What we learned, Thursday 10 July
It’s time to wind down our live news coverage for the day. Here’s what’s been keeping us busy this Thursday:
Australia’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, unveiled a wide-ranging plan which would see universities and artists have funding withheld if they fail to act against antisemitism. AI tools would be banned from sharing Jewish hatred, and the government would have new grounds to deport visitors under the plan.
The federal Labor government has not committed to the plan in full, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, saying he would consider the recommendations of his handpicked envoy. Universities Australia’s CEO, Luke Sheehy, said the body “welcomed” the release of the special envoy’s antisemitism plan. The Coalition backed the plan, with the shadow home affairs minister, Andrew Hastie, calling for “a whole-of-government response” to antisemitism.
Police located the van that was being driven by German backpacker Carolina Wilga when she went missing.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner, Mick Gooda, said he would not want his children joining the Northern Territory police force because it is “not safe” following the findings from the coronial inquest into the 2019 death of Kumanjayi Walker.
One pedestrian has died and two are in hospital after a vehicle lost control in Wantirna South, Melbourne, this afternoon.
Finally, surfer Darcy Deefholts is “in good spirits” in hospital after spending the night stranded on an island in northern New South Wales.
We’ll be back bright and early again tomorrow.
Updated
Police investigation into men’s deaths in inner Sydney ongoing
A police investigation is continuing after the decomposing bodies of two men were found inside a dilapidated terrace on a busy inner-Sydney street earlier this month.
On Thursday 3 July Eleanor Barker, 63, made a welfare concern call to police about one of her tenants. She has owned and lived at the Cleveland Street property in Surry Hills since the 1980s, and rented it out to the two men for at least a decade.
Officers arrived at the property at about 2pm and located the body of a man inside the house. A crime scene was established, and a short time later, a second body was found in a separate room.
The two men – aged 74 and 83 – have since been identified, police said on Thursday.
Both men are believed to have died in the house at different times within the past month and their deaths are not believed to be suspicious. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Updated
Surfer rescued from island 14kms off shore ‘in good spirits’
Darcy Deefholts is “in good spirits” in hospital after spending the night stranded on an island in northern New South Wales.
A spokesperson for Northern NSW Local Health District said the 19-year-old was in a stable condition under observation at Grafton Base hospital.
“The patient is in good spirits and is being supported by family,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The family would like to thank emergency services and members of the community involved in the search, after the alarm was raised late yesterday when he failed to return home from a surf.
The patient and family have requested privacy while they recover from the ordeal.
Read more here:
Updated
Universities will ‘consider the recommendations’ of antisemitism plan
Peak university bodies have responded to the antisemitism envoy’s plan, which makes a number of recommendations for the education sector, including withholding funding for higher education institutions and public grants that “facilitate, enable or fail to act against antisemitism”.
Universities Australia’s CEO, Luke Sheehy, said the body “welcomes” the release of the plan and had been “working constructively” with the special envoy.
This is a significant body of work, and we’ll work closely with our members as we consider the recommendations.
The Group of Eight, which represents Australia’s research intensive sandstone universities, said its members were “determined to take all necessary actions to both respond to and prevent antisemitism on campus”.
Its chief executive, Vicki Thomson, said “universities must be places where people can agree or disagree well, where everyone feels safe and welcome while remaining places where the freedom of speech and academic freedom are realised”.
But we cannot and must not tolerate antisemitic behaviour. Go8 universities have taken a range of actions to address antisemitism and the breakdown of social cohesion and will continue to do so.
Updated
Police find missing backpacker’s van
Police have located the van that was being driven by German backpacker Carolina Wilga when she went missing.
Western Australian police said they located the 26-year-old’s Mitsubishi Delica van at about 1.10pm today.
The van was found abandoned in the Karroun Hill area, in the north-east wheat belt region of Western Australia, and is believed to have suffered mechanical issues, police said.
Wilga was not at the scene and the search to find her was continuing, with additional resources being deployed to the area, police said.
Wilga was in the Beacon area of the Wheatbelt region at the time of her last contact with friends on Sunday 29 June, police said. They believe she visited a convenience store on Stirling Terrace, near the intersection of Goomalling-Toodyay Road in Toodyay on 28 June.
Wilga had been backpacking in Australia for the last two years and lived mainly in hostels, police said. She is described as having a slim build, frizzy or curly long dark blond hair and brown eyes. She has several tattoos, including one which depicts symbols on her left arm.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Wilga is urged to contact police immediately.
Read more here:
Updated
True crime trio unites to write book on Erin Patterson trial
Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein are coming together to write a book about the murder trial of Erin Patterson.
The true crime trio will launch the Mushroom Tapes: Conversations about a Triple Murder Trial in November.
“For this extraordinary book, the lone wolves became a team. Garner, Hooper and Krasnostein tracked Erin Patterson’s preliminary hearings and trial, joined the media scrum at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts, slept over in Morwell and spent countless hours in fervent discussion of the case and the themes it raises: love, hate, jealousy, revenge, marriage, money, mycology and murder”, Text Publishing said in a statement.
The renowned authors’ project is based around their private conversations about their impressions from inside the courtroom over the course of the ten-week trial.
Updated
Northern Territory police force unsafe for Aboriginal people: Mick Gooda
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Mick Gooda says he would not want his children joining the Northern Territory police force because it is “not safe”.
Speaking about the findings from the coronial inquest into the 2019 death of Kumanjayi Walker, Gooda told the ABC a short time ago the report made for “appalling reading” and that the coroner had a “made a strong case” racism in the NT police was “systemic”.
“Those things we’ve heard from the coroner’s report … I wouldn’t want any of my kids going to work on the police force at the moment,” he said.
It’s not safe for them. We had a lot of contact with police officers, Aboriginal police officers, Torres Strait Islander police officers and when they start telling their stories, they come out … traumatised. These people are traumatised from working in the police force from the racism they cop internally.
If one of my kids said, ‘I’m thinking about joining the territory police force,’ I’d try my hardest to talk them out of it.
Updated
Jewish Labor MP says expressing anti-Israel views is ‘absolutely not’ antisemitic
Speaking with the ABC just now, Josh Burns, the envoy for social housing and homelessness said protests in Israel take place “almost daily” and that “groups from right across the political Israeli spectrum” are “constantly critical” of the government.
But, he said:
There are some clear red lines that have been crossed in Australia and I think those are important to point out. At no point should anyone feel like they cannot be critical of a democracy.
If you are, for example, targeting a Jewish person in Australia on the street, a Jewish business, a Jewish institution, Jewish school, because those sorts of things are not activism, they’re antisemitism.
He said “too many times” people had used the Israel-Gaza conflict “to say, well, I oppose this particular policy and therefore I am allowed to go and harass or … use some form of violence. That is not acceptable.”
You need to be able to know you can voice concern for the Palestinian people and for … the devastation that has occurred. I feel it while also having a sense of duty as Australians to want to protect minorities including the Jewish community here in Australia.
Updated
Jonathon Duniam says the Morrison government is as culpable as the Albanese government when it comes to failing to protect the safety of young children.
The shadow education and early learning minister told the ABC a short time ago:
The fact that this has happened demonstrates, as community leaders, we have dropped the ball. I cannot deny that and I never would. We all have a responsibility to these parents who have had their children affected in the way they have.
The fact that this has happened over a period of time, it is not the first time it has happened … this is not a political issue, this is not about this Labor government or the former Liberal government, this is about as leaders doing everything we can because that is what we are paid to do to prevent this from happening ever again.
Federal shadow education minister eager to see new child protection legislation
Jonathon Duniam says he was given a high level briefing after allegations of child sexual abuse emerged from Melbourne childcare centres – but is yet to see new legislation designed to ramp up protection for young children.
“I will give credit to Jason Clare … who when I reached out to him and requested a high level briefing, his department secretary provided us one,” the senator told the ABC just now.
“But I am a little concerned that we haven’t been given a copy of the legislation which, as minister Walsh said yesterday, is ready to be introduced. I don’t want to get to the day before parliament having extended the hand of bipartisanship … to be told: ‘Here is the legislation take it or leave it’”, he said.
We’ve been engaging with stakeholders who want to see meaningful change and we have some suggestions we would like to make to government and we are in the process of pulling those together. So I hope we do get to see a copy of the legislation very soon and we can make those recommendations.
Updated
Antisemitism envoy says ‘Jews are not safe to go and pray in their synagogue’
Jillian Segal says her plan to combat antisemitism is targeted at “how it is manifested in Australia and how we need to stamp out the hatred, the expression and violence against Jewish people.”
When asked about the definition of antisemitism and whether potential support for options other than a two-state solution regarding Israel and Palestine constituted antisemitism, she told the ABC much depended on context.
“If you wish to criticise the government of Israel and the policies of Israel in the same way you would criticise the policies of Australia or Russia or any other country, you are absolutely free to do that. That is our democracy and people must have that right”, she said.
“But basically saying Israel has no right to exist and that all the Jews in Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth, that is antisemitic”, she said.
The issue today is about stamping out antisemitism that has infiltrated our society where Jews do not feel safe to walk down the street, the kids do not feel safe in school uniforms, Jews are not safe to go and pray in their synagogue, they [feel] unsafe to go and eat in their restaurants.
Updated
Antisemitism envoy says stripping universities of funding a ‘last resort’
Jillian Segal says universities will only be stripped of funding for failing to stamp out antisemitism as a “last resort”.
Speaking on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing just now, the antisemitism envoy said:
The issue about stripping funding, that is only a last resort. That is not the essence of the plan.
The plan is to educate and bring people into an understanding of what is antisemitism and understand it should not be part of normal society and should be pushed to the fringes. Then there are penalties if we cannot get to a situation where they are not working successfully on it.
She said her plan to combat antisemitism first focuses on putting in place new policies, a definition of antisemitism, a complaint scheme and education before any funding changes.
Updated
Australian Jews launch petition against Victoria’s proposed anti-protest laws
“We are Australian Jews who say: our safety is not protected by silencing peaceful protest”, the petition’s organisers, the Jewish Council of Australia, write at Change.org.
Addressing the premier, Jacinta Allan, the organisers write:
We call on you to stop exploiting antisemitic incidents experienced by our communities, including the horrific arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, and the firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue, to push anti-democratic laws.
These laws would ban face coverings at peaceful protests, give police more powers to intimidate and use violence against protesters, and ban peaceful protests outside places of worship. None of these measures will do anything to stop racist violence.
Protests in support of Palestine and against Israel’s war crimes are not antisemitic.
The “Jews say no to anti-protest laws: Jacinta Allan stop exploiting antisemitism” petition now has 916 signatures.
The petitioners are calling on the Allan government to protect democratic rights for all, drop anti-protest laws, stop equating protest with antisemitism and engage with Jewish voices who support Palestinian rights.
Updated
Jewish Council of Australia rejects envoy’s plan on antisemitism
The group is warning the proposals risk undermining Australia’s democratic freedoms, could inflame community divisions and entrench “selective approaches” to racism.
Among recommendations in the report are to withhold funding to universities, artists and charities if they failed to act against antisemitism and provide the government with new grounds to deport visitors.
The executive officer of the council, Dr Max Kaiser, said the document read “more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion”.
He added:
The report’s vague language around ‘antisemitic narratives’ or ‘affiliations’ … make the actions recommended dangerously unclear. Antisemitism is real and must be taken seriously. But it does not exist in a vacuum. Any response that treats antisemitism as exceptional, while ignoring Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and other forms of hate, is doomed to fail.
Read more here:
Updated
South Australia Police investigating discovery of body at Adelaide beach
Police and paramedics were called to the O’Sullivan beach boat ramp after a body was seen floating in the water just before 10.30am this morning, police said.
The 29-year-old man from Christie Downs was brought to shore but could not be revived.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and police are preparing a report for the Coroner, police said.
Updated
Man rescued from Kosciuszko national park after becoming unwell
Specialist Alpine Operations police were involved in the multi-agency rescue overnight, New South Wales Police said.
Facing snow and high winds, 10 police, paramedics and SES search and rescue members went to the aid of the group of 11 hikers who called for assistance about 9.30am yesterday, police said in a statement.
On arrival near the Illawong Hut within the national park, a 20-year-old man was assessed and evacuated from the location using a specialist alpine sled. A second hiker also suffered a shoulder injury.
The rest of the group returned to Guthega, near Perisher resort.
Police reminded Kosciuszko park visitors to prepare and monitor weather forecasts closely. They also advised using online national parks and Wildlife Services Trip Intention Forms and personal locator beacons.
Updated
Penny Wong welcomes European court of human rights’ ruling on Russia’s responsibility for downing of Flight MH17
Writing on X today, the foreign minister said it was “another historic moment for the 298 victims and their loved ones, including the 38 victims who called Australia home.”
She added:
This ruling follows the ICAO Council’s decision in May that Russia is responsible and must negotiate with Australia and the Netherlands on full reparations. We again call upon Russia to face up to its responsibility and make reparations for this horrific act.
Read more here:
Updated
Rafqa Touma, thank you for your great work today – and on all other days, as this was your last time leading our news blog. Best of luck with your new role in our multimedia team!
Hello readers, I’m Daisy Dumas and I’ll be with you for the rest of the afternoon.
Thank you for joining me on the blog today. Handing over now to Daisy Dumas who will keep you posted into the afternoon. Have a good one.
One dead, three hospitalised after vehicle 'lost control'
One pedestrian has died and two are in hospital after a vehicle lost control in Wantirna South, Melbourne, this afternoon.
The vehicle struck three pedestrians before driving through a fence on Coleman Rd about 12:20pm, Victoria Police said in a statement. They believe the vehicle “lost control”.
One of the pedestrians died at the scene. A second was hospitalised in a critical condition, and a third with serious injuries.
The driver of the vehicle was not seriously injured, but has been hospitalised.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives will investigate,” police said. They ask anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Updated
Recording device found in toilet at major hospital
A man is under arrest after a recording device was found in a toilet at a major hospital.
Police say a phone was found at a restricted toilet for staff inside the The Austin Hospital in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburb of Heidelberg on July 3.
Investigators believe it was there for “for some time” before workers became aware of the device and reported it to police.
A 27-year-old Heidelberg West man, reportedly a trainee surgeon, was arrested on Thursday morning and is being interviewed by detectives.
A spokesperson for the Austin Hospital confirmed police had been contacted.
“We take the safety and wellbeing of our staff extremely seriously and recently made a formal report to Victoria Police,” they said.
“As this matter is now with the police, we are not able to share more information about the nature of the report.”
- Australian Associated Press
Discovery of invasive aquatic weeds in NT ‘an urgent wake-up call’
The Invasive Species Council is warning that one of the world’s worst aquatic weeds has been spotted in the Northern Territory.
“The discovery of Amazon frogbit in the Northern Territory is an urgent wake-up call,” the council said in a statement.
Frogbit spreads rapidly and creates an impenetrable layer on the surface of water that can cause a choking effect for aquatic and bird life and degrade water quality, the statement said.
Reece Pianta, the advocacy manager at the Invasive Species Council, is calling on the federal government to intervene to stop invasive plants from being spread across borders:
This is one of the world’s worst aquatic weeds – and now it’s at the doorstep of Darwin’s drinking water. Amazon frogbit is already restricted in NT, NSW and WA, yet it’s still being sold and traded in Queensland where it was first detected more than a decade ago.
As long as people can buy it online, at aquarium stores or at markets, every state and territory is at risk.
We are urgently calling on the federal government to deliver a plan for a nationally consistent approach to stop high-risk invasive plants like frogbit from being bought, sold or spread across borders.
For most of Australia this is an early-stage invader – if we act now, we can stop frogbit from becoming the next waterweed catastrophe. If we don’t, we’ll be dealing with the same costly, persistent infestations that are already impacting biodiversity, irrigation infrastructure and waterway health across Queensland.
Updated
Funeral insurance provider fined $3.5m for falsely claiming Aboriginal ownership or management
ACBF Funeral Plans Pty Ltd has to pay another $3.5m penalty for misrepresenting that the funeral expenses insurance provider was Aboriginal owned or managed when it was not, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission said in a statement.
The multimillion dollar penalty handed down by the federal court today comes on top of a $1.2m penalty ordered in September 2023 related to a seperate misrepresentation “that consumers would receive a lump sum payment when this was not the case,” the Asic statement continued.
ACBF are facing a total $4.7m of penalties.
“Today’s penalty is a strong deterrent to anyone who tries to mislead Aboriginal consumers by falsely claiming Aboriginal ownership or management,” Asic chair, Joe Longo, said.
It is one of ASIC’s enduring priorities to tackle misconduct targeting First Nations people and our work in this case shows exactly why.
Asic’s statement continued:
In handing down his decision, Justice Goodman agreed with ASIC’s submission that the making of the representation that ACBF was Aboriginal owned or managed when it was not was deliberate and callous and involved egregious conduct.
Today’s penalty decision comes after ASIC’s successful appeal to the Full Federal Court overturning part of an earlier Federal Court decision in relation to ACBF and Youpla Group Pty Ltd (Youpla) handed down on 29 February 2024. The matter was remitted to the Federal Court for a decision on the appropriate penalty which was delivered today.
ACBF Funeral Plans Pty Ltd is in liquidation.
Updated
Body recovered near Northern Territory waterfalls
The body of a 57-year-old man has been recovered from Edith Falls, Northern Territory, after he went missing on Tuesday.
Police recovered the man’s body near one of the waterfalls a short time ago, NT police said in a statement. He had not been seen since entering a plunge pool at Edith Falls around 3pm on Tuesday.
Police believe the death was not suspicious, and was a result of a medical incident. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Their statement continued:
The Northern Territory Police Force would like to pass on our condolences to the family and thank the members of the public, Parks and Wildlife, NT Life Saving, Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and Water for their support.
The upper and lower pools of Edith Falls and the walking track to the upper pool are expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Updated
Pedestrians hit by vehicle in Melbourne
Multiple pedestrians have been hit by a vehicle on Coleman Road, in Wantirna South, Victoria, police understand.
Emergency services are at the scene of the collision, which “is not believed to be intentional,” police said in a statement.
The patients’ conditions are still being assessed.
Updated
UN report will be a critical test of Great Barrier Reef’s health
The Great Barrier Reef’s world heritage status is under pressure as the UN committee orders a full report on efforts to protect the marine wonder.
The federal environment minister, Murray Watt, is in Paris for the world heritage committee’s 47th session where the committee adopted a draft decision from Unesco released in May. It recognises sustained action Australia has taken to protect the reef and delivering on past commitments.
The decision also requests Australia provide a state of conservation report by February, a more comprehensive review than the progress reports it has been asked to produce in recent years.
Should progress on protecting the world heritage site be deemed inadequate after the state of conservation report, it could be recommended for inscription on the ‘in danger’ list in 2026.
“The full review in 2026 will be a critical test,” said Dr Lissa Schindler from the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
Climate change remains the biggest threat to the complex ecosystem and the driver of repeat mass coral bleaching events.
Land-based runoff from nearby towns, industry and agriculture can further damage the marine landscape, including by contributing to outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.
Coastal flooding following natural disasters in Queensland’s north have also been exacerbating water quality problems.
Flooding impacted more than 700km of the reef.
- Australian Associated Press
Updated
Coalition backs antisemitism plan but accuses Labor of a ‘lack of leadership’
The Coalition opposition has backed Jillian Segal’s plan to tackle antisemitism, but claims the Labor government has demonstrated a “lack of leadership” on the issue.
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, noted Anthony Albanese had not directly committed to implementing any specific measures from the antisemitism envoy’s recommendations. She said Australians “deserve some clarity” on the government’s plans.
“This report shows antisemitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement. It’s a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts,” she said.
The shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, also accused Labor of a “lack of commitment”.
“Fighting the tidal wave of antisemitism cannot be left to the envoy alone, it needs the prime minister’s commitment, not just to hear the envoy’s advocacy, but to action her policies,” he said.
In such an environment we want to see the prime minister leading the fight on antisemitism and being accountable for the outcome. It’s time his actions matched his words.
The shadow home affairs minister, Andrew Hastie, called for “a whole-of-government response”, demanding “the full weight of the commonwealth’s resolve, starting with the prime minister”.
Updated
Missing teen surfer found on island 14km from shore
More on the 19-year-old found safe on a remote island off the northern NSW coast after a night missing.
Darcy Deefholts left his home in Wooli on a bike about 2.30pm yesterday, heading towards Wooli beach, NSW police said. When he didn’t come home, family contacted police.
Following a land and water search including local police, PolAir, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue, he was found safe today 14km from Wooli beach, on a small island in the North Solitary Island Nature Reserve, NSW Police said.
Updated
The CEO of X, Elon Musk’s social network, has announced she will resign.
“After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏,” Linda Yaccarino wrote.
Musk replied to her tweet: “Thank you for your contributions.”
The outgoing CEO said, “When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App.”
Read more from reporters Blake Montgomery and Nick Robins-Early here:
Updated
Internet prices on the rise
Internet prices are on the rise for a majority of Australian households, according to a comparison website.
Canstar Blue said more than half of NBN providers have passed on an increase in wholesale costs to their customers – including Telstra, Optus and TPG – but some providers have chosen not to do so.
Shopping around and being willing to switch providers could save customers $325 a year, the comparison site said in a statement today.
Canstar Blue’s utilities editor, Tara Donnelly, said that at “a time of increased cost of living, there’s no doubt news that it will cost more just to access the internet would be hard to hear for plenty of households around Australia”:
While it might seem easier for some to just accept the increase, taking 10 minutes to review what they’re currently paying against competitive offers in the market could mean switching to a better plan that may save hundreds of dollars.
Updated
PM reiterates PBS, media bargaining code and biosecurity laws 'not on the table' in Trump tariff negotiations
Anthony Albanese says the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, media bargaining code and biosecurity laws “are not on the table for negotiations” with the US.
The prime minister was asked whether the government’s “planned local content on streaming services or the news media bargaining code” will be “potential … bargaining chips” to protect exports as the US president, Donald Trump, threatens a potential 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals.
Albanese said:
On trade and tariffs, we are continuing to engage in the national interest with the United States but I’ve made it very clear that the issues such as the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, the media bargaining code that is about not tax, that is about journalists being paid for the work that they do, and our bio laws to protect our agricultural interests are not on the table for negotiations, they are a part of who Australia is. So we will continue to engage.
My government has made considerable effort to make medicines cheaper for Australians, and they will be $25, the same price that they were in 2004 ... That is what Australians voted for on the third of May and they voted for it in substantial numbers.
Updated
PM avoids question over potential funding withdrawals
Asked whether institutions like arts bodies and universities could have funding withdrawn over antisemitism within the year, Albanese says:
The concept from this report … about making sure that that is clearly articulated to the different decision-makers and things like that, is something that is already possible, and something that there are extractions that can be taken as of this report, but I wouldn’t like to put a deadline on something.
Updated
More from joint conference from PM and special envoy to combat antisemitism
Asked whether his government is committing to the plan recommended by the special envoy to combat antisemitism in full, Albanese says his government will “work constructively with the envoy”:
We welcome the plan, to be very clear. Some of the plan requires a long-term approach, some of it requires action by state governments, some of it requires action by society. By the people watching this media conference as well. What we will do is work constructively with the envoy.
Updated
Albanese: ‘I have been an advocate of two states in the Middle East for my entire political life’
Asked about how the government will ensure the plan recommended by the special envoy to combat antisemitism “does not prevent legitimate criticisms of Israel including from Jewish Australians,” Anthony Albanese says:
I have released statements with other leaders that have been critical of the actions of the Netanyahu government. I will continue to put forward a position that is consistent with the position that we have taken on the Middle East. But you can put forward those views respectfully. And those criticisms are also made, it might be said, by people in Israel.
There are demonstrations in Israel that are bigger than any of the demonstrations that have been held in Australia. That is a good thing in a democracy. But it is a good thing if it is done in a respectful and clear way. And we will continue, I have been an advocate of two states in the Middle East for my entire political life.
Updated
Put forward views respectfully, peacefully and in an orderly way, PM says
Responding to a question about whether protests are “fuelling … attacks”, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says “you should be able to express your view” in a democracy.
He is speaking live alongside special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal.
Albanese says:
In a democracy, you should be able to express your view here in Australia about events overseas. Where the line has been crossed is in blaming and identifying people because they happen to be Jewish.
Regardless of your views on the Middle East, and there are a range of views across Australian society, put forward those views respectfully, peacefully, orderly. Do not target individuals.
Updated
Education ‘central’ to special envoy to combat antisemitism’s recommendations
The special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, is delivering recommendations in response to the arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue, alongside the prime minister:
We will look at whether it is now necessary to strengthen hate crime legislation, including provisions relating to not only incitement and vilification and prohibitive symbols which we have, but actual hatred and the speaking of hatred and demonstrated hatred. I look forward to working with the various Attorneys-General, police, prosecutors and the judiciary will be supported with training to apply the laws and understand antisemitism. A national hate crime database, already announced by the government, is in the process of being established, which will improve reporting, monitoring and transparency.
Public-funded institutions like universities and cultural bodies and broadcasters will be expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability in fighting antisemitism.
Education is central. It shapes not only what young Australians know but how they think and how they treat others. The plan promotes a nationally-consistent approach to teaching, about the history, harms and modern forms of antisemitism through the lens of democracy, social inclusion, shared civic responsibility in Australian values.
We need to support professional development of teachers and public servants. We need to promote cultural understanding, back trusted voices online and encourage responsible media reporting. Education is the key.
Segal says the plan “is a whole society plan”:
We need leadership from government but we need society, businesses, unions, sporting codes, community associations will be invited and encouraged to take part in this national effort. Universities will continue to be held accountable for improvements. Digital platforms will be engaged directly.
Updated
Reported incidents of antisemitism increased ‘over 300%’ in a year, says special envoy
The prime minister is appearing alongside the special envoy to combat antisemitism, as she delivers recommendations in response to the alleged arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue.
Anthony Albanese says:
There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. The kind of hatred and violence that we have seen on our streets recently is despicable and it won’t be tolerated and I want those responsible to face the full force of the law.
My government has taken a series of actions to crackdown on antisemitism and one of the things that we did last year, a year ago, it was to appoint Jillian Segal as a special envoy to combat antisemitism.
Segal says reported incidents of antisemitism increased “over 300%” in a year, including “threats, vandalism, harassment and physical violence”. She is outlining the plan – “an overarching one covering many areas where urgent action is needed”:
It brings structure, priorities and accountability to our national response and it is not a symbolic document. It is an action plan and it addresses antisemitism in many places in our laws, classrooms, universities, media, workplaces, online spaces and public institutions. It calls on government and society and leaders to support the initiatives. In addition to measures to counter antisemitism, there is also the positive side that it looks at and that is increasing the vibrancy of Jewish life.
Updated
Missing teen found safe following land and water search around Wooli Beach
A 19-year-old has been found safe on a small island off the northern NSW coast after going missing yesterday.
Darcy Deefholts’ family were “fearing for the worst”, his father, Terry, said in an urgent post to Facebook calling for rescue help last night.
The 19-year-old left his home in Wooli on a bike about 2.30pm yesterday, heading towards Wooli beach, NSW Police said. When he didn’t come home, family contacted police.
“Following a land and water search around Wooli Beach including local police, PolAir, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue, the man was located safe today on a small island off Wooli,” NSW Police said.
In Terry’s post last night, the teenager’s father called on “anyone with a seaworthy vessel to please meet me at the main Wooli boat ramp and take me to sea to help with the search”. The post continued:
As far as we can tell, Darcy took a cream Malibu surfboard with him to One Tree at Wooli and went for a surf in very small swell some time around 4pm. We think he was wearing a dark rashy.
Of course we are fearing the worst … We are overwhelmed by the community efforts in the search so far. There is only one thing we want now – our beloved boy to be found safe.
In a comment on the post, Terry said it was “encouraging to know the water temp is 20 degrees and survivable”. A friend who worked in rescue advised Terry:
Boats need one to go straight to north-west Solitary island that’s where they found a person last year that got washed out.
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Judgment in Epic Games’ case against Apple, Google coming this month
The long-awaited judgment for the creator of Fortnite, Epic Games’ case against Apple and Google seeking to allow third-party payment systems and alternative app stores on iOS and Android devices will be delivered in the federal court on 29 July.
The case was heard over four months, finishing almost one year ago.
It comes as Apple is fighting moves in the US and Europe forcing the company to open up its app stores in those regions, and is pushing against Australia adopting EU-style laws locally.
The judgment will probably set into motion where the federal government goes with the proposed regulatory framework, depending on the outcome.
Updated
Labor’s aged care reforms risk squeezing out poorer people, industry boss warns
Labor’s changes to Australia’s aged care system risk squeezing out elderly people with limited financial means, an industry leader has warned, as advocates call for action to strengthen the reforms.
Tracey Burton, the chief executive of Uniting NSW.ACT, will use a speech on the future of care for elderly people today to argue that equitable access for poorer Australians remains an unmet promise of changes passed by parliament last year.
Following a royal commission and a taskforce report to the federal government, Labor introduced new rules requiring wealthier people to pay more for their care and boosting access to support services for people who choose to stay in their own home.
Residents who can afford to pay for their own care do so using a payment known as a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD). The average RAD is $470,000, with the lump sum refunded to family members when a resident dies.
Elderly people whose care is paid for by the government rely on a supported accommodation supplement, worth $70 per day.
Burton told Guardian Australia the significant difference in value acts as a strong disincentive for homes to accept supported residents.
“If you’ve got one bed left, it is going to be a difficult financial decision for them,” she said.
Read the full story:
Updated
More from Domain and Pepper Money’s latest rental market update
For units, Sydney remains the most expensive places to rent, with median asking prices sitting at $740 and a 2.1% increase recorded in the June quarter.
Brisbane and Perth are tied as the second-most pricey cities for apartment-dwellers, though the Queensland capital had experienced a slower quarter of growth compared with its counterpart in Western Australia.
Perth has also rocketed up the rankings of expensive places to rent a house, now equal with Canberra in second place – after Sydney – with a median asking rent of $700.
Even with tenants maxed out price wise and landlords no longer in a position to keep hiking, vacancies are still hovering below 2% across the board.
“It is still a landlords’ market,” Domain’s chief of research and economics, Nicola Powell said.
“Across all of our major capital cities, vacancy rates still remains high – they’re just moving away from the pressure-cooker dynamics.”
– Australian Associated Press
Read more from our business editor, Jonathan Barrett:
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Affordability ‘tipping point’ nudges renters into units
Renters have been pressed against affordability limits for some time and with no more to give, market rents for capital city houses have held unchanged for a year.
The stabilisation in median asking rents follows years of fast growth that peaked in the early phases of the pandemic as borders reopened.
Since March 2020, house rents across combined capitals have climbed 47.7% and 44.4% for units.
The latest rental market update from online real estate platform Domain and lender Pepper Money reveals flatlining house rents across all capital cities except Darwin.
Market rents for units have been growing more quickly, in a development Domain’s chief of research and economics, Nicola Powell, said was indicative of tenants feeling the squeeze.
“They’re looking for more affordable locations and more affordable property types, or even going into house shares,” she told AAP.
Cost-of-living pressures have reached a tipping point.
Median asking rents for units, typically a more affordable property option, had increased 3.2% in the past year.
The stronger growth across units compared to houses was also probably a reflection of increasing demand for inner-city living, Powell explained, as more businesses now demand at least some in-office days.
“That shifts where that rental demand pressure is going, you know, it’s not now in regional and outer city suburbs”.
– Australian Associated Press
More in the next post.
Updated
‘We’ve got a bipartisan approach to our PBS’, says Nationals senator
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie responded to US president Donald Trump’s proposed 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals, on Nine’s Today show.
She says Australia’s pharmaceutical benefits scheme underpins universal health care:
We’ve got a bipartisan approach to our PBS. It underpins our universal health care system. Makes sure no matter who you are in Australia, can access great world-class leading drugs for your family’s health.
But the US seems they’re asking questions about timelines for those clinical trials. So it’s about getting the right deal, not undermining our PBS, but also recognising we’re one of the world leaders in medical research. We’re really good at this stuff.
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Surprise rate hold another blow for consumer confidence
Fresh data shows soft consumer spending is taking longer than expected to recover and won’t be helped by the Reserve Bank’s surprise decision not to cut interest rates.
Household spending grew 0.3% in June, according to the Commonwealth Bank’s latest household spending insights index released on Thursday.
Spending in the communications and digital category rose 1% (likely supported by the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, which sold 3.5m units globally in its first four days, becoming the Japanese gaming giant’s fastest-selling piece of hardware). But spending growth across all categories was down from the 0.4% rise in May, despite more consumers benefiting from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 20 May interest rate cut.
“This recovery is taking longer than expected to occur but there are green shoots emerging,” the CBA senior economist, Belinda Allen, said.
Spending around sales events and new items show consumers are still deliberate on their spending decisions.
At the same time, there remains a clear preference to save and pay down debt.
Data released by the bank showed just one in 10 mortgage holders reduced their repayments after the May rate cut.
Published consumer sentiment surveys this year have shown households are taking time to regain confidence, with global uncertainty adding to scarring caused by the reduction in disposable incomes during the recent inflation spike.
CBA still expects the central bank to cut interest rates by 25 basis points in August, with another reduction tipped for November, but Tuesday’s surprise hold will do little to boost spirits.
“While we still anticipate a pick-up in household spending in 2025, a slower rate-cutting cycle could soften this recovery over the remainder of the year,” Allen said.
– Australian Associated Press
Updated
Telstra’s proposed cut of more than 500 jobs ‘not a result of our adoption of AI’
Yesterday the telco told employees “we are proposing a net reduction of around 550 roles from across the organisation,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
These changes are largely driven by the ongoing reset of our Telstra Enterprise business, as well as improvements to the structure and processes of other teams across our organisation, to reduce complexity, create efficiencies, and respond to changing customer needs.
If the reduction goes ahead, Telstra says it will “work with the people in the roles that are no longer required to seek to help them find another role at Telstra”.
If that’s not possible and they end up leaving Telstra, they’ll have access to our redundancy package and a range of support services.
The spokesperson says “the changes proposed to our team are not a result of our adoption of AI”.
Read more from our technology reporter, Josh Taylor, who reported in May that the telco is expecting to shrink its workforce by 2030, with “AI efficiencies” potentially coming through customer service, software development and the use of autonomous AI agents:
Updated
Special envoy to combat antisemitism to present recommendations this morning
Alex Ryvchin says the Executive Council of Australian Jewry “look forward to seeing” recommendations to the government from the special envoy to combat antisemitism, to be presented later this morning, in response to the arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue.
Jillian Segal is expected to appear alongside prime minister Anthony Albanese at an event today to present the recommendations.
Ryvchin, the co-CEO of the council, spoke to ABC TV:
Jillian Segal is someone who consulted widely, broadly with stakeholders and community groups, in formulating a strategy which she said she would do when she was first appointed as envoy. She’s previously spoken about the things that are important to her to get us back to where we need to be as a society and a country. Predominantly, better education, better enforcement and better engagement between Jewish and non-Jewish Australians.
Updated
More on landmark ruling finding Russia shot down MH17 with 38 Australians on board
Earlier in the blog we brought you news that judges at Europe’s top human rights court ruled that Russia was responsible for widespread violations of international law, from shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 to the murder, torture, rape, destruction of civilian infrastructure and kidnapping of Ukrainian children after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of 2022.
Reading the decisions in a packed courtroom in Strasbourg, the court’s president, Mattias Guyomar, said Russian forces engaged in “manifestly unlawful” conduct in the July 2014 attack on the flight. The court said in a statement:
The court agreed that the evidence suggested that the missile had been intentionally fired at flight MH17 most likely in the mistaken belief that it had been a military aircraft.
It was not necessary for the court to decide exactly who had fired the missile, since Russia was responsible for the acts of the Russian armed forces and of the armed separatists.
The court accepted the evidence of the Dutch government that a Buk-Telar [missile system] acting alone could not distinguish between military and civilian aircraft.
The court found that no measures had been taken by Russia to accurately identify military targets, in breach of the principles of distinction and precautions.
Australia’s biggest peanut supplier set to shut down
The corporate owners of Australia’s biggest peanut processor will scale down the century-old business in the coming 18 months before shutting it down for good.
About 150 employees at the Peanut Company of Australia’s Kingaroy and Tolga facilities in Queensland will be offered redundancies, support services and other opportunities where possible, Bega Group said on Wednesday.
“We understand the impact this decision will have,” Bega Group chief executive, Pete Findlay, said. Some employees would be able to stay in their roles until the peanut supplier closes completely in 18 months as part of a phased shutdown, he said.
Established in 1924 as the Peanut Marketing Board, the company had been under sustained financial pressure for several years prior to its $11.9m acquisition by Bega Group in 2017, the company said.
Despite significant upgrades to site safety and initiatives aimed at helping local growers boost production, Bega Group wasn’t able to establish a sustainable business model. Its challenges included competition from imports, stronger returns for growers from other crops, high input costs and declining production, the company said.
The peanut company had been losing $5m to $10m a year.
The decision to close the company follows a 12-month strategic review, during which Bega pursued several options to sell the business.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to secure a buyer that could sustain a long-term future for employees and growers,” Findlay said.
- Australian Associated Press
Updated
Medicines Australia CEO on Trump’s proposed pharmaceuticals tariffs: ‘there isn’t detail’
It’s unclear whether US president, Donald Trump’s, proposed 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals “will ever actually be applied,” CEO of Medicines Australia, Elizabeth de Somer, says.
She is speaking on ABC RN:
There isn’t detail, and it’s unclear whether those tariffs will ever actually be applied.
De Somer continues that “everybody’s waiting to see what will be made public” out of the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick’s, investigation into the need for pharmaceutical tariffs.
We do know that the contributions from the pharmaceutical industry in the US to that investigation has been to urge the US government to focus their levers on non-friendly countries and not apply tariffs or punitive levers to allies such as Australia.
Updated
Australia must ‘throw everything’ at climate summit
Leaders need to “throw everything” at winning Australia’s bid to host a key climate summit as the nation finds itself in a global race to net zero.
Australia has teamed up with the Pacific in a proposal to jointly host the 2026 UN climate change conference, known as COP31. But the bid to hold the talks faces a challenge from Turkey.
Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Smart Energy Council chief executive, John Grimes, said Australia must secure the summit.
“It’s time for the prime minister and foreign minister to throw everything at it, and our industry stands ready,” he said.
It actually takes all of us swinging behind this, but the government really, really needs to do whatever it can, because this is a big dividend for Australia.
This is actually Australia at its best when there’s a middle power … out advocating on the global stage for something that is of the community and global benefit and interest.
The climate change conference would deliver billions of dollars to the Australian economy through trade deals, tourism and business exposure, he said.
The government will hold talks with leaders in Tuvalu, Palau, Samoa and the Republic of the Marshall Islands to discuss ways to amplify their voices as nations highly exposed to the impacts of climate-fuelled disasters.
- Australian Associated Press
Updated
Russia responsible for downing of flight MH17, human rights court rules
The European court of human rights has found that the shooting down of flight MH17 using a missile supplied and transported to eastern Ukraine by the Russian Federation, resulting in the deaths of all 298 civilians onboard, was in breach of the European human rights convention.
Flight MH17 was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile while flying over eastern Ukraine in 2014 as fighting raged between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. Among the victims were 196 Dutch citizens and 38 Australian citizens or residents.
The court’s grand chamber unanimously held that between 11 May 2014 and 16 September 2022, when Russia ceased to be a party to the European convention on human rights it had committed “manifestly unlawful conduct … on a massive scale”.
It found Russia has committed flagrant and unprecedented abuses of human rights since it invaded Ukraine in 2014, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and forced labour.
Updated
Thank you to Martin Farrer for kicking off the blog this morning. I’ll be updating you from here – let’s go.
Businesses ‘cautiously optimistic’ as Albanese prepares to visit China
Australian business groups are “cautiously optimistic” a visit to China by Anthony Albanese will help normalise a fragile relationship with Beijing.
The prime minister will travel to China on Saturday for a six-day visit of Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, where he will be accompanied by a delegation of Australian business leaders.
The Australia China Business Council’s president, David Olsson, said the relationship between the two nations has had an “incomplete recovery” with a changing market in China.
“While everyone’s cautiously optimistic, I think we all recognise that the relationship remains somewhat fragile, and that’s why these regular government to government dialogues is just so important,” he said.
We have to stop seeing risk and opportunity as opposites and the challenge for Australia generally, is to engage with China in a way that’s both commercially smart and politically durable.
“We need to keep this relationship going. So we have to sit back and think very carefully about how we’re going to manage the risks that we see in the world at the moment in a way that serves our national interests.
Albanese will meet with China’s president, Xi Jinping, its premier, Li Qiang, and Chairman Zhao Leji to discuss global and regional issues in addition to trade and tourism opportunities.
Updated
Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 30% on six more countries – but Australia was not among them.
Overnight the US president announced more trade notices to several countries on his social media platform Truth Social, including:
30% on Algeria
25% on Brunei
30% on Iraq
30% on Libya
25% on Moldova
20% on the Philippines
Yesterday Jim Chalmers said the Albanese government was making “urgent” representations to the White House about Trump’s threat to impose 200% tariffs on drug imports to the US.
Australia exports about $2.5bn in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and healthcare products to the US each year, a share of about 40% of medicines exports across the globe annually.
Read more in our report from Tom McIlroy and Patrick Commins here:
Updated
Chair of Australian Turf Clubs resigns after failed Rosehill Racecourse sale
The chair of Sydney’s Australian Turf Club has resigned after failing in his bid to sell off the Rosehill Racecourse for 25,000 new homes.
Peter McGauran was appointed chair of the board in August 2022, with his term due to expire in early next year. He also serves as a senior adviser at advisory and investment firm, Bondi Partners.
The New South Wales government had offered $5bn for the privately owned racecourse, which would have made a significant contribution towards its target of 337,000 new dwellings by 2029. But in May, it was soundly rejected by 7,860 ATC members who voted 56% to 44% against the sale.
The premier, Chris Minns, said history would look back on McGauran “as someone who wasn’t afraid to take bold ideas to the table”.
Peter had a big vision for Sydney and Rosehill and I’ll always respect him for that. We’d love him to stay on, but Peter has elected to pass on the baton. He’s been a gentleman throughout – even in the face of tough debates – and always acted with integrity.
We need more people bowling up ideas and trying to get things done for the city, not less. I thank him for his service and wish him all the best for what comes next.
Updated
Blues defend coach after Origin loss
Laurie Daley feels he is “most definitely” the right man to coach NSW in 2026 as the playing group insists the coach should not be blamed for the Blues’ State of Origin capitulation.
While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players have had a really good campaign, we just didn’t nail the moments.
We’ve got to make sure we’re better at that.
I don’t see any reason why that group can’t (win it next year) … no issues there, mate.
The playing group rushed to Daley’s defence after the loss.
“He wasn’t the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players,” said halfback Nathan Cleary.
The 2025 Origin series slipped through the Blues’ fingers on Wednesday night as a polished Queensland dominated their hosts for a 24-12 win at Accor Stadium.
Catch up on the game with this report from the Guardian’s Jack Snape:
- AAP
Updated
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the main talking points so far before Rafqa Touma steps up.
Anthony Albanese is expected to front the media in Sydney later this morning along with his special envoy on antisemitism, Jillian Segal, to launch the government’s new crackdown in the wake of a series of attacks on synagogues, Jewish schools and Jewish-owned businesses. We have more coming up.
The chairman of Sydney’s Australian Turf Club has resigned after his master plan to sell the Rosehill Racecourse to the NSW government for the building of 25,000 new homes was rejected by the club’s members.
