What we learned, 24 August 2025
With that we’re wrapping up the blog. Before we go, here are the major stories from Sunday:
Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is not looking to make super changes and is now focused on implementing its election commitments;
Nationals leader David Littleproud says that the Coalition will not suffer electorally if it continues to hold on to its nuclear policy;
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated his support for Ukraine on the anniversary of the country’s independence from the Soviet Union;
Laws creating a public sex offender registry will be introduced to parliament next week and are expected to pass by the end of the year;
Massive crowds have been reported at rallies in support of Palestine and Gaza across major Australian capital cities.
We’ll pick things up again tomorrow.
Updated
Regional towns also rally in protest at Israel’s actions in Gaza
Pro-Palestine rallies in Australia’s capital cities have drawn crowds of thousands however dozens of regional hubs and smaller towns have also hosted their own events today, some for the first time.
The Pine Gap military intelligence base, the Tathra Beach Country Club oval, the echo point lookout in Katoomba and the Shepparton Art Museum were among sites crowds gathered to call for a ceasefire and an end to military ties with Israel.
In the regional Victoria city of Shepparton, which has a significant Afghan Hazara community, hundreds of adults and children walked the streets of the CBD holding signs and chanting “Free Palestine” and “Freedom for Gaza”.
In Tathra on the New South Wales South Coast, organisers with Palestine Action Bega Valley estimated about 500 people gathered despite the rain, marching across the marched over the Mogareeka Bridge armed with a banner reading “Bega Valley for Palestine”.
“It’s not Sydney Harbour Bridge but the feelings of anger and frustration are the same,” one resident wrote on X.
Updated
