Australia news live: China claims RAAF aircraft ‘illegally’ entered its airspace during flares incident

China claims RAAF aircraft ‘illegally’ entered its airspace after flares incident

Sarah Basford Canales

China has hit back at Australia for “illegally” entering its airspace over the South China Sea after the acting prime minister, Richard Marles, condemned a Chinese fighter jet for letting off flares “very close” to an Australian surveillance plane on Sunday.

On Monday, Marles said the Chinese jet’s “unsafe and unprofessional” conduct had been dangerous for the Royal Australian Air Force personnel and their large aircraft, known as a P-8A Poseidon.

The incident is the most recent in a spate of similar encounters over recent years between Australian and Chinese defence forces in strategically important and contested areas.

The PLA Southern Theater’s Air Force spokesperson Li Jianjian told Chinese media the Australian aircraft had “illegally” entered its airspace over the Paracel, or Xisha, islands – an island whose sovereignty is disputed between China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Li said Australia’s actions “seriously violated” China’s sovereignty and could have “easily triggered maritime and aerial accidents”:

We sternly warn the Australian side to immediately stop such provocative moves. The theatre forces remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.

Updated at 05.28 CEST

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Salman Rushdie returns to Australia for first time since 2022 US attack

The novelist Salman Rushdie will return to Australia next year for the first time since a 2022 attempt on his life.

Salman Rushdie. Photograph: Andrés Kudacki/AP

Rushdie will speak at Melbourne Town Hall on 17 August in a Wheeler Centre event and deliver the opening address the Festival of Dangerous Ideas (Fodi), which he last headlined in 2014, at Sydney Town Hall on 21 August.

The acclaimed author of Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses released the memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder in 2024, after an attack during a literary gathering in western New York state in 2022 left him severely wounded. He lost the use of his right eye.

In a statement today, Rushdie said:

The last time I came to Sydney, I spoke at Fodi about the freedom to write – a freedom that is key to every open society. This time, I return to speak about the price we pay for ideas. Because today, the simple act of expressing a thought – in a book, on a stage, online – is no longer just a matter of liberty. It is, too often, an act of courage. And in that courage, we find both the danger and the necessity of continuing to speak.

The man found guilty of the Rushdie’’s attempted murder was sentenced to 25 years in prison in May.

Updated at 07.12 CEST

Body of a man located after reports of overturned canoe

The body of a man has been located after a search for a missing worker at a dam in western New South Wales this morning.

In a statement, NSW police said about 7.30am today, emergency services were called to Clover Hills, about 42km south of the town of Oberon, following reports a canoe had overturned.

Officers arrived and began searching for two men with assistance from the State Emergency Service. A man believed to be aged in his 30s was able to swim ashore. The body of a 29-year-old man was located in the water about 9.15am.

Police said the incident would be investigated by SafeWork NSW and a report would be for prepared the coroner.

Updated at 06.52 CEST

Ariel Bogle

More than 1,000 guns and parts seized in illicit weapon crackdown

Authorities have seized more than 1,000 firearms and gun parts in a crackdown on the spread of illicit weapons in Australia and New Zealand.

The week-long transnational operation led to more than 180 arrests, according to the Australian Border Force, and the seizure of 281 privately manufactured firearms and parts, including those made by 3D printers.

In New South Wales, police located multiple 3D printers alongside Glock-style pistols, magazines and 3D-printed holsters, among other items.

A Guardian investigation in September tracked the growing challenges posed to Australia’s gun control regime, including the trade of stolen firearms and the emergence of 3D-printed firearms across the country.

NSW police said they arrested 45 people and seized 518 firearms and firearm parts as part of the operation. Multiple individuals were charged with offences including the manufacture of prohibited firearms without a licence, importing prohibited goods and possessing a digital blueprint for manufacture of firearms – a crime in some states.

Updated at 06.42 CEST

Penry Buckley

Former NSW Coalition government overspent by $1bn on new Blue Mountains trains

A report into the procurement of intercity trains in New South Wales, some of which have only just come into service in the Blue Mountains five years late, has found the government overspent by $1bn because of “foreseeable changes”.

The report by the NSW auditor general, Bola Oyetunji, published today, has found Transport for NSW “did not effectively procure” two new rail fleets in NSW, the New Intercity Fleet (Nif) and the Regional Rail Fleet (RRF).

Originally budgeted at $2.8bn, the Nif’s cost to date is $4.5bn. The report found $1bn of that overspend was due to “foreseeable changes … resultant delays and the cost impacts of avoidable industrial action”.

The new Mariyung intercity train (right) next to a V-set intercity train. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

In one instance, the report found the department decided that seating capacity per carriage on two of the lines could be reduced. But later, amid the risk of potential overcrowding, it procured almost 100 additional carriages at an increased cost of as much as 63%.

The auditor general also found the department did not engage effectively with drivers and guards. After the fleet was initially touted as driver-only operated, the government reached an agreement in November 2022 with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to revert to a traditional driver-guard model following a longstanding dispute.

The first Nif or “Mariyung” trains started operating on the Blue Mountains line on Monday last week, following the Central Coast line in December last year. Delays to their introduction in the Blue Mountains were in part due to the need to widen tunnels. The report found the cost of route clearance was $149m, 72% more than initial estimates, even though the department was “fully aware” that the width of the new trains required the work.

Updated at 06.16 CEST

Nick Visser

That’s all for me, thanks for sticking with us so far. Penry Buckley will be your shepherd on the blog for the arvo. Take care.

ANZ says all services should be back to normal

ANZ’s online status page says all systems should be operational after a brief service interruption, as we reported earlier this hour.

Updated at 06.00 CEST

China claims RAAF aircraft ‘illegally’ entered its airspace after flares incident

Sarah Basford Canales

On Monday, Marles said the Chinese jet’s “unsafe and unprofessional” conduct had been dangerous for the Royal Australian Air Force personnel and their large aircraft, known as a P-8A Poseidon.

The incident is the most recent in a spate of similar encounters over recent years between Australian and Chinese defence forces in strategically important and contested areas.

Li said Australia’s actions “seriously violated” China’s sovereignty and could have “easily triggered maritime and aerial accidents”:

Updated at 05.28 CEST

ANZ experiencing banking outage on app and internet service

ANZ is experiencing an outage that has locked many customers out of their mobile app and internet banking services.

The bank said it is experiencing an “issue” affecting its payment processing and intra-day reporting systems.

“Technology teams are currently investigating the issue and will provide further updates when available,” the bank said.

The company noted some payments will appear as “in progress”. The bank also said some account details are “not able to be viewed” at this time.

Photograph: James Ross/AAPShare

Updated at 05.06 CEST

Josh Butler

What did Trump serve for lunch during Albanese’s visit?

If you’re wondering what Donald Trump shouted Anthony Albanese for lunch today at the White House, you’re in the right place.

A keen eye spotted the lunch menu on the table at the cabinet room, where Trump, Albanese and their respective entourages shared a meal after signing the critical minerals deal.

Trump welcomes Albanese to the White House. Photograph: Andrew Leyden/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

A first course of a “fall green salad” with sunset tomatoes and a White House honey dressing started things off, followed by rosemary roast chicken for the main, with celery root puree, asparagus, collard greens and dijon sauce.

Finishing things off was a pear pavlova with candied ginger ice-cream and berry compote.

We hear the two men also exchanged gifts upon their first formal meeting. We’ll get you that information as soon as we can.

Updated at 04.50 CEST

‘Ready to go’: Trump and Albanese sign multibillion-dollar critical minerals agreement

The US president, Donald Trump, and the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, signed an agreement on rare earths and critical minerals on Monday at the White House. Albanese said the deal would “take our relationship to that next level”.

‘Ready to go’: Trump and Albanese sign multibillion-dollar critical minerals agreement – videoShare

Marles praises Rudd, says ambassador deserves ‘share of credit’ for US-Australia relationship

Richard Marles said Kevin Rudd “deserves his share of credit” for a robust relationship between Australia and the US.

He said:

It is a really significant meeting between our two nations and ambassador Rudd was a key part in seeing that meeting. And I can say that first-hand in terms of my engagement with ambassador Rudd, he has done a fantastic job representing Australia and the United States as our ambassador.

We’ve been making this point consistently: if you take a step back and look at the relationship – look at what is happening in a national security sense, look at what is happening in terms of our defence relationship, look at what is happening in terms of our economic relationship and the critical minerals deal that was signed last night, that we have the lowest tariff rate of any country – our relationship with the United States is in a very good place.

And our ambassador to the United States deserves his share of credit for that.

Updated at 04.05 CEST

‘Aukus is happening’: Marles touts submarine deal after PM’s Washington DC meeting

Richard Marles, the defence minister and acting prime minister, just spoke in Adelaide touting Anthony Albanese’s achievements in Washington DC on the Aukus deal.

He said:

The meeting between our prime minister and president Trump was a really important affirmation of the United States and Australia’s commitment to the Aukus program. I want to make the point that we have been consistently saying: that this is a program which is very much in the interest of the United States, as it is in the interests of Australia, as it is in the interests of the United Kingdom.

And Aukus is moving at a pace that, when you meet these workers around here, you can touch, feel and see Aukus occurring. Aukus is happening.

At the end of it, what we will have is the single biggest increase in our military capability since the establishment of a navy more than one century ago. It will be profoundly important for Australia’s national security.

Richard Marles. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 03.54 CEST

Malcolm Turnbull writes Albanese and Rudd should be ‘very pleased’ after Trump meeting

The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Albanese and the US ambassador, Kevin Rudd, should be “very pleased” after their meeting with Donald Trump, calling the event in Washington DC “definitely a 10/10 in diplomatic and political terms”.

Turnbull wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald that the agreement on rare-earth minerals was a “very good step forward”, but said there was still “much work to do” to advance the deal. He also praised Rudd’s handling in the lead-up to the meeting, saying while some may be disappointed about tariffs, “so far, so good”.

He wrote:

Albanese has been right in keeping Rudd in Washington, and right in bringing him to the meeting. That showed strength of character – and strength and power are the only things Trump respects.

Trump may not like Rudd, but today’s outcomes, especially on rare earths and critical minerals, are testimony to Rudd’s effectiveness. Bullshit and backslapping are fine, but delivering the goods is what matters.

Malcolm Turnbull. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/AAPShare

Updated at 03.44 CEST

Daisy Dumas

Ley says ‘all views are welcome’ on Coalition’s energy policy, including from Barnaby Joyce

Returning to the opposition leader, Sussan Ley says “all views are welcome” – including those of Barnaby Joyce – when it comes to developing the Coalition’s energy policy.

The leader of the opposition, Sussan Ley. Photograph: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Speaking with reporters in the inner-Sydney suburb of Paddington a short time ago, the leader of the opposition did not comment on whether Joyce was still welcome to attend Coalition joint party meetings:

Barnaby Joyce is a member of the Nationals party, and as leader of the Liberal party, I won’t comment on the arrangements in the Nationals party room. That’s for them. But, what I would say is that as we develop our energy policy going forward, which will be in clear contrast to this government, all views are welcome.

When asked by Guardian Australia whether Joyce’s decision to leave the Nationals will make it easier to win support in teal seats – such as Wentworth – Ley repeated her stance:

Barnaby is a member of the Nationals party room. And decisions about the Nationals party room are best left with them.

Updated at 03.13 CEST

Potato supplies lower due to normal constraints, but 2024 conditions had ‘some impact’ on yields, Woolworths says

Some shoppers have reported limited potato supply on supermarket shelves in recent days. Woolworths says drought conditions late last year has limited some supplies, but said any missing spuds should soon turn up as seasonal transition windows end.

A Woolies spokesperson said:

We still have sufficient supply of potatoes for our customers, but drought conditions from late 2024 and frosts earlier this year have had some impacts on growing yields.

It’s also not unusual to see some supply constraints at this time of the year as we hit seasonal transition windows.

We expect things to return to normal in the coming weeks as we move to new season supply.

Photograph: V Chettleburgh/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 02.54 CEST

Top US Democrat says Australia remains ‘stalwart ally’ and Aukus is ‘key’ to American security

US senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a key Democrat and the ranking member on the US Senate foreign relations committee, said Australia remains a “stalwart ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific” and a “key bulwark of our collective security and prosperity”.

Shaheen released a statement saying a strong partnership between the two nations is “vital to deterring aggression by China in the region”, adding:

I was glad to see President Trump voice support for Aukus, which is key to both America’s security and ensuring that the burden of collective defense is shared more broadly among partners and allies.

The U.S. must also continue to deepen its cooperation with Australia on critical minerals to secure resilient supply chains that reduce our dependence on China and strengthen our industrial base …

The Indo-Pacific is watching whether America stands by its word. Congress will continue working with our allies to ensure that Aukus and our broader strategic partnerships deliver on their promise of shared security and prosperity.

Jeanne Shaheen. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 02.34 CEST

Critical mineral stocks rocket after Australia-US deal

Jonathan Barrett

Resources and industrial companies have enjoyed a sharp lift in their share prices in early trading on the ASX as investors weigh up the new Australian-American $US8.5bn critical minerals deal.

Anthony Albanese specifically referred to two “priority projects”, one by Alcoa and the other by Arafura Rare Earths, that will enjoy an injection of capital from the government, as part of a broader list of strategic operations.

Shares in Arafura surged by more than 15% this morning to trade above 55c, while Alcoa was up 8% to $60.

Arafura is planning on producing the light rare earth oxides, neodymium and praseodymium, which are crucial to the production of magnets, used in everything from wind turbines and medical devices to electric motors and ballistic missile guidance systems.

Gina Rinehart has a 10% stake in Arufura.

Gina Rinehart, pictured here in April in Sydney. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

Alcoa has a proposed gallium plant in Western Australia. Gallium is a strategic metal and essential input in semiconductor manufacturing and the broader defence sector, used in advanced electronic warfare systems.

Australia’s broader critical minerals sector has been rocketing in recent weeks amid the push by the Australian and US governments to break China’s control over the sector.

‘Ready to go’: Trump and Albanese sign multibillion-dollar critical minerals agreement – videoShare

Updated at 02.26 CEST

Tory Shepherd

First Nations ancestors from Kaurna country to be buried in Adelaide

First Nations ancestors from the southern parts of Kaurna country will be buried in Adelaide today. It is the fourth ceremony of its kind at the Wangayarta memorial park in Smithfield, in the city’s northern suburbs.

Many of the ancestors’ remains were collected and kept by museums and universities last century.

The Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation chair, Mitzi Nam, said Kaurna were “deeply relieved that our Old People’s spirits can now reunite and rest peacefully”:

We have now reburied ancestors from the north, south, east and west of Kaurna Yerta – but this will not be the last reburial.

There are still ancestors here and overseas who must be brought home and laid to rest.

Mitzi Nam, chair of the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation. Photograph: Sia Duff/The Guardian

SA Museum’s Aboriginal heritage and repatriation manager, Anna Russo, said:

Wangayarta is an everlasting legacy created by the Kaurna people who resolved that their ancestors’ stories of being disturbed from their traditional burial sites last century and heartlessly sent to the Adelaide Museum, University and other institutions, should not be reburied with them.

Updated at 01.59 CEST

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