What we learned today, Monday 17 July
Thanks for following along on the live blog today – here is where we’ll wrap our coverage. Today’s main developments:
The Australian Electoral Commission has received the official submissions from the yes and no campaigns on the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum.
The two arguments will be published online mid-morning tomorrow, before a physical pamphlet with translations and general information is sent to Australians in future.
Speaking on opinion polling for the voice that showed a declining yes vote, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, today said: “The yes campaign needs to be stronger in putting the case.”
Rangers are rejecting calls for a dingo cull at a tourist site on K’gari after a woman was attacked by a pack of dogs while jogging on the beach and hospitalised.
Deloitte’s leadership appeared before a Senate inquiry on consultancy firms today. You can read a full breakdown on what happened from my colleague Henry Belot here.
A giant metal cylinder has washed up on a beach in Western Australia, baffling locals and posing a mystery to police. In a statement, the Australian Space Agency said it was investigating whether the object is part of a foreign space launch vehicle.
A man has died during a siege near Lithgow that lasted almost 48 hours.
The Queensland government says it will push for the commonwealth to roll out free flu vaccinations across the nation every year, after announcing its own one-off program amid an outbreak of the virus.
Have a lovely evening, and we will see you back here on the blog in the morning.
Updated
Coldest morning of the year for Melbourne
Melbourne recorded its coldest morning of 2023 today, dropping to 4C.
The Bureau of Meteorology said it hopes everyone appreciated the “apricity” – meaning the warmth of the sun in winter.
Melbourne had its coldest morning of 2023 today, dropping to 4.0C ❄️ This was followed by a beautiful sunny day - we hope you appreciated the apricity (Def: the warmth of the sun in winter) 🌞😎#winter #Melbourne #sunny
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) July 17, 2023
Updated
Rangers reject cull call after dingo pack attacks woman
Rangers are rejecting calls for a dingo cull at a popular tourist spot despite a woman being hospitalised after she was attacked by a pack of the dogs while jogging on a beach.
She was flown to Hervey Bay hospital in a stable condition with wounds to her limbs and torso after suffering multiple bite injuries about 9am on Monday, the Queensland ambulance service said.
Rangers said at least three dingoes attacked the 24-year-old while she jogged at Orchid Beach in the island’s north-east.
She ran into the water to escape the pack, and was rescued by two men who pulled her from the ocean and drove her to safety.
Despite the growing number of attacks, rangers have angrily rejected calls to cull the dingo population on the tourist destination formerly known as Fraser Island.
Ranger-in-charge Linda Behrendorff said their job was to mitigate risk, not cull for the sake of culling:
You need to know the individuals, you need to work with the individual dingoes, and you also need to work with the situation that those dingoes are in.
At least one of the animals in the pack was classified as a risk and has a collar with a device to track movement and behaviour, Behrendorff confirmed:
One of the dingoes we have identified has been involved in a previous incident which was involved in contact … it was lunging with an intent to make contact.
– with AAP
Updated
Australia remembers victims of flight MH17
On the ninth anniversary of the downing of flight MH17, wreaths have been laid at the Australian memorial site to remember the 298 victims.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade tweeted:
Our thoughts are with them and their loved ones.
Australia remains steadfast in our pursuit of truth, justice and accountability.
Today marks the 9th anniversary of the downing of flight MH17.
— Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 🇦🇺 (@dfat) July 17, 2023
Wreaths were laid at the Australian MH17 memorial to remember the 298 victims.
Our thoughts are with them and their loved ones.
Australia remains steadfast in our pursuit of truth, justice and accountability. pic.twitter.com/oYVpzHNtjv
Earlier today, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, released a statement on the matter:
Australia, along with our international partners, has made substantial progress in our pursuit for truth, justice and accountability over the last year.
Wong said Russia “must take responsibility”:
Russia must take responsibility for the role it played in this horrific act of violence, and stop harbouring those who contributed to the downing of Flight MH17 and the murder of all on board.
Australia maintains that Russia is responsible under international law for the downing of Flight MH17.
… Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones.
Updated
It’s been a very busy day of news – you can take a minute to catch up on all the biggest headlines with the Afternoon Update from Antoun Issa:
Measles alert for Brisbane and Redcliffe
A case of the measles has been confirmed in an adult on Brisbane’s north side, with the Metro North public health unit issuing a list of exposure sites.
The adult male was unknowingly infectious when he arrived at Brisbane airport on Monday 3 July and visited several businesses and locations on Brisbane’s north side and Redcliffe peninsula.
The full list of exposure sites can be viewed here.
Dr Megan Young said anyone at the locations during said times should monitor themselves for symptoms for 18 days from when they may have had contact:
If they do develop symptoms, they should seek medical advice.
Early symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes. Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread.”
Measles symptoms typically start between seven and 18 days after infection.
Anyone seeking treatment for an illness they think could be measles should call ahead before visiting their GP or medical practice to allow precautions to be taken that can prevent the illness spreading to others.
Queensland Health recommends that anyone born in 1966 or after who has not had two documented doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or had proven measles should visit their doctor to get vaccinated for measles.
Updated
Electoral commission confirms receipt of yes and no essays for pamphlet
Electoral commissioner Tom Rogers is speaking on the ABC about the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum. He confirmed the AEC has received submissions from the yes and no campaigns for the official pamphlet.
The two cases are due to go on the AEC’s website “at some point mid-morning tomorrow”, he said.
However, Rogers confirmed that the pamphlets would not be accompanied by translations as early as tomorrow:
That is a huge task. A vast number of languages and Indigenous languages, that will take quite a significant period of time.
There has to be a quality-control process as well to make sure that what is being translated is exactly what is in those cases.
Rogers said they have already begun planning for the printing and distribution of the physical pamphlets:
It is such a big job, we are already starting that process to make sure it is legible, also appears strictly neutral … and then we’ll be doing a large-scale print … distribution process.
Getting over 12 million of these things into all Australian households in a way that makes sense, is legible, and also has other information in the book around the referendum process - not just the yes and no cases, but the referendum process itself so people understand the process.
Updated
Space agency to determine whether mystery object is from a space launch vehicle
The Australian Space Agency has released a statement on the mysterious metal object that has washed up on a beach in WA.
The agency says it is working to confirm whether the object is part of a foreign space launch vehicle that has washed ashore:
The Australian Space Agency is making enquiries related to an object located on a beach near Jurien Bay in Western Australia.
The Agency is working to confirm whether the object could be part of a foreign space launch vehicle that has washed up on shore, and liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide information about the object.
As the origin of the object is unknown, the community should avoid handling or attempting to move the object.
If the community spot any further suspected debris they should report it to the Australian Space Agency via space.monitoring@space.gov.au.
The Agency is committed to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation and continues to highlight this on the international stage.
You can read more about the mystery object here:
Updated
The Bureau of Meteorology has released its weekly weather outlook for the week ahead.
After a chilly and wet weekend along parts of the east coast, more of the same is forecast as a series of cold fronts sweeps across the south, the BoM says.
Weather Update: Weekly Weather forecast. Find out what to expect across the country over the coming days. Video current 1.30pm AEST, Monday 17 July 2023. Latest: https://t.co/4W35o8iFmh or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/yGfcQpUflR
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) July 17, 2023
Updated
Users experience delays in accessing ATO website
If you are an eager person trying to lodge a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office this month, you might have noticed a delay in being able to access the site.
The ATO says it has an “online waiting room” to manage user traffic, and this is not an error, and people do not need to call the ATO about this.
The office says this has been in place since April 2020 to keep services running when there is high demand:
It is a standard method used by many organisations to manage online user experience. This means while some users are still able to access our online services without issue, others are placed in a queue to await access to services.
We are double-checking if it’s a queue or it’s like Ticketek’s waiting room where, once you’re in, your access is randomised.
The ATO said there’s no rush, in any case. People lodging their own returns using myTax have until 31 October, and waiting until the end of July allows the ATO to collect data from banks, insurers, and government agencies to make the lodgement process smoother.
Updated
Senator O’Neill is asked whether a royal commission is on the agenda.
She said, “I don’t think we’re there yet” and that there is more work for the Senate to do first before it escalates to that stage:
Despite a sense of mistrust amongst the public in the agencies of government, there is still a hope a royal commission can do something good and I think the robodebt inquiry has reinvigorated people’s sense there will be truth telling …
I think it is a failure if we don’t exercise the full breadth of the capacity of the Senate to do our job. We’re here not just to hold the government to account, but to hold the value of what government does for the Australian people up to the daylight and really investigate that.
I think if we get to a point where we are unable to find a pathway to deliver good outcomes for the Australian people through the processes of the Senate and parliament, if we need to go to a royal commission, I will be on board with that.
I don’t think we’re there yet. I think there is a job of work for the Senate to continue.
Updated
O’Neill defends questioning Deloitte chief executive’s salary
Senator Deborah O’Neill is speaking to the ABC following a day of consultancy inquiry hearings, in which she and Greens senator Barbara Pocock questioned representatives from Deloitte.
She is asked why it was necessary to question Deloitte chief executive Adam Powick’s multi-million dollar salary, asking him if he’s “really worth seven times the salary of the prime minister”.
O’Neill said it comes back to a final point raised at the end of the day when she was questioning prof Brendan Lyne:
I asked professor Lyne, have we got to a point where these … partnerships think they are bigger than the government? His answer was a monosyllabic yes.
So, this is the reality. They think they’re bigger and if your salary is seven times larger than the prime minister or nine times larger than the prime minister, and you’re in every boardroom getting all their information and you’re also landing spots with the government, you know everything about what is going on with everyone, everywhere, I suppose it’s easy to become delusional about how significant you are and to convince yourself to every day you show up and you’re worth thousands and thousands of dollars every second.
Updated
Yes campaign 'needs to be stronger' in putting forward its case on voice, Albanese says
Hello from Canberra, where Anthony Albanese is speaking to Sky News.
Albanese has been asked about the Newspoll which shows that support for the voice is falling – 41% in favour, while 48% are against. There is still some time to go, but the trend for support for the voice is on a downward trajectory.
Albanese says the yes case must be “stronger” in putting forward its case.
“The yes campaign needs to be stronger in putting the case.”
That is further than he has gone in recent times when asked about declining support – but now that the pamphlets detailing the case is about to head out to people, Albanese says it is time to get the ‘yes’ case rolling.
He said:
Most Australians, of course, will focus when the referendum is actually being held.
It’s got a while to go yet. What we know is that there’s been a considerable no campaign already that is out there just trying to sow doubt. The yes campaign needs to be stronger in putting the case.
Further to his belief that Australians will focus on the referendum once the date has been called, Albanese says it won’t be a long campaign:
The date will be between October and December.
I don’t plan to announce the date at Garma [festival] because that’s just in a couple of weeks and there needs to be at least 33 days notice of the referendum campaign but there certainly doesn’t need to be that very long campaign. And once the date’s announced, then it will be the campaign on in earnest, and I don’t think that Australians appreciate very long campaigns. That’s been the case in the past.
Updated
Wrapping up the interview Albanese was asked if he would visit China this year:
It is likely to be the case.
We’re discussing arrangements between officials … I’ve said really clearly we’ll engage with China where we can and disagree where we must.
I was pleased to meet with president Xi [and] my ministers have met with their Chinese counterparts over the past year [since taking office].
Albanese is asked whether any further rate rises are on the horizon, as the new RBA governor Michele Bullock was announced:
I didn’t try to pre-empt the past governor and I won’t pre-empt the new governor either.
Updated
Albanese said he wants the Indigenous voice to parliament to be an “uplifting” moment for the nation, like Kevin Rudd’s apology to the stolen generation:
We know that in the lead up to Kevin Rudd’s apology for the Stolen Generations here in Parliament House there was a whole lot of concern, but none of them were realised.
It was an uplifting uniting moment for the nation. And that’s what I want this to be as well.
Voice referendum date ‘between October and December’, Albanese says
Albanese is asked when the referendum will be held:
The date will be between October and December.
I don’t plan to announce the date at Garma because that’s in a couple of weeks and it needs to be at least 33 days notice [for the campaign to start].
I don’t think Australians appreciate very long campaigns.
He is asked whether it will be a five-to six week campaign:
I’ll consult, but that’s the sort of timeframe that is appropriate.
The statements, the yes and no statements, will be up on the AEC website … whether they go up just after midnight or early tomorrow morning [we’ll see].
I have faith in the Australian people and they know that we need to do better on Indigenous affairs.
Updated
Albanese is asked for details on what is included in the yes argument campaign pamphlet:
It puts the case for why we need to do things better and differently.
The voice is just the means to the end – the end is closing the gap, making a difference to the lives of Indigenous Australians.
It is a very strong and powerful case that is put forward that will be available from tomorrow.
Key event
Case for voice is ‘very strong’ despite decline in support, PM says
Prime minister Anthony Albanese is speaking to Sky News with host Andrew Clennell.
Albanese is asked about opinion polling on the Indigenous voice referendum, showing 41% support and 48% opposition.
When asked if the referendum is “dead in the water” before it begins, Albanese said “not at all”:
People will focus and indeed today is the deadline for putting in the yes and no cases [forward].
The yes case is a coherent argument [put together from all sides of politics] who’ve all come together to endorse the yes wording that will go out to the population.
…The yes case is very strong, it’s clear, and when people focus on the words that are actually in the referendum … I’m confident that a majority of Australian’s in a majority of states will vote yes.
Albanese acknowledged “the truth is it is hard to pass a referendum without bipartisan support”, but said he remains positive:
This is a clear and simply proposition for recognition … in order to achieve better outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
If you need an explainer, here’s something prepared earlier by Lorena Allam:
Updated
Victorian councils struggle to fix roads as extreme weather bites
Deteriorating roads are increasingly draining Victorian council budgets and more investment is needed to strengthen them against extreme weather events, an inquiry has been told.
Pothole costs in Murrindindi, north-east of Melbourne, have tripled in recent years while 12 bridges, 27 culverts and 15 major roads were seriously damaged in October’s floods, the shire’s director of assets and environment Vito Albicini said.
He told a parliamentary inquiry into weather impacts on rural and regional roads:
Roads are the lifeline of the community.
It’s not just about transporting food, it’s around their social health and wellbeing, it’s the only way to connect people ... It’s also the only way to get out of emergencies.
Albicini said building resilient roads and sealing unsealed roads, rather than just repairing them, was key to avoiding constant and continual maintenance:
At the moment we tend to be fixing them, just to find we have to fix them again in six months’ time.
We really do need federal funding support in a regular panel to help us.
- from AAP
Updated
Almost half of flu cases in Victoria among children
Almost half of this winter’s flu cases in Victoria have been in children under the age of 15, the state’s health department said.
In a health advisory published today, Victorian Health said that influenza A cases are likely peaking in the state, but influenza B cases – most common in young children – are increasing.
Flu rates may continue to increase, especially in children, as they return to school after the holidays.
Victoria Health said:
In most children, flu causes mild to moderate illness with symptoms such as fever and cough.
Some children can develop severe illness, particularly babies and children with underlying medical conditions. Flu can increase the risk of rare invasive bacterial infections such as Group A streptococcal disease and meningococcal disease, so influenza vaccination can also help reduce this risk.
Traditional owners sign Crocodile Islands agreement
Traditional owners have held a ceremony on Rapuma Island to mark the dedication of environmental protections for the Crocodile Islands, AAP reports.
A newly signed Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) includes 20 islands, covering more than 78,000 hectares of land and 730,000 hectares of sea country on the archipelago off the coast of north-east Arnhem Land.
Environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, said the government was following through on its promise to establish 10 new IPAs and double the number of Indigenous rangers by 2030:
It’s fantastic to see the protection of over 800,000 hectares of land and sea country in the Top End.
The Crocodile Islands are home to over 20,000 migratory waterbirds every year and provide vital nesting beaches for turtles.
The islands’ mangroves, mudflats, coastal floodplains, monsoon forests, eucalypt forests, shallow seas and reefs are home to 44 threatened species, including turtles and dugongs.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said the IPA would support the Maringa people to realise their vision of managing their traditional lands and harnessing opportunities for local people to work on country.
Updated
Many thanks to Rafqa for taking us through a big day! I’ll see you through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.
That’s all from me on the blog today – thanks for following along.
Handing over now to Emily Wind, who will take you through the evening’s news.
Queensland to offer free flu vaccine
Flu vaccines will be free for all Queenslanders amid concern about the disease spreading among children as students return from holidays, AAP reports.
There have been more than 51,400 cases of influenza recorded in the state this year – that’s compared with less than 44,450 cases in 2022.
Since the start of July, almost 80 children aged between six months and four years were hospitalised with the flu – 50 with the B strain, and only one was vaccinated.
Health minister Shannon Fentiman said about half of the people hospitalised with influenza B this season had been under 20.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the B strain was particularly severe and experts had warned of low vaccination rates in the state:
I don’t want there to be any barriers to getting the flu jab, which is why I am reinstating free flu vaccinations for all Queenslanders.
The move comes after an 11-year-old girl died on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month after contracting the flu, which followed reports of the death of a student on the NSW Central Coast.
Western Australia implemented a free influenza vaccine program in May and June, while other states and territories provide complimentary jabs for at-risk groups.
Updated
Theories abound over mystery metal object
The internet has been speculating on the mystery metal object washed up on a remote Western Australian beach – and Reddit has come to the consensus that it could be the third stage of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket.
One user says the PSLV rocket has launched 57 times in total – most recently in April. They point to a launch that dropped the third stage in the Indian Ocean, “fairly close to Australia”.
Another user, who says they work with large fibreglass tanks, says the tank looks to be 20-30 years old – or is not as old, and just battered by the ocean.
This is all wild theorising on the internet – not fact. Western Australia police force is “actively engaged in a collaborative effort with various State and Federal agencies to determine the object’s origin and nature”.
More to come.
Updated
Yes and no campaign essays to be published on Tuesday
The referendum essays from the yes and no side will be published tomorrow, ahead of the official referendum pamphlet being delivered to voters later this year. The no side says they’ve submitted their essay to the electoral commission, promising their essay will be a “simple and clear message”.
As Daniel Hurst reported this morning, the yes essay was described by its authors as a “simple, hopeful message”. The essays, 2,000 words written by politicians who voted yes or no in the parliament to the constitutional alteration bill, will be collated by the AEC and sent to all homes before the vote.
The no essay, led by Coalition senators Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Paul Scarr, was submitted on Friday.
“After careful consideration of the input and views of all members of the committee, I believe the essay we have produced outlines the strongest case against the divisive Voice with a simple and clear message,” Nampijinpa Price said in a statement.
“Our case informs voters of serious reservations held by those on all sides of politics, the significant risks inherent in the proposal and the divisive nature of such a massive change.”
Scarr claimed the no essay was “very strong... simple and persuasive”:
It reflects the arguments which have been made repeatedly by members of the Coalition against changing our constitution – the division, legal risk, lack of details and permanency. Both matters of principle and practical issues are covered.”
We’ll bring you more on the yes essay when we have it.
Updated
What could it be?
Here is a look at the mystery metal object we have been talking about.
Tweet me your theories on what on earth it could be @At_Raf_
A giant mysterious metal cylinder has left locals stumped after the debris appeared suddenly on the shoreline of WA's Midwest.
— 10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) July 17, 2023
The huge metal object was found on a beach near Green Head on Sunday, with local residents reporting the suspicious item to police.
The item is… pic.twitter.com/XzUhAGznna
Updated
Police doubt ‘hazardous’ mystery object on WA beach is from MH370
Police doubt a mystery metal object washed up on a remote WA beach is from the infamous vanished flight MH370 – but they are treating it as hazardous.
At this stage, it appears the object did not originate from a commercial aircraft, the WA police force said in a statement.
The police force is coordinating a joint investigation into its origins, and officers are guarding the object in an effort to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
This measure has been taken to ensure the preservation of potential evidence and facilitate further expert examination.
Until the origin of the object can be established, it is being treated as hazardous.
We want to reassure the community that we are actively engaged in a collaborative effort with various State and Federal agencies to determine the object’s origin and nature.
The investigation is ongoing, and until further information is available, we urge everyone to refrain from drawing conclusions.
WA police urge people to keep a safe distance.
Updated
Senate committee frustrated with lack of information from WeChat
A Senate committee looking at foreign interference through social media has given platform WeChat a deadline to answer questions on censorship and Chinese Communist party ties, AAP reports.
The committee has been frustrated with a lack of information from WeChat, despite repeated requests.
Committee chair and Liberal senator James Paterson said the platform had been asked to answer 53 questions in detail by Friday:
WeChat and its parent company Tencent demonstrated contempt for the parliament of Australia through its refusal to appear before the committee last week, but has now committed to providing responsive information to the committee in writing.
I intend to hold them to that commitment.
The questions seek explanations on WeChat’s links to the Chinese Communist party, whether it censors content critical of the Chinese government, promotes CCP propaganda, and whether the application is used to surveil and target Australian users critical of the regime.
The committee is due to report on 1 August with its recommendations. These recommendations could include legislation to ensure the integrity and transparency of all social media platforms operating in Australia, Paterson said.
Updated
China GDP numbers may stoke worries about growth outlook
China’s recovery from the widespread Covid lockdowns last year (worse than Melbourne’s) is being watched by many, not least in Australia. China, after all, is about as big a market for Australian exports as the next four or so nations combined.
Anyway, China’s June quarter GDP numbers have just landed, and they are again on the weak side. Its economy expanded 6.3% from a year earlier but that’s shy of the 7.3% economists surveyed by Reuters had expected. Those pandemic disruptions make comparisons with a year ago look rosier than the underlying momentum.
For the first half of the year, the total value of exports was 1,989.8bn yuan (A$388bn), down by 8.3%, underscoring how weak demand is overseas as major economies slow. Imports were 1,498.5bn yuan, down by 2.6%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
As treasurer Jim Chalmers told Insiders on the ABC on Sunday:
The global economy is in a pretty precarious place right now.
The Americans are proving to be resilient, the Chinese economy has shown some worrying signs, Europe’s in recession and others as well.
Those worrying signs probably got a bit more concerning today. For more on this news, you can follow along here:
Updated
Matildas squad firms for opening clash of Women’s World Cup
Women’s World Cup hype is building, just days out from the Matildas’ opening clash, against Ireland on Thursday in Sydney. The Australian national team was in training this morning at their team base for the tournament, the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane.
Midfield veteran Tameka Yallop, who took a heavy knock in the Matildas’ warm-up against France on Friday, did not train with the team but a spokeswoman indicated that Yallop was uninjured and would be fit for the opening match. Two other players were missing from training – Kyah Simon (ongoing return from injury) and Charlie Grant (illness).
Launching a report on the legacy of the tournament on Monday, Football Australia chief executive James Johnson told reporters that Australia had bid to host the Women’s World Cup because it wanted to “drive change for the sport”.
Johnson said:
This has to be more than just a month of football – we know this will be a great month of football, this will be the biggest ever Women’s World Cup. But this was not why we bid. We bid because we want to create a legacy for the tournament.
And, to get you started, here’s a guide to the ten venues across nine cities in Australia and New Zealand that will host matches during the tournament:
Updated
Deloitte chief denies being 'worth seven times the salary of the PM' in inquiry grilling
Things are getting a little personal in the parliamentary inquiry into consultants. Labor senator Deborah O’Neil and Greens senator Barbara Pocock have focused on the huge salaries senior partners are making.
The senators argue this issue is in the public interest because consultancy firms like Deloitte have profited from the outsourcing of work once done by the public service. The value of this work has increased significantly in recent years as the bureaucracy has become more dependent on them.
O’Neil has taken issue with Deloitte chief executive Adam Powick’s multi-million dollar salary.
O’Neil:
Are you really worth seven times the salary of the prime minister?
Powick:
No. I don’t set my salary and I never have set my salary. My salary is set to be commensurate with others who play a similar role in our profession.
I happen to recognise, deeply recognise, that I am incredibly fortunate to earn what I do, for what I do.
Updated
Man dies after 48-hour siege in NSW town
A man has died during a siege near Lithgow this morning that lasted almost 48 hours.
NSW Police confirmed they had gained entry to the Bowenfels property, on the outskirts of Lithgow, on Monday morning at around 9am where they located the body of a man, believed to be aged 29.
It is reported he had sustained a gunshot wound, which is suspected to be self-inflicted.
In a statement, they said:
About 12.15 pm yesterday (Sunday 16 July 2023), officers from Chifley police district were called to a home at Bowenfels, following reports a man and woman were fighting at the property.
Police were told the man was in possession of a firearm and concerns were raised for his welfare.
On arrival, officers spoke briefly with the pair from a distance before they went inside, locked the doors, and refused to come out.
A perimeter was established, and assistance was requested from specialist resources, including police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU).
About 4.20pm, a number of shots were fired from the home in the direction of police, with police returning fire. No one was injured during the exchange.
Just before 8.50 am today (Monday 17 July 2023), the 20-year-old woman came out of the property and provided information to officers at the scene.
More to come
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14
Updated
Deloitte offers support for review of tougher regulatory oversight
Deloitte chief executive Adam Powick has told a parliamentary inquiry that the consultancy firm would welcome a review of regulatory oversight.
A scandal over the misuse of confidential tax policy information at PwC has triggered a broader investigation of the entire government services industry.
Earlier today, former ACCC boss Allan Fels called on the government to break up the sector to deal with conflicts of interest and to ban political donations.
Deloitte chief executive Adam Powick has not endorsed those proposals, but has offered some recommendations to help restore public trust in the sector:
Firstly, we would be supportive of a government review to strengthen the regulatory oversight of our profession.
Secondly, reviewing government procurement policies for greater clarity and accountability on the delivery of value through any engagement. The review should also consider the adequacy of powers to penalise tenderers.
Thirdly, reviewing conflict and confidentiality requirements while working with government, this could also extend to an annual formal review by the ANAO (Australian National Audit Office) of our relevant systems.
Updated
A patient is being airlifted to Hervey Bay hospital in a stable condition with multiple wounds to their limbs and torso from dingo bites, QLD Ambulance have said in an update after a woman was attacked by a pack of four dingoes at K’gari this morning.
#Update - A patient is being airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition with multiple wounds to their limbs and torso from dingo bites after an incident on #KGari
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) July 17, 2023
The Blue Mountains line is back on track, after trains were not running between Lithgow and Bathurst this morning, due to “a police operation at Lithgow” according to NSW TrainLink West.
Trains are returning to normal. ✅ pic.twitter.com/qb1kiBiYtp
— NSW TrainLink West (@TrainLinkWest) July 17, 2023
The delays come after reports of a siege in the area.
Large mystery object washes ashore in WA
A mystery metal object has washed up on the Western Australian coast, Sunrise on 7 reports.
It stands at 2m high and 2m wide, with what looks like scorch marks on top, and barnacles coating the bottom half. It was found on Saturday afternoon, and reported to police yesterday, Sunrise on 7 reports.
The Defence Force and Australia Transport Safety Bureau are reviewing pictures to identify the missing object.
Sunrise on 7 say some viewers have likened the object to a Boeing 777 system – but authorities are yet to connect the object to the missing MH370 flight, and there is no evidence to suggest a connection.
If you have any clue as to what it could be, tweet it my way @At_Raf_
What is it? A mystery object has washed up on the coast of Western Australia. @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/qOqXlDaHcL
— Matt Tinney (@Matt_Tinney) July 17, 2023
Updated
Police operation delays trains in NSW’s Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains line trains were not running between Lithgow and Bathurst from around 5.53am to 9.20am this morning, due to “a police operation at Lithgow” according to NSW TrainLink West. The delays come after reports of a siege in the area.
#BlueMountainsLine trains are not running in both directions between Lithgow & Bathurst due to a police operation at Lithgow.
— NSW TrainLink West (@TrainLinkWest) July 16, 2023
Replacement buses are not available at this time.
Delay travel if possible or consider using other transport. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/PI9YT82M8A
Updated
Woman attacked by dingoes on K’gari beach
A rescue helicopter is on its way to K’gari after a woman was attacked by a pack of four dingoes on Monday morning.
The woman is understood to have suffered multiple bite wounds while running along Orchid beach, on the north-east side of the island, formerly known as Fraser Island, at about 9.15am.
The ABC has reported that the woman ran into the water and was followed in by two of the dingoes.
Information about her condition is not clear. The helicopter is en route.
Paramedics were responding to reports of a patient suffering “multiple bite wounds”, the Queensland Ambulance Service said.
Updated
Deloitte stood down employee who misused confidential government information
Deloitte has provided more detail about its misuse of government information, which was first revealed last week.
At a Senate hearing, the firm’s leadership team confirmed the information was considered confidential. They did not reveal which department the information came from.
Deloitte chief executive, Adam Powick, said the misuse of information was not motivated by commercial gain and the person involved was sacked.
Here’s how chief risk officer, Sneza Pelusi, described the breach:
The incident did relate to a breach of our protocols in relation to the handling of government information. We did identify this matter and we obviously reported it to the department.
For certain engagements, we do have confidential information management plans in place. In this case, the protocols in place were inadvertently breached.
We worked with the department to go through the investigation and share the investigation with them, including the outcomes, which included deleting the information, standing down the individual [responsible for] the inadvertent breach, and further disciplinary action outside of that as well.
The breach occurred when someone who had access to confidential government information shared it with someone else within Deloitte without authorisation.
This post has been amended from an earlier version, to clarify that the employee was stood down rather than sacked
Updated
Security breach prompts delays at Melbourne airport
We have more on the security breach at a Qantas terminal that briefly triggered delays and long queues at Melbourne airport this morning.
Guardian Australia understands a bag containing a laptop went through security screenings unchecked, due to human error.
Airport security used CCTV to track down the passenger and re-screen their bag.
Screening was paused for around 30 minutes while this happened. The backlog cleared quickly and things were back to normal by 8.30am.
Qantas had a small number of short delays as a result.
Updated
Political donations from consultants are ‘unhealthy’ and should be banned, Allan Fels tells inquiry
Former ACCC chair Allan Fels has described political donations from big consultancy firms as “unhealthy”, given the businesses are simultaneously bidding for work from the government.
PwC has announced it will ban political donations to restore public trust after a scandal over the misuse of government information. PwC’s acting chief executive, Kristin Stubbins, said the ban would ensure “the highest standards of governance”.
So far, the other big four consultancies have not followed PwC’s lead and will continue to make political donations.
Here’s what Fels told the inquiry about the practice:
They look unhealthy. What I would favour is a significant restriction on them and possibly a ban for some time.
I think government legislators should come down hard on the industry, almost too hard at the beginning, rather than leaning on the soft side.
It’s better to start with some tough approaches like a break up [of the businesses], but also restrictions on donations, maybe for several years.
Donations seem to be linked with buying influence. I don’t think the donations reflect any kind of ideological commitment. They are an investment to get a return, and that makes us very worried about them.
Updated
Two arrested for allegedly using drone to traffick drugs into prison
Two people have been arrested for allegedly using a drone to traffick drugs into a Victorian prison, according to a Victoria Police media statement.
It’s alleged a milk carton was located in a corrections facility in Truganina, which contained a quantity of illicit drugs and nicotine patches.
The alleged incident is reported to have occurred in March this year. Detectives from the north-west metro regional crime squad have been investigating.
Two search warrants were conducted last week in Mount Waverley and Brunswick West, resulting in the arrest of two people.
During the search warrants, police seized the following items:
One drone
4g of methyl amphetamine
3.2g of heroin
11 Buprenorphine strips
Quantity of prescription medication
One sword
Several identification documents in various names
Several mobile phones
A 39-year-old Mount Waverley man has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, introducing an item into a prison, possess drugs and prescription medication, handling stolen goods, dealing in the proceeds of crime, possessing prohibited weapon, failing to answer bail and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He is expected to appear at Ringwood magistrates court today.
A 31-year-old Brunswick West woman has been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, introducing an item into a prison and possessing drugs. She has been bailed to appear at the Melbourne magistrates court on 26 October.
North-west metro regional crime squad detective inspector Patrick Watkinson said:
We know there are people who will go to great lengths to attempt to bring items into prisons, and we work very closely with Corrections Victoria to prevent and detect any criminal activity within the prison system.
If you are involved in drugs, make no mistake, we have our eyes on you.
For those who attempt to breach the security of our prisons we will work hard to ensure that you face becoming a resident and not a guest at one of the facilities.
Updated
Former competition tsar accuses consultants of self-interest
Former ACCC chair Allan Fels is continuing to attack the big four consultancy firms, accusing them of acting in self-interest and extracting higher profits from government departments and taxpayers.
The previous Coalition government spent $20.8bn outsourcing more than a third of public service operations, an audit found earlier this year. The value of contracts awarded to the big four consultants has grown by around 400% in a decade.
Fels has told the inquiry that consultancy firms have used their bargaining power to pursue self-interest and profit.
A really important driver is just the profitability for partners. Of course they have to do a good job, but looking at it as an economist (...) they’ve got a lot of bargaining power.
That’s a situation that has really arisen as governments have made themselves more dependent on big consultancy firms, when they could have actually got a better deal from a good, lower paid public service. As they became more and more dependent on the big four, the big four were able to extract higher prices.
[Consultancy firms] are [not] keen for this information to become public, but the public needs to understand, and governments need to understand, what is going on.
Updated
Consultancy firm issue worse than expected, Katy Gallagher says
The finance minister Katy Gallagher has admitted the over-reliance of consultancy firms in the public service was worse than expected, AAP reports.
The comments came as Deloitte chief executive Adam Powick and chairman Tom Imbesi are scheduled to face a Senate committee which is looking at problems with the federal government’s use of consultants, in the wake of the PwC tax advice scandal.
The firm said in a submission to the inquiry it was aware of two incidents of conflicts of interest.
You can learn more from Henry Belot’s reporting here:
Gallagher said while she was aware of an over-reliance on consultancy firms being used for government projects, the scale became apparent after she won office.
“It is a problem – it is worse than I thought,” she said on ABC RN this morning.
We’re taking steps to rectify that, but it’s going to take a bit of time because of the way the imbalance has occurred over particularly the last five to seven years.
Gallagher said the government was trying to bolster in-house consultancy for the public service.
There will always be things that you need to seek external advice from, but at the moment, the balance is out of whack.
Updated
Government must break up consultancy giants now, former competition tsar says
Former competition watchdog Allan Fels has told a parliamentary inquiry that the federal government must act now and break up big consultancy firms to avoid conflicts of interest.
The inquiry was triggered by the scandal involving the misuse of confidential tax policy information at PwC, but has a broad remit and is examining the conduct of the entire sector.
Fels has been raising concerns about government consultants for many years, including their access to sensitive information and financial data while also providing a range of services to other clients that interact with government.
He has told the inquiry that consultancy firms must be broken up to ensure they focus solely on auditing:
I believe there is a need to act now on the break-up.
I’d like to draw an analogy with the situation that arose with banking and finance surrounding the [royal commission into misconduct in the banking, superannuation and financial services industry].
It found, on investigation, that there was a severe conflict of interest between financial institutions and the interests of customers. It was not resolved by self-regulation and government oversight. It could only be served by a break-up, and that’s now happened with banking. They largely, or totally, got out of the most conflicting activities.
There needs to be a clean break-up.
Fels is referring to the decision by all four major banks to stop providing financial advice to customers after the royal commission, which revealed serious misconduct and led to multimillion-dollar compensation payments.
Updated
Fears about chemical leaks after drones plunged into Yarra River
Divers are trying to retrieve hundreds of drones that plunged into Melbourne’s Yarra River over the weekend due to a technical error.
The drones were part of a light show for the Matildas’ game against France on Friday night but fell into the river due to a technical glitch. The retrieval operation began on Sunday and is continuing on Monday.
Yarra River keeper Charlotte Sterrett told 3AW radio there were significant worries about the leaking of chemicals:
We want to see all drones taken back out of the river because we know if they are left there they will leach chemicals which can damage the environment.
Updated
WA to stand alone in keeping no-fault evictions
Renters in Western Australia will continue to face no grounds evictions, after South Australia became the fifth state to set about outlawing the practice, AAP reports.
No-fault evictions allow landlords to end a tenancy without giving a reason. It can happen if they believe they can charge new tenants more.
Queensland and the ACT recently joined Victoria and Tasmania in banning no-fault evictions. NSW has promised to end the practice this year.
And over the weekend, South Australia revealed plans to stipulate tenancies could only be ended for a prescribed reason – including any breaches by the tenant, or the landlord wanting to sell, renovate or occupy the property.
But the WA premier Roger Cook said his Labor government wasn’t looking to follow, as it introduces its own protection package for renters:
We want investors to come into the market to take advantage of the great demand for rental accommodation.
But we don’t want to stifle that by putting unnecessary burden (on landlords).
We believe we’ve struck the right balance and we’ll be implementing our reforms in the near future.
The WA reforms will outlaw rent bidding, ban rent rises more than once a year and allow tenants to make minor modifications and keep pets at rental properties.
Updated
Angus Taylor welcomes Michele Bullock’s RBA appointment
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor welcomed Michele Bullock’s appointment as Reserve Bank governor on ABC RN this morning.
He focused in on the need for an independent governor – following opposition leader Peter Dutton saying he would not support an appointment of a federal department secretary (and treasurer Jim Chalmers saying Dutton’s “relentless negativity” bordered on “pathological”) last week.
“We know historically an independent Reserve Bank delivers lower inflation,” Taylor said. “The data on this has been very, very clear.”
It’s not appropriate to have a secretary of an economic department who has been formulating government policy to become the governor.
What we need though, most of all, is a government that brings down policy that reduces inflation.
Updated
UK joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc
The United Kingdom is now a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership after two years of negotiations.
The 11 original CPTPP members and the United Kingdom signed an accession protocol at a meeting in Auckland on Sunday.
The new membership into the trade deal enhances the UK’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific, according to a statement from the minister and assistant minister for trade.
It builds on the foundations of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 31 May 2023, the statement reads.
The CPTPP trade deal has eliminated 98% of tariffs in a trade zone that represents a combined GDP of $11.8tn, and a population of over 500 million people.
The minister for trade and tourism Don Farrell says:
I congratulate the United Kingdom on becoming the first economy to accede to the CPTPP.
The accession of the UK to the CPTPP is a major milestone, as it expands the trade partnership beyond the Pacific rim.
Australia is strongly committed to ensuring the CPTPP continues as a high-calibre trade framework – a key element to maintaining this high standard is a robust accession process.
Updated
Katy Gallagher hails ‘historic’ appointment of Michele Bullock as RBA governor
Finance minister Katy Gallagher says the appointment of Michele Bullock as new Reserve Bank governor is “historic” and will bring a “reform agenda” to the central bank, on ABC RN this morning.
“It’s a historic appointment, a highly qualified economist, very experienced leader,” Gallagher says. “She does have a reform agenda, that’s been provided through the RBA review.”
She says the new governor will remain under high scrutiny, following outgoing governor Philip Lowe:
I think any job at this level is going to bring incredible scrutiny – as it should.
I think part of the strength of those recommendations is an acknowledgement that communication and transparency and explaining those decisions is an important part of the role, not just of the governor but of the board as well.
Updated
Search on for boater off WA after friend treks to safety
The search for a missing boater off Western Australia is continuing a day after his mate swam and walked through the night to raise the alarm, AAP reports.
The men were returning to the Dampier boat ramp about 11pm Saturday when their boat overturned, possibly after hitting a mooring.
One of the men swam about an hour to the West Lewis Islands off the state’s north-west coast and then walked across rocks to where some friends were camping, raising the alarm at about 6am.
The upturned vessel was located on Sunday but a wide-scale search had not found the second man before nightfall.
Police believed the men, both aged in their 20s, were not wearing life jackets.
The search, involving WA authorities and commercial vessels, will resume at first light this morning across land and sea.
Updated
Indigenous voice supporters to submit yes case to AEC
Supporters of an Indigenous voice to parliament say they are “ready to prosecute their simple, hopeful message” and will submit the official yes case to the Australian Electoral Commission on Monday.
Both the yes and the no camps have been drafting their competing essays, limited to 2,000 words each, with the two documents to be published online by the AEC on Tuesday.
These essays will form the basis of a referendum pamphlet to be mailed to all households several weeks before the vote, which is to be held in the final three months of 2023.
It is understood all crossbench MPs or senators who voted yes to the constitution alteration bill were offered briefings, led by the minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, and the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus.
Burney described it as “a collaborative process that has brought together the best reasons why Australians should vote yes for constitutional recognition through a voice”.
Crossbench MPs Kate Chaney, Zoe Daniel and Helen Haines said they had appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the official yes case.
Recent polls suggest a drop in public support for the proposal, but Haines said: “I believe the clear, factual information we have provided will answer the important questions people have about a constitutionally-enshrined voice to parliament.”
The Liberal and National parties formally oppose a constitutionally enshrined voice to parliament, with the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, seeking to make the case that it is legally risky, lacks detail and won’t make a practical difference.
The no camp has experienced some public pushback about its writing process, with Pauline Hanson and Lidia Thorpe both requesting more substantive input.
Updated
‘Accidental security breach’ at Melbourne airport causes queue delays
The security screen at Qantas terminal one was closed from 6.25am to 6.50am at Melbourne airport this morning, due to an “accidental security breach,” an airport spokesperson told Guardian Australia.
Huge queues at @Qantas Melbourne Airport security. Screening seems to be offline. pic.twitter.com/oCPNJSr6lv
— Campbell Fuller (@Skigod) July 16, 2023
The security screen is now reopened, and the queue is clearing up.
The spokesperson says the airport is not anticipating any missed flights due to the delay.
Updated
Half of women working in media in Australia dissatisfied with their career progress
Almost one-third of women in the media are thinking about leaving their job, a new survey shows.
An industry insight report by Women in Media also shows more than half (54%) of women in the industry are either unsure about or explicitly dissatisfied with the progress of their careers.
The report shows that three times more women cited limited access to training opportunities and mental health issues or stress as barriers to career progression in 2023 compared with the year prior.
Women in Media strategic advisor Petra Buchanan said the industry cannot ignore the barriers faced by women in media.
The findings highlight deep concerns about gender equality and a lack of industry support that continues to hinder women’s career progress. The statistics speak volumes – with an entrenched gender pay gap above the national average and increased bias and discrimination, nearly one-third of women are considering leaving their jobs in media. It’s a critical moment for employers and the media industry to step up; the departure of women from media is a loss society cannot afford.
Good morning
And welcome to a new week of Guardian Australia’s live blog. Here are the stories at the stop of today’s news list to get us into it.
The yes campaign for the Indigenous voice to parliament will submit their official case to the Australian Electoral Commission today. The yes and no campaigns have been drafting their competing 2,000-word essays – which will form the basis of a referendum pamphlet to be mailed to households a few weeks before the vote. Keep an eye on the AEC website tomorrow, when the essays will be published.
Real government funding to private schools has increased almost twice as much as funding to public schools in the decade since a landmark education review recommended changes designed to fund Australian schools according to need. You can read the full exclusive by Jordyn Beazley and Caitlin Cassidy here.
And the mystery deaths of at least 10 horses on three separate properties in Victoria – on the Mornington Peninsula, in south-east Melbourne and south-west Victoria – has prompted an urgent investigation by state authorities. The cause of the deaths is unknown, and there is massive concern among local owners. Testing has so far not found any sign of infectious diseases including Hendra virus and anthrax, although investigations are continuing.
I’m Rafqa Touma, and I’ll be rolling you through the morning’s news. If you see anything you don’t want us to miss, let me know on Twitter or Threads.
Let’s go!
