What we learned; Wednesday 25 September
That’s a wrap on the blog for today, but first let’s revisit the big events of the day:
Australia is expected to add 7GW of renewable capacity this year.
Victoria police renewed the search for the remains of missing Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy.
Anthony Albanese said “we need to do more” to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
Amanda Rishworth said there was no plan to change negative gearing in housing policy after reports Labor requested modelling on options to scale back negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions.
A bronze tribute to the Matildas was unveiled outside Suncorp stadium in Brisbane.
Penny Wong called on China to play a “constructive role” at the UN.
Jason Clare says a deal has been reached to fully fund Tasmanian public schools.
Twelve Singaporean soldiers were injured during a training accident in Australia.
The PM did not rule out negative gearing changes.
The annual inflation rate fell to the lowest since 2021, at 2.7%.
Macquarie took “full responsibility” after receiving a fine for ignoring suspicious trading.
The BoM app tested a tsunami warning in Australia.
Vanguard was hit with a record ‘greenwashing’ fine.
A teenager lost his motorcycle licence 24 hours after receiving it.
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright will face a trial three years after a helicopter crash.
Penny Wong warned Lebanon “cannot become the next Gaza”.
Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather challenged Labor to “think about what Gough Whitlam was able to do”.
A Sydney man was charged for allegedly stranding his wife in Pakistan.
The live news blog will be back tomorrow morning.
Updated
Israeli-Australian group backs government’s move to protect aid workers, calls for ceasefire
The New Israel Fund Australia, which supports a two-state solution and opposes the occupation of Palestine, says it is “deeply concerned at the continued exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, and urges restraint from both sides to avoid further death and destruction”.
Their statement released today goes on:
Since Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on 8 October, life has been incredibly challenging for residents in Israel’s north who were forced to evacuate and are still living in temporary accommodation.
Israel has the right to defend itself from continued rocket fire and the international community must condemn such attacks as have prior United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Yet, as this war continues, innocent civilian lives are being lost. Since Israel’s bombing of Lebanon began on Monday, at least 50 children have been killed. The violence in the region has already claimed too many lives and these ongoing exchanges will only incur further bloodshed.
As seen over the past year, hostages have been returned en masse only as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. So too in this latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, diplomacy to forge a political solution is the best path to safety and security for all.
… NIF welcomes the Australian government’s efforts to protect aid workers internationally and to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But more must be done to ensure that no further civilian lives are lost.
We call on all parties to the conflict in the region to exercise maximum restraint to bring about a ceasefire and hostage deal that saves lives.
Updated
