Category Archives: Australia news

Israel-Hamas war likely to result in increased cyber-attacks, Australia told

Posted on by

Cybersecurity organisation CyberCX says groups previously focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are refocusing on Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Hamas war is likely to result in Australian organisations being targeted online by ideologically motivated threat actors, a leading cybersecurity organisation has warned.

CyberCX’s intelligence update on 10 October states that analysis of the activity of threat groups since Israel formally declared war on 8 October had noted at least 30 groups ideologically aligned with Russia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh had shifted their messaging on social media.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Australia news live: Sydney pro-Palestine rally to go ahead without NSW police approval; Cheng Lei freed from China

Posted on by

Follow the day’s news live

Heavy traffic near Sydney airport after truck crash and fluid spill

Traffic remains heavy near Sydney airport after a two-truck crash caused a fluid spill.

This is one of the most important priorities for us coming out of what’s occurred in the previous days.

Minister Wong is [working] really hard on that. The Australian government will do whatever is necessary to protect [its] citizens.

We’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure we can secure the safety of Australians … We’re working very hard to make sure we protect Australians not just overseas, but here at home.

Continue reading...

‘We are vulnerable’: demand for drought aid rises as El Niño takes hold in Queensland

Posted on by

Rural Aid charity says requests for mental health support, financial counselling and emergency livestock feed doubles in a month

Demand for emergency rural aid is rising as farmers face a dry and unproductive summer ahead.

The latest Australian agricultural seasonal outlook forecasts farm incomes will plummet by 41% on average this financial year.

Sign up to receive Guardian Australia’s fortnightly Rural Network email newsletter

Continue reading...

Lack of data on sexual harassment among Australian medical workers condemned as ‘inexplicable’

Posted on by

Workplace expert wants Medical Board of Australia to include specific question on sexual harassment in survey of workforce

A former medical director of the United Nations has called on Australia’s regulator of health professionals to specifically ask about sexual harassment in its regular survey of trainee doctors, saying it is “inexplicable” that this data is not collected.

The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) sponsors the medical training survey, a longitudinal survey that tracks the quality of medical training and questions respondents on workplace culture, including experiences of harassment, racism, discrimination and bullying.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Queensland to make stealthing illegal under new affirmative consent laws

Posted on by

Exclusive: removing a condom without consent will be considered rape and could attract a maximum penalty of life in prison

Removing a condom during sex without consent will be considered rape and attract a maximum penalty of life in prison under sweeping laws introduced to Queensland parliament on Wednesday.

The new laws, aimed at criminalising the tampering with or removal of a condom without consent – commonly referred to as stealthing – will be introduced into parliament as part of an affirmative consent model.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Australians can ‘lift burden of history’ with yes vote, says emotional Albanese at Uluru

Posted on by

Prime minister visibly moved by song and dance of traditional owners as he attempts to rally the nation behind the voice plan

Australians have the opportunity to “lift the burden of history” from Indigenous people by voting yes to the voice to parliament, a clearly emotional Anthony Albanese has told a gathering of traditional owners at Uluru.

The prime minister sat with leaders from central Australia, including the most senior traditional owner of the rock, Reggie Uluru, on a hot afternoon in the national park at the base of the rock on Tuesday.

Continue reading...

TGA investigating potential link between diabetes drug Ozempic and reports of gastro-intestinal side effects

Posted on by

Drug has been used off-label for weight loss leading to a global shortage and usage may come with risks, experts say

Australia’s drug regulator is investigating new reports of potential gastro-intestinal side effects of diabetes turned weight-loss drug Ozempic.

Ozempic, is a drug prescribed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but has been widely used off-label for weight loss, causing worldwide shortages, including in Australia. The same drug, branded as Wegovy, is now approved for weight management in Australia, but is not currently available.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Australia news live: protesters at ‘agitated’ pro-Palestine rally at Opera House may face charges, NSW police say

Posted on by

Home affairs minister issues social media reminder that Hamas is listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia. Follow live

Here are some images of the Australian landmarks that were illuminated in blue and white colours last night in support of Israel.

The Sydney Opera House:

Continue reading...

ACCC approves $18.6bn Origin Energy buyout to ‘accelerate renewables roll out’

Posted on by

The competition watchdog approved the deal despite concerns it would reduce competition in the Victoria energy market

The competition watchdog has signed off on a private equity buyout of Australia’s largest energy retailer - an important milestone for the $18.7bn deal but not its only hurdle.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced on Tuesday it would not stand in the way of Origin Energy’s acquisition by private equity giants Brookfield and EIG Partners.

Continue reading...

‘If they don’t comply, they die’: family of fatal NSW police shootings call for independent inquiry

Posted on by

Exclusive: Premier says an inquiry into use of force against vulnerable people isn’t necessary, despite four fatalities in as many months

The families of vulnerable people fatally shot by New South Wales police have united to call for an independent inquiry into the way officers use force when responding to mental health emergencies.

Their call has been backed by a former coroner and leading lawyers after four fatal police interactions in as many months.

Continue reading...

Pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney calls for Australia to drop support for Israel

Posted on by

Protesters march on Sydney Opera House but prime minister Anthony Albanese says people need to ‘take a step back’

Hundreds of Australians have marched in solidarity with Palestinians after the Israeli government formally declared war against Hamas in response to its surprise attack.

The militant group Hamas launched a co-ordinated attack across Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of civilians were killed and taking dozens of hostages in the largest incursion since the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

Continue reading...

A no vote will ‘bring shame upon us’ and signal reconciliation is no longer viable, Noel Pearson says

Posted on by

In a late plea for a yes vote in the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, the respected leader says he fears ‘for the future of my people’ if it is defeated

Noel Pearson says he will walk away from advocating for a “middle path” of compromise if the voice to parliament referendum fails, claiming reconciliation would not be viable in the event of a no vote.

The longtime Indigenous activist and respected community leader says he would instead allow a new generation of Indigenous leaders to chart a different path forward.

Pearson said he fears “for the future of my people” if the referendum is defeated on Saturday, making a late plea for voters to vote yes in recognition of Australia’s history and avoid a failure he says would be “ugly as sin”.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Hope for power bill relief as eastern Australia’s wholesale electricity price tumbles

Posted on by

Exclusive: September quarter average fell to $63 a megawatt hour, partly thanks to milder winter and increased renewables

Eastern Australia’s wholesale electricity prices fell sharply in the September quarter, a trend that if maintained could deliver power bill relief for households and businesses alike.

Spot market prices in the national electricity market (Nem) that serves about 80% of Australia’s population averaged $63 a megawatt hour in the July-September period, according to data provided by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Australia news live: Parliament House in Canberra to be lit up in blue and white in support of Israel

Posted on by

Follow the day’s news live

AAP has the latest polling results ahead of the Indigenous voice referendum day this Saturday:

Two surveys show the no campaign is still ahead a week out from referendum day despite one poll indicating a slight late gain in support for the yes vote in the past month.

Not at all. It’s only done when people cast their ballots.

We’ll wait and see when they cast their vote. I’m not getting ahead of the Australian people.

I know there’s some arrogance has crept into the no side campaign, but it’s a campaign based upon fear and it’s similar to the sort of arguments that were put prior to the apology to stolen generations. And if people think about that … there weren’t any negative consequences for anyone.

Continue reading...

NSW drug law overhaul would allow users to work off their fine by seeking help

Posted on by

The scheme could see thousands of recreational ice, cocaine and MDMA users avoid criminal penalties

People who are caught with small quantities of illicit drugs for personal use could be issued with fines that they can work off by seeking help as part of a drug law overhaul being introduced into the New South Wales parliament this week.

The two-strike scheme could see thousands of recreational ice, cocaine and MDMA users avoid criminal penalties.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Fringe-right favourite Amanda Stoker returns to politics as LNP moderates worry about her Christian faction ties

Posted on by

Former federal senator says her conservative views will take a back seat to kitchen table concerns during Queensland state parliament election

A few days after Amanda Stoker announced her run for Queensland state parliament in June, the former federal senator was due to appear at a panel discussion organised by the libertarian lobby group, the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance (ATA).

Stoker has built her reputation pitching herself to groups like the ATA, which exists in a political space that brings together folks from the Liberal National Party’s conservative fringe and the coterie of small freedom parties that have splintered to the right.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Labor should review decision to block extra Qatar Airways flights to Australia, Senate inquiry says

Posted on by

Committee seeks more time so it can quiz former Qantas boss Alan Joyce about the Albanese government’s Qatar Airways ruling

The Albanese government should immediately review its decision to block Qatar Airways from launching extra flights to Australia, a Senate inquiry has recommended, as it called for a significantly expanded role and powers for the competition and consumer watchdog in the sector.

The Senate select committee on bilateral air service agreements – set up to examine the rejection of Qatar Airways’ request to almost double its flights into Australia’s major airports – has also recommended its own extension to November so the former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce could front members upon his return to Australia, and so other Qantas representatives who provided “unsatisfactory” responses could be re-quizzed by senators.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Woman in spit hood told Queensland prison guards four times she couldn’t breathe before dying, inquest hears

Posted on by

Selesa Tafaifa, 45, died in November 2021 after being restrained by staff at Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre

Selesa Tafaifa told Queensland prison guards four times that she couldn’t breathe and pleaded for her asthma medication six times before dying in custody, a coronial inquest has heard.

Tafaifa, a 45-year-old Samoan woman, died in November 2021 after being restrained by staff at the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre and placed in a spit hood.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Liberal party apologises to voice voters for giving advice labelled ‘blatant disregard’ of rules

Posted on by

People who took up party’s incorrect suggestion on applying for postal ballots could miss out on voting in referendum, MP warns

The Liberal party has apologised to voters for incorrectly suggesting they could apply for a postal vote before writs for the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum had been issued, with the party conceding they will now need to reapply.

The independent MP Kate Chaney has blasted the party for its “blatant disregard” of Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) guidelines and warned that voters may be disenfranchised because they were informed less than two weeks from the 14 October poll.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Restrictions on gay men donating blood should be scrapped, Queensland health minister says

Posted on by

Exclusive: Shannon Fentiman urges federal government to ‘expedite’ applying individual risk assessments to donors, in line with the UK, Canada and US

The Queensland health minister has called on the federal government to consider scrapping restrictions that prevent most gay and bisexual men from donating blood.

In Australia, sexually active gay men, bisexual men, transgender women and some non-binary people who have sex with men – including those in long-term relationships – are unable to donate blood unless they abstain from sex for three months.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...