Good afternoon.
New details about the police case against the alleged Bondi terrorists have been released, including details of an alleged video manifesto linked to the Islamic State and the undetonated explosives – including a “tennis ball bomb” – found at the scene.
Alleged gunman Naveed Akram has been discharged from hospital and transferred to a NSW prison, as the political fallout from the mass shooting intensifies. Anthony Albanese said he feels “the weight of responsibility” for the atrocity after the Coalition upped their rhetoric in an extraordinary press conference in which Penny Wong was criticised for not shedding tears in public since the attack. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, flagged new laws being drafted to designate hate organisations – including neo-Nazi groups such as the National Socialist Network and Islamic fundamentalist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, recalled parliament to introduce new gun and protest laws, expected to pass the upper house on Tuesday, while the Allan government said Victoria will take NSW’s lead and introduce new laws restricting protests after terror attacks.
Separately, police revealed they arrested and charged a 20-year-old man for allegedly attempting to incite racial violence with a protest at Cronulla beach. He faced court today and was refused bail.
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In pictures
The sports sections of Australia’s major mastheads were today largely dedicated to ridiculing pre-series predictions of an England Ashes victory, and announcing the end of the tourists’ now-compromised Bazball philosophy.
What they said …
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“The idea was to make signs that look official, but with completely absurd messages, therefore creating moments of confusion, followed by little bursts of joy.”
The artist Cameron Hunt has been confusing Christchurch residents with six works around the city centre that resemble official council signs.
Full Story
Gina: Becoming Mrs Rinehart – episode 1
Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest person – and as her wealth continues to rise, so does her power and influence. But what does she want?
In case you missed it earlier this year: in the first episode of Gina, senior correspondent Sarah Martin explored the effect Rinehart could have on Australian politics.
Before bed read
Desperate for two hours of silence in a cinema, or a movie to entertain the family? Here’s our comprehensive guide to the films coming out on 26 December.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: RUG. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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