What we learned; Thursday 14 March
And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here’s a wrap of what we learned today:
WorkSafe has committed to a “detailed investigation” of the Ballarat mine tragedy in which one man died and another was seriously injured when a tunnel collapsed. Victory Minerals, owners of the mine, have said they will cooperate “fully”.
TikTok’s future is in peril as the US threatens to implement a nationwide ban, but Anthony Albanese says Australia has “no plans” to follow its ally’s footsteps, despite national security concerns.
Ged Kearney, the federal assistant minister for health, says the Australian government should reinstate its funding for UNRWA, the UN agency tasked with providing aid in Gaza.
The Jewish Council of Australia and Asylum Seekers Centre has expressed outrage over reports that Palestinians fleeing war in Gaza have had their visas cancelled en route to Australia.
The National Archives of Australia has released a previously secret tranche of documents surrounding the Howard government’s decision making to join the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has said that truth in political advertising laws are “probably welcome” but he suspects the government’s proposal will be “window dressing”.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather update, warning that twin tropical lows in the north may each develop into cyclones on the weekend.
The New South Wales environment minister says the waste industry is supportive of “most” of the proposed new regulations for the sector after the asbestos mulch crisis.
And seven people who were missing amid severe weather and flooding in Western Australia have been rescued and taken home.
Thanks so much for your company today. We’ll be back bright and early tomorrow to bring you all of Friday’s news. See you then.
Updated
Seven people missing in WA successfully brought home, police say
Seven people who were missing amid severe weather and flooding in Western Australia have been rescued and taken home, WA police have said.
In a press conference just now, Mick Kelly from WA police has said the group was found just as the light was deteriorating last night, and a decision was made to use a helicopter to drop the four adults and three children food and emergency blankets, and instruct them to remain there overnight with their vehicle and await rescue today.
Kelly said:
This morning WA police and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services held an inter-agency planning meeting to recover and bring home the seven community members. Today we were successful in that …
My understanding is that they are alive obviously and they’re well [and receiving] medical attention just to be checked out and [they are] looking forward to a hot meal and a good night’s sleep.
Updated
