Australia news live: Rockliff says Labor leader forced Tasmanians to an election ‘they do not need and do not want’

Rockliff says Labor leader forced Tasmanians to an election ‘they do not need and do not want’

Tasmania premier Jeremy Rockliff just spoke to the media before tomorrow’s snap election. He issued a warning to voters that the state’s Labor party could soon be in minority government with the Greens:

It will be close. Labor could go backwards, or they could still retain their seats, or even get another seat, which will ensure a Labor-Green government in Tasmania.

Rockliff once again blamed Labor leader Dean Winter for the upcoming poll:

The last parliament was working too well for Dean Winter and that is why he forced an election in unity with the Tasmanian Greens, and that is why Tasmanians have an election they do not need and do not want.

The Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff. Photograph: Rob Blakers/AAPShare

Updated at 03.33 CEST

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Head of troubled Queensland forensic science unit quits

Andrew Messenger

The head of Queensland’s long-troubled forensic science unit has resigned.

Forensic Science Queensland director Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde was suspended last month and issued a show cause notice by attorney general Deb Frecklington.

Frecklington announced the move “following advice” after contamination issues were identified at the unit, she said. The nature of the issues is unclear.

On Friday morning, Frecklington announced she had stepped down “effective immediately”. She said:

Natasha Mitchell, executive manager forensic biology, will continue acting in the role of director until a permanent appointment is made.

The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of forensic science Queensland.

Dr Wilson-Wilde, a former director of both Forensic Science South Australia and the National Institute of Forensic Science who has worked in many other forensic science roles over a decades-long career, was appointed the head of the agency under Labor last year.

She was appointed after two commissions of inquiry into the troubled clinic, which exposed “serious” failings in DNA testing for criminal cases, as a result of “mismanagement and even dishonesty by senior managers” among other problems.

Updated at 04.15 CEST

Man to face court on allegations of indecent exposure on Australian flight

A man will appear in court today on charges of alleged indecent exposure on a domestic flight in Australia.

Australian federal police charged the man last month after an investigation into the alleged incident aboard a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane on 1 June. Police allege the man indecently exposed himself to two female passengers who were seated in the same row as him during the flight.

The arrivals terminal at Brisbane airport. Photograph: Dan Peled/AAP

The passengers did not know the man and reported the alleged behaviour to airline staff. They were subsequently moved to other seats as airline staff monitored the man for the remainder of the flight. He was escorted from the aircraft by AFP officials in Brisbane.

He has been charged with one count of indecent exposure, facing a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison.

Updated at 04.01 CEST

Dan Jervis-Bardy

More roundtable invitations to come, Chalmers says

In a statement, Chalmers said more invitations would be issued for participants to attend specific sessions as the economic reform roundtable’s agenda takes shape. Chalmers said:

While we can’t invite representatives from every industry or organisation, everyone has the chance to have their say in this process with online submissions still open.

The latest list of invitees also includes the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, the Tech Council of Australia chair, Scott Farquar, the former WA treasurer-turned Woodside board member, Ben Wyatt, and the Australian Retirement Trust chair, Andrew Fraser.

Sue Lloyd-Hurwitz, the chair of the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, the IMF Investors chair, Cath Bowtell, and leading energy expert Dr Kerry Schott, round out the list.

A total of 24 invitations have been issued for the roundtable, which will be held 19-21 August.

Updated at 03.56 CEST

Josh Taylor

Qantas awarded injunction preventing access to hack data

Qantas yesterday obtained an interim injunction in the NSW supreme court to prevent any data obtained from the hack earlier this month from being accessed, viewed, or published by anyone.

The data of 5.7 million customers, including information such as frequent flyer numbers and status, including Chairman’s Lounge access, was accessed by alleged cybercriminals earlier this month, but has not been posted online, the airline said yesterday.

But the injunction will prevent people accessing it in the event it does, Qantas said:

We want to do all we can to protect our customers’ personal information and believe this was an important next course of action.

Updated at 03.57 CEST

Rockliff says Labor leader forced Tasmanians to an election ‘they do not need and do not want’

It will be close. Labor could go backwards, or they could still retain their seats, or even get another seat, which will ensure a Labor-Green government in Tasmania.

Rockliff once again blamed Labor leader Dean Winter for the upcoming poll:

The Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff. Photograph: Rob Blakers/AAPShare

Updated at 03.33 CEST

Dan Jervis-Bardy

Here’s the latest list of invitees to Chalmers’ productivity roundtable

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has announced the next round of invitations for his so-called “economic reform” roundtable in Canberra next month.

Among the latest batch of 13 invitees are the independent MP and tax reform advocate, Allegra Spender, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief executive, Matt Comyn, the NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey and the respective heads of the departments of prime minister and cabinet and treasury, Steven Kennedy and Jenny Wilkinson.

Independent member for Wentworth Allegra Spender. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Former treasury secretary Ken Henry, who this week declared fixing the nation’s broken environment protection laws the key to boosting productivity, has been invited in his capacity as chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation.

At this stage, Henry is the only representative from the environment movement on the invite list.

ShareJosh Taylor

Privacy commissioner says Australians want more regulation on AI, not less

Australia’s privacy commissioner, Carly Kind, fired back at Meta’s claim it needed Australians’ public Facebook and Instagram posts to train AI.

We reported on the submission from Meta yesterday, where the company said it needed to train its AI on the posts as the system needs to learn “how individuals discuss Australian concepts”.

In a response published on LinkedIn on Friday, Kind said the vast majority of Australian consumers feel they lack control over their personal information and want to see more regulation and fewer exploitative practices. She wrote:

As the nation’s privacy regulator, it is my job to ensure that the application of the Privacy Act is in line with these community expectations.

Carly Kind, Australia’s privacy commissioner, seen in 2024. Photograph: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

She said nothing in guidelines she has released on training AI would prevent Meta developing AI that reflects the experience and language of Australian users “provided the proper processes are followed”:

What will undermine the ability of actors like Meta to continue to develop AI models is declining public confidence that AI tools and systems are being designed to benefit society.

She also shot back at Meta’s suggestion that her role’s functions be altered to require consideration of innovation and economic interests:

In my view, the role of the privacy regulator is to act in the public interest, not in the economic interests of tech companies.

Court throws out pro-Israel group’s contempt bid against Nine papers and staff

Amanda Meade

An application by a pro-Israel group to refer editors, reporters and lawyers from Nine Entertainment for contempt proceedings has been dismissed by the federal court.

The editors of the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald and two Age reporters were among eight individuals named in the application, which was related to the Antoinette Lattouf v ABC unlawful termination case.

Read the full report here:

Updated at 03.12 CEST

Albanese ends China visit

The prime minister has officially finished his visit to China, with his office calling the trip an opportunity to “continue advancing Australia’s security and economic interests”. Albanese met with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, premier Li Qiang and the chair of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji. The PM also visited the Great Wall of China and Chengdu, the world’s panda capital.

Albanese said in a statement:

A stable and constructive relationship with China is in Australia’s national interest. We will cooperate where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest.

Strengthening our security and economic interests with our largest trading partner will boost Australian jobs and support Australian businesses.

Anthony Albanese visited the Great Wall of China earlier this week. Photograph: Lukas Coch/EPAShare

Updated at 03.16 CEST

Salim Mehajer, former Auburn councillor, released from prison

Salim Mehajer, the former deputy mayor of a Sydney council found guilty of multiple fraud and domestic violence offences, has been released from prison on parole after spending years behind bars.

Mehajer, 39, left the John Moroney correctional complex in NSW on Friday morning after he was convicted in 2023 on four counts of making or using false documents to obtain financial advantage. He was also found guilty that year of six domestic violence offences. The former deputy mayor of Auburn council first rose in notoriety in 2015 after his lavish wedding shut down a Sydney street without permission.

Salim Mehajer in 2020. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

The State Parole Authority decided last month that Mehajer had a “medium” risk of re-offending, granting him parole after serving three years and nine months of his seven-year sentence.

His parole conditions include no contact with the victim of domestic violence or with motorcycle gangs and a ban on visiting the Central Coast local government area.

Updated at 02.48 CEST

Kelly Burke

Australian production companies may have to pay millions in alleged unpaid super after ATO ruling

Major Australian production companies, including those that produce Neighbours and Home and Away, may be ordered to pay workers millions of dollars in alleged unpaid superannuation after a 2024 tax office ruling.

Neighbours cast at the Logie awards in 2022. Photograph: Regi Varghese/AAP

The Australian Writers Guild (AWG) is gearing up for a challenge against Screen Producers Australia (SPA), after a ruling by the Australian Tax Office last December found that screenwriters in most cases were providing a service to an employer, not selling a product, and therefore must be paid super.

The ruling, which was in line with the Superannuation Guarantee Act, means that for long-running television shows, decades of super back pay could apply, although the statute of limitations for an individual employee in Australia is six years.

Recovery team to move in on plane wreck found in Snowy Mountains

NSW police will begin a recovery operation after finding the wreckage of what is thought to be the plane that went missing en route from Victoria to the south coast of NSW earlier this week.

The recovery will begin around 12pm today to retrieve and examine the plane, which was located in the Snowy valley yesterday. Officials with the Riverina police district, PolAir, police rescue and the criminal investigation and crime scene unit will all assist in the matter.

NSW police said officials have not yet reached the site of the wreckage, and it is unclear if an human remains are part of it. As reported in the blog earlier, one man, 74-year-old David Stephens from Brogo, near Bega, was on board the missing aircraft.

Khancoban on map of NSW/VicShare

Updated at 02.04 CEST

Why is everyone suddenly talking about Donald Trump’s ankles?

The White House says the US president, Donald Trump, is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand, Reuters reports.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, reading a letter from Trump’s doctor at a press briefing, said both ailments were benign. His leg swelling is from a “common” vein condition, and his hand is bruised from shaking so many hands, she told reporters.

The disclosure sought to put to rest a raft of internet rumours that the 79-year-old might be suffering from a serious ailment.

You can read more about chronic venous insufficiency here:

The left foot and swollen ankle of US president Donald Trump, seen Wednesday. Photograph: Alex Brandon/APShare

Updated at 01.44 CEST

Rockliff blasts Labor for pushing Tasmania into election state ‘did not want’

Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff just spoke to the ABC, a day before the state heads to the polls. He maintained the election was not something the state wanted, blaming the Labor leader, Dean Winter, for the snap poll, but said the campaign had allowed the Liberals to put forward its plan for leadership once more. Rockliff said:

Tasmanians were very disappointed of course, that it’s a winter election, but nonetheless it’s an opportunity for our government to reaffirm our clear plan …

We cannot afford to have a Labor-Green government with the support again of radical independents, because that will put at risk definitely all the great work that Tasmanians are doing and have done over the course of the last decade.

Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff. Photograph: Ethan James/AAPShare

Updated at 01.28 CEST

Australian Base jumper reportedly dies in accident in northern Italy

Australian Base jumper James Nowland died earlier this week in an accident at a competition in northern Italy, according to multiple media reports and an account from his brother.

James Nowland. Photograph: Facebook/ James Nowland

Nowland, 42, was in the Dolomites region and had jumped from the peak of Sass Pordoi during the event, Italy’s ANSA news agency reported. Investigators told the outlet they suspect his parachute didn’t open due to a technical issue. Doctors tried to revive the Perth man, but were unable to do so.

Nowland’s brother, Adrian Nowland, posted a tribute to Facebook, writing:

Rest in peace brother! Wish we had more times like this together! Hope you’re soaring through the clouds doing what you love forever ❤️

Separately but also in Italy, Felix Baumgartner, the skydiver who famously jumped from the edge of space, has died in a paragliding accident.

Updated at 01.22 CEST

Agriculture minister says biosecurity ‘everybody’s responsibility’ amid new fire ant detection

The agriculture minister, Julie Collins, says biosecurity is “everybody’s responsibility” after fire ants were detected in central Queensland for the first time this month.

Collins spoke to RN Breakfast amid criticism from the coalition the government was not spending enough to contain the outbreaks, noting Labor had invested approximately $2bn in biosecurity since coming into federal office. She said:

What I would say is that Australia has been quite successful in terms of trying to contain the red imported fire ants. Compared to how other countries are dealing with it, we have managed to contain the spread of it compared to other countries …

Obviously, biosecurity is everybody’s responsibility, and part of the program has been the public awareness campaign and making sure that people understand what they are.

The latest outbreak of fire ants in Queensland sparked deep concern as the invasive pest was found almost 800km from the closest known infestation zone.

Fire ants were found at a new site in central Queensland this month. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAPShare

Updated at 00.49 CEST

Winter makes final appeal for majority Labor government

Winter encouraged Tasmanians heading to tomorrow’s polls to support Labor, describing a majority government as a pathway forward. He told the ABC:

My message to Tasmanians really is if you want a fresh start … the best way to deliver that is to vote Labor. Voting independents last time just delivered another Liberal government.

If you want a fresh start and a new government, the best way to achieve that is to vote Labor.

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