NSW police to meet pro-Palestine group over proposed Opera House march
Penry Buckley
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, says a police decision as to whether to challenge an application by the Palestine Action Group to march on the Sydney Opera House is likely by the end of today.
Speaking to 2GB earlier, Catley said the group, which organised August’s Harbour Bridge protest, has submitted an application for a protest on Sunday, 12 October – which marks over two years since the start of the war in Gaza – starting at Hyde Park, before marching to the Opera House.
Catley said police were meeting with organisers to discuss the details of the application this morning.
Asked if she opposes the protest, Catley said she did not want to pre-empt the police’s decision, although she has claimed the Opera House’s trust has a bylaw which prevents protests on its forecourt. She said:
We’re not going to solve the problems of what is going on overseas on the forecourt of the Opera House, and social cohesion is the most important thing that we need to do. And I think I just ask people to be peaceful.
If police oppose the application, it will be subject to a supreme court hearing to determine whether protesters will be legally protected if the march goes ahead.
Key events
Tony Mokbel has convictions overturned in Lawyer X appeal
Nino Bucci
Underworld figure Tony Mokbel has had two convictions set aside by the Victorian court of appeal, in the most significant case yet involving the gangland lawyer and police informer Nicola Gobbo.
The court of appeal handed down its judgment on Friday morning in relation to several appeals filed by Mokbel.
He was successful in overturning his convictions for trafficking not less than a large commercial quantity of MDMA and for incitement to import a commercial quantity of MDMA.
The convictions were set aside and new trials were ordered on both charges.
But Mokbel was unsuccessful in his bid to appeal a conviction for trafficking not less than a large commercial quantity of methyl amphetamine.
Mokbel had been in custody for almost 18 years before he was released on bail in April pending the appeal judgment.
Police officer charged after he allegedly uploaded child abuse material to social media platform
Jordyn Beazley
A police officer has been charged over online child abuse material after he allegedly uploaded material to a social media platform.
The 26-year-old police officer, who is a constable with Sydney’s central metropolitan region command, was arrested and charged on Thursday.
NSW police on Friday morning said the officer was charged after a joint investigation with the Australian federal police under Strike Force Lautersee.
He was charged with four offences, including two counts of possessing child abuse data using a carriage service, transmit to self child abuse matter by carriage service, and soliciting child abuse matter.
NSW police said in a statement:
Police will allege in court that the man uploaded child abuse material to a social media platform.
The officer’s employment is under review and he has been suspended from duty without pay.
The man has been refused bail and will appear before Bankstown local court today.
Jane Hume says flotilla ‘not the way’ to voice discontent on Gaza
The Liberal senator Jane Hume has said the flotilla was “not the way to go about” voicing opposition to the situation in Gaza.
Hume spoke to Sunrise this morning:
The concerns that people have for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are very real and perfectly understandable. If people would like to help they should go to maybe Oxfam or Save the Children or Unicef.
There are organisations that are fit for purpose to help with humanitarian crisis, putting yourself in danger and getting on a flotilla of boats.
Putting yourself in a war zone that is partly run a terrorist organisation is not the wisest cause of action.
NSW police to meet pro-Palestine group over proposed Opera House march
Penry Buckley
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, says a police decision as to whether to challenge an application by the Palestine Action Group to march on the Sydney Opera House is likely by the end of today.
Speaking to 2GB earlier, Catley said the group, which organised August’s Harbour Bridge protest, has submitted an application for a protest on Sunday, 12 October – which marks over two years since the start of the war in Gaza – starting at Hyde Park, before marching to the Opera House.
Catley said police were meeting with organisers to discuss the details of the application this morning.
Asked if she opposes the protest, Catley said she did not want to pre-empt the police’s decision, although she has claimed the Opera House’s trust has a bylaw which prevents protests on its forecourt. She said:
We’re not going to solve the problems of what is going on overseas on the forecourt of the Opera House, and social cohesion is the most important thing that we need to do. And I think I just ask people to be peaceful.
If police oppose the application, it will be subject to a supreme court hearing to determine whether protesters will be legally protected if the march goes ahead.
NSW psychiatrists to receive temporary 20% pay bump, commission decides
Natasha May
The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) has handed down a decision finding the state’s psychiatrists will receive a temporary pay rise of 20% for a 12-month period.
The case comes after 200 psychiatrists threatened to resign in January, saying it was not about the money but being unable to continue working in a system causing them moral injury, knowing they were providing substandard care to their patients when one in three permanent psychiatrists positions were vacant.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (Asmof), the doctors’ union representing the psychiatrists against NSW Health, argued that the special levy was necessary to avoid the “collapse” of psychiatric care in the state.
This morning Justice David Chin announced that a special case had been made out which justifies the payment of a temporary allowance for the purpose of attracting and retaining psychiatrists.
Chin said the psychiatrists would receive a “combined interim uplift of 20% for period of 12 months”.
He said this increase was including the 10% abnormal duties allowance paid to psychiatrists since 3 February, and that the increase would be absorbed into any increase in the general award for doctors across the state. Asmof was separately still in negotiations for a new award which would apply across all doctors working in the public sector.
The NSW government has said they will accept the IRC’s decision, whatever the outcome.
Read the full report here:
Cait Kelly
Millions of Australians eligible for 5% first home buyers scheme may be unable to afford repayments
Millions of Australians eligible to take up the federal government’s new 5% deposit scheme could be unable to afford mortgage repayments, new analysis has shown.
Data compiled by the Parliamentary Library and commissioned by the Greens shows of the 3.8 million Australians in the top 10 most common professions in Australia, the vast majority would be unable to afford mortgage repayments on the median Australian home without falling into housing stress.
On Wednesday, the government expanded the scheme, which helps eligible first-time buyers get into the market with a deposit of as little as 5% by lifting borrowing limits and income caps.
Read more here:
Australia will provide consular assistance to anyone detained by Israel, minister says
Mark Butler, the health minister, said the Australian government has put in a formal request with Israeli authorities for more information about how many Australians may have been detained on the humanitarian flotilla.
Butler spoke to Channel Seven’s Sunrise this morning:
We have provided clear advice, I have to say, for Australians not to take part in these attempts to break the naval blockade because of obvious safety risks that are involved here.
I get that Australians want to see aid float, basic things like food and medicines to civilians in Gaza. But for those who are detained we’ll be providing consular assistance to them.
Dfat officials in Tel Aviv have requested information on any detained Australians
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) says that Australian officials in Tel Aviv were “liaising with Israeli authorities and have formally requested confirmation of the detention of any Australians and early consular access”.
Dfat said in a statement this morning:
Australia calls on all parties to respect international law, to ensure the safety and humane treatment of those involved.
We understand that people want to help deliver aid to those suffering in Gaza – we also want to see critical aid delivered.
For some time, we have warned against attempts to breach the naval blockade and strongly advised Australians not to do so because of the risks to their safety.
We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Krishani Dhanji
Supporters of Australians on flotilla believe they are in Israeli custody
Supporters of Australian Surya McEwen reported last night Australians on board a flotilla to Gaza, including McEwen, were in Israeli custody. Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) organisers last night said the ships they were on were considered intercepted by Israeli forces, as they had not made contact.
The GSF, with more than 500 people including politicians, lawyers and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, is aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid.
McEwen’s supporters demanded the prime minister and foreign minister, Penny Wong, use all diplomatic and economic tools to have the Australians they believe are in Israeli custody released.
In a statement on Thursday evening, a Dfat spokesperson said the department was “aware of reports of detainments by Israeli forces on the Global Sumud Flotilla”.
Guardian Australia is working to independently verify their status.
Ley expresses ‘grief and shock’ after Manchester synagogue attack
Opposition leader Sussan Ley has expressed her “grief and shock” after the Manchester synagogue attack. She said in a statement this morning:
Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed and injured in this cowardly, evil attack.
The threat of terrorism requires continual vigilance and courage from our police and first responders. To target worshippers and families as they gather together for the holiest period of the Jewish faith is despicable beyond words. All people, regardless of religion have the right to worship in peace and should feel they can do so without fear or apprehension.
She went on to say all Australians extended their “deepest sadness, solidarity and compassion at this terrible time”.
Marles won’t say if China has a ban on BHP iron ore
Marles says he wants to see trade between Australian companies and China “unhindered” amid reports Beijing had banned its steel manufacturers from buying iron ore from the mining giant BHP.
Marles told RN:
We want to see and ensure that our trade between our two countries happens in a manner which is unhindered. Now, processes will play out, and we’ll respect those and watch those carefully. But this is a very important source of trade for both Australia and China, and we want to see that happen in a way that is unhindered.
Marles refused multiple times to say if there was a Chinese ban on iron ore from BHP.
I can’t really say more than what I have. I mean, we will watch the processes play out as they are.
Marles says he expects defence pact with PNG to be signed ‘very soon’
Defence minister Richard Marles says he expects Australia and Papua New Guinea to sign a defence pact “very soon”, after PNG said the deal won approval from the country’s prime minister and cabinet on Wednesday night.
Marles spoke to RN Breakfast about the deal, saying:
We’ve been working on this now for some time, and it really is a very historic agreement. It’s a historic agreement from Papua New Guinea’s point of view, but it very much is from ours. This will be our third alliance after the United States and New Zealand, and it’s the first alliance.
We will have entered into since 1951, which was when we signed the Anzus Treaty. So, this is a very significant moment in Australia’s national security.
Marles said he wasn’t worried about a further delay, saying the ultimate decision was “completely” in line with what the government had been expecting.
I think that these are, this is going to happen imminently, and it is a very significant treaty that we are about to enter into with Papua New Guinea.
Albanese says all Australians stand with Manchester after ‘heinous’ synagogue attack
Anthony Albanese has sent condolences to the people of Manchester after a man killed two people and injured four others in an attack on a synagogue on the holy day of Yom Kippur.
Police said a British citizen used a car to ram into the grounds of the synagogue then stabbed worshippers in a six-minute rampage. The man was shot dead by police. Officers have since arrested three other people on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism.
Albanese said in a statement:
I send my condolences to the people of Manchester after the heinous attack on a synagogue on the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar.
There is no place for terrorism in our streets and all Australians stand with the UK at this dreadful time.
Activist has not heard from Australian on board flotilla since it was intercepted by Israel
Tan Safi, an Australian who was aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in July that was intercepted by Israel, spoke to RN Breakfast this morning after Israel said it had boarded and detained many people travelling in the Global Samud Flotilla this week.
Safi, who is currently in Greece, said they had not heard from another Australian travelling on the flotilla this week after he sent them a video of the Israeli military approaching their vessel. Safi described a “complete disconnection” as soon as the boat was boarded. Safi told RN:
So we were sending each other little check-ins, little emojis, making sure he was OK. We managed to do a video call, but I couldn’t see him. And then he sent me a video of the Israeli military approaching them, water cannoning them with chemicals, shining lights in their eyes.
And their hands were up in the air. That was the last I heard of him. So that was roughly, I’m gonna say what, 14, 16 hours ago now.
Safi said despite the intercepted boats, human rights activists hope some aid vessels will eventually be able to reach Gaza.
Good morning and happy Friday, we’ve made it. Nick Visser here to take over the blog. Let’s get to it.
Hopes fade of finding four-year-old boy missing in South Australia
The likelihood of finding a little boy lost in the outback is fading as family and searchers cling to hopes he has found shelter and is waiting to be rescued.
Defence personnel have joined the search for the four-year-old who has not been seen for almost a week.
August, known as Gus, went missing from his family’s sheep station in the remote South Australian mid-north on Saturday afternoon.
The only trace found of the preschooler is a tiny footprint in the dirt about 500 metres from the family homestead, which brought hope, but police now admit it “could have been there a week”.
“A four-year-old lad, they just don’t disappear into thin air,” Supt Mark Syrus said yesterday.
“Our job is to try and find which way he has gone and once we find those little clues, it gives us a bit of an idea.”
Searchers turned their efforts to the homestead area after the footprint was found, but no further clues were discovered.
The search was expanded as almost 50 Australian defence force personnel joined the operation.
Alone in searing temperatures and without food or water, authorities’ best-case is that Gus has crawled into shelter and is waiting to be rescued from the property near Yunta, about 300km north of Adelaide.
But hope is fading and police have prepared the family for the worst as the search shifts from a rescue to a recovery operation.
– via AAP
Former submarine chief casts doubt on Aukus deal
The former head of Australia’s submarine squadron has urged Australia against outsourcing boat construction overseas, as bureaucrats express confidence the US won’t scuttle Aukus.
A parliamentary inquiry yesterday ran the rule over the Geelong treaty, a 50-year Aukus cooperation agreement between Australia and the UK signed in July.
Under Aukus, the US has promised to sell at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia from the early 2030s.
A submarine solution closer to home should be examined instead, retired navy rear admiral Peter Briggs argued.
“Depending on an overseas supply chain for such a critical capability as our submarines is a folly,” he told the inquiry.
Briggs had serious concerns with the plan, including limiting Australia’s commercial interests, and said the nation should build more submarines as it had done previously with the diesel-electric Collins class.
There is no minimum protection in the treaty for a guaranteed work share for genuine Australian industry.
The Collins project has established a viable submarine supply chain within Australia.
We should build on this, not sign a treaty mandating it out of existence.
Briggs cast doubt Australia would receive submarines from the US on time, pointing to it falling behind in building its fleet.
– via AAP
Decision due in psychiatrists mass resignation case before industrial relations commission
Natasha May
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) will this morning announce its decision whether the state’s psychiatrists will receive a 25% pay increase.
The doctors union, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (Asmof), representing psychiatrists, is arguing psychiatric care in NSW is facing “collapse” because of poor pay and conditions, and the special levy would stem the flow of specialist doctors leaving the state’s public system.
In January, more than 200 psychiatrists threatened to resign, saying it was not about the money but being unable to continue working in a system causing them moral injury, knowing they were providing substandard care to their patients when one in three permanent psychiatrists positions were vacant.
In response, the mental health minister, Rose Jackson, submitted a request to the IRC to urgently arbitrate the dispute and said the government would accept whatever its decision.
The hearing was supposed to take place across a single week in March but issues raised by NSW Health with Asmof’s expert evidence, and subsequently Asmof proceeding with statewide industrial action against the IRC’s direction, saw the hearings delayed and only concluded in late June.
While over 60 psychiatrists have followed through on their resignations, other psychiatrists held off awaiting the outcome of the IRC decision. In the meantime before the outcome is announced at 9.15am, you can read our report on the hearing’s closing submissions in June:
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will be here to take you through that day.
The former head of Australia’s submarine squadron has urged Australia against outsourcing boat construction overseas and said it would be “folly” to rely on other countries. More coming up.
The New South Wales industrial relations commission will hand down its decision this morning in a wages dispute between the state’s public psychiatrists and the government. The dispute brought the system to a standstill earlier this year. More details coming up ahead of the decision, which is expected any time after 9.15am.
