What we learned; Monday 9 June
This is where we’ll wrap the blog up for the day. Let’s recap the day’s main events:
Rescuers continue to track a humpback whale dragging a buoy off NSW coast in the hopes of being able to free it.
Emergency services in Victoria carried out rescues after dozens of motorists were trapped in heavy snow near Hotham Heights, with many roads still closed.
Two bushwalkers were rescued after blizzard conditions in Kosciuszko national park.
A Nine news correspondent was shot with a rubber bullet while covering LA protests. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Anthony Albanese must seek “an urgent explanation” from Donald Trump.
Ten announced The Project will end on 27 June.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said Australia has engaged in an “unprecedented level of surveillance” regarding the Chinese flotilla that circumnavigated Australia.
See you back here tomorrow!
Updated
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) has issued a statement after journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with rubber bullets by police in Los Angeles.
The statement reads:
The Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles is in contact with an Australian injured in protests, and stands ready to provide consular assistance if required.
Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists. All journalists should be able to do their work safely.
The Smartraveller travel advice for the US currently advises Australians to avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are occurring due to the ongoing potential for unrest and violence.
Australians should monitor the media for information and updates, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Updated
Also appearing on Afternoon Briefing, Greens Senator Nick McKim said Australia needs to “make its displeasure at what happened abundantly clear” in relation to Tomasi’s being shot at with a rubber bullet.
It should be done it at the highest possible level. If the Prime Minister is not going to pick up the phone, the Minister for Foreign Affairs absolutely should. And it needs to happen now. We don’t need to wait.
Canavan says blame lies with ‘insurrectionists’ after Channel Nine journalist shot with rubber bullets
Appearing on ABC’s afternoon briefing, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan was asked about journalist Lauren Tomasi being shot with a rubber bullet by police in Los Angeles.
Host Patricia Karvelas said “if you see the vision, she’s been absolutely targeted and shot at. Should we be raising this with the Trump administration?”
Canavan said his understanding was the officer who shot at Tomasi was a police officer with the Los Angeles police department, and he was not sure the LAPD was under the responsibility of President Trump.
Canavan said he believes there should be an investigation:
I agree with you, it looks like there was a targeting there. I’m always loth to jump to conclusions though when you just see part of the footage. What there should be is a detailed investigation of all these matters, and of course the principal responsibility here for this mess has to be what can only be described as insurrectionists.
Updated
Australia engaged in ‘unprecedented amount of surveillance’ on Chinese fleets that neared coasts: Richard Marles
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said Australia has engaged in an “unprecedented level of surveillance” regarding the Chinese flotilla that circumnavigated Australia.
Appearing on Sky News earlier today, Marles was asked about comments made by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute head, Justin Bassi, who claimed the Chinese flotilla was rehearsing strikes on Australian cities, infrastructure and military facilities.
Marles told the program he was not going to speculate, other than to say:
We surveilled that ship or that task group from the moment that came near Australia. We are very aware of what that task group was doing, the exercises that it was engaging in, what it was seeking to be able to demonstrate. Now, I’m not about to talk about that publicly. To do so, in a sense reveals our surveillance capabilities.
But we are really clear about what was going on there. And Australians should know that this was an unprecedented level of surveillance that we engaged in around what that task group was doing. I don’t think what that task group was seeking to demonstrate or rehearse was any breaking news for us. I mean, the capabilities that China have we are well aware of and this didn’t really add to that.
Updated
Mt Hotham records 60cm of snow... or five Carlton Drys on the beer can-o-meter
As snow dumps down on alpine Victoria, one Hotham Heights AirBnB owner has taken up an unconventional method of tracking the depth.
Paul Burnham inadvertently tracked the weekend’s surging snowfall after leaving a can of Carlton Dry out on his porch to cool on Saturday morning. He said:
About 15 minutes later, the whole can disappeared in snow, it was dumping down … so I thought I’ll put another can on top of it.
Probably an hour later, the second can was gone. So I chucked another can on top and [the snow went] up to the third can.
Five of Burnham’s 12cm-tall beer cans ended up under cover by Saturday night, easing to four on Sunday but picking up toward the top of the fifth again by Monday afternoon. Hotham Heights locals have eagerly watched Burnham’s can-o-meter updates on a community Facebook page.
Burnham said the big snow falls over the long weekend had local businesses hopeful after 2024’s snow season was cut short by warm temperatures and low falls.
It’s been a really tough couple of years up in the alpine region for all businesses ... To have this early dump is a godsend, really, because everyone’s been really flat for the last two years, and now all of a sudden everyone’s up and about. It’s a really good vibe here at the moment.
Some more images of the skiers enjoying the snowy landscape at the Falls Creek ski lifts:
Updated
In more weather news, Weatherzone journalist Anthony Sharwood has more details on the three-day blizzard which has covered the ski resorts in snow:
The predicted half metre of snow has accumulated at Australia’s higher ski resorts over the King’s Birthday long weekend, with Mt Hotham in Victoria reporting a storm total of 62cm and nearby Falls Creek 63cm to Monday morning, while snow has also settled at lower elevations below the mountains.
Here’s what the snowfall looks like at Mount Buffalo in Victoria:
Updated
Wintery conditions to persist across Australia tomorrow
The Bureau of Meteorology has released a national weather forecast for tomorrow Tuesday 10 June, predicting showers in the south-east and south-west, with cool, dry and sunny conditions elsewhere.
Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the bureau, said:
We’re continuing to see as you’d expect, winter-like conditions and cold across much of eastern and south-eastern Australia, but the wet weather associated with the low that’s been driving this won’t be too common through south-eastern parts – just some isolated showers through parts of Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
While over in the west, we’ll see a cold front move through south-western parts of WA and high pressure continues to dominate the rest of the country.
You can watch the full video for more details particular to where you are here:
Updated
Marles says he was 'unaware' of reporter shot by rubber bullets in LA but says he's glad they are OK
Earlier on Sky News, the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, was asked about the Nine reporter hit by a rubber bullet at LA protests.
Marles said he was “unaware of that, but I’m glad ... that reporter is OK. Again, we’re all watching that on our screens and people obviously will be acting with appropriate care.”
Updated
More on the 13 people trapped in cars during heavy snow fall and the ‘surprised’ crews that rescued them
Search crews rescued 13 travellers stranded near Mount Hotham as 50cm of snow fell around Victoria’s alpine region this weekend. Those stranded spent Saturday night in their cars and one man in his 40s suffered minor injuries after his vehicle rolled.
Emergency services used snowmobiles to traverse the mountain, with members of Wangaratta Ski Club, the Country Fire Association and a snow plough from Mount Hotham Alpine Resort joining the rescue effort, said Graham Gales, an SES unit controller.
Gales said the roads had been challenging even for experienced volunteers, and it had been difficult to ascertain how many people remained stranded.
We were very surprised at the number of vehicles that we did come across yesterday … that had gone out for the weekend and have been caught short by the snow.
Read more here:
Updated
‘Less than lethal’ rounds can still lead to serious injury and death, studies say
Crowd-control measures classified as kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs) – commonly called rubber, plastic or foam bullets – are sometimes deployed in the US during protests and other demonstrations. But despite their name, the so-called “less than lethal” rounds can still cause serious injury or even death.
A 2017 study from the journal BMJ found KIPs have caused serious injury, disability and death, many of which are linked to strikes to the head and neck. Researchers found 3% of people hurt by rubber bullets that were tracked in the study died from their injuries.
Updated
Hanson-Young says PM must press Trump on ‘shocking’ moment rubber bullet shot at Australian journalist
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Anthony Albanese must seek “an urgent explanation” from Donald Trump after journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet by police in Los Angeles.
Hanson-Young, the Greens communications spokesperson, called the incident “simply shocking” and “completely unacceptable”. She said in a statement:
The prime minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration. As Albanese is preparing for his first meeting with president Trump, the first thing he must tell the president is to stop shooting at our journalists.
Albanese may get a chance to meet Trump later this month at the G7 conference in Canada, but a meeting has not yet been confirmed by the Australian government. Hanson-Young added:
Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a strong, functioning democracy.
Updated
9News releases a statement after correspondent hit by projectile in Los Angeles
9News just released a statement saying Lauren Tomasi’s coverage served as a “stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face”.
While reporting from protests in Los Angeles, 9News reporter Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet. Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information.
Australia’s mushroom murder trial – in podcast form
Justice and courts reporter Nino Bucci talks through the trial that has gripped Australia – of the woman accused of murdering three of her relatives with poisoned mushrooms over a family meal.
Have a listen below:
Video shows blizzard conditions in Mount Kosciuszko national park, drivers trapped in Victoria
As the blog reported earlier, emergency teams have completed the rescues. But video footage shows the dense snow that ensnared cars and trapped hikers this weekend.
Nine correspondent left ‘sore’ but unharmed after she was hit by rubber bullet in LA
Nine says its US correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, was left “sore” but is otherwise unharmed after she was shot with a rubber bullet as she was covering immigration protests in Los Angeles.
Tomasi was reporting on a protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown LA, where people have been detained after immigration raids. During Tomasi coverage on Sunday, officers with the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd control munitions to disperse those gathered.
One hit Tomasi in the leg, prompting her to exclaim and grab her calf.
US president Donald Trump has ordered members of the country’s national guard to the California city to help squash demonstrations, against the wishes of the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom. Trump has described such protests and acts of violence as a “form of rebellion”.
Updated
More on The Project’s last show: ‘All good things come to an end’
The Project posted a farewell note on social media, saying the show has “loved every second” of its 16-year run.
The Project has been Australia’s destination for the news when you want a little bit of a giggle.
Well, we have loved every second but all good things come to an end and so are we on June 27.
To everyone who has watched, supported, donated money to help families across Australia, worked on the show or just liked a social post. Thank you.
This show is not possible without all of you.
For nearly 16 years, The Project has been Australia’s destination for the news when you want a little bit of a giggle.
— The Project (@theprojecttv) June 9, 2025
Well, we have loved every second but all good things come to an end and so are we on June 27.
To everyone who has watched, supported, donated money to help… pic.twitter.com/3icPOSjgPV
Updated
Greens and independents to push Labor for tougher regulation of political lobbying
The Greens and prominent crossbenchers will push Labor to toughen regulation of political lobbying, promising to use their balance of power to increase transparency and probity around vested interests with access in Canberra.
The Greens leader, Larissa Waters, said strengthening the federal lobbyist register and improving rules on access to ministers and government department heads was “a missed opportunity” from the last parliament and would be a priority for her party in negotiations with Labor. Waters said:
There’s very poor regulation of lobbyists and access to politicians by lobbyists and vested interests.
They still walk the halls essentially with the red carpet rolled out for them. They have an access level that ordinary Australians don’t have, so there’s unfinished business there with the regulation of lobbying, it’s really weak and effectively nonexistent.
You can read more here:
Victoria police say all rescues completed after heavy snow on Mount Hotham
Victoria police say there is no one outstanding or awaiting rescue after multiple vehicles were stranded in heavy snow in the Mount Hotham area this weekend.
Emergency officials have rescued 13 people from several cars that became stuck on Saturday night. Two hikers were also rescued on Monday morning from the Wonnangatta walking track in Victoria’s alpine region. Police said:
Police are urging people to heed weather warnings, monitor conditions and ensure their vehicles are appropriately equipped for the conditions.
You can find details about rules and advisories during snow season here.
Updated
Ten’s The Project to end on 27 June
Network 10 has announced The Project will end on 27 June.
In a statement “introducing a revised early evening program schedule later this month”, Network 10 and Roving Enterprises said:
As a result of the changes, The Project will air for the last time on Friday, June 27, ending an incredible run of almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes.
The recipient of 11 TV WEEK Logie awards and one Walkley award, The Project led the way with thought-provoking and unique conversations on primetime television covering a myriad of topics including marriage equality, animal welfare, disability awareness, NDIS, and domestic and family violence.
The show has successfully balanced humour and heart with poignant discussions about current affairs and celebrity interviews that had the whole country, and sometimes the world, talking.
Waleed Aly’s Something We Should Talk About editorials about powerful important issues gained international attention, and by the end of Carrie Bickmore’s incredible tenure on The Project, millions of dollars had been raised for Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.
… We would like to thank those in front of and behind the cameras who have made The Project the success it has become over the years, and we are proud that so many presenters and regular guests have become household names in Australia.
Updated
Nine news correspondent reportedly shot with rubber bullet while covering LA protests
An Australian reporter in Los Angeles has been shot with a rubber bullet at the scene of protests, in an incident caught on camera.
Nine news’s US correspondent Lauren Tomasi was reporting on the police firing the rubber bullets on protesters when she was shot with one.
The footage clearly shows one police officer taking aim, in the direction of the reporter and her camera operator, and firing.
Tomasi can be heard crying out and grabbing her calf, but soon after tells a concerned bystander “I’m good.”
U.S. Correspondent Lauren Tomasi has been caught in the crossfire as the LAPD fired rubber bullets at protesters in the heart of Los Angeles. #9News
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025
LATEST: https://t.co/l5w7JxixxB pic.twitter.com/nvQ7m9TGLj
Updated
Footage shows the whale swimming with a drumline wrapped around its fin
Tangled whale off NSW coast: disentanglement teams on standby
The NSW national parks and wildlife service (NPWS) is still tracking the eight-metre humpback whale, saying a drumline has tangled around one of the animal’s pectoral fins.
Large whale disentanglement teams are on standby if the animal is sighted, but the agency has warned that rough sea conditions could make it unsafe to attempt to do so. Officials did note that given the nature of the entanglement, the whale may disentangle itself.
NPWS issued a reminder that there is a 100-metre exclusion zone for recreational vehicles and drones around any whales.
Updated
More on Snook’s best actress win at the Tony awards
The show marks the Australian actor’s Broadway debut, after having also performed the show in London’s West End, for which she won an Olivier award last year. Snook took over the role from actor Erin-Jean Norvill, who originated the performance to acclaim in Australia between 2020 and 2022.
Read more about her win below:
Updated
Snook: ‘This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway’
Sarah Snook thanked the show’s director, Kip Williams, and the entire crew behind the one-woman show in her acceptance speech.
This is an intimidating room full of incredibly talented people … This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway.
It is billed as a one-person show and I don’t feel alone in any night that I do this show.
Updated
Sarah Snook and Marg Horwell win Tonys for The Picture of Dorian Gray
Kip Williams’ adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray has garnered dual wins at this year’s Tony awards. The show is now running at New York City’s Music Box theatre.
Australian actor Sarah Snook has taken home the prize for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a play. And Marg Horwell won the award for best costume design of a play. The play was nominated for six awards.
Snook plays all 26 roles in the adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic novel, which has had runs in Sydney, London and now on Broadway.
You can read more about Horwell’s design, which often requires the actor to wear two costumes at once, here:
Updated
Wet, snowy weather into Tuesday for south-east Australia
The BoM says rainy and snowy conditions will remain into Tuesday for large parts of south-east Australia. Forecasters say a wave of rain will settle over the southern parts of Victoria, with widespread showers today in southern parts of South Australia and southern NSW.
Heavy snowfall is expected to continue in the Snowy Mountains. Ski resorts in the area should expect to see additional dumps of 10cm to 20cm, with many areas already seeing half a metre of snow over the last few days.
Updated
Maroons drop captain Daly Cherry-Evans before next State of Origin game
Queensland have made a huge call ahead of game 2 of this year’s State of Origin series, dropping its captain, Daly Cherry-Evans, from the team as the Maroons seek to turn around their fortunes in Perth next week.
Cherry-Evans, who has led the Maroons to series victories three times since he assumed the captaincy in 2019, becomes the first skipper from either state to be dropped this century, and the first Maroons captain dropped mid-series in almost 30 years.
The performance of Queensland – and of Cherry-Evans – has been under the microscope since their limp defeat in the series opener on home soil in Brisbane two weeks ago. Coach Billy Slater made the bold move ahead of the second game next Wednesday, which the Maroons must win to keep their hopes alive in this year’s series.
Updated
Whale rescuers call on public for assistance as tangled humpback travels south along NSW coast
Rescuers are calling for residents along the NSW south coast to keep an eye on the waves today as they track a tangled humpback whale.
The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (Orrca) said the group still believes the whale is travelling south today, but the animal’s movements and difficult weather conditions had made tracking difficult.
Pip Jacobs, a media manger with Orrca, said the whale’s speed had been erratic, possibly because it is stressed from the entanglement. Jacobs said:
We have ORRCA members who are in this area attempting to relocate the whale this morning (by drone and from land), however predicted strong winds may make this difficult.
Jacobs reiterated calls for the public to call the Orrca 24/7 rescue hotline on (02) 9415 3333 and provide details of any sightings to rescue coordinators.
Updated
Two bushwalkers rescued after blizzard conditions in Kosciuszko national park
Emergency crews rescued two bushwalkers stranded on the Kosciuszko walking trail near Mount Kosciuszko yesterday after the pair were stranded in blizzard conditions. A search party advanced through fierce snow on Saturday in an attempt to reach the pair, a 31-year-old man and 28-year-old woman, but were forced to retreat due to white-out conditions.
Trained alpine officers were able to reach them late Saturday night and the pair were escorted to a staging campsite and evacuated by 4am on Sunday. Andrew Woods, acting inspector at the Monaro police district, issued warnings to other hikers:
This was a great example of multi-agency teamwork and resilience in extreme conditions.
As we move into the snow season, it’s vital that Kosciusko national park users are properly prepared before venturing into alpine regions. It’s highly recommended that park users monitor weather forecasts closely and continually as conditions change quickly.
Updated
Emergency rescues at Victoria’s Mount Hotham
Here are some photos from SES rescues in the Victorian Alps.
Updated
‘Pheobe always sung her own tune’: mother remembers Queensland teen
Pheobe Bishop was remembered by her loved ones and community as fiercely protective and gentle to those hurting, at a candlelight vigil on Sunday, AAP reports.
The 17-year-old went missing on 15 May, sparking a major police search and investigation. On Thursday, police charged Bishop’s housemates with her murder.
Her mother, Kylie Johnson, spoke at a vigil in Gin Gin, Queensland, on Sunday night and said her daughter lived life to the fullest. Johnson told those gathered:
Pheobe always sung her own tune. She loved the people that she loved to every extent of the earth.
Updated
Greens ‘absolutely’ ready to work with Labor on super tax plans
Greens senator Nick McKim, the party’s economic spokesperson, said he is “absolutely ready” to work with the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Labor’s superannuation tax plans. McKim told RN Breakfast the Greens are trying to put forward a modified proposal – lowering the threshold for increased super taxation to $2m, rather than Labor’s $3m – to move super away from being a vehicle for wealth accumulation and back into a system for “dignified retirement”.
He said on large super balances:
That’s not something that we think should have happened. We are absolutely ready to work with the treasurer and with Labor to try and move the superannuation system a little bit back towards what its original intent was when it was set up …
We’re going to have those discussions. We want the system to be as fair and as strong as it can be in terms of providing for a dignified retirement for working Australians, and that’ll be our aim through the conversation.
McKim said he looked forward to constructive discussions with Labor and said he didn’t believe the policy would get caught in a stalemate between the parties.
Updated
Rescues still under way in Victoria after motorists trapped in heavy snow
Victoria SES confirmed this morning rescues are ongoing after dozens of motorists were trapped in heavy snow near Hotham Heights, with many roads still closed.
Victoria police has been leading the rescue efforts, and said this morning 13 people had been rescued at Mount Hotham. Emergency services used snowmobiles to traverse the mountain after more than 50cm of snow fell in some parts. Rescue crews will spend the morning searching for anyone else still trapped.
Police issued warnings to drivers heading to the area:
Police are urging people to heed weather warnings, monitor conditions and ensure their vehicles are appropriately equipped for the conditions.
Updated
Shadow trade minister says US beef could come into Australia, but biosecurity rules make that ‘more difficult’
Kevin Hogan, deputy Nationals leader and the shadow minister for trade, said the party would not have an issue with US beef coming into Australia as long as it meets strict biosecurity requirements and traceability. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, sparked criticism over reports beef could be on the table to help secure some carve-outs for Australia from Donald Trump’s punishing tariffs. Hogan said on RN Breakfast:
Our biosecurity processes are all based on science. We don’t want them compromised, but obviously any country that can adhere to the biosecurity rules that we have, obviously their products are welcome …
You have to be able to prove wherever a beast has been through its whole entire lifespan. And we want equivalence to that from the [United] States. Now, that does make it more difficult for them.
Updated
Rescuers tracking humpback whale dragging a buoy off NSW coast
A humpback whale seen tangled in rope off Sydney yesterday has been heading south since last night and is expected to be near Port Kembla and Culberra Beach, north of Jervis Bay, this morning. The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (Orrca) said rescuers lost sight of the whale yesterday afternoon, but released video of the adult whale dragging a buoy about 20m behind it.
The group asked the community to immediately phone rescuers with sightings so they can help free it. Members of the public must remain at least 100m from whales.
The ABC notes it’s unusual for a humpback to be heading south this time of year as the animals would usually be swimming north, signalling it is in distress.
Updated
Welcome
Good morning, and welcome to Monday. I’m Nick Visser and I’ll be here all morning to take you through today’s breaking news. Here’s what’s on deck:
The mother of Pheobe Bishop remembered her daughter as someone who “always sung to her own tune” at a vigil on Sunday. “She loved the people that she loved to every extent of the earth”, Kylie Johnson told hundreds of community members at the gathering. A second vigil will be held tonight.
Dozens of people were trapped in their cars in the Victorian Alps amid heavy snow this weekend. The state’s SES said the agency rescued more than 20 people near Hotham Heights yesterday, with an official saying they believe there could be up to 20 vehicles still on the mountain. Emergency officials will meet this morning to discuss ongoing plans.
Officials will continue to monitor a humpback whale seen near Sydney harbour yesterday entangled in rope. Rescue teams tried to free the animal, which is trailing a buoy behind it, on Sunday but were unsuccessful.
Stick with us throughout the day.
