What we learned: Tuesday 17 October
Before we close the blog for today, let’s recap the big headlines:
Palestinian Australians in the West Bank who fear a surge in violence have raised concerns over the Australian government’s efforts to help them escape the region, after rescue buses to Jordan were cancelled.
The no vote in the referendum rejected constitutional recognition through a voice to parliament but did not reject the policies of truth telling and treaty-making, several Labor MPs have argued.
Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer’s $40m superyacht has been freed and safely anchored off the coast of Singapore after it ran aground and became stranded on Monday night.
Lawyers for a high-profile man accused of rape have been reprimanded by a Queensland judge for failing to promptly submit their application for a judicial review to keep their client’s name secret.
Queensland firefighters have responded to nearly 60 grass and bushfires within a 24-hour period, with water bombers and fire crews working late into the night to protect property and bring the blazes under control.
Thanks so much for your company today. It’s another sitting day in Canberra tomorrow, so Amy Remeikis will be back with you bright and early.
Updated
Family and friends of Australians fleeing conflict in Israel have begun gathering to welcome them at Sydney Airport.
All up, 222 people were due to land at 1755 on Tuesday on the DFAT-supported flight from Tel Aviv via Dubai. It is the first repatriation flight to Australia.
Among the passengers are the teenage niece and nephew of Ayelet Nussbaum, from Glebe, whose brother and family moved to Haifa in 2021. Here’s what she told Guardian Australia:
This is the third flight they tried to get on and we’re very relieved - we were very nervous.
But it’s mixed feelings. (Her brother, his wife and their youngest child remain in Haifa)
My brother is very patriotic and very involved socially. He is not ready to leave. Being there is part of who he is. I don’t blame him even though it’s hard for us.
She was joined at the airport by her children, Mya Nussbaum, 10, and Adam Nussbaum, 13, and her parents, Shai and Dina Thaler.
The Qatar-operated flight is the first of three government-assisted repatriation flights due to land from Israel via London and Dubai over the next 48 hours.
Updated
