What we learned today, Saturday 5 November
We’re going to wrap things up for the day. Here’s what happened today:
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed an Australian man, Trevor Kjeldal, has died in Ukraine.
The bodies of a woman and a young boy were found in Yerrabi pond in Gungahlin in Canberra’s north. A search was under way for a second boy, eight-year-old Pranav Vivekanandan.
Floods in Forbes in the central west of New South Wales were predicted to peak at 10.8 metres and major warnings were in place in river systems across the state.
The federal government announced Kristin Tilley as Australia’s new ambassador for climate change ahead of international climate talks in Egypt.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s decision to award a 15% pay rise for about 300,000 aged care workers.
Thanks for joining us, we’ll see you again tomorrow.
Updated
Police seek public help to find boy missing in Yerrabi pond area of Canberra
ACT police are seeking information from the public that may help them find eight-year-old boy Pranav Vivekanandan who is missing in the Yerrabi pond area.
While an extensive land and water search for Pranav has been under way since the discovery of two bodies in Yerrabi pond this morning, police and family are issuing a plea in the event that he is alive and someone knows his whereabouts.
Pranav is described as being of Indian subcontinental appearance, about 110cm (3’7”) tall, with short dark hair and dark brown eyes. He may have been wearing an orange T-shirt and light-coloured shorts, and a jacket.
Serious concerns are held for Pranav’s welfare.
Anyone who may have any information that could assist police in locating Pranav is urged to contact ACT policing on 131 444. Please quote reference number P2114246.
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Updated
Australian man dies in Ukraine
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have confirmed they are providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man, Trevor Kjeldal, who died in Ukraine.
A spokesperson said “we send our deepest condolences to the family and request their privacy be respected during this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
Kjeldal’s family said in a statement:
Trevor was a very treasured and loved member of our family. Our depth of sadness at his loss is unfathomable.
We would like to thank Dfat for their ongoing assistance in bringing him home to us. At this incredibly sad time, we would request that media respect our privacy as we grieve.
The Australian government’s travel advice for Ukraine remains at “do not travel” and its ability to provide consular assistance in Ukraine is extremely limited due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Saturday afternoon the death was “tragic news”.
I remind people that Dfat’s advice is not to travel to Ukraine, it is a dangerous place.
But my heart goes out to the family and friends of the gentleman involved.
Updated
Australian man dies in Ukraine – reports
The ABC is reporting an Australian man has died in Ukraine.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said officials were providing consular assistance to the man’s family.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family and request their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.
“We are unable to provide further comment.”
At a press conference in Brisbane, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the man’s death was “tragic news”.
Updated
Police search for young boy after two bodies found in Canberra pond
Police have launched an urgent search for a young boy after two bodies were found in a Canberra pond, AAP reports.
Officers are searching Yerrabi pond in Gungahlin after the bodies of a woman and a young boy were found in the water.
Police hold grave concerns for the missing boy, who was earlier wrongly thought to be a missing girl.
Divers have been searching the water while other officers scour surrounding bushland.
Updated
With that, I will pass you into the capable hands of Lisa Cox. Enjoy your evenings, and thanks for having me.
In Forbes, around 1,000 people are under evacuation orders, with flood waters expected to linger for days.
3/4
— Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) November 5, 2022
Spoke to @ForbesCouncil Mayor Phyllis Miller & in that community alone some 1,000 people are under evacuation orders.
It is a nervous time for all. Please be mindful of damaged roads. Some are dangerous. Hope the NSW & Federal governments work together to do what they can.
1/4
— Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) November 5, 2022
Attended a media conference in #WaggaWagga where @stephcookemp & @NSWSES Southern Zone Deputy Commander Barry Griffiths updated the community on the flood situation in the #Riverina & #CentralWest, including latest river heights. pic.twitter.com/xAsF1pxdBA
Updated
Taronga zoo investigates wire fence after lion escape
Taronga zoo is investigating the failure of fence fastenings after five lions escaped from their enclosure, AAP reports.
The zoo is waiting for a full engineering report but early indications suggest the lions were able to leave the exhibit when fastenings on the mesh wire fence failed.
It said in a statement:
This opening has now been secured, however the lions will not be back out on their main exhibit while we await further engineering advice.
Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety of our people and guests and the welfare of our animals.
While the zoo’s intention is to fully complete all works necessary as quickly as possible, the exact timing of the works schedule is dependent on the expert advice we receive.
If any repairs or reinforcements are needed, the zoo will need to seek approval from the NSW Department of Primary Industries before returning the lions to their main exhibit.
The zoo said the lions, currently in a back-of-house area, remained well and had not had any adverse reactions as a result of their escape.
Four lion cubs and their father were found outside their exhibit, but away from public areas, on Wednesday morning.
Four returned to their enclosure after about 10 minutes but keepers had to tranquillise one cub before returning it to captivity.
Updated
When Cameron Brown learned of an idea to tighten Centrelink welfare debt collection in late 2014, he was “almost immediately” concerned.
It was around the same time copyright holders had been sending so-called “speculative invoices” on a mass scale to people who may have illegally downloaded films – the so-called Dallas Buyers Club saga.
The Centrelink debt recovery idea reminded the mid-level policy adviser at the Department of Social Services of the same practice. And he felt it was not just potentially unlawful but “unethical”.
Check out this cheeky celebratory meeting with Deb and Glenn – just a couple of everyday Australians – held by the prime minister today following the news of a pay rise for the aged care sector.
Aged care workers like Deb and Glenn are getting a pay rise.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 5, 2022
Minister for Aged Care @AnikaWells and I met with them to celebrate this morning. pic.twitter.com/E5liU9myzq
There just happened to be a camera present, which is lucky!
"The news of the 15% increase will be a huge benefit and will start putting more staff back on the floor," Deb said.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 5, 2022
Supporting this pay rise was one of the first things we did after the election.
These workers are the heroes of the pandemic. They deserve this. pic.twitter.com/dXOB7X62F5
Updated
Here’s a fun little tidbit to keep you going this afternoon.
It’s World Tsunami Awareness Day today. As if we didn’t need more natural disasters to worry about!
Australia operates a world class tsunami warning system. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) operated by Geoscience Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology provides warnings to help communities be prepared to act quickly in the event of any threat 2/3 pic.twitter.com/qXkMgqNwTp
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) November 5, 2022
Central NSW residents urged to conserve gas amid supply disruptions
Central NSW police have warned residents to conserve gas and turn off appliances amid gas supply disruptions hitting parts of the state.
As parts of Bathurst and the Central West have their gas supply reconnected following a disruption to normal service, customers in the Oberon … area are urged to conserve gas and turn off appliances.
The main supplier of gas to the Bathurst area, Jemena advise that the gas supply in Bathurst has now been returned to the secondary main, which has allowed supply to be returned to Bathurst hospital.
Nursing homes and other vulnerable customers have been prioritised to have supply reconnected.
Jemena crews will continue to perform ‘make safe’ works across Bathurst today, ahead of restoring gas to homes and businesses. More than half of all premises in Bathurst have been visited by Jemena crews.
For safety reasons, Jemena needs to interrupt the supply of gas to customers in Oberon within the next 24 hours. This will impact all gas customers in Oberon except for Oberon hospital, life support and other customers Jemena has classified as vulnerable.
Updated
Queensland’s move away from coal an opportunity for new economy jobs, Labor conference hears
Queensland’s plan to move away from coal has been framed as an opportunity for new economy jobs as Labor leaders addressed the party faithful in the sunshine state.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, were in the room as the premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, flagged thousands of energy jobs in a speech at Labor’s state conference on the Sunshine Coast today.
“Today we are launching one of the largest recruitment campaigns to find 2,300 new workers,” Palaszczuk said.
“Working across our six publicly owned energy companies, these workers will help put our energy plan into action.”
Engineers, labourers and admin workers are among the sought-after workers.
Palaszczuk also flagged plans to manufacture electric buses as well as prefabricated homes for frontline workers in regional Queensland.
But the state opposition wanted her to use the gathering to push for a 50-50 health funding split between the state and commonwealth.
“Today the premier has a chance to demand Queensland’s fair share with the prime minister in the audience,” the opposition leader, David Crisafulli, said.
“Anything short shows they’re throwing in the towel.”
Updated
Police search for child after woman and boy found in Canberra pond
The bodies of a woman and a young boy have been found in a pond in Gungahlin in Canberra’s north.
ACT police are investigating after the bodies were found in Yerrabi pond early on Saturday.
Det Supt Hall O’Meagher, who is in charge of ACT policing criminal investigations, said grave concerns were held for another child and a search was under way.
“We have grave concerns for a third person, another young child who we are currently searching for,” he said.
“We have a land search under way and also a search in the pond itself to try to locate that third person.
“Obviously a tragic situation, it’s still very early days and it’s unfolding.”
He said ACT police received a call on Saturday morning from a member of the public who had seen a person in the pond. Police attended and found the bodies of the woman and child.
O’Meagher said the investigation was ongoing and the manner and cause of the deaths was not yet known.
“We’re making inquiries with the family of these deceased people and they’re assisting us with our inquiries at this point in time,” he said.
“Our thoughts go out to them and also to the responding police who’ve had to deal with this tragic circumstance here this morning.”
He said counselling had been made available for police and emergency services personnel.
O’Meagher said anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Updated
Forbes expects flood peak not seen for 70 years as SES warns drivers
A member from the SES is providing an update from Wagga Wagga.
The prediction for a peak at Forbes is still 10.8 metres some time today, with major flooding. The level has not been experienced for 70 years.
We have seen a number of floods move through the town and they behave differently every time. Fingers crossed we do not reach that, but at the moment that is the information we have.
He says there have been a number of flood rescues, which are expected to continue as people will “unfortunately, continue to drive through flood water”.
I am happy that the community has listened to the messaging we have put out at the moment … the roads are deteriorating under these conditions so nobody has seen these conditions before in the area.
Even locals are getting caught out driving through crossings that they think are safe … people get sucked away when they hit a deep pothole, they get taken away. We urge people to stay away from flood water. It is extremely dangerous at the moment, it is full of debris.
Updated
Michael McCormack expects ‘level of frustration’ over latest floods
The federal MP for Riverina, Michael McCormack, is speaking now in his electorate at Wagga Wagga in the wake of major flooding.
He says he expects there’s a “level of frustration” in the community as so many have had to sandbag and evacuate their homes. There are 1,000 people in Wagga Wagga under evacuation orders.
McCormack says:
That is a time of frustration, a time when community band together like never before and in the worst of times to see the best of Australians, and we see that in the Riverina and elsewhere as people come from all over the nation to help out where they can.
As well as that I get that businesses have had to close and I understand full well that farmers have lost crops, and that will take a heavy toll on the bottom line. Many farmers expected a bumper harvest this year but that has been destroyed by the flood waters and that is so unfortunate. But you are not alone and there will be help available.
Updated
'Heroes of the pandemic': PM welcomes pay rise for aged care workers
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has been speaking on the Sunshine Coast, welcoming the Fair Work Commission’s decision to award a pay rise to aged care workers.
We know that we have an aged care royal commission … titled with one word, neglect. It documented over half of aged care residents not getting the nutrition that they need. It documented a crisis in the aged care workforce and it basically said unless we do something about lifting up the wages of people in the aged care sector then we won’t have a workforce to look after.
Albanese said yesterday’s announcement was an interim decision but was “very welcome”.
This 15% increase will impact some 300,000 workers in the aged care sector. These are the heroes of the pandemic, they deserve more than just our thanks, they deserve a wage rise … the idea that aged care workers can work the physically demanding work that it is but also very emotionally demanding as well … it’s an important decision, it’s just a couple more stages to go but it’s a sign that the Fair Work Commission understands how important it is.
It’s also about closing the gender pay gap – 85% of these workers are female in the sector and we need to recognise that … many of the feminised industries, aged care, early learning, disability care are dominated by women, where women don’t have the same bargaining power as other sections of the workforce, and that is one of the explanations for why wages have been held back.
Updated
Bid to host UN climate talks is a chance to revive Australia’s reputation, WWF says
The World Wide Fund for Nature says Australia’s bid to host the Cop31 climate talks is a chance to revive the nation’s global reputation.
The WWF-Australia CEO, Dermot O’Gorman, describes it as an “Olympic moment”, while calling on the federal government to rethink its position towards new coal and gas.
O’Gorman says:
It will benefit all of Australia and our Pacific neighbours.
Winning this bid won’t be easy, but if we’re successful it will help catalyse climate action in Australia and revive our global reputation. This is the kind of leadership we need to show to be competitive in a net zero world.
O’Gorman says Australia needs to become a “global leader” on climate action if it is serious about hosting a UN climate conference with the Pacific, meaning reconsidering new coal and gas projects.
We need to exit from fossil fuels on a set timeline and deliver on climate finance to support our Pacific neighbours, who have contributed the least to the climate emergency yet are experiencing the brunt of its impacts.
Updated
Victorian Liberals announce $200 Keeping Kids Moving vouchers
Meanwhile, in the Victorian Liberal party’s camp, Matthew Guy has announced a program to provide $200 vouchers for school-enrolled children to participate in sport, dance, scouts or other active recreation.
The Keeping Kids Moving program would run for up to 500,000 children over the next two years, providing vouchers to join a sporting club, take lessons, for seasonal registration fees, or be part of other active recreation groups by approved providers.
Guy says:
Our Keeping Kids Moving program is a real solution in lowering the cost of sport for all Victorian children and making an active, healthy lifestyle more accessible for families.
Updated
Andrews is asked if he could explain why he doesn’t want to comment on allegations in the Age report beyond his statement.
He replies:
No, what I can do is simply refer you to the statement that I’ve made.
Is there a legal reason?
There’s a statement that’s been made and I’m referring you to it, I’m again making it very clear I behave appropriately at all times … always have and I always will, and the statement makes it very clear, as it should … I am faithful to that oath all day, every single day.
Andrews is asked if Labor will consider Ibac’s call to create a new offence for people who publish information in its draft reports.
He says:
I certainly wouldn’t rule out changes to the law at some point but I’m not here to make any announcements.
He said the corruption watchdog has "perhaps been critical even critical of the fact we haven't done that".
— Callum Godde (@calgodde) November 5, 2022
Andrews says there’ll be “many issues in the campaign” and what issues people are concerned about is a “matter for voters”.
We’ve put a positive and optimistic campaign out there … we’ll have many more announcements to make, each day laying out our positive and optimistic plan for the future … to keep doing what matters.
All elections are always close, a handful of votes in a handful of seats determines whether we have a government that cuts and privatises the things that matter or a Labor government that continues to invest in the things that matter. They’re the choices … what you guys in the media focus on, what ordinary Victorians focus on … is a matter for them.
Updated
Daniel Andrews asked about secret anti-corruption probe allegation
Daniel Andrews has been asked about allegations in the Age yesterday which claimed he was being investigated in a secret anti-corruption commission probe over the awarding of two $3.4m grants.
He says he’s issued a statement today, so has the agency, and refers the media to that.
I’ve issued a statement … if you want to know what Ibac is doing you should speak to Ibac, I behave appropriately at all times.
Ibac has also released a statement, I urge you to refer to that also … I’ll let that speak for itself.
On the media and whether he has been angered by reports, he says he’s got a “position on freedom of press, more voices not less”.
Go and ask people in regional newspapers how much support they’ve got from our government … my position on those matters is very clear.
Updated
Daniel Andrews pledges $4m for new mental health program for tradies
Victoria’s premier, Daniel Andrews, is speaking now, with the high-vis and the hard hat out.
He has pledged $4m to establish a new mental health program for tradies.
Daniel Andrews has pledges $4m to establish a new mental health training program for all tradies, if re-elected.
— Mitch Clarke (@96mitchclarke) November 5, 2022
“There’s plenty of talk at smoko or knock-off - but not a lot of it is about mental health”
Tradies are 6 x more likely to die by suicide than workplace injury. pic.twitter.com/zSwQToXADo
Updated
Australia names Kristin Tilley as new ambassador for climate change
The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, says Australia will be a willing and active participant in global climate change talks after years in which the country was viewed as working to stop progress.
Speaking in Sydney to announce Kristin Tilley as the country’s new ambassador for climate change, Bowen said Cop27 in Egypt was an opportunity “to talk about what Australia brings to the table”:
It’s an important opportunity to help the rest of the world. To take the next step forward.
Australia will launch a bid with Pacific nations to host the 2026 climate change conference (Cop31).
Bowen said the conference of parties – in addition to being an important international discussion – was “the world’s biggest trade fair” and hosting the summit would “show Australia’s capacity to help the world as a renewable energy powerhouse”.
He said:
It’s an opportunity to work closely with our Pacific family, and we will seek to co-host the bid with the Pacific to help elevate the case of the Pacific for more climate action.
Updated
Dorinda Cox to take Greens’ campaign against coal and gas to Cop27
The Greens senator Dorinda Cox is travelling to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt this weekend to participate in the two-week UN Climate Change Conference (Cop27).
She will be continuing the party’s push for the federal government to end support for new coal and gas projects.
Cox says:
I’m taking the fight against coal and gas to Egypt to share the stories of First Nations people standing up to mining corporations who are destroying their Country and cultural heritage.
Projects like Scarborough and Beetaloo wreck the environment, destroy sacred places, and kill Australia’s chances of reaching our emissions target.
The Australian Greens are pushing the Labor government further and faster to be more ambitious in Egypt and announce a science-based target of 75% emissions reduction on 2030 levels.
It is not enough for Australia to just turn up. The world is looking to us to lead and our Pacific neighbours are calling on us to act.
Updated
Wagga Wagga is flooding with a major peak higher than the December 2010 floods. Major flooding is also possible at Narrandera on Sunday.
River levels peaked on the Murrumbidgee at Wagga Wagga around midday yesterday.
The Murrumbidgee peaked just over 9.7 m in Wagga yesterday. This morning west of Wagga (about half way to Narrandera) the river is rising with new paddocks inundated pic.twitter.com/GGE5ADGDKt
— Emily Malone (Doak) (@EmilyJMalone) November 4, 2022
The BoM said:
Moderate flooding is occurring at along the Murrumbidgee River at Gundagai. Major flooding is occurring at Wagga Wagga.
The Murrumbidgee River at Gundagai peaked at 9.77 metres with major flooding around 09:15 pm Wednesday and is currently at 8.21 metres and falling, with moderate flooding.
The Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga peaked at 9.72 metres around midday Friday with major flooding, higher than the December 2010 flood, and slightly lower than the June 1952 flood.
The Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera may reach the major flood level (8.20 m) during Sunday.
Updated
Kristin Tilley will be part of the Australian delegation – led by Chris Bowen – at Cop27 where Australia will launch a bid with Pacific nations to host the 2026 climate summit.
Penny Wong said:
Ms Tilley will lead Australia’s international climate engagement, working with partners to deliver opportunities for green economy jobs.
As well as playing our part to reduce emissions, Australia is also focused on helping our neighbours deal with the climate emergency, and elevating Pacific voices and priorities on the world stage.
The minister for international development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, will represent the prime minister at the conference from 7-9 November and will focus on working with Australia’s Pacific partners.
The assistant minister for climate change and energy, Jenny McAllister, will also attend.
Bowen said the Australia’s delegation at Cop27 and the Cop31 bid would “go a long way to help drive Australia’s economic transformation to a net zero economy, and strengthen green trade partnerships and secure jobs for Australian workers”.
Updated
Kristin Tilley has been named Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, and the climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, announced the appointment ahead of the commencement of the United Nations climate change conference in Egypt.
Tilley has worked on international and domestic climate change policy for more than a decade and was most recently a first assistant secretary in the department of industry, science and resources.
Wong and Bowen said the announcement delivered on the government’s election commitment to reinstate the role of ambassador for climate change:
Her role demonstrates to the world Australia’s resolve to urgently step up the pace of action, and work alongside global partners, particularly in the Pacific, to tackle the climate crisis.
They thanked Australia’s former ambassador for the environment, Jamie Isbister, for his work on international environmental and climate change issues since 2019.
Updated
The prime minister is feeling grateful this morning, #blessed.
Grateful for an early morning swim on the Sunshine Coast before my speech to Queensland Labor. Thanks to @SLSAustralia for keeping us safe. pic.twitter.com/GUMYjSm1Ca
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 4, 2022
In his address, Albanese will confirm the federal government will officially bid to co-cost COP31 in 2026 in partnership with Pacific neighbours, as flagged by Adam Morton this morning.
Kristin Tilley has also been appointed as Australia’s ambassador for climate change. She was most recently a first assistant secretary at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Very pleased to announce with @SenatorWong the appointment of Kristin Tilley as 🇦🇺 new Ambassador for Climate Change, a position the @AlboMP Govt is re-instating.
— Chris Bowen (@Bowenchris) November 4, 2022
Also confirming that 🇦🇺will bid to host COP 31 in 2026, in partnership with Pacific nations. pic.twitter.com/6b53z3Pmas
Updated
Daniel Andrews releases statement on claims of secret Ibac probe
Victoria’s premier has released a statement following allegations in the Age yesterday which claimed he was being investigated in a secret anti-corruption commission probe over the awarding of two $3.4m grants.
Andrews:
Regardless of any smear, innuendo or media reporting based on anonymous sources, the only Ibac matters I will comment on are those that are the subject of a final report – as is appropriate and has always been my practice.
Questions about what Ibac is or is not doing are a matter for the independent agency.
I act appropriately at all times and in all things. That is the oath I swore and I take it very seriously.
Updated
A 4.0 earthquake has been detected in Boorowa, 340 kilometres southwest of Sydney.
Region: Boorowa, NSW
— EarthquakesGA (@EarthquakesGA) November 4, 2022
Mag: 4.0
UTC: 2022-11-04 22:45:48
Lat: -34.37, Lon: 148.87
Dep: 10km
For more info and updates, or if you felt this earthquake, go to https://t.co/bM5tJBMMjh
‘Psychological injury’: NSW teacher wins compensation payout over handling of vaccine mandate
A Sydney teacher sacked for not complying with New South Wales’s vaccination rules has been awarded ongoing workers’ compensation payments of $1,378 a week after she suffered “psychological injury” in the way the mandate was enforced.
Her case has been described as a precedent by her lawyer, with dozens more former teachers already lining up to pursue similar action against the state’s education department.
In a judgment handed down in the NSW personal injury commission on Thursday, the former Canada Bay special education teacher Diane Dawking, 53, was awarded ongoing compensation and backpay over the way the vaccination mandate was communicated ahead of her dismissal.
Updated
Speaking of Victoria, Daniel Andrews will front the media today in his first public appearance since an Age report which claimed the premier was being investigated in a secret anti-corruption commission probe over the awarding of two $3.4 million grants on the eve of the 2018 election.
We are expecting to hear from him at 11am.
If you’d like to dive into the first week of Victoria’s election campaign, ramping up amid controversy, heckling and dog parks, Margaret Simons has the latest.
Victorian Labor lead narrows in polls in lead-up to state election
The Victorian election race appears to be tightening three weeks out from polling day, with Labor in danger of slipping in to minority government, AAP reports.
A Newspoll published by The Weekend Australian late on Friday shows Labor’s primary vote has fallen to 37%, down 4% from late August and now equal to the coalition.
Its two-party-preferred lead over the Coalition has also been whittled down to 54-46%, compared to 56-44% five-and-a-half weeks earlier.
If that result was replicated on 26 November, the Labor government would suffer a 3.3% swing against it but likely secure a third successive term in office.
But it could put the party in jeopardy of shedding up to 10 seats, with the government holding a 12-seat notional majority after an electoral boundaries redistribution last year.
More than a quarter of the 1007 Victorian voters surveyed from Monday to Thursday were considering casting their ballot for minor parties or independents.
The premier Daniel Andrews’ satisfaction rating has fallen 3% to 51% pushing up the Labor leader’s dissatisfaction rating to 44%.
The Liberal leader Matthew Guy’s satisfaction rating sits at 32% but his dissatisfaction rating has risen three per cent to 52%.
Asked who would make a better premier, Andrews still came up trumps with voters on 52% with Guy on 33%.
Updated
‘Not a skerrick of evidence’ to support claims 30% of Medicare budget being defrauded, AMA says
The Australian Medical Association has welcomed today’s announcement that a departmental review did not back up media reports that 30% of Medicare’s budget was being defrauded by doctors and other health professionals.
AMA’s president, Prof Stephen Robson, said doctors had reported mental distress following the media reports.
The AMA analysed the documentation these media reports relied on and, like the department, found nothing – not a skerrick of evidence – to support the claims made in headlines splashed across some news organisations.
The AMA has acknowledged consistently that while some fraud does occur, the vast majority of doctors are doing the right thing. And we have seen the mental toll these reports have taken on Australia’s doctors.
Robson said the complexity of the Medicare system must be addressed in the new independent review announced by the government, with confusing and inconsistent advice a “major cause of confusion” when it came to correct billing.
The minister has again highlighted the impact of years of cuts and neglect of Medicare, and, while this latest review may identify potential savings that could be made, what Medicare really needs is genuine reform and an injection of new funds.
Updated
SES continuing to attend isolated and inundated homes to rescue people
Sullivan said SES crew were continuing to be called out to homes under evacuation orders that had become isolated and inundated by water.
Our flood rescue response teams are heading out to them in the high-clearance vehicles and our rafts and boats at the moment to collect them and get them back to the evacuation centre and into safety.
He said there had been a 500 metre increase in the river height in Forbes since 4pm yesterday ahead of the expected 10.8m peak.
There’s more to come. So the threat is still real.
Hundreds, thousands of sandbags have been filled by the community and our volunteers and sent out to protect homes in Forbes and surrounding areas. So certainly that mitigation has been in place for some time. Now it’s about seeing what the floodwaters do and keeping the community safe.
Updated
Forbes flood gauge at 10.65 metres, says SES
Ashley Sullivan from the NSW SES has appeared on ABC News Breakfast to provide an update on the situation in Forbes, where major flooding is hitting the township.
The gauge is currently about 10.65m and we’re predicting 10.8m so still a bit to go in Forbes and surrounding areas. We have about 500 homes in Forbes under evacuation order and in the last 24 hours, we’ve had about 213 requests for assistance with 10 flood rescues … and multiple flood rescues here in Forbes today with some ongoing flood rescues as we speak.
Among those who needed to be rescued were a pregnant woman and her midwife. The woman’s water broke amid the flood waters.
Ryan Jones, our local volunteer in Forbes, got called out to assist a pregnant lady whose water broke yesterday. He went out there in a high-clearance vehicle and he picked up the lady and transported her across the middle of the river here behind me to the Forbes Hospital where she could be cared for by the doctors and nurses over there. So I don’t know the outcome but we know that she’s in safe hands at the hospital so a proud rescue for our volunteers.
Updated
Coral Princess cruise ship docked in Tasmania after Covid outbreak onboard
In a throwback to the days of lockdown, the Coral Princess has docked in Tasmania this morning following an outbreak of Covid-19. The cruise ship was delayed due to extreme weather in the eastern states.
The Coral Princess has docked in Burnie this morning, bringing with it around 2000 passengers. It’s the first cruise ship to arrive in the city in more than two years @abcnews pic.twitter.com/ehaba6gSZq
— Monte Bovill (@MonteBovill) November 4, 2022
A spokesperson said a small number of guests had the virus, but did not confirm the exact number.
The company said in a statement on Friday:
As a result of continued and proactive testing, the Covid-19 situation onboard Coral Princess has improved considerably in recent days with a significant number of guests being released from isolation after returning a negative Rapid Antigen Test.
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The major regional NSW town of Forbes is flooding at levels not seen for 70 years, as rivers across the state burst their banks. The flood water’s peak has been revised from Friday evening to today.
My Friends place in Forbes NSW- Today. pic.twitter.com/104qjKHGRX
— Cecil of Rhodesia (@RMDLTD1) November 4, 2022
Here’s the latest from the Bureau of Meteorology:
Rainfall over the past several days and weeks have caused renewed and prolonged flooding along the Lachlan River and its tributaries.
The flood peak is currently nearing Mulyandry Creek upstream of Forbes. Major flooding is occurring at Forbes, where river levels may peak during Saturday, similar to the June 1952 flood (10.80 metres). This major flood peak is forecast to pass through Cottons Weir late Saturday.
Dawn over Forbes CBD flooding pic.twitter.com/503tRMx7G3
— Nick Moir (@nampix) November 4, 2022
Indigenous families call on AFL to admit failings in past handling of racism
A group of Indigenous families have called for the AFL to admit to its own failings before they take part in an investigation into explosive allegations of racism at Hawthorn, AAP reports.
In a joint open letter directed to the AFL Commission and league boss, Gillon McLachlan, on Friday, the families wrote they want to “tell our truths” in a “culturally safe environment”.
The AFL should take a “good look” at how it has handled racism previously, the group said . The letter reads:
We have decided to participate in the AFL Independent Investigation on the basis that the AFL is also committed to independently look at its own failings, and promises to all First Nations families it will do better as a result.
We do want to tell our truths to a panel of independent investigators in a culturally safe environment. But the issue of racism in the AFL cannot be dealt with by a narrowly targeted investigation on a club-by-club, or crisis-by-crisis, basis.
We want the AFL to take a good hard look at itself and how it has dealt with racism in the past. Not because we want to trawl over 100 years of neglect, or conduct a witch-hunt or to bring legal claims, but because we want the AFL to be a safer place for our children.
On Wednesday, a woman at the centre of the racism claims at Hawthorn, which focus on a period between 2008 and 2016, released a statement via her lawyers saying she would not take part in the investigation as it was unsafe.
Her statement came on the same day the new North Melbourne coach, Alastair Clarkson, vowed to strongly defend himself against all allegations directed at him dating from his time at Hawthorn.
Clarkson officially started his new job as Kangaroos AFL coach on Wednesday after signing a five-year contract in late August.
Former Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan has recently returned to his job as senior coach of the Brisbane Lions after standing down when the allegations surfaced via an ABC report in September. Both men deny the allegations.
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PM to criticise Coalition’s focus on nuclear at Queensland Labor conference
Anthony Albanese will seek to discredit the Coalition’s focus on nuclear power when he addresses the state Labor conference in Queensland today.
According to speech extracts distributed in advance, the prime minister will say the federal opposition wants to shun “cheaper, cleaner energy and more jobs – and instead invest in the most expensive form of energy, nuclear power:
Only Peter Dutton could look at this beautiful part of the Sunshine Coast and say: ‘What a great spot for a nuclear reactor!’
We believe in the light on the hill. The LNP want us to glow in the dark!
Albanese will vow to work with the Queensland government to “bring the new jobs of clean energy to every corner” of the state. He will praise the Palaszczuk government’s recently announced target for 70% renewable electricity by 2032, saying it is “an act of leadership that will shape the future of this state and our nation”.
And friends, for the first time in a decade, Queenslanders have a federal government in their corner on this, a partner in the work ahead.
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Inquiry into Medicare noncompliance and waste launched
The health minister, Mark Butler, has launched an independent inquiry into Medicare in an attempt to curb fraud and waste within the healthcare system.
The probe will be fronted by health economist and former Victorian Department of Health secretary Dr Pradeep Philip, who will put an estimated dollar figure on the non-compliance.
A national audit in 2020 estimated it to cost between $366m and $2.2bn a year.
Australians know that the overwhelming bulk of our doctors and health professionals are honest and comply with Medicare rules. But they also understand that after nine years of cuts and neglect, every dollar in Medicare is precious and must be spent directly on patient care.
— Mark Butler MP (@Mark_Butler_MP) November 4, 2022
I’ve asked Dr Pradeep Philip to conduct an independent review to measure and report on the true extent of non-compliance in Medicare and identify fixes to protect the integrity of the system.
— Mark Butler MP (@Mark_Butler_MP) November 4, 2022
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Good morning
All eyes are on the central-west New South Wales town of Forbes today, where a major flood peak not experienced for 70 years could hit as the state grapples with continued crises.
There were 10 flood rescues overnight, the majority in Forbes, including a pregnant woman and her midwife who needed urgent transport. Around 1,000 people have been urged to leave their homes ahead of a forecast peak for the Lachlan River of 10.8 metres today.
The levee at Wagga Wagga has so far held after the Murrumbidgee River peaked at 9.72 metres yesterday, however evacuation orders remain for low-lying parts of the town.
Further north, the isolated Walli Village at Collarenebri is being urged to evacuate by this afternoon due to a failed sewerage system.
Meanwhile, aged care workers have been delivered an interim 15% pay rise by the Fair Work Commission. The Health Services Union said the pay rise was a “down payment” but a larger and broader increase was needed to address the industry’s employment crisis.
And the Reserve Bank of Australia has forecast a dire outlook for the next few years in its latest update, predicting rising unemployment, inflation peaking higher and slower growth until 2025 as economic challenges intensify.
Caitlin Cassidy here to guide you through today’s news. You can reach me at @caitecassidy on Twitter or shoot me an email at caitlin.cassidy@theguardian.com.
Let’s dive in.
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