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Australian terror raids
More than 800 police officers were involved in dawn counter-terrorism raids in Sydney’s north-west and Brisbane’s south on Thursday morning with two men charged and nine people released.
Prime minister Tony Abbott said , “This is not just suspicion, this is intent”, and the raids followed intelligence that Islamic State (Isis) militants had ordered supporters to “shock, horrify and potentially terrify” Australia with public beheadings.
In Queensland, premier Campbell Newman said a man arrested in raids last week police was planning a ‘disturbing’ terrorist attack, and he used coded conversations to arrange the transfer of large amounts of cash to his brother in Syria for terror group Jabhat al-Nusra.
An ‘ignorant’ tweet about burqas from Liberal senator Cory Bernardi drew criticism from Tony Abbott, who said: “We shouldn’t fret about what people wear. We should guard against crime.”
Meanwhile, 200 Australian special forces troops have arrived in the Middle East, as Tony Abbott cut short his trip to Arnhem Land to farewell more, and Tanya Plibersek writes for The Guardian on why Australia has an obligation to act against Isis.
Scottish independence referendum
The polls closed a short time ago, no follow live coverage of the results of the Scottish independence referendum as the count begins, with reaction and analysis of the vote that could lead to Scotland leaving the United Kingdom
A guide to what happens over the next few hours after the polls have closed. And what happened while polls were open - the full day’s live blog, as it happened.
Read The Guardian view on Scotland’s day of decision, but whatever the result, it’s been a shakeup.
The closeness of the polls – and the recent poll that put the pro-independence vote ahead, scaring the Westminster party leaders into hasty trips north of the border – have made it impossible to ignore the demand for change. 97% of those eligible to vote have registered.
And if you just want to know, “Are the Scots independent yet?”, there’s a very handy tool for that: arethescotsindependentyet.com
Australian news and politics
• A group of 63 leading economists have put their name to a statement rejecting the idea that Australia is facing a “budget emergency”.
• Yesterday 20-year-old whistleblower Freya Newman pleaded guilty to accessing restricted records at the Whitehouse Institute linked to revelations that Tony Abbott’s daughter Frances received an undisclosed $60,000 scholarship.
• Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull says the ABC can afford to cut its budget by as much as $200m and still maintain a quality service.
• A NSW MP has introduced a bill to clear the records of men convicted of having gay sex under historical laws.
• Christine Milne has said the Greens will help put “spine and rigour” into the Coalition’s Direct Action climate plan and allow it to become law, in return for an assurance that the renewable energy target will not be wound back.
Around the world
• School police departments across the US have taken advantage of free military surplus gear, stocking up on mine-resistant armoured vehicles, grenade launchers and scores of M16 rifles.
• Thai police have ruled out a link between DNA found on the body of murdered British tourists and any of the men they have questioned
• As New Zealand prepares to vote, allegations of online subterfuge and deception over surveillance have sidelined policy arguments.
• A six-man team spreading awareness of the deadly Ebola virus are missing in Guinea after they were set upon by angry residents in a remote village.
• The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are growing wary of Russia, and have looked to Nato for back-up pledge as Moscow takes more strident tone.
More from around the web
• Among the most read on the Guardian this morning, Uruguay’s José Mujica could be the world’s most radical president. He lives in a tiny house rather than the presidential palace, and gives away 90% of his salary.
• States are under pressure to privatise, as Joe Hockey offers Queensland a $1 billion “bonus” to privatise its energy utilities, The Australian reports.
• Former Goldman Sachs executive says the big four banks should be broken up as part of a radical overhaul aimed at boosting competition and improving stability, the Financial Review reports.
One last thing
Have an excellent day – and if you spot anything I’ve missed, let me know on Twitter @earleyedition.
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