What we learned; Monday 16 June
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today. We’ll have an update on the shooting of the Tasmanian police officer for you later. We’ll be back tomorrow morning with more breaking news. In the meantime, here were today’s top stories:
The Tasmanian premier paid tribute to a police officer who died “in the line of duty” after they were fatally shot in the state’s north-west this morning. Police said they officer was approaching a property in the town of North Motton during routine duties when a member of the public allegedly opened fire. The alleged offender was in custody.
Masked gunmen shot three people at kebab shop in Sydney’s west in broad daylight, New South Wales police said. The premier, Chris Minns, described the shooting as “shockingly brazen”.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, described Australia and Canada were “long-term allies” and “true friends” after an official meeting with the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, ahead of the G7 summit. Also on Albanese’s summit agenda are formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union.
Australian officials were working on plans to potentially help Australians leave Iran and Israel, as missile strikes between the two countries intensified – but foreign minister Penny Wong warned this might not come for some time, due to airspace being closed. Speaking at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon, Wong said the federal government was working on “a range of plans, including a plan for assisted departures when the airspace is open and when it is safe to do so”.
And former world tennis number one Ash Barty welcomed her second child, Jordan. The tennis legend shared a photo of the newborn on Instagram.
Updated
Expect more Chinese ships near Australia in future, defence chief says
Australia’s defence force chief says we can expect more Chinese ships to sail around Australia in the South Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean in the near future.
A Chinese research vessel was sitting off the Victorian coast in March, earlier this year, after sailing from New Zealand. The PM said at the time he “would prefer” that it wasn’t there.
But the defence force chief, Adm David Johnston, says we should expect more, telling a News Corp defence summit that the task group deployments help the Chinese defence force “expand their training”.
He said:
We should expect the Chinese to undertake similar deployments more regularly to the south-west Pacific and Indian Ocean.
These deployments are opportunities to expand their training, improve their operational readiness, and demonstrate their increasing capability.
As they [Chinese military] grow, we’re expecting that they will seek to be able to demonstrate that capability and exert the influence that they believe is in their national interest.
So the task group presence in our waters is a reflection of that increased capacity in the Chinese fleet.
Johnston also says that Defence’s response to that research vessel off the Australian coast in March was “proportionate” and it used “multiple methods to extensively monitor” its movements.
Updated
One victim of Auburn shooting survived two previous attempts on his life, police say
Just circling back to that press conference about the public shooting in western Sydney earlier today with some additional information about the incident.
Addressing the media earlier this afternoon, acting police commissioner Peter Thurtell indirectly confirmed that Samimjan Azari was one of the victims of the shooting.
When pointed by a reporter to recommendations made by police in May that Azari not be put on bail for “fear of bloodshed”, Thurtell replied:
He’s had two previous attempts on his life, so I’ve got no doubt that he did expect it.
We have spoken to him as recently as Friday … where he expressed concern about the previous attempts on his life. So the fact that he was out again in public, I don’t know what that says, to be honest about what he’s thinking.
Asked if police were concerned about a “new war” brewing with a criminal network Thurtell said “yes, of course”. He said:
Obviously they are a violent organisation and they’re happy to target people that are outside their organisation or those that are, if necessary, from within their own organisation.
So it’s concerning that this war has, I suppose, imploded.
Updated
Sussan Ley says shooting a ‘tragic day for Tasmania and for our nation’
The leader of the federal opposition, Sussan Ley, has also released a statement on the Tasmanian police officer’s shooting death.
Ley said it was “a tragic day for Tasmania and for our nation” and that:
The loss of a police officer in the line of duty is a solemn reminder of the risks our police face to keep us safe.
My thoughts are with the officer’s family, friends and colleagues.
We owe a debt to our police who willingly go towards danger to keep us safe. We can never forget their service and sacrifice.
Updated
Tasmanian premier pays tribute to police officer who died ‘in the line of duty’
We’re still waiting to bring you the details of the police press conference that was expected in Tasmania about 4.30pm.
In the meantime, the Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff, has posted on X confirming that a police officer died today “in the line of duty”.
In the post, Rockliff said:
Tasmania Police will have more to say shortly, however I just wanted to say this.
To everyone who had the honour of knowing this officer, especially his family and his colleagues. The love of an entire state is with you today.
And you will have every possible support made available, as we come to grips with this heartbreaking tragedy.
Updated
Israeli ambassador cancels plans to visit Adelaide and speak to South Australian parliament
Israel’s ambassador to Australia has cancelled a planned trip to Adelaide amid local outrage over the crisis in the Middle East.
Amir Maimon seemed to disparage calls for diplomacy on the weekend, saying: “Yet some still urge diplomacy, as if words can stop warheads”, after foreign affairs minister Penny Wong had called for a “return to dialogue”.
Maimon was due to address the South Australian parliament on Tuesday but it is understood he withdrew due to security concerns.
The Australian Friends of Palestine had organised a protest on the steps of parliament, but it is not known if that was the source of his concerns. Guardian Australia has contacted the embassy for comment.
Last week, the SA Parliamentary Friends of Israel invited members to an event where Maimon was to be the guest speaker. Greens MLC Robert Simms asked the group to reconsider that event in light of the “ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank”.
Hi, I’m here to take you through the rest of the day’s news. We will bring you the latest on the fatal shooting of a police officer in Tasmania shortly.
With that, I will hand the blog over to Catie McLeod who will keep you abreast of the news for the remainder of the day, including an expected update on the fatal shooting of a police officer in Tasmania at 4.30pm.
Updated
Police investigating whether today’s incident in Auburn is linked to previous shootings
Thurtell did not confirm the name of the man who allegedly had two previous attempts on his life but said it had been “reported in the papers” and police were investigating whether today’s incident was linked to previous shootings.
What I can say is that when the 26-year-old reported on bail about an hour beforehand, he was in the company of another male. Whether the second person that was shot is that same male [who accompanied him to the police station], we’re yet to conclude.
Thurtell said the investigation “may go beyond” just the two gunmen present at the scene. He confirmed witnesses at the scene had seen a black Audi which was believed to be the vehicle the two gunmen left in.
On the state of the victims, he said the male that was shot in the face “is in a bad way”.
Police have spoken to the female and the 26-year-old man was shot in the arm and shoulder.
Updated
Auburn shooting ‘completely unacceptable’, police say
Asked how much of an “escalation” the incident was to have happened on a suburban street in the middle of the day, Thurtell said it was “completely unacceptable that this sort of behaviour should happen in Sydney”.
We will do everything we can to bring these gunman to justice. It’s as simple as that. Strike Force Falcon has no end date. We will make sure that we go and go until we bring these people to justice.
Updated
Police say masked gunmen shot three people at kebab shop in Sydney’s west
Acting commissioner Peter Thurtell said it was believed one of the victims of the shooting was the subject of two previous attempts on his life.
It’s beyond comprehension that three people [would] be shot in a crowded Sydney street in broad daylight … We will be deploying as many people as humanly possible to apprehend these offenders.
Thurtell alleged at around 1.10pm, two masked gunmen walked into a kebab shop in Auburn and fired eight shots. As a result, he alleged a 26-year-old man was shot in the arm and shoulder. Another unknown man was shot in the face and a 50-year-old woman who was employed at the shop was shot twice in the torso.
All victims have been taken to hospital.
What we do know is shortly after the shootings, the two offenders attempted to get into an office in the back of the building without success and then left in a black BMW [sic] vehicle with cloned plates.
Police believe the 26-year-old male who was shot was the subject of two previous attempts on his life. Approximately an hour before the shooting, he reported to police on bail, Thurtell said.
This is an emerging criminal investigation, we are throwing all our possible resources at it. And as further information comes to light, we will let you know what’s happening.
Update 5.05pm AEST: Police have since clarified that the vehicle with cloned plates was a black Audi, not a BMW.
Updated
Police say ‘innocent victim’ doing her job was caught up in ‘shocking’ shooting in Auburn
Authorities are addressing the media after a public shooting in Auburn, western Sydney earlier today. The premier, Chris Minns, described the incident, which has injured three people, as “shockingly brazen”.
The police minister, Yasmin Catley, said an “innocent victim” doing her job was one of the people caught up in the “shocking event”.
We will not tolerate it.
She said since Strike Force Falcon had been set up less than a month ago, 23 people had been arrested.
My message to anyone out there going to be doing these place-based shootings on our streets [is] the police will get you and they will lock you up for a very long time, as they should.
No arrests had been made.
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Victorian MPs hear about ‘really exciting’ possible new treatment for MND
The Florey Institute’s Prof Bradley Turner has told MPs at state parliament’s first “big freeze” that funding from the state government and Fight MND has allowed a world-first drug screening trial to occur. He says the trial uses patients’ stem cells to test whether potential treatments can keep motor neurons alive, and there have been some developments:
Using this technology we have now screened thousand of off the shelf medications, and we’re very excited to tell you that we do have one promising drug candidate for MND, but not only that, when we combine it with two other drugs, it’s even more effective. We call this a triple drug treatment, or drug trio, and we think that this drug trio is probably six times more effective than the standard of care drug for MND.
So this is this is really exciting and encouraging, and we’re very excited to try and launch clinical trials of this drug combination.
Labor’s Emma Vulin, who today’s event is in support of, says the research at Florey gives her “hope”. She says she’s so grateful for the parliament’s support of her:
It continues to amaze me, the support that I have here in my workplace … I feel very privileged and I know that’s not the case for a lot of people impacted by motor neuron disease, but to come here and have the parliament make so many changes, to make this place more accessible and to have the support of all my colleagues from any political party is quite amazing. I feel very, very lucky.
Here’s more on her story:
Updated
Victorian MPs in ‘big freeze’ to raise funds to fight MND
Victorian MPs including deputy premier, Ben Carroll, and opposition leader, Brad Battin, are taking part in a “big freeze” at parliament in support of Labor’s Emma Vulin, who was diagnosed with MND last year.
Both dressed in their football club colours (Carroll in North Melbourne and Battin in Geelong for those wondering), the duo are about to be dunked into icy water on an afternoon in Melbourne that has struggled to reach 13C – and it feels like 9C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Public transport minister, Gabrielle Williams, has just been dunked, dressed as a Yarra Tram seat and complete with a bell. She says:
Em is the kindest person, anyone will ever meet, and she has a way of uniting people across all sides of the political spectrum and communities. It’s my pleasure to do anything she asks.
The group of MPs have so far raised $50,000 for Fight MND, which Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, helped set up after his own diagnosis in 2013.
Vulin, 45, was diagnosed last year and has since been advocating for greater access to voluntary assisted dying for people with neurological conditions. You can read more about her story in a piece we published last week:
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Marles says ‘everything on the table’ to ensure fit-for-purpose defence
Deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles has put his department on notice, promising to put “everything on the table” including “bureaucratic reform” to ensure defence can deliver major projects.
Speaking at a News Corp event in Parliament House, Marles said his department, the defence force and defence agencies needed to be “fit for purpose” amid an increasingly challenging geo-strategic environment.
Marles has said previously, that when Labor came into power, there were 28 projects running “a combined 97 years over time”.
While he put some of the blame on the former Coalition government, he said it shows that the department also needed to be ready to deliver for the future.
When we came to government, there were 28 different projects running a combined 97 years over time. Now that did represent the failure of leadership on the part of the former Coalition government, but it also says something about the challenge which is in front of us now to ensure that the defence establishment is fit for purpose to achieve this delivery outcome ...
So in ensuring that it is fit for purpose, can I say today that everything is on the table, including bureaucratic reform of the Department of Defence, of the Australian Defence Force, and of defence agencies.
Updated
Continued from previous post:
Wong said she expected more people to register for help in both Israel and Iran. She couldn’t say exactly what might occur in coming days, in terms of what assistance the government could offer, but noted that the Australian government had in the past helped set up charter flights, among other options.
We’re certainly looking at all of those contingencies, but we are currently in the process of planning for assisted departures in the event that it is safe to do so.
Wong urged people to listen to the advice of local authorities, and that the current advice was to shelter in place. She also said people could register for help or read further advice at the Smartraveller website.
Updated
Penny Wong signals plans to get Australians out of Iran and Israel ‘when safe to do so’
Australian officials are working on plans to potentially help Australians leave Iran and Israel, as missile strikes between the two countries intensify - but foreign minister Penny Wong warned this might not come for some time, due to airspace being closed.
Wong, speaking at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon, said the federal government was working on “a range of plans, including a plan for assisted departures when the air space is open and when it is safe to do so”. She said around 350 people in Iran and 300 in Israel have already registered for assistance with departure.
I understand how concerned, how distressed many Australians are about what is occurring. I understand, particularly those who are in the Middle East, in Israel or Iran, how worrying the situation is, how frightening it is. And I also recognise for families of people who are in the region, this is a distressing time.
What I would say is, at the moment, airspace is closed. This means that governments have closed down airspace because of the risk of strikes on civilian aircraft. So obviously we have to wait until airspace is open before we can try to get people out by air.
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Sydney Uni defends new restrictions on protest
The University of Sydney has defended its controversial new restrictions on protest during a state parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism.
Appearing before the committee on Monday, deputy vice-chancellor, professor Annamarie Jagose, said the university “did not get everything right” following 7 October 2023, which was why it had implemented changes to its speech and security policies.
Jagose told the committee that of around 400 complaints across the first half of 2024, when a pro-Palestine encampment was operating, about a quarter were substantiated.
Asked by Labor MLC Stephen Lawrence whether the changes via its Hodgkinson External Review and new “civility rule” impeded freedom of speech, Jagose said the balance was to “enable staff and students to experience the USYD as a safe workplace and a safe place to study, regardless of their political orientations”.
President of the university’s Students’ Representative Council, Angus Fisher, said the new policies had altered campus culture and the “ability to speak freely and openly”.
People are afraid of getting misconduct [notices]. I myself have faced potential issues and warnings, for merely speaking at an action, not even organising an action ... the culture on campus has certainly decreased and become a lot more quiet.
Updated
That’s all for me, thanks for sticking with us through a busy morning. Caitlin Cassidy will take it from here.
Minns says NSW doesn’t stand for ‘shockingly brazen’ attacks after Auburn shooting
NSW premier Chris Minns said police are “already hunting down those responsible” after three people were shot in Auburn in Sydney’s west over lunchtime. Minns said in a statement:
This is shockingly brazen, and NSW Police Force investigators are already hunting down those responsible. We don’t stand for it, and NSW Police doesn’t stand for it.
Minns noted authorities had levelled charges in the vast majority of organised crime murders since 2021, “and they’re not done yet”.
People committing this kind of violence can expect to be arrested, charged, and to spend years inside small jail cells.
Updated
Victorian premier fires back at Queensland minister’s gas claims
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, hit back at Queensland’s natural resources minister, Dale Last, who told the AFR last week that his state doesn’t have enough gas supply capacity to keep “bailing out Victoria’s bad decisions”.
The Queensland minister told the AFR the state “should not be penalised over unscientific decisions down south that favour ideology over economics and engineering” and urged “southern states to develop their gas reserves”.
But Allan says his comments were “deeply misinformed” and “don’t match the reality of what is going on here in Victoria”. She said the Victorian Labor government overturned the ban on conventional gas exploration in the state and has recently fast-tracked gas projects. Allan said:
Last year, we also approved the first in a long time – a gas project in the south-west part of the state … We know there is also more to do, what we don’t need is cheap political pot shots happening between different states.
What we need is to understand as a nation that gas is a diminishing resource … which is why helping those households to go all electric is preserving gas for those industries who need it.
Updated
NT allocates $1.9m to expand school counselling services
The NT government has announced $1.9m in the 2025-26 budget to expand school counselling services, with a national recruitment campaign to attract qualified counsellors and social workers to the Top End amid national workforce shortages in allied health.
The CLP minister for education and training, Jo Hersey, said having qualified, properly resourced school counsellors based in schools, not offices, would deliver targeted support to the “children and their families, who need it most”. Hersey said:
We want to see kids supported throughout their education, finishing school and moving into meaningful employment.
The eligibility criteria will also be expanded to recognise professional counselling memberships, not just qualifications in social work.
According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), the Northern Territory has the lowest number of psychiatrists in the country, with only 11 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.
Tasmania police officer shot dead at rural property
A Tasmanian police officer was shot and killed in the state’s north-west this morning. Police said the officer was approaching a property in the town of North Motton during routine duties when a member of the public allegedly opened fire.
Another police officer discharged their own firearm towards the alleged shooter, who then surrendered to authorities. The first officer who was shot was critically injured and died at the scene. The alleged offender was not seriously injured. Tasmania Police said:
This is a traumatic incident and wellbeing support is being provided to those involved and affected. As is normal process in any serious incident involving police, a full Professional Standards investigation is underway.
There is no ongoing threat to the public.
Updated
Victoria premier urges bus pay disputes to be handled at ‘negotiating table’, not with strikes
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has said she would prefer bus drivers resolve their pay despite “at the negotiating” table rather than through strikes across Melbourne and regional Victoria. About 600 bus drivers are holding a 24-hour strike today – their second in a matter of weeks – amid a pay dispute with operator CDC.
Routes affected are across Melbourne, and in the regional cities of Geelong and Mildura. Public Transport Victoria has said routes in these areas are expected to run less frequently or not at all (a full breakdown is available on their website).
It comes after 1,300 drivers from CDC and operator Dysons last month took part in what the Transport Workers’ Union said was the largest bus strike in Victoria’s history, shutting down one-third of the state’s bus routes and charter services.
Speaking at a press conference in Richmond on Monday, Allan said PTV had worked to ensure disruption was “minimised”:
I believe every worker deserves a good wage, a fair wage that reflects the conditions that they work in. Bus drivers are a really important part of our public transport network …
They deserve to be fairly remunerated but those decisions around that remuneration are part of discussions that are happening right now at the negotiating table, and that’s where I’d urge these issues to be resolved.
Updated
Sydney paramedics treating three people for gunshot wounds after public shooting in Auburn
NSW police are investigating after a public shooting in the Sydney suburb of Auburn this afternoon. Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 1.15pm on South Parade in Auburn.
Paramedics are on scene to treat three people for gunshot wounds. A crime scene has been established in the area, near Auburn train station, and the surrounding streets are currently closed.
Updated
Queensland police arrest four teens for alleged assault of off-duty officer
Queensland police arrested four teens after the group allegedly assaulted an off-duty police officer in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police said the senior constable had recently finished a shift and was heading home on a tram in a suburb of the Gold Coast around 12.15am when he saw a girl allegedly verbally abusing staff.
The officer identified himself in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, before he was allegedly assaulted by the girl and three other boys. He sustained bruising and scratches during the alleged attack.
The girl has been charged with one count of serious assault of a police officer. Two others face charges under the Youth Justice Act, police said.
Updated
Only 53% of Australian children developmentally on track when they start school, report finds
Nearly half of all Australian children are not meeting physical, emotional, social and communication developmental milestones by the time they start school, as calls for a universal early education system intensify, AAP reports.
Only 53% of children are developmentally on track when they start school, a slight decrease since 2021, according to the Australian Early Development Census.
The national survey of 288,483 children and 16,723 teachers measured development across five domains: physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language skills and communication.
The rate of children developmentally vulnerable in two or more domains is at its highest level since the census began in 2009, sitting at 12.5%. Only 43% of children in remote Australia were developmentally on track, compared with 50% in larger regional areas and 54% in the major cities.
Updated
Australia to hold talks aimed at entering defence pact with EU
Australia is to hold formal negotiations on joining a new defence agreement with the European Union, with the prime minister preparing to discuss plans for enhanced security cooperation at this week’s G7 summit in Canada.
Amid the deteriorating international security landscape, Anthony Albanese will use the talks with EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council president, António Costa, in Alberta to explore a security and defence partnership, proposed at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome last month.
It could involve military exercises and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest including foreign interference, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, defence industries and critical technologies.
Read more here:
Ash Barty welcomes second child, Jordan
Former world tennis number one Ash Barty has welcomed her second child, Jordan, in a post on Instagram. The tennis legend shared a photo of the newborn wearing a onesie bearing the message “Embrace your weird”. She wrote:
Welcome to the world, Jordan 💕
You are loved unconditionally and we are so grateful to have you in our arms, gorgeous girl.
Updated
Hamish Blake doesn’t want the Gold Logie
Comedian Hamish Blake, the host of Lego Masters Australia, was the lone male nominee for the Gold Logie. Blake, a two-time winner of the award, said this morning he hopes it ends up with one of his six fellow nominees, all “far more worthy” than him. He said on Sunrise:
I think it really does need to go to a far more worthy recipient. And I’m not just saying that because it would be a PR nightmare if the only bloke got up and stole the Gold Logie from a sea of deserving women. It cannot happen. It can’t happen, and it shouldn’t happen.
I’m not trying to do a trick … it’s lovely to be nominated, but now may the best woman win …
Don’t want it! No, no, no.
You can read more about the nominees here:
Updated
Some more from ‘great partners’ Canada and Australia this morning before the G7
Anthony Albanese and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney had kind words to say to each other this morning after meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Jason Clare says ministers have agreed new rules on reporting of abuse in childcare
The education minister has conceded the government “needs to do more” to make sure that childcare centres are safe after announcing tougher rules in early education and care.
Appearing at Goodstart Early Learning in Canberra, Jason Clare pointed to previous reforms to ban the use of personal mobile phones in childcare centres, in response to evidence about offenders working in facilities.
In addition to that … education ministers have now agreed that the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse and physical abuse in childcare centres will need to be reported to regulators within 24 hours, instead of the seven-day rule that exists at the moment, and that will come into effect from the first of September this year.
All of these reforms are about making our early education system better and safer, improving quality and improving the integrity of the system. And when education ministers meet on Friday in Adelaide next week, one of the things that we will talk about are the next steps that we need to take to improve the quality and the safety and the integrity of our early education and care system.
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‘Too much negativity’ around artificial intelligence, head of National AI Centre says
The head of Australia’s National AI Centre (NAIC) says there’s too much “negativity and fear” around the emerging technology.
Lee Hickin took to LinkedIn a month after taking up the new role.
He said it was his ambition to “build confidence” in the reality of what AI can deliver, adding there was such a proliferation of “opinions” it had become “very hard to determine what is real, both in terms of the potential and the risk”.
I am by no means diminishing the very real considerations we need to take account of in the deployment of AI – but it’s my sense that much of the potential good that AI might bring to our industry and society is being held back because we are filling the discourse with negativity, fear and a vision of AI that overplays the fear.
I joined the NAIC because I believe we have a great opportunity ahead of us and I believe AI will be a force multiplier in the future my children will inherit.
Updated
Sydney Film prize awarded to Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi
Dissident Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi has received the prestigious $60,000 Sydney Film prize at the closing night of the film festival for his “astonishing masterpiece” It Was Just an Accident.
In May, Panahi won the top prize at the Cannes film festival for the drama, inspired by his stints of imprisonment at the hands of the Iranian government.
The film was the first made by the director after being released from prison in 2023 – although he has continued to direct over the years despite being expressly forbidden to do so.
Panahi accepted the award in person to an emotional standing ovation from the Sydney audience. The jury, led by director Justin Kurzel, said the winner was “a courageous film with a deep soul and a powerful sense of forgiveness”.
It has outstanding performances and an understated authority which is brimming with truth.
In a joint statement, the jury said in these “times of great conflict and uncertainty, it is more important than ever that filmmakers are given the freedom to express what they see around them”.
Updated
What to know if you’re travelling to the US
After revelations an Australian man was detained upon arrival at Los Angeles airport and deported back to Melbourne for his writing on pro-Palestine protests by university students, travellers to the United States may be pausing for thought.
Alistair Kitchen said he was “clearly targeted for politically motivated reasons” and said officials spent more than 30 minutes questioning him about his views on Israel and Palestine including his “thoughts on Hamas”.
Can immigration deny you entry if you refuse to hand over your phone? What can officials look at or download, and how can you protect your devices?
Here’s what you need to know and what you can do if you are heading to the US:
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Australians urged to stay on top of Smartraveller advice amid Israel-Iran conflict
Prime minister Anthony Albanese and many others, including the foreign minister, have spent the morning pointing Australians to the Smartraveller website amid the growing conflict in the Middle East.
The website has updated its Israel and Palestinian territories page to stress people should not travel there due to the “volatile” and “deteriorating” security situation. It reads:
Following military strikes in Iran, there are military and rocket attacks against Israel. Israel has declared a national state of emergency. In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media.
The Smartraveller page for Iran has similar guidance for Australians.
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ASX to be investigated after ‘repeated and serious failures’
The Australian share market operator will be investigated over “repeated and serious failures” which have drawn concern from the Reserve Bank.
ASX will be the subject of an inquiry into whether it can maintain stable and secure market operations, after the RBA and Australia’s corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (Asic), expressed concern about the company running the market.
Shares in the ASX group dropped nearly 5% in early trading on Monday, wiping nearly $700m from the operator’s market value.
Asic had already been investigating the ASX’s system for finalising transactions, known as Chess, which is essential for market trades but suffered an outage in December 2024 and has struggled with years of upgrade delays. The regulator and the RBA also warned the ASX in March they were concerned at the operator’s approach to risks.
That review will now be complemented by a full inquiry into whether ASX is complying with the obligations of its licence as financial market operator. The regulator’s chair, Joe Longo, said:
Asic’s decision to initiate an inquiry follows repeated and serious failures at ASX. ASX is ubiquitous. You simply cannot buy and settle on the Australian public equities and futures markets without relying on ASX and its systems.
Investors and market participants deserve to have absolute confidence that ASX is operating soundly, securely and effectively.
The ASX says it will cooperate completely with the inquiry, which will include the RBA and the banking regulator. Chair David Clarke said:
We acknowledge the seriousness of this action … We have been working hard on a transformation strategy … but we acknowledge there have been incidents that have damaged trust in ASX.
Updated
Penny Wong speaks with Israel’s foreign minister, calls for de-escalation with Iran
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong spoke with her Israeli counterpart overnight, again calling for a de-escalation of the growing conflict with Iran.
Wong spoke by phone with Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, last night. It’s understood she urged restraint and de-escalation, after Iran and Israel traded missile strikes over the weekend, with many killed. Wong also called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
It was similar to Wong’s public statements, as reported yesterday. Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said on social media yesterday:
Some still urge diplomacy, as if words can stop warheads. This is how the conflict began. Israel cannot afford the illusion that existential threats are empty words.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese echoed Wong’s sentiments at a press conference earlier today. Australian sources are pointing out that the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada are also all urging dialogue and diplomacy too.
Updated
One million Australians missing specialist doctor appointments due to cost, report finds
One in 10 Australians pay almost $600 each year to see specialist doctors, with 1 million delaying or skipping appointments due to the cost, according to new analysis. A report by the Grattan Institute, released on Monday, revealed outpatient fees have soared over the past 15 years.
Experts say a lack of regulation of specialist consultation fees and training positions has led to ballooning costs. Some specialist doctors charged more than triple the Medicare scheduled fee, the analysis found. The scheduled fee refers to a fixed payment that the federal government will pay the doctor for the service.
Of these “extreme-fee charging” specialists, psychiatrists had the highest average out-of-pocket costs for an initial consultation – $671. This was followed by $372 for endocrinologists and $369 for cardiologists.
Read more here:
A gift update: Canada gives Albanese a Stetson hat and a bronze sculpture of a bear
As we reported earlier, the leaders of Canada and Australia exchanged gifts during their meeting this morning. We now know what Mark Carney gave to Albanese, thanks to the Guardian’s Tom McIlroy: A Stetson hat, and a cold cast bronze sculpture of a bear.
The sculpture was made by Canadian artist Roy Hinz. You can see an example of his work below:
A warning – this is a troubling story on a day already full of troubling news:
Queensland man charged with torture after child abuse investigation
Queensland police charged a 27-year-old man with multiple counts of assault and one count of torture as part of an investigation into alleged child abuse earlier this year.
Police began their investigations after a seven-week-old boy was taken to Queensland children’s hospital unresponsive. Medical examinations later alleged the boy had sustained extensive injuries consistent with a pattern of prolonged and repeated physical abuse. Authorities later removed the boy from the man, 27, and a 26-year-old woman.
The man has since been charged and has been refused bail. He will appear in court late this month.
Joshua Brewer, the detective acting senior sergeant on the case, called the investigation “deeply confronting”:
This investigation highlights the importance of community diligence – if members of the public are aware of or suspect child abuse, they are encouraged to report it to police.
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McLaren downplays any acrimony after collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris
McLaren Automotives has attempted to play down any acrimony between its drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after they collided at the Canadian grand prix, which saw the Briton crash out.
Norris’s failure to finish, crashing out from fifth place with three laps left, means that the Australian, who finished fourth, increases his championship lead over his teammate to 22 points.
Norris was quick to hold up his hands over the crash on the team radio: “All my bad, all my fault, stupid from me,” he said straight after the incident. Later he added:
There’s no one to blame but myself, so I apologise to the whole team and to Oscar for attempting something probably a bit too silly. I’m glad I didn’t ruin his race.
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Research shows impacts after 2014 reforms removed people from Disability Support Pension
In 2014, reforms removed around one in five people under 35 without manifest medical conditions from the disability support pension.
Today, research from the e61 Institute has found recipients who were moved off the support and lived alone – mainly older single men – experienced a marked increase in mental health medication use, particularly antipsychotics prescribed for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression.
This cohort lost an average of $21,400 per year, with 55% being moved onto newstart (now jobseeker) and 35% increasing their earnings elsewhere.
In contrast, those living with a parent or spouse were able to increase their household income, thanks to increased workforce participation from both the recipient and their family members, and recorded a far smaller increase in their use of mental health medication.
e61 Institute cofounder and chairman, Prof Greg Kaplan, said:
Our findings show that the financial and mental health impacts of DSP removal were highly dependent on access to informal support networks.
Men living alone faced both a substantial fall in household income and a sharp increase in antipsychotic use, indicating they were worst impacted by the change.
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Albanese will put forward Australia’s thoughts on tariffs, Aukus during Trump meeting
Albanese declined to “pre-empt” what he will say to Trump during their meeting, but said he will continue to press the Australian position against blanket tariffs and for the ongoing success of the Aukus submarine deal. The prime minister said:
A successful meeting is one where we are able to – I, as the Australian prime minister – am able to put forward our position. Now, our position when it comes to tariffs is very clear. We see tariffs as acts of economic self-harm by the country imposing the tariffs. Because what it does is lead to increased costs for the country that is making those decisions.
On Aukus, Albanese said:
Having Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States all having an increased nuclear powered submarines, in our case, conventionally armed, is something that will make the Indo-Pacific area more secure. That is in the interests of the United States. And I will indicate that very clearly going forward.
Albanese says he and Trump have ‘a few things to talk about’
The prime minister said the focus of his future discussion, reported yesterday, with US president Donald Trump will very much be about Australia-US relations. He said:
We’ve got a few things to talk about … I look forward to the discussions with President Trump. I deal with people constructively, respectfully and I advance Australia’s national interests and that is what I will continue to do.
Read more about that upcoming meeting here:
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Albanese and Carney spoke about Israel and Iran, want to see de-escalation
Albanese said he spoke with Carney about the increasing conflict between Israel and Iran. He said:
Both of us, I think, share a view wanting to see a de-escalation of conflict, wanting to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy. …
I have expressed before, our concern about Iran gaining the capacity of nuclear weapons as something that is a threat to security in the region. But we, along with other like-minded country, do want to see that priority on dialogue and diplomacy.
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Albanese says Australia and Canada ‘long-term allies’ and ‘true friends’
The prime minister is speaking in Canada ahead of the G7 after an official meeting with the country’s prime minister, Mark Carney. He said:
We share values. We’re two great democracies and there was an opportunity for us to talk together one on one. …
We are long-term allies and we are true friends. We have much in common, as economies, as well.
Albanese said the two countries shared similar views on climate change and the impact it is having on both countries, pointing to recent wildfires in Canada.
Just as Canada has always helped Australia, there were over 200 Canadian firefighters in Australia during that terrible period of 2019-2020. And we share resources.
Increasingly, the impact of climate change means that our seasons are overlapping, so that’s becoming more and more difficult. But it is possible as well that we learn off each other and our firefighters respectively get skills to then be able to implement back in our respective home countries.
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Pocock calls for reform in government procurement from big tech companies
Independent senator David Pocock has called for reform in government procurement procedures after the prime minister met with the head of Amazon Web Services in Seattle during his international trip for the G7.
Albanese said in a join statement on Sunday that Amazon would spend up to $20bn by 2029 on datacentre infrastructure in Australia, calling the commitment a “huge vote of confidence in the Australian economy”.
But Pocock said on social media this morning the Australian government had handed “huge contracts” to foreign tech companies like Amazon, IBM and Microsoft “without proper disclosure”. He pointed to a report in the Canberra Times, citing AusTender data, that found signed contracts worth nearly $200m were not listed under a single-seller arrangement between tech companies and the Australian government.
Pocock wrote:
Govt is handing huge contracts to foreign tech giants like AWS, IBM & Microsoft without proper disclosure.
We need procurement reform.
$200 million more taxpayer $ revealed to have gone to big tech without transparency.
— David Pocock (@DavidPocock) June 15, 2025
Govt is handing huge contracts to foreign tech giants like AWS, IBM & Microsoft without proper disclosure.
We need procurement reform.https://t.co/L0VA4s8LDG pic.twitter.com/VTfWAbmDyw
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Say hello to this year’s Logie nominees
The nominees for this year’s Logie Awards came out this morning, including a slate of familiar faces and up-and-coming television stars.
Those up for the coveted Gold Logie include a roster across news and entertainment. Ally Langdon, Hamish Blake, Julia Morris, Lisa Millar, Lynne McGranger, Poh Ling Yeow and Sonia Kruger are all nominated as the most popular person on Australian television.
The new talent category includes newly-minted ABC favourite Guy Montgomery for his eponymous spelling bee, alongside The Voice’s Kate Miller-Heidke and Taskmaster Australia contestant Jenny Tian, among others.
The ABC has the most nominees by far, securing 44 nominations overall.
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Canada praises Australian firefighters who ‘stepped up’ during wildfires
Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, praised Australian firefighters who assisted the country during recent wildfires.
At the opening of a face-to-face meeting with Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, in Calgary in the past few minutes, Carney thanked emergency crews who travelled to help out during the blazes in British Columbia and in northern parts of Alberta. Carney said:
Australia has been very helpful to Canada through the years, and most recently, with the terrible wildfires that have been raging across our northern prairies.
Once again, as Australians always do, and you always do, have stepped up.
Carney said it was a great pleasure to see Albanese in town for this week’s G7 summit. Albanese thanked Carney and said he has met Canadian firefighters who travelled to Australia to help out during recent bushfire. Albanese said:
We know that climate change is meaning that those seasons are growing, unfortunately, but we have cooperated in a way that is seamless as well.
You can always rely upon Australia. I know that our Australian firefighters are really proud, of the effort that they have been able to make including wildfires, which you are experiencing.
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‘Aerotropolis’ surrounding new Western Sydney airport to get funding boost in NSW budget
A major “airport city” development that has been plagued by delays will get a near-billion-dollar funding injection in a bid to help the project take off, AAP reports. The aerotropolis precinct near the under-construction Western Sydney airport will receive $835m in support as part of the NSW budget, to be delivered later in June.
The surrounding 11,200-hectare industrial and housing zone is designed to create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth in Western Sydney but has been beset by slow decision-making and will likely take decades after the airport’s scheduled opening in 2026 to complete.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, said:
With billions of dollars now committed, we’re not just talking about building a new airport. We’re creating a connected, thriving region that will deliver job, homes and opportunity for generations to come.
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New safety measures for early childhood education sector, including vape ban and stricter reporting for some serious incidents
State and territory education ministers have signed off on new safety measures for the early childhood education sector that will ban vapes from childcare centres and enforce a new mandatory reporting period for some serious incidents.
The federal education minister announced the new rules today that will sit under the national code and guidelines established in July last year. From 1 September this year, any allegations, complaints or incidents of physical or sexual abuse in a childcare setting will have to be reported within 24 hours – rather than the current reporting period of seven days.
Vapes will be banned from early childhood education services and services will now also have to have clear policies around taking photos and videos of children and their CCTV use.
The education minister, Jason Clare, said in a statement this would help to ensure the “right rules” are in place across the sector:
The safety and protection of children in early childhood education is our highest priority.
Australia has a very good system of early childhood education and care, but more can be done to make sure safety guidance and measures are fit-for-purpose.
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RBA could soon publish details behind divided interest rate decisions
The Reserve Bank’s monetary policy board is set to publish for the first time the unattributed votes of individual board members where an interest rate decision is not unanimous.
The board meets every six weeks to decide whether to move its cash rate target, which flows through to the mortgages of millions of Australian households. The nine board members’ votes have always been a closely guarded secret and the emphasis has been on achieving a consensus. Once implemented, potentially as early as August, the change will reveal any dissent over an interest rate decision.
Jim Chalmers and RBA governor Michele Bullock backed the move in a meeting last Wednesday, which should receive the final go-ahead at the next board meeting on July 7-8.
How often there is a dissenting opinion remains to be seen. Bullock in her most recent press conference said during her three years on the RBA board (first as deputy, then in the top job) that every decision has been made with a consensus of all members. Still, it’s a historical moment, and will be of great fascination to RBA watchers over coming months and years.
Chalmers in a statement said “our RBA reforms are getting closer to completion and that’s a very good thing”, adding:
They’re all about reinforcing the Reserve Bank’s independence, clarifying its mandate, modernising its structures and strengthening its accountability.
The March 2023 report into the RBA recommended that board members’ votes should be published in order to improve the bank’s accountability and transparency.
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Police investigating after woman’s body found in bushland near Sydney
NSW police are investigating after a body was found in bushland in Sydney’s west yesterday. Officers were called to the suburb of Werrington, about 50km from the CBD, at around 1.15pm after a passer-by discovered the woman’s body, AAP reports. Det Supt Trent King told reporters:
It appears as though that body has been there for a period of time without discovery …
Until we identify the cause of death, the death is unexplained and certainly in this circumstance we feel it necessary to take it to the highest level until we can disprove that situation
Forensic officers have been investigating the site and a crime scene has been established.
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Albanese travelled to Canada with an Akubra hat and memorabilia from Gallipoli film
Anthony Albanese has begun his diplomatic push in Canada, ahead of the G7 summit, starting on Monday local time. The prime minister came prepared with gifts for his Canadian counterpart and summit host, Mark Carney, including an Akubra hat and memorabilia from the classic Australian film Gallipoli.
The 1981 Peter Weir movie is Carney’s “favourite film of all time” and the gift came from the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, in Canberra.
The two leaders are going to meet in the next couple of hours, their first official bilateral meeting. Albanese is meeting a big roster of leaders while in Alberta, including the leaders of the UK, France, South Korea, France, Germany and the European Union.
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Marles says Albanese and Trump need to build on ‘rapport’ at G7
Marles was asked what a successful meeting between Albanese and Donald Trump would look like in Canada this week, where the pair are expected to officially meet. Albanese locked in the meeting on Sunday. Marles told RN Breakfast:
It’ll be the first face-to-face meeting between the president and the prime minister. And so, you know, actually, I think in any meeting of this kind, establishing that rapport initially is really important.
I mean, the personal relationship between two leaders matters. … I think there is already a rapport in place between the two of them. We will continue to press the case.
Read more here:
Richard Marles: focus in Israel-Iran clash needs to be ‘dialogue and diplomacy’
The defence minister, Richard Marles, who is acting prime minister during Albanese’s trip, said Australia remains deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran but stressed the government would continue to push a strategy of “dialogue and diplomacy”. He told RN Breakfast:
Israel does have a right to self-defence, and we understand the risk that the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile program represents. But right now, the focus has to be on dialogue and diplomacy.
We are deeply concerned about the prospects for escalation here and about this becoming a broader conflict. And that’s why we are making that call now as we are with our international partners.
The conflict has intensified in recent days, with ongoing strikes in both Israel and Iran despite calls to de-escalate. Israel’s military said several sites were hit by Iranian missiles on Sunday night, while Iran says at least 224 people have been killed since Israel’s attacks began on Friday.
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Albanese will meet with Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, this morning
Prime minister Anthony Albanese is due to meet his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, in Calgary in the next few hours. Carney is hosting world leaders in the Rocky Mountain foothills this week for the G7 summit and greeted Albanese on his arrival into Canada, on Sunday afternoon local time.
This is the pair’s first official bilateral meeting but they have spoken before and met informally at the pope’s inauguration in Rome in May.
The pair are expected to discuss how Australia and Canada can deepen cooperation. They will also talk about defence industry, climate change and critical minerals, as well as the growing Middle East war.
Both Albanese and Carney were re-elected earlier this year in part due to the unpopularity of another summit participant – the US president, Donald Trump.
The economic relationship between Australia and Canada is strong and Australia also recently sent 97 firefighters to assist Canada’s response to ongoing wildfires in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, at the request of Canadian authorities.
We learned on Sunday that Albanese would have his first face-to-face meeting with Trump while at the G7. We expect that meeting on Tuesday, local time, and overnight in Australia.
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Welcome
Good morning and happy Monday. Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news. Here’s what’s on deck:
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will meet his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, in Calgary this morning. World leaders are set to gather for the G7 summit this week, where the growing conflict between Israel and Iran will be top of mind. Albanese and Carney met informally at the pope’s inauguration in Rome, but will speak more about defence, climate change and critical minerals, as well as the conflicts in the Middle East.
Sydney’s new airport is set to get an $835m boost in funding under the NSW budget to be delivered later this month. The funding injection should help develop the massive industrial and housing zone around the Western Sydney airport, which is set to open in 2026.
Oscar Piastri finished in fourth place at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal despite a crash with McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who took responsibility for the collision. Piastri maintains his lead in the drivers’ championship.
Stick with us.
