What we learned: Thursday 22 August
This is where we’ll wrap up the blog for today – but first, a quick recap:
After nearly 100 amendments, the NDIS bill passed both houses and will become law.
The former senior immigration official Abul Rizvi has accused the Coalition’s home affairs spokesperson, James Paterson, of quoting him “very, very selectively” on visas for Palestinians and said the idea that people coming to Australia from Gaza posed a national security threat was a “complete beat-up”.
Greens and crossbench senators say the proposed Middle Arm industrial hub in Darwin harbour is a risk to the health of people and ecosystems in the Northern Territory, as a committee examining the project failed to agree on recommendations in its final report.
The independent senator Lidia Thorpe has won Senate support to establish a committee to look at the health and environmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (Pfas) chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals”.
The addresses of domestic violence victims have been shared with offenders by Queensland police, including a “vulnerable woman” who was then allegedly told to relocate by officers.
The competition watchdog has warned that Australians could face higher airfares on flights between major cities, after Rex’s 737 jet operations were axed as the airline entered administration.
ABC managing director David Anderson has resigned a year into his second five-year term.
Courts across New South Wales will be shut without notice as sheriffs down tools in protest against a work environment they say is increasingly risky.
The trailblazing Queensland feminist Merle Thornton, who famously chained herself to a Brisbane bar in protest of a ban on women, will be commemorated by a statue.
Updated
NSW search suspended for missing father and son after fishing trip
Rescuers have called off the marine search for a missing father and son after they failed to return from a fishing trip.
The search for the 47-year-old man and his 17-year-old son was suspended on Thursday afternoon after extensive efforts across three days, NSW Police said in a statement.
The operation had involved officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, police divers, the police rescue unit, Marine Rescue, the State Emergency Service and Surf Life Saving NSW.
The pair had left on Monday to fish at Storm Bay near the popular Kiama Blowhole, about 115km south of the city.
Their fishing gear was recovered but there had been no sign or communication from them before the search was suspended about 1.30pm on Thursday.
Updated
