a guard of honour after the service to pay respects.
A private funeral will be held on Friday for Alan Dare, who was also killed in the shooting.
Updated
Vehicle kills 11-year-old in NT
A vehicle struck an 11-year-old child yesterday around a shopping centre in the Northern Territory city of Palmerston.
Police and St John Ambulance attended the scene but the child was unable to be revived.
Northern Territory police said:
The 54-year-old driver was arrested for the purpose providing a blood sample and has been released pending further investigation.
The family of the child is being provided support.
Det Snr Sgt Brendan Lindner said:
This is a tragic incident and major crash detectives are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
We urge all motorists to take care over the holiday period.
Updated
Morning Mail: conspiracists build Wieambilla alternate reality, Victory fans banned, Azealia Banks ‘disgrace’
The morning mail put together gives you all the important stories at home and overseas in one digestible read.
A couple of the stories Martin Farrer has highlighted:
A 97-year-old former secretary at a Nazi concentration camp has been found guilty of complicity in the murder of more than 10,500 people imprisoned there, and handed a two-year suspended sentence.
A teenager who survived the night drifting on inflatable paddleboards in choppy waters off Victoria’s Mornington peninsula with three friends has described the event as a “miracle”.
Frank Bainimarama’s reign as leader of Fiji has ended almost 16 years after he instigated a coup, sparking celebrations outside the offices of the new prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
Get across all of them here:
Updated
SA minister condemns ‘shocking’ vandalism of ancient Indigenous cave art
Kyam Maher, South Australia’s minister for Aboriginal affairs and attorney general, has condemned the vandals who have destroyed sacred Aboriginal cave art.
Adelaide Now reported this week that vandals have destroyed 30,000-to-40,000-year-old Nullarbor Plain cave art that is sacred to the Mirning people of the Great Australian Bight:
Traditional owners have been left “devastated” by the destruction of “fluting” designs carved into chalk limestone walls in Koonalda Cave, which is protected by locked steel gates.
Maher spoke to ABC Radio this morning saying the perpetrators deliberately vandalised the “irreplaceable art,” going through barbed wire to do so.
It is a shocking thing.
Describing what occurred, Maher said:
From what I’ve been told and shown photos, on the very soft rock inside the cave, the vandals finger fluted, used their finger and drawn on top of very old art work.
Maher said that at the very least there was a penalty for breaching the Aboriginal Heritage Act, but that the penalties could be more severe.
Updated
Long delays on M7 at Prestons in Sydney
Traffic is banked up on the M7 in Sydney. Chanel 7 is reporting that a truck crash has caused the long delays.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) December 20, 2022
A truck has crashed on the M7 at Prestons in Sydney causing long delays, with drivers being advised to seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/Yjiv9eANMI
Updated
Leavers said the public support for police had been “overwhelming”.
They’re sharing their emotions and their grief because they believe this should never have happened.
It’s really important for us to have that public support. It inspires us to continue to do our job.
Leavers said he had noticed a toll on officers since the shooting, with many questioning “should I have gone to that job … should it have been me?”
They’ve also lost two colleagues … so they are hurting incredibly.
A lot of work to be done to assist them as we move into the future because the pain will never go away.
He said some police had woken up as early as 3.30am to make it to the memorial service in Brisbane today.
Updated
Queensland police union wants to see national gun register
Leavers said he “absolutely” wanted to see the state and federal governments come together to create a national gun register.
Leavers said currently there were “clunky” state-based systems which did not speak to each other. He said we needed “one simple system that’s across the country, so police have all available information”.
Leavers also said the Queensland Police Union had received support from both the state premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and the opposition leader for the union’s proposal to buy the site of the Wieambilla shooting.
They see the sense and they see what we are trying to achieve here in obtaining this location so it can be used for good.
Updated
‘Large show of emotion’ expected at Brisbane memorial for police after shooting
Ian Leavers, the president of the Queensland Police Union, is speaking to ABC Radio ahead of the memorial which will be held in Brisbane for constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, killed in the Wieambilla shooting last week.
He is giving more details about what we can expect from the memorial, where he says 8,000 people are expected to attend.
Their casks will be put side by side. It will symbolise they worked together and they died together.
He said there will be eulogies from colleagues, family and friends as well as limited speeches from dignitaries.
Following the memorial, there will be a 1.5km-long honour guard, led by police pipes and drums, police dogs and other units.
Leavers said:
This will mean so much to the families and communities.
I expect a large show of emotion.
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Bushfire warnings for Queensland’s Western Downs
Residents of Tara in the Western Downs region of Queensland have been told to “prepare to leave” due to bushfire warnings.
PREPARE TO LEAVE - Wains Road (near Tara) - Multiple Warnings - fire as at 6:22am Wednesday, 21 December 2022.
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) December 20, 2022
For all current warnings, updates and mapping go to https://t.co/vqyJTUPBhe. pic.twitter.com/9VgFHvS7cV
Rudd ‘can help avert war’: Bob Carr on former PM’s appointment as US envoy
Bob Carr, the former Australian foreign minister and former premier of NSW, is speaking to ABC Radio following former PM Kevin Rudd’s appointment as ambassador to the US.
When the announcement was made yesterday, Carr took to social media with a statement that “Rudd is right for Washington”.
Carr said Rudd’s knowledge of Taiwan gives him the authority to argue a case for the cross-strait status quo, guardrails, off-ramps.
Putting it bluntly: he can help avert war.
This morning, Carr told ABC Radio he had advocated for Rudd’s appointment because:
This is an argument about access – Kevin Rudd will have access to all levels of political leadership in Washington that a more conventional appointment would not be able to.
Kevin Rudd will have meetings because his American contacts think they will learn from his expertise on China.
For Australia our biggest diplomatic priority has got to be to see there is not a war between China and the US. Rudd, with his knowledge of diplomacy over the Taiwan Strait, brings value.
A strong personality is going to be an asset.
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NSW driver charged over flood deaths
A 41-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after two men travelling in the tray of his ute died when he drove into floodwaters in south-west New South Wales.
Emergency services were called to the Preston Creek Causeway on Rugby Road at Bevendale, west of Goulburn, around 11.15pm on 31 October following reports a ute had been swept into flood waters.
Two men who were in the cabin of the ute managed to swim to safety, but two others – aged 30 and 32 – who were travelling in the tray of the ute were swept downstream.
Their bodies were found in November downstream from the causeway.
Following an NSW police investigation, a 41-year-old man from Guildford was arrested at Merrylands police station on Tuesday.
He was charged with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of driving while suspended.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
– from AAP
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SA flooding set to be highest most people have seen ‘in their lifetime’
Joe Szakacs, South Australia’s emergency services minister, spoke to ABC News Breakfast about the state’s looming flood threat along the River Murray.
The river is peaking somewhere just outside of the South Australian/Victorian border at the moment and we’re expecting a peak to come through the Riverland in Renmark some time on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, a very tough Christmas Day for that community. And we will progressively see peak heights come through the system in the west thereafter.
The peaks that we’re currently modelling have been consistent for a number of weeks now. Some are in those 190 to 220 gigalitre range and the heights themselves do vary somewhat across communities because there is significant infrastructure and vegetation differences between now and previous major flooding events. But the heights that we’re expecting in communities are now likely to be somewhere closer to the 1931 flood peaks, so very much the highest water that most people in South Australia have seen in their lifetime.
The government has also closed down the river to non-essential activity.
Largely this has been done for safety reasons. The first is, of course, the safety of people who are in water or on water. There is as much water coming through the Murray on a daily basis as the entire South Australian community uses in potable water every year. So the flows themselves are quite extraordinary.
But secondly - there has been a significant and consolidated approach to building levees across and repairing levees across the whole of the River Murray. And the last thing we want to see is onwater activity compromise or degrade or erode those flood protections that we have built and repaired to protect river and Murray land community.
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‘It’s very good to be here in China’: Wong touches down in Beijing
Here’s what the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, had to say on her arrival in China, which is the first time an Australian minister has stepped foot in the country in three years:
It’s very good to be here in China after quite a long time between visits. Can I acknowledge and thank the government of the People’s Republic of China for the invitation to be here so that we can spend the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. I look forward to the meetings discussing many of the issues that are important to us.
She said the mark of the success of the trip “is the dialogue itself.”
We obviously have a lot of issues to work through, and dialogue is the prerequisite for working through them.
Prior to her departure yesterday, Wong said it would help the relationship if China released detained Australians Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun. Arriving in Beijing, Wong couldn’t say how hopeful she was of their release but affirmed her commitment to continue to advocate for them.
Asked about any signs the trade sanctions could be lifted on products like Australians seafood, Wong reiterated “what I’ve said to minister Wang Yi”.
We believe it’s in the interest of both countries for the trade impediments to be removed.
You can read more about the significance of the visit from my colleague Daniel Hurst:
Updated
Good morning!
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, as touched down in Beijing in a visit that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam government establishing diplomatic ties between our two nations. Trade bans and the fate of detained Australians will be on the agenda.
On arriving in China, Wong said the mark of the success of the trip “is the dialogue itself”.
She said she would continue to advocate for detained Australians and that it was in the interest of both countries to see trade sanctions lifted.
You can read more about the reception from Chinese media which Wong received from our foreign affairs correspondent Daniel Hurst:
A man who drove a ute through a flood causeway in south-west New South Wales has been charged with manslaughter following the deaths of the two men travelling in the tray.
Victoria police said the two men, who were in the cabin, managed to swim to safety and contact emergency services, but the other two men – aged 30 and 32 – travelling in the tray of the ute were swept downstream with the utility.
Their bodies were located in November further downstream from the causeway, and following what police say were “extensive enquiries” a 41-year-old man from Guildford was arrested about 10am yesterday.
NSW police said:
He was charged with two counts of manslaughter and two counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of drive while suspended.
A memorial service with full police honours will be held in Brisbane today for constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, killed in the Wieambilla shooting last week. Thousands are expected to attend the service, and there will also be live viewing sites set up across the state.
Let’s kick off!
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