What we learned, Wednesday 9 July
It’s time to wrap up our live news coverage for the day. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy:
Donald Trump threatened a 200% tariff on foreign pharmaceuticals. Australia exports about $2bn worth of pharmaceuticals to the US each year. Jim Chalmers said the pharmaceutical benefits scheme was “not up for negotiation” in the light of a potential 200% tariff, while Ed Husic said US pharmaceutical firms potentially stopping clinical trials in Australia was an “absolutely bonkers suggestion”.
Business leaders welcomed Anthony Albanese’s confirmation he was heading to China at the weekend, ahead of his second meeting with Xi Jinping.
Affinity Eduction group said it would install CCTV at all its childcare centres after charges were laid against one of its former staff.
The environment minister, Murray Watt, responded to calls for him to rescind a provisional approval for Woodside’s North West Shelf project.
Qantas confirmed the data of 5.7 million customers was stolen in a cyberattack last week.
Significant land and air resources have been deployed in the search for a missing German backpacker in Western Australia.
A man died after being badly burned in an explosion and fire that tore through a retirement unit in northern New South Wales.
Victoria police are investigating homophobic and neo-Nazi graffiti that was sprayed on the side of a well-known gay pub in Melbourne over the weekend.
As ever, thank you for joining us today. See you again bright and early tomorrow.
Updated
Affinity group to install CCTV at all its childcare centres after charges laid against worker
Affinity Education Group – the childcare provider which owns 10 out of the 20 childcare centres on the Victorian government’s list of centres in which Joshua Dale Brown worked – says it is “deeply distressed” by the charges laid against Brown.
The 26-year-old Melbourne childcare worker has been charged with allegedly sexually abusing infants and children in his care.
Affinity CEO Tim Hickey said in a statement this afternoon:
I am deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families – no family should have to go through this.
We are committed to supporting every family impacted and will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as the investigation continues.
We also welcome any review of regulation that strengthens safeguards, enhances accountability, and ensures the highest standards of safety and care for every child. Our educators and staff share the deep concern over failings when they occur in the early childhood education and care sector. The safety, wellbeing, and development of every child must always come first.
In the statement, Affinity said it has a “zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse or misconduct involving children” and that the “safety and wellbeing of every child in our care is – and always will be – our highest priority.”
It said it was strengthening safety measures, including the installation of CCTV across all centres, seeking parental preference regarding who assists their child with toileting or nappy changes and rolling out personal device lock boxes nationally.
Updated
