What we learned: Friday 4 October
With that, we will bid farewell to the blog for the day. Thanks for being with us and, as always, we’ll be back first thing tomorrow.
Here were the major developments of the day:
A joint police statement warned “there will be no tolerance for illegal behaviour or violence on any day of the year” in the lead-up to protests planned for the 7 October anniversary.
NSW Premier Chris Minns labeled social media an ‘unregulated experiment’ on kids as NSW survey released.
He also called planned pro-Palestinian rallies over the long weekend “hugely insensitive.”
Organisers of the rallies hit back at the NSW premier’s warning of ‘overwhelming police presence’ at weekend, saying they “have a right to mourn the lives of our families and loved ones.”
Federal court rejects X’s claim that it can’t be fined by eSafety over child safety questions
Prime minister Anthony Albanese pleaded with Australians to leave Lebanon, saying hundreds of places available.
He also introduced Tu Le as Labor challenger for western Sydney seat of Fowler.
The opposition leader held a joint press conference with Queensland Liberal National party leader David Crissafulli, who has been tipped by polls to win the 26 October vote.
A critical incident was declared in western Sydney after Police shot two men after the men allegedly drove a stolen vehicle at them.
NSW Police’s Paul Dunstan: ‘too early to comment’ about police shooting two men at Wentworthville
NSW police say it is “way too early to say” whether two men shot by police in Sydney today after an alleged burglary will recover, as investigations continue into the incident.
Early this afternoon, officers responding to a report of a stolen car in Wentworthville fired their guns at the vehicle after it was allegedly driven at them.
Briefing the media a short time ago, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan said one of the men remained in a “very serious condition”, adding that as time went on the pair were stabilising but it was “way too early to say” what the outcome would be.
The five police who were involved in the incident were wearing body worn cameras at the time, Dunstan said. Three police shot their firearms and were assisting police with their inquiries.
Asked whether the show of force was warranted, Dunstan said it was “too early to comment” and he didn’t want to predict the outcome of the critical incident investigation.
Updated
Penny Wong says about 500 Australians to fly home from Beirut via Cyprus and more flights possible
The Albanese government has confirmed up to 500 Australians and their close relatives will board flights from Lebanon tomorrow as efforts ramp up to expatriate citizens following Israel’s ground incursion into the country’s southern regions.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said on Friday afternoon the passengers would depart from Beirut, the Lebanese capital, and arrive in nearby Cyprus before taking two Qantas flights to Sydney.
The government has indicated there will be further flights planned in the coming days, but it warned they would be subject to demand and Beirut’s airport remaining operational.
“Our message to Australians in Lebanon remains – now is the time to leave. Please take the first flight option that is available. There is no guarantee of preferred flights or that these flights will continue.”
Wong said a Canadian assisted-departure flight had left on Thursday night carrying 41 Australians.
The departure flights are free-of-charge for eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with a right of entry to Australia. The government said it would prioritise vulnerable passengers.
Australians in Lebanon who wish to leave should ensure they are registered via DFAT’s Crisis Portal or by calling the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.
Read more:
Updated
Woolworths and property group developing large retail and residential complex in Brisbane
Woolworths has struck a deal with a residential property developer to turn a vacant Brisbane site into a multi-storey complex that includes a supermarket, AAP reports.
Mosaic Property says work on the Kangaroo Point site will begin in 2025 and the 16-level property should be completed by 2027, with 128 luxury residences with city and river views and a rooftop pool.
Woolworths’ development arm, Fabcot, bought land for the project in 2020 and 2021 and won approval from the Brisbane city council for its development in 2023.
Once the project is complete, Woolworths will lease and operate the supermarket under a long-term deal.
It can take five to seven years to deliver new centres and stores, sometimes longer, involving lengthy planning, construction and approval processes, he said.
Updated
Car stolen in Wentworthville owned by Penrith MP Karen McKeown’s husband
Penrith state MP Karen McKeown has confirmed via a statement that a car belonging to her husband was stolen on Thursday night, after intruders broke into her house.
It is alleged police officers were in an underground car park of a unit when that stolen vehicle was driven at them at about 12.10 pm today in Wentworthville, in western Sydney.
Both of the cars’ occupants were shot in the confrontation.
McKeown says she was “shaken” by the events:
While I am shaken from the events, thankfully I am unharmed.
Political leaders often praise police for their bravery.
Today, I have had a first-hand experience of this.
Updated
Pacific countries agree to establish natural disasters response group
Brisbane will host a new rapid response team to be deployed through the Pacific in the event of natural disasters.
A clutch of Pacific defence leaders have agreed to immediately establish the Pacific Response Group in the Queensland capital before the cyclone season.
Deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, made the announcement with counterparts from across the region in Auckland this week at the South Pacific Defence Ministers meeting.
It is wonderful to be back in New Zealand for the 2024 South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) October 1, 2024
I look forward to discussions with my counterparts about how we can deepen our cooperation across the Pacific. pic.twitter.com/M1Oaos5i8M
The response group will have up to 15 personnel – from Australia, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga – that would only deploy on the request of a Pacific country.
They would assist local civilian authorities to plan a disaster response and identify potential assistance from other nations.
Marles says in the aftermath of disasters, small island nations can find themselves “overwhelmed with the love and it does require coordination from the get-go”.
“That’s really what the Pacific Response Group is going to do,” he says.
Australia and New Zealand defence teams are often deployed in disasters to ferry people or supplies to affected areas.
The New Zealand defence minister, Judith Collins, says those scenarios required teamwork.
“When we have disasters that we need to help each other with, we do need to have better coordination,” she says.
“They’ll set it up in Brisbane, they’ll do it quickly, because we’re coming into the next cyclone season, and they’ll have a couple of our senior people (and) we’ll be prepared.”
Via AAP.
Updated
Good afternoon, Mostafa Rachwani with you to take you through the rest of the day’s news.
Police will address the media after a critical incident was declared in Wentworthville in Sydney’s western suburbs.
We will bring you that at 4:15 pm.
Updated
Defamation trial told of Sky News host message about Moira Deeming
Sky News host Peta Credlin warned against expelling Moira Deeming from the Victorian Liberal party room in a text message to John Pesutto’s chief of staff, whose office she was then helping to set up, a court has heard.
Story here:
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Police suspend search in Hobart for missing boat owner
Search efforts to find a man whose boat washed ashore empty, south of Hobart, have been suspended, AAP reports.
A wide-scale air, land and sea search was launched on Wednesday afternoon after a 10-metre cruiser beached at Kingston.
Police said the vessel’s owner, aged in his 70s, had set off from a marina in Hobart’s north earlier that morning.
Authorities on Thursday said they held grave concerns for the man, who likely went overboard on Wednesday and wasn’t believed to be wearing a lifejacket.
Updated
That’s all from me on the blog today. Handing over to Cait Kelly, who will roll your news updates through the afternoon.
NSW Police: using Hezbollah or ‘terrorist-type symbols’ in public an offence
The NSW Police assistant commissioner reiterates warnings against “terrorist-type symbols held up in a public place”:
Again, I will say this quite clearly – it is an offence to utilise or have those Hezbollah or terrorist-type symbols held up in a public place. There are some nuances to that legislation but, if we believe people are committing offences around those terrorist symbols, then certainly we’ll take action.
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NSW police wants to make sure Palestine Action Group isn’t ‘hijacked by the wrong people’
The NSW Police assistant commissioner, Peter McKenna, says there is a “spike” in crowds at protests “every time something significant happens” overseas:
We’ve seen the heightened issues at the moment, the emotions overseas – every time something significant happens in that overseas environment at the moment, there’s been a spike in crowd numbers in New South Wales in these protests, in particular.
We are there for public safety. We want to make sure that people are safe …
We want to make sure that this Palestinian Action Group isn’t hijacked by the wrong people and that people are safe coming in and moving around the city.
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Assistant commissioner: NSW Police ‘apolitical’ and ‘can only go by what the law tells us’
The NSW Police assistant commissioner says the force is “apolitical,” and police will not intervene at public gatherings if there is no reason:
New South Wales Police Force is apolitical. We understand that there are heightened emotions at the moment. It’s really not our place to say whether that is appropriate or inappropriate. We can only go by what the law tells us. The law tells us that, in New South Wales, people have a democratic right to hold public assemblies. If there is no reason for New South Wales Police to intervene, then we won’t intervene. But if there is, certainly we’ll be there, ready to go.
Updated
The NSW Police assistant commissioner, Peter McKenna, spoke live about protests planned for 6 October a short while ago. He said:
We deal with this Palestinian Action Group on a weekly basis. We work with them to make sure everyone is safe and that people can get in and around the city as best they can.
Updated
Critical incident declared after two men shot in Sydney's west
Police shot two men in Sydney’s west after the men allegedly drove a stolen vehicle at them.
At about 12.10pm today, officers were called to Lane Street, Wentworthville, responding to reports a stolen vehicle was at that location. When police entered an underground car park of a unit block, the stolen vehicle was allegedly driven at them, NSW Police said in a media release.
Police discharged their firearms, injuring two men inside the stolen car. The officers then rendered first aid until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived.
The men were taken to Westmead hospital. One is reported to be in critical condition and the second is in a serious but stable condition.
The police officers were not physically injured.
The incident will be investigated by a critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad with the assistance of South West Metropolitan Region.
The investigation is also subject to an independent review.
Addressing press, NSW Police commissioner Karen Webb acknowledged reports that the stolen vehicle belonged to an MP.
Asked “on the critical incident, an MP’s car was stolen”, Webb said:
That has been reported, but it’s very early days. That will be born out, but I hear that’s been reported in the media already.
Updated
Pro-Palestine protesters hit back at NSW premier's warning of 'overwhelming police presence' at weekend
Organisers of pro-Palestine protests this weekend have hit back at NSW Premier Chris Minns, who this morning warned them of an “overwhelming police presence” at their planned vigil on 7 October.
Minns had told a press conference earlier today that certain “police tactics” will be employed at the candlelight vigil, organised to mourn the deaths of Palestinian and Lebanese lives.
Amal Naser, a spokesperson for the Palestine Action Group, the organiser of the weekly pro-Palestine protests and this weekend’s events, said:
We have a right to mourn the lives of our families and loved ones, the same way every community has that right. It is very clear Chris Minns has rejected the dignity and humanity of the Arab people in this country.
It’s grossly insensitive to not only block us from mourning but to continuously push back against us. He’s never given space to the Palestinian movement in this country and always gives new excuses to delegitimise us.
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Love is in the air
Spider enthusiasts are heading to Colorado in the US for tarantula mating season, when male spiders scurry out of their burrows in search of a mate, and hundreds of arachnophiles flock to the small farming town of La Junta to watch them emerge in droves.
Read more here:
-AAP
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Fake X accounts fool Sky News Australia – twice
It hasn’t been a good week for Sky News Australia, which has had to admit reporting information based on fake X accounts. Not once but twice.
It started with Sky After Dark’s Rita Panahi telling viewers that two farmers who appeared in a Kamala Harris campaign commercial were actors and longtime Democratic party donors.
This pair of farmers, shown in the ad, appear to in fact be two actors, Robert Lange and Kristina Chadwick, and they have an extensive history of donating to the Democrats and leftist causes dating back to at least 2016
Only they weren’t.
You can read this week’s full Weekly Beast below:
Updated
Hi there, Petra Stock here taking the blog for the next hour or so. Don’t worry, Rafqa will be back soon!
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Man shot by police following Hillside fatal stabbing
Emergency services located a man on the front lawn of a Chris Court property with critical injuries this morning, after reports at around 6:50am that a man had been stabbed.
Officers attempted CPR but the man died at the scene.
They were then confronted by another man armed with an edged weapon, Vic Police said in a media release. Police attempted to negotiate with the man before he advanced toward them. Officers discharged a firearm, striking the man in his lower body.
He has been taken to hospital under police guard, in a critical but stable condition.
A female occupant of the address who witnessed the incident was also taken to hospital as a precaution.
it is believed those involved were known to each other. Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the death. An Armed Crime Squad will investigate the firearm incident with oversight by Professional Standards Command, which is protocol when a police firearm is discharged.
SES offers Panthers a helping hand with ‘tackling Storms’
The NSW SES have offered a helping hand to the Penrith Panthers ahead of the NRL grand final, where the Panthers will face off against the Melbourne Storm.
Hey Panthers, we know a thing or two about tackling Storms …
If it gets a but rough on Sunday, give us a ring on 132 500.
Hey Panthers, we know a thing or two about tackling Storms...
— NSW SES (@NSWSES) October 4, 2024
If it gets a bit rough on Sunday, give us a call on 132 500. 🌩️ #NRLGrandFinal
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PM introduces Tu Le as Labor challenger for western Sydney seat of Fowler
Prime minister Anthony Albanese introduced Tu Le as the Labor candidate for the western Sydney seat of Fowler a short while ago:
Tu Le will be an amazing representative. She’s a great candidate, but she will be even better as a local member who will have a voice in government and be able to get things done.
Le, who works as a community lawyer, said:
I am absolutely thrilled to be the Labor candidate for the federal seat of Fowler. I grew up in south-west Sydney. I’m a proud Westie, and I’m currently raising my young family with my husband Calvin … in the local area.
My parents came to Australia after the Vietnam war. I was fortunate to have been raised in Australia, and benefit from the best possible public education. This has led me to the work that I do today.
Growing up in South west Sydney and being the daughter of refugees, I understand deeply the power of equal opportunity and what it takes to overcome disadvantage. I think my personal lived experiences have led me to dedicate my life to advocating for the needs of the community, and I am very excited to be the labor candidate for Fowler. To continue fighting for my community and standing up for our rights and values.
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Anthony Albanese says Australia maintains a relationship with Iran because it is in the national interest, “not because we agree with the regime”.
We maintained a relationship with Iran since 1968 which is continuous. Not because we agree with the regime but because it’s in Australia’s national interest. It’s never been an endorsement of the regime, but a channel to protect Australia’s interests and to communicate our views and the views of our allies, like-minded countries.
My government has taken the strongest actions of any government on Iran. The strongest actions. We have put in place hundreds of sanctions against … Iranian entities which is in stark contrast to the fact that nothing happened over the nine years in which Peter Dutton was a minister in the former government where there were no sanctions, silence about Iran and Iran of course has not just changed its ideology in the last couple of years.
Earlier today opposition leader Peter Dutton called for Iran’s ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi to Australia to be expelled:
Do I think the Iranian ambassador be expelled from our country? Be persona non grata? Absolutely he should … He’s been warned by the government before. The prime minister has to start showing some strength of leadership and some character here and standing up for our values and what’s right.
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Albanese pleads with Australians to leave Lebanon, saying hundreds of places available
Anthony Albanese is “pleading” with Australians to leave Lebanon.
We are very concerned about what is happening in Lebanon and in particular we are doing our best to look after Australian citizens. We have been warning for many months now, pleading with people to please leave Lebanon because it is not a safe place and Beirut Airport is located in south of Beirut and we remain concerned.
We have 500 places made available for Australians to leave tomorrow. We have organised and assisted the safe passage of a number this week.
We have for some time been planning measures to make sure people can be looked after but we say, if people can leave by commercial means they should take up the opportunity as soon as possible.
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Albanese on Middle East: ‘The region needs de-escalation’
Anthony Albanese was speaking live in Cabramatta a short while ago.
The prime minister said Australia has worked with international partners on calls for de-escalation in the Middle East:
We have worked closely with President Biden and we have signed joint statements with the United States, with Canada, the European Union, Italy, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, all calling for a de-escalation. Of course, Israel has a right to defend itself, but as we and the US and others have said, the region needs de-escalation. The cycle of violence cannot continue without end. That is something we will continue to work with partners on.
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Two men charged with the alleged stabbing murder of a Guildford man
Homicide Squad detectives have charged two men for their alleged roles in the stabbing murder of a Guildford man in July this year, NSW Police said in a media release.
You can read about the daylight stabbing of the 37-year-old man, who was walking to a friend’s house in Guildford when three masked men attacked, here:
Following investigations under Strike Force Noyana, detectives executed a search warrant on a hotel room in Ryde at around 8am on Thursday 26 July. During the search, detectives arrested a 23-year-old man and took him to Gladesville Police Station.
He was charged with “murder, fail to comply digital evidence access order direction and possess DECCD to commit serious criminal activity”. The man was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court the same day, where he was further refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 21 November 2024.
After further investigations, detectives arrested a 23-year-old man at a Silverwater correctional facility about 11am yesterday. He was also charged with “murder and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity”. The man was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today.
Investigations into the alleged murder continue, and detectives are appealing to the public for identify two men seen in Merrylands, at about 1.40pm Saturday 20 July, who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries.
The first man is described as being of African appearance, in his early to mid-20s and about 195cm tall. The second man is described as of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, also in his early to mid-20s and of a muscular build. The two men were last seen walking away from a silver Toyota Aurion sedan.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Thunderstorm asthma season begins in Victoria
Victoria’s health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, is speaking to reporters about thunderstorm asthma season.
Thomas says anyone who suffers from hayfever or asthma should visit their GP and make sure they have a management plan:
There is low risk right across the state from a thunderstorm asthma episode today but it is something that I would encourage all Victorians to make sure that they continue to monitor through the season.
On days of high risk. It’s really important that those people who are most at risk stay indoors.
Thomas says thunderstorm asthma season runs from now until Christmas.
During Victoria’s 2016 thunderstorm asthma event, 10 people lost their lives.
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Empty seats on Australian flight leaving Lebanon as people face ‘heart-wrenching decision’
A flight that left Lebanon on Thursday with 80 seats allocated for Australians had just 41 people take up the offer.
A further 500 seats are available on a flight that will leave Lebanon on Saturday, with only 238 Australians registering for the evacuation offer so far.
Assistant foreign minister Tim Watts said while Australians should get out of Lebanon on the evacuation flights, he understands the decision to leave would not be easy for many.
He told ABC TV on Friday:
People have entrenched lives in that community, they live there, they have elderly family, they have businesses, they have properties, so it’s understandable.
This is a heart-wrenching decision to leave, but our advice is don’t think twice about it.
– via AAP
Updated
A man has been charged with murder following an alleged assault in Coffs Harbour last month, NSW Police said in a media release.
At around 4:15am on Thursday 26 September, emergency services were called to Kurrajong Street following reports of an assault. Officers found a 41-year-old man suffering injuries to his upper body.
The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital, where he later died.
An investigation into the incident commenced under Strike Force Sandbach.
Yesterday, police arrested a 24-year-old man on Azalea Avenue, Coffs Harbour, about 4.20pm. He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today.
Court rejects X claim that it didn’t need to pay eSafety fine because Twitter didn’t exist
The federal court rejected X’s claim that the platform was not required pay a $610,500 fine from eSafety because Twitter no longer existed after it merged with X. The reasons for the court’s decision have been published.
Justice Simon Wheelahan found X Corp “failed to show that it was not required to respond to the reporting notice” related to how it tackled child abuse on its platform.
He said:
It also necessarily follows that X Corp has not shown, on this ground, that the infringement officer did not have reasonable grounds to believe that X Corp had contravened s 57 of the Online Safety Act, which was the other main issue.
The main case over the fine itself continues.
Updated
Federal court rejects X's claim that it can't be fined by eSafety over child safety questions
Earlier we reported eSafety had lost its federal court case against X over a fine issued to the social media site for failing to respond to questions on how it tackles child abuse on its platform.
That was incorrect. eSafety had taken X to court in a bid to enforce the fine, and X had countersued over the fine, but lost that countersuit and was ordered to pay eSafety’s costs.
Apologies for the error. We are waiting on reasons and will publish more information when we have it.
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The NSW premier Chris Minns warned of an “overwhelming police response” if the planned pro-Palestinian vigil or rally “attempts to go mobile”:
I want to make it clear that attempts to go mobile, or walk through the streets, or go through sensitive parts of Sydney in particular, during a public holiday, during the school holidays, there will be an overwhelming police response.
I will not go into tactics in relation to what police can are able to do, but I do not want the impression left that New South Wales police negotiated with the protest organisers and therefor allowed a protest to go ahead on Monday. It remains unauthorised.
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Planned pro-Palestine rally and vigil 'hugely insensitive': Chris Minns
NSW Premier Chris Minns is speaking live ahead of the pro-Palestine rally and vigil planned for 6 October and 7 October, which he calls “hugely insensitive”:
I remain of the view that it is hugely insensitive, at best, to hold a planned vigil or rally on that day, 7 October. The truth of the matter is that it could inflame tensions in an already stretched and volatile situation in Sydney – not just Sydney but right around the world.
Minns noted that Monday’s event was “not authorised” after a court hearing on Thursday ended with police and protesters agreeing Sunday’s rally could proceed with alterations.
First thing I would like to say is that no agreement from New South Wales police or the government was reached in relation to planned get-togethers or protests or vigils for Monday 7 October. That is the anniversary of the terrorist incident in Israel 12 months ago. NSW police did not withdraw their objections and they did not reach an understanding with protest organisers. Organisers withdrew their application for a planned get-together on that Monday.
This is not an authorised protest in Sydney.
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Dutton takes aim at teals: ‘They are in many cases as far left as the Greens’
Peter Dutton says “every Australian … should be aware of the teal political party”.
Just like every Australian, every Queenslander should be aware of the teal political party. The teals are owned by a billionaire. His name is Simon Holmes a Court, he owns that party. He puts money into these proxies. He doesn’t run himself, but he puts teal candidates up to do his bidding. As we have seen in this parliament, they vote 70, 80% of the time with Greens and Labor. They are in many cases as far left as the Greens. So if you want instability and you want a minority Albanese government – which would be, it’s hard to believe, but even worse and more unstable than the Albanese government – the teals is something you may consider.
Most of the teal independents received some campaign funding at the 2022 election from a group called Climate 200, established by the Melbourne philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court in 2019. It provided funding to independent candidates who made climate action, political integrity and gender equality the main planks of their campaign. We unpacked who the teal independents are two years ago. You can read the explainer here:
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Dutton claims Albanese putting political interest ahead of national interest on Israel
Opposition leader Peter Dutton is speaking live.
He said the government urging Israel to enter “an amnesty” is “at odds with our key coalition partners”:
When the government says that Israel should lay down its weapons and enter into … an amnesty, or however Richard Marles described it yesterday, that is at odds with our key coalition partners.
I think the problem with the government’s position at the moment is that they have decided that they want domestic political opportunity to trump our national interest. I think Australians will condemn the prime minister for that.
It’s clear the prime minister at the moment is being led by the Greens and paranoid about the Labor vote fracturing and going to the Greens in inner Sydney and Melbourne. That’s not in our country’s best interest. The prime minister should put our national interest first instead of his own political interest. At the moment he’s not doing that.
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Dutton joins Queensland election campaign with Crisafulli – who opposes nuclear
Peter Dutton has become the first federal leader to join the Queensland election campaign.
For the first time since his nuclear power pledge, the opposition leader is holding a joint press conference with Queensland Liberal National party leader David Crissafulli, who has been tipped by polls to win the 26 October vote.
Crisafulli has repeatedly ruled out supporting nuclear power in Queensland, where the federal government plans several plants.
He did this again as recently as this week, denying there was any amount of money sufficient to change his mind.
Crisafulli has also ruled out repealing the state’s nuclear ban.
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Minns labels social media an ‘unregulated experiment’ on kids as NSW survey released
Thousands of parents and teenagers have highlighted social media’s negative impacts, including addiction and other harms, in a major survey.
Six-in-seven respondents backed age restrictions for social media use, with 16 being the most suggested minimum age.
The NSW government survey, taking in views from 21,000 people, revealed usage steadily increased with a child’s age, with 70% of 10 to 12 year olds already on the apps, while those aged 16 and 17 averaged more than three hours a day.
Young people cited concerns over excessive screen time, with two out of every three teens aged 16 to 17 saying social media distracts them from essential tasks such as schoolwork and family obligations.
Parents highlighted addiction, exposure to inappropriate content and the detrimental effect on their children’s daily responsibilities.
The most frequently mentioned issues included cyber security risks, exposure to harmful content and concerns over how social media usage is affecting children’s behaviour.
NSW premier Chris Minns said:
Parents are concerned about how social media is impacting the lives of young people.
The huge response to this survey sends a powerful message about the extent of community concern.
Parents and children are rightly concerned about this giant global unregulated experiment on young people.
– via AAP
Updated
Woman allegedly assaulted paramedic at address of suspicious death
The death of a man found inside a Mitcham property last night is being investigated by the homicide squad.
The man, who is yet to be identified, was found inside a property on Simla Street about 5.45pm yesterday, Victoria police said in a media release. Ambulance officers attended the scene.
A 27-year-old woman at the address allegedly assaulted a paramedic, according to the media release.
Police attended and arrested the Ashwood woman. She remains under police guard in hospital and is yet to be interviewed.
The man’s death is being treated as suspicious. The exact cause is yet to be determined.
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Can Australian authorities take action against protesters who wave the Hezbollah flag?
Australian federal police are investigating after prohibited symbols of Hezbollah were displayed at the weekend. The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, wants parliament urgently recalled to debate new anti-terrorism laws. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, accused him of wanting “to raise the temperature” and said the visas of anyone who incited discord should be revoked (but no one is sure if anyone involved is here on a visa anyway).
What’s going on, and what might happen next? Here is what you need to know:
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'No tolerance': joint police statement issues warning before weekend protests
A joint police statement warns “there will be no tolerance for illegal behaviour or violence on any day of the year” in the lead-up to protests planned for the 7 October anniversary.
The statement comes from NSW police, Northern Territory police, the Queensland police service, South Australia police, Victoria police, Western Australia police, Tasmania police and Australian federal police.
It says:
Police respect the right to peacefully protest and assemble in Australia, however, there will be no tolerance for illegal behaviour or violence on any day of the year.
In Australia, there are offences that prohibit behaviour that incites or advocates violence or hatred based on race and religion, including the display of prohibited symbols in public under these circumstances.
It is also a serious offence to counsel, promote, encourage, urge, instruct or praise terrorism.
There is a range of State and Commonwealth legislation that can be used by police to uphold community safety and maintain social cohesion.
Law enforcement agencies across Australia work together to share information, intelligence and evidence relating to criminal activity.
Police are lock-step in keeping Australians safe, and continue to work with all Australians, visitors, stakeholders, community leaders and leaders of faith to ensure Australian laws are understood.
Police are planning and preparing for upcoming protests in some states and territories.
The joint statement comes after NSW police launched supreme court action to have a pro-Palestine rally on Sunday and a standing vigil on Monday deemed unlawful. At a hearing on yesterday police and protesters agreed the events could proceed with some alterations.
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Raid on Parliament House
Officers from the National Anti-Corruption Commission have conducted a raid at Parliament House as part of an ongoing operation that does not involve any current or former member of parliament.
Late yesterday the Nacc confirmed in a statement to Guardian Australia that its officers had been at the parliament during the day. Police officers seconded to the commission conducted the raid:
The commission can confirm it carried out operational activity today at Parliament House. This was in relation to an ongoing investigation.
The agency declined to confirm the subject of the raid and would only clarify that it was not a politician.
Read the full story here:
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Environment ministers summoned over bird flu threat
Environment ministers have been summoned to a special meeting on the looming bird flu threat as Australia asks the US and New Zealand for advice on vaccinating wildlife.
Federal minister Tanya Plibersek has called the meeting for 18 October, correspondence shows, after pressure from conservation groups and the ACT government.
ACT environment minister Rebecca Vassarotti wrote to her federal counterpart appealing for leadership as Australia awaits the arrival of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza.
Vassarotti requested an urgent gathering of environment ministers to ensure they were ready to respond to the virus, which has caused mass wildlife deaths overseas.
The federal minister has since written back saying the meeting would go ahead in line with Vassarotti’s suggestion and would involve all environment ministers and their agriculture counterparts.
– Australian Associated Press
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Full Story: the right to protest and Peter Dutton’s strongman politics
After protests against strikes on Lebanon at the weekend included some people holding the Hezbollah flag, opposition leader Peter Dutton suggested parliament should be recalled to enact new anti-terrorism laws that would cover such actions if it was not already illegal.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government accused the opposition leader of seeking to ‘raise the temperature’ of public debate over conflict in the Middle East. Then the debate turned to protests planned for 6 and 7 October after police in NSW tried to block the pro-Palestinian rallies from taking place.
Nour Haydar spoke to deputy editor Patrick Keneally and deputy editor Gabrielle Jackson about how the opposition leader is dictating the terms of the political debate and the role of protests in our democracy. Listen here:
Hello
Thanks to Martin Farrer for kicking off the blog this morning. I’ll be rolling your news updates throughout the day. If there is anything you don’t want us to miss, shoot it my way on X @At_Raf_
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Miles v Crisafulli
At the end of the Queensland leaders’ debate, the hosts from Nine Network – Nine’s state political editor Tim Arvier, Brisbane Times editor Sean Parnell and 4BC announcer Sofie Formica – were asked to give their verdict.
Parnell concluded that David Crisafulli had lost the debate to Steven Miles, and Formica and Arvier said the LNP leader had won it.
You can get a flavour of what happened from our reporter Andrew Messenger:
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Dental woes
Almost one in five adults delayed or did not see a dental professional in 2022-23 due to cost, according to major report released today.
For the past decade only half of adults have visited a dental professional every year, exposing a two-tier dental care system in which many people go without because it’s too expensive.
Natasha May reports and talks to Tara, who lost her teeth in her 50s as a result of undiagnosed gum disease.
Here’s Natasha’s full story:
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‘No flags, portraits or symbols connected to a prohibited terrorist organisation will be displayed’
NSW police say they have not opposed revised plans by the Palestinian Action Group for a public assembly on Sunday after the group agreed to change the location and route of the rally:
Protest organisers have agreed that no flags, portraits or symbols connected to a prohibited terrorist organisation will be displayed.
At a previous rally, Hezbollah flags were allegedly waved.
Police said they would “work with organisers to conduct a high visibility policing operation on Sunday to ensure the safety of the community. Police will not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.”
The statement noted that the Palestinian Action Group had withdrawn an application for a public assembly on Monday – 7 October – and had not made a new one, “making that public assembly unauthorised if it goes ahead”.
Organisers have said they will hold a stationary vigil on Monday.
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NDIS debts will be raised as ‘an absolute last resort’
The head of the NDIS has assured the scheme’s more than 650,000 participants that debts will only be raised against them as “an absolute last resort” over the next 12 months if they mistakenly buy prohibited items or services.
The NDIS minister, Bill Shorten, announced the final list for what items and services are available for NDIS participants, and what are not, on Tuesday. The changes came into effect yesterday.
Shorten said there would be a 12-month transition period for any participants now receiving items or supports that will no longer be covered.
In an interview with disability advocate Dr George Taleporos yesterday, the National Disability Insurance Agency’s chief executive, Rebecca Falkingham, said the transitional period was focused on educating participants who make mistakes, rather than punishing them:
One of the changes, having listened to the parliamentary debate, as I did, obviously there was a lot of concern around debt, and that concerned me greatly. And so we’ve made a bit of a tweak in the agency, that if the agency was ever to pursue a debt against a participant, it would need to be signed off by me first, and so that puts a whole lot of safety nets through the process to kind of make it be really clear that raising any debt against a participant would be an absolute last resort.
The NDIA head said plan managers and providers would instead be given a 30-day grace period.
Any incorrect claims made by plan managers and providers on a participant’s NDIS plan would result in debts being raised against them and not the participant, Falkingham said:
We’re really clear that plan managers know what their expectations are. They know what they’ve got to be absolutely assisting participants. They should be in a really good place to know what you can and can’t claim for. One of the things they sign up for to be a plan manager is being compliant with the NDIS legislation.
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the best of the overnight stories and then it’ll be Rafqa Touma bringing you the main action.
We have a dramatic top story this morning after officers from the National Anti-Corruption Commission conducted a raid at Parliament House in Canberra as part of an ongoing operation – although it does not involve any current or former member of parliament. Our political editor Karen Middleton got the scoop on the story and Nacc confirmed to her that its officers had been at the parliament during the day. Police officers seconded to the commission conducted the raid.
Protest organisers in NSW would be much less likely to end up fighting police in court for permission to hold rallies if the state had a charter of human rights instead of its “undemocratic” approvals system, a legal expert says. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties’ president, Lydia Shelly, said the system whereby a group applies for permission to hold a rally “lent itself to litigation” and had “no place in a democratic society”.
Pro-Palestine activists have agreed a deal with police over a planned march this long weekend in Sydney. They changed their planned route for a rally on Sunday and withdrew an application for an authorised public assembly on Monday – the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. Instead they plan a stationary vigil.
In a statement, NSW police said they had not opposed the new planned rally on Sunday but promised a “high visibility policing operation”. They also noted that a public assembly on Monday would be “unauthorised”.
Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli would step down after one term as premier if he could not meet an ambitious crime target within four years, he said during the first of three televised debates with Labor’s Steven Miles in the lead-up to the state election. Crisafulli’s party is expected to win power this month but Miles hit back in the debate, arguing that solving the crime problem was complex.
