Penry Buckley

The federal and New South Wales governments will provide a jointly funded $2.5bn package over 10 years to keep Rio Tinto’s Tomago aluminium smelter operating beyond 2028. The deal includes up to $1.1bn in capital improvements by the owners, about $100m for decarbonisation and electricity-grid support, and nearly 3GW of new energy supply. The smelter employs about 1,000 people and accounts for more than 10% of NSW’s electricity use. The package is part of a broader series of government interventions supporting Australian metal-processing facilities, prompting criticism from Nationals leader Matt Canavan over the sustainability of repeated taxpayer-funded bailouts and net-zero policies.

Consultant and lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption that there was no evidence he belonged to the conservative Liberal factional group known as the Reformers. He acknowledged aligned political views and attending at least one Reformers event, but said he had urged members to stop after the group became toxic. The inquiry is examining alleged illegal donations and branch-stacking involving Liberal figures, including payments allegedly routed through Greenwood’s former firm Beckington and JGP Advisory. Greenwood said he could not recall details of a $16,000 Beckington invoice to Catholic Schools NSW and directed the commission to other people, including co-founder Christian Ellis. ICAC’s inquiry continues, with Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney expected to give evidence.

ICAC heard text messages suggesting federal opposition leader Angus Taylor may have paid, or refused to pay, money to the Liberal Party’s hard-right Reformers faction; Taylor denies making any payments and is not accused of wrongdoing. Jean-Claude Perrottet was questioned about the messages, monthly payments from lobbying firm Beckington and intercepted calls with property developer Jean Nassif concerning political preselection, David Elliott and building commissioner David Chandler. Perrottet said he could not explain some payments and described Nassif’s claims as nonsense, while Charles Perrottet and Nassif have denied wrongdoing. The inquiry is also examining alleged prohibited donations, factional work and branch-stacking activity, with further witnesses due to appear.

A New South Wales ICAC hearing questioned Jean-Claude Perrottet about messages describing payments as “filthy schools money,” monthly sums from lobbying company Beckington and intercepted calls involving developer Jean Nassif. Perrottet denied or disputed suggestions that the payments supported Reformers or political preselection, while evidence raised questions about alleged donations and efforts to influence politicians and the building commissioner. The live coverage also reported a parliamentary inquiry into racism and the 2025 election, new childcare closures and proposed e-bike safety standards, a toxic industrial fire in Port Adelaide, a first Australian land-based H5N1 detection, threats against a federal MP, housing-market indicators, News Corp results, an ABC executive’s departure and a forthcoming visit by Vietnam’s president.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports that NSW police charged a 36-year-old Sydney woman with 62 offences over alleged threatening letters sent to politicians, organisations, a place of worship and a media outlet; she was refused bail. Other major developments included the High Court overturning a groundwater licence that would have allowed Fortune Agribusiness to extract 40 gigalitres annually from the Northern Territory desert, and restoring a harsher sentence for the teenager who killed Emma Lovell during a Queensland home invasion. Victoria’s corruption watchdog found serious and concerning conduct in the former Andrews government’s dealings with United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall, but no corrupt conduct; Marshall rejected the findings. The coverage also followed disputes over Gina Rinehart’s meetings with Queensland deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie, a $287m Brisbane showgrounds Olympic upgrade, challenges to Australia’s under-16 social-media ban, a surge in self-managed super fund property-loan applications before a ban, worsening NAPLAN results and socioeconomic education gaps, suspected bird-flu cases, Labor’s tax and renewable-energy policies, and the ASX 200 closing at a record high.

NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane has deferred deciding whether shadow attorney general Damien Tudehope can return to her frontbench until the Independent Commission Against Corruption completes its investigation. Tudehope stepped aside after admitting he leaked a confidential parliamentary inquiry report to Reformer Jeremy Greenwood, while Sloane said such leaking breached her standards. At the ICAC hearing, Jean-Claude Perrottet described the conservative Reformers’ efforts to recruit Liberal members into strategically useful branches and admitted occasionally paying membership fees himself. The inquiry is also examining alleged illegal donations linked to Catholic Schools NSW and factional efforts to influence preselections, including an alleged campaign against federal MP Alex Hawke. Dominic Perrottet is not accused of wrongdoing, and Jean-Claude Perrottet denies wrongdoing.

The NSW Minns government released former judge John Sackar’s long-delayed review of hate-speech laws but rejected its recommendation to extend criminalisation of inciting hatred beyond race to religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, citing freedom-of-expression and legal-consistency concerns. Equality Australia accused the government of creating a hierarchy of protections. The live coverage also reported ICAC evidence that Liberal MP Damien Tudehope leaked a confidential parliamentary draft report and discussed Jean-Claude Perrottet’s whereabouts with Dominic Perrottet. Other developments included an independent review of the Bureau of Meteorology, evidence of failures in aged-care assessments, rising Brisbane homelessness, Victorian doctors’ planned industrial action, gambling companies’ denials of allegations, strong household spending and share-market gains, and renewed antisemitism commission hearings focused on protests and policing.

NSW Liberal upper-house leader Damien Tudehope told the Independent Commission Against Corruption that he appears to have sent a confidential draft parliamentary inquiry report to Reformer Jeremy Greenwood. Tudehope, who is not accused of wrongdoing, also gave evidence about the Reformers’ recruitment activities, payments, staff employment and links to businessman Michael O’Hara. The inquiry is examining allegations that the conservative group solicited or accepted unlawful donations to recruit or renew Liberal Party members. Evidence also addressed Jean-Claude Perrottet’s role, an alleged request for $50,000 to help unseat federal MP Alex Hawke, and disputed payments involving lobbying firm Beckington. Tudehope has stood aside from his shadow cabinet roles, while Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said he could potentially return to the frontbench; the inquiry remains ongoing.

The live coverage reports that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson barred the Guardian, the ABC and the Age from a press conference announcing Victorian election candidates. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called Hanson a “political coward,” while media-freedom advocates and the Guardian condemned the restrictions. Other major developments included the confirmation of Australia’s first mass H5 bird flu wildlife mortality event, suspected further outbreaks in Victoria, a fatal incident at the United Wambo mine, injuries after a building collapse in Sydney, new Sydney toll arrangements, criticism of the government’s News Bargaining Incentive from former regulators, News Corp and the Coalition, and allegations before an NSW ICAC inquiry that witnesses discussed evidence after receiving summonses.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption heard that Liberal factional figures Robert Assaf and Jeremy Greenwood left their phones and laptops in a car before discussing their summonses and evidence, allegedly to avoid tracing. Assaf said Greenwood discussed how Jean-Claude Perrottet might answer questions about alleged payments from property developer Michael O’Hara, and described concerns about branch stacking, factional pressure and links to fugitive developer Jean Nassif. Assaf also disputed claims that his employment at Catholic Schools NSW funded political factional work. The inquiry is examining alleged prohibited donations and efforts to influence Liberal Party outcomes, with further witnesses including Damien Tudehope, Frits Maré and Greenwood expected to appear.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption heard evidence that members of the conservative Liberal faction known as the Reformers temporarily used factional funds to pay for a bucks night and allegedly routed money from prohibited donor Michael O’Hara through the lobbying firm Beckington to obtain tax advantages. Robert Assaf acknowledged using the account as an advance for personal expenditure and issuing invoices in his wife’s name, while disputing some claims about reimbursement and factional work. The inquiry is examining whether payments arranged through Beckington supported illegal donations and branch stacking. Angus Taylor again denied making payments and, along with Damien Tudehope and Dominic Perrottet, is not accused of wrongdoing. Further evidence is expected from other Reformers members and political figures.

Robert Assaf, cofounder of the conservative Reformers faction, told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption that the group sought to reshape the NSW Liberal Party by recruiting Christian conservatives and taking over branches. He compared the party’s internal conflict to Braveheart and said members believed electoral funding laws did not apply to internal party activity. Assaf acknowledged concerns about membership payments and admitted involvement in a purported consulting arrangement through which Michael O’Hara funded conservative political activity. He said Angus Taylor was aware of and not opposed to the Reformers but not deeply involved; Taylor and Dominic Perrottet are not accused of wrongdoing. The inquiry is also examining alleged payments from property developer Jean Nassif and continues.

Australian fuel prices have climbed sharply, with petrol exceeding $2 a litre in Canberra and diesel reaching $2.40 in Melbourne, driven by higher oil prices and a reduced fuel-excise discount. Inflation eased to 3.8% in the year to June, lowering expectations of an imminent Reserve Bank rate rise. Victoria introduced legislation to abolish group voting tickets for upper-house elections. Other major developments included warnings of further H5 bird-flu spread among wildlife, a New South Wales pledge to restrict Great Koala national park carbon credits from coal and gas projects, Greens calls for rent controls, and evidence at an ICAC inquiry concerning alleged political influence and payments. Authorities also investigated a police stabbing in South Australia, deaths described as a possible murder-suicide, Australians potentially affected by earthquakes in Japan, bank failures involving mortgage offset accounts, and concerns over high-THC medicinal cannabis prescribing.

Evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption alleges that members of the NSW Liberal Party’s conservative Reformers faction created a document attacking former minister David Elliott, including a claim of an extramarital affair that Elliott vehemently denies. Former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw testified that the document may have been prepared at the direction of fugitive developer Jean Nassif, who allegedly sought political outcomes including damage to Elliott and the removal of building commissioner David Chandler. The inquiry also examined alleged payments involving federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, who denies making them and is not accused of wrongdoing, as well as an alleged plan to discredit Chandler involving Chris Spence and Eleni Petinos, neither of whom is accused of wrongdoing.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor denies making any payments to the conservative Liberal group known as the Reformers, which is being investigated by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. Evidence included messages referring to efforts to secure $10,000 and an alleged $15,000 payment plus monthly donations, though witness Dylan Whitelaw said he did not recall Taylor contributing and suggested the information may have been incorrect. Taylor says he is not a party to the proceedings and has not been asked to appear, while Liberal colleagues urge the public to let ICAC conduct its work.

Ben Carroll became Victoria’s new Labor premier after Jacinta Allan resigned ahead of a leadership challenge, with Gabrielle Williams appointed deputy premier. Carroll said he would govern differently from Allan and Daniel Andrews and announced plans for a royal commission into the construction sector, supported by a special prosecutor. The live coverage also reported internal political disputes, an impending change in national trade-union leadership, scrutiny of Australian Taxation Office call-centre outsourcing, and evidence before NSW corruption and antisemitism inquiries. Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock said Australia’s economy, consumption and housing market were slowing, making an August interest-rate rise less likely in financial markets. Other developments included a legal challenge to Queensland’s ban on the slogan “from the river to the sea,” fines for Harvey Norman and Latitude over a misleading promotion, deadly bird flu in South Australian birds, and a proposed challenge to Anthony Albanese in his Grayndler seat.

An ICAC inquiry into alleged corruption involving the NSW Liberal Party’s conservative Reformers faction heard messages suggesting Angus Taylor may have been approached for donations, including a purported $15,000 contribution and monthly payments. Taylor is not accused of wrongdoing and says donations are declared under party rules. Hotelier Michael O’Hara admitted paying $165,000 to entities linked to the Reformers and acknowledged supporting branch-stacking efforts, while denying he understood the payments as political donations at the time. The inquiry is examining alleged prohibited and undeclared donations, with further evidence expected from former staffer Dylan Whitelaw.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports Nikki Osborne’s claim that Anthony Albanese’s controversial “shag, marry, date” podcast exchange involving Kylie Minogue was taken out of context, while noting Albanese’s unequivocal apology and the resulting political backlash. Australia’s first nationwide AusAlert test reached 94% of targeted mobile towers, exceeding the government’s 90% target, but some devices failed to sound and advocates warned that alerts could expose phones hidden by domestic-violence survivors. Other major developments included the opening of a NSW ICAC inquiry into alleged Liberal Party donations and branch-stacking, Jacinta Allan’s loss of caucus support in Victoria, a court defeat for Pauline Hanson in her racial-discrimination case against Mehreen Faruqi, legal action over the death of Kumanjayi White in custody, new suspected bird-flu detections in South Australia, and scrutiny of counter-terrorism preparations following the Bondi attack.

An ICAC inquiry into NSW Liberal Party corruption allegations heard that senior politicians supported the Reformers, a group of young staffers and lobbyists seeking to recruit conservative Christians and shift control of the party to the right. The commission is examining whether prohibited or excessive donations were routed through Beckington, JPG Advisory and other arrangements to fund branch stacking. It is also investigating allegations that fugitive developer Jean Nassif and Toplace made donations in exchange for efforts to damage David Elliott’s political career, remove building commissioner David Chandler and obstruct regulation of Toplace developments. Several figures, including Tony Abbott, Alan Jones, Matt Canavan and Dominic Perrottet, are not accused of wrongdoing, while key individuals have denied allegations, avoided hearings or left Australia. The inquiry is scheduled to continue for at least eight weeks and will also examine separate allegations involving Labor councillors in Strathfield.

Former NSW Liberal powerbroker Christian Ellis has moved to the UK and is not expected to testify during ICAC’s eight-week Operation Rosny public hearings. The inquiry is examining allegations that Liberal figures solicited or accepted undeclared or excessive donations, including from prohibited donors, to recruit or renew party members, as well as alleged prohibited donations from property developer Jean Nassif and Toplace in exchange for pursuing desired outcomes. Ellis, who was linked to the lobbying firm Beckington and named in two allegations, previously avoided a parliamentary inquiry because summonses could not be served. Witnesses are expected to include hotelier Michael O’Hara, former Liberal staffer Dylan Whitelaw and consultant Robert Assaf. Federal Liberal leader Angus Taylor endorsed Ellis in 2022 but is not accused of wrongdoing.

Mark Dreyfus urged governments to consider restrictions on protests near synagogues and Jewish schools, citing high court precedent allowing limits around abortion clinics to reduce distress for vulnerable groups. Speaking at the royal commission on antisemitism, he described rising antisemitic incidents since the Hamas attacks of October 2023 and called for stronger laws on vilification and online abuse. Security organisations reported a significant increase in threats, insufficient staffing, and growing financial burdens on Jewish communities. Witnesses detailed escalating incidents at schools and synagogues and the strain placed on volunteer security groups as communal safety concerns intensify.

Record warm temperatures were recorded across several Australian alpine ski fields, with multiple resorts reaching unprecedented July highs. Political debate intensified as Liberal and Labor figures condemned Pauline Hanson’s remarks on multiculturalism during her UK appearances. Fuel prices surged sharply amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, with rising oil costs prompting warnings of possible interest rate increases and further inflationary pressure.

Australian authorities intensified scrutiny of Telstra after a nationwide outage disrupted emergency calls and business activity, with communications minister Anika Wells stating the company must rebuild public trust. ACMA indicated Telstra could face civil penalties of up to $30m as investigations continue. Small business minister Anne Aly called for clearer compensation guidance for affected operators. South Australia police rejected reports linking a recent death to the outage. The live blog also covered the death of former senator Derryn Hinch, the discovery of a missing girl’s body in Victoria, Australia’s response to New Zealand’s interest in a Pacific defence alliance, rising electric vehicle sales, and various political and legal developments across the country.

Nearly $500,000 in public funds was spent by the New South Wales government and police on legal battles they ultimately lost against pro‑Palestine protest groups, including constitutional challenges to anti‑protest laws enacted after the Bondi attack. Courts struck down key restrictions for breaching political communication rights, while internal Labor dissent and warnings from legal experts highlighted concerns over rushed legislation. Police and government legal costs spanned multiple failed attempts to block protests, though a major events declaration challenge was successfully defended. Activist groups signalled potential appeals as they continue efforts to overturn protest-related charges.

South Australian police opened an investigation into a death that occurred during a nationwide Telstra outage, following claims by senator Kerrynne Liddle that an elderly person was unable to reach emergency services. Authorities said initial attempts to obtain information from the senator were unsuccessful but later contacted the family involved. The outage disrupted transport networks and emergency call availability, prompting criticism from state leaders. Concurrently, Australia and India signed a significant uranium agreement during Narendra Modi’s visit, while the antisemitism royal commission heard testimony from SBS and ABC executives about editorial policies, complaint campaigns and the IHRA definition. Additional developments included Gout Gout’s hamstring injury ruling him out of competition and updates on regional defence cooperation involving New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

A software fault in Telstra’s time‑keeping system caused a nationwide mobile network outage that disrupted emergency calls and public transport, prompting hundreds of welfare checks and major rail suspensions. Telstra apologised and ruled out a cyberattack as investigations continue. Political tensions rose as shadow minister Sarah Henderson defended making test triple‑zero calls, while the government emphasised legal requirements and system safeguards. Additional developments included housing supply shortfalls, an Australian woman’s arrest in the US for alleged illegal voting, Albanese’s announcement of a Pacific rugby league partnership, and updates to inquiries involving senior legal and anti-corruption officials.

A New South Wales parliamentary committee found that Director of Public Prosecutions Sally Dowling gave false evidence about authorizing a media pitch concerning a young Indigenous offender, recommending potential action toward her removal. Attorney general Michael Daley rejected the findings as unsupported and politically driven. Testimony from ODPP staff suggested Dowling was present at a meeting where pitching the story to 2GB was discussed, though she denies authorizing it. Several legal officials and interstate counterparts expressed confidence in her integrity. Dissenting committee members criticized the report’s credibility, while the inquiry also recommended stronger safeguards to prevent indirect identification of children in court proceedings.

NSW Labor adopted a tougher gambling reform platform after party left factions secured unanimous support for measures including a moratorium on new poker machine licences, higher taxes on profitable clubs and facial recognition for a statewide exclusion system. Premier Chris Minns faces pressure to adopt the policies ahead of the state election as internal divisions surfaced over protest laws, prompting a procedural dispute led by left-aligned unions. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations marked both days of the conference, while Anthony Albanese criticised conservative parties as he addressed concerns about gambling reform. The party’s updated platform also urges federal action on gambling inducements in line with national inquiry recommendations.

Electricity price increases dominated political debate as the Coalition criticised rising bills while Chris Bowen attributed them to global energy pressures and a decade of policy inaction under previous governments. Silent pro‑Palestine demonstrations marked the NSW Labor conference, where Anthony Albanese condemned a growing right‑wing alignment among opposition parties. NSW confirmed its first H5N1 bird flu case and authorities advised heightened biosecurity. UN advisers warned Australia’s climate targets remain insufficient to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Penny Wong announced new diplomatic postings, and the Australian Space Agency investigated suspected space debris found near Townsville. A Melbourne footballer remained in critical condition after a serious on‑field injury, and two men were charged after an imitation firearm was allegedly pointed at a Sydney synagogue.

Chris Minns urged NSW Labor to avoid complacency ahead of next year’s state election, warning of a growing threat from One Nation and calling for renewed economic and industrial investment. His state conference speech highlighted plans to expand apprenticeships and revive train manufacturing in the Hunter region. Protests over Gaza and internal concerns about anti‑protest laws, gambling reform, and Aukus loomed over the event, though factional disputes over the upper house ticket were resolved in advance. Minns criticised divisive rhetoric attributed to One Nation and called for unity as polling shows a competitive race. Prime minister Anthony Albanese is set to speak at the conference.

Labor’s left faction and 56 branches are pushing to repeal NSW’s anti-protest laws ahead of the state conference, arguing the legislation has escalated tensions at demonstrations. Members fear the issue will not receive proper debate due to its placement late on the agenda. Chris Minns is expected to address the conference with a manufacturing announcement, though internal disputes over protest laws, Aukus and Palestinian solidarity overshadow proceedings. Civil liberties groups criticized the government’s stance, while party factions challenged the national committee’s report for misrepresenting branch positions. Calls for stronger gambling reform were also raised as delegates sought action on addiction and industry influence.

Damien Tudehope stepped aside as NSW opposition upper house leader after being called as a witness in an Icac inquiry into alleged Liberal branch‑stacking and illegal donations. New South Wales confirmed its first suspected H5 bird flu case while federal and state ministers reported ongoing surveillance and no evidence of wider spread. Refugee advocates warned that critically ill asylum seeker Hatam Yetka could die without medical transfer from Papua New Guinea. KPMG’s new chair Michael Ebeid faced bipartisan criticism over his handling of earlier leak allegations. Electric vehicle sales reached record levels, with the Tesla Model Y becoming Australia’s top‑selling vehicle. Additional updates included protests over refugee treatment, arrests following an attempted coal train blockade, and developments in sport, education and federal politics.

Anthony Albanese used question time to mock Angus Taylor’s poorly received Midwinter Ball speech while the opposition pressed the government on gambling reforms, aged care oversight and border control. Legislation passed allowing registered nurses to prescribe certain medications, and the Senate approved changes restoring oversight to an aged care assessment tool. Multiple developments unfolded in New South Wales, including the suspension of Liberal party members named in an Icac corruption probe and the Catholic Schools NSW CEO stepping aside. Authorities charged a second man over an alleged people-smuggling attempt, and KPMG’s Sydney office entered lockdown briefly after a threat from a staff member. The final sitting day before the winter break closed with a broader array of opposition questions and renewed scrutiny of government policies.

The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption will investigate allegations that Liberal Party figures and lobbyists solicited or accepted improper political donations, including from prohibited donors, to influence party membership, undermine political opponents, and advance the interests of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. The inquiry will also examine allegations involving two Labor councillors accused of misconduct toward a colleague. Several prominent Liberal factional operatives, lobbyists, and Catholic Schools NSW executives are implicated. The investigation has led to suspensions within both major political parties and poses reputational risks for the NSW Liberals ahead of the March 2027 state election.

Political leaders, media figures and public officials attended Canberra’s Midwinter Ball as a widening KPMG scandal prompted the resignation of Westpac director Peter Nash. New climate data showed Australia experienced its fifth-hottest June on record, while NSW Icac announced an inquiry into alleged Liberal party corruption. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young signaled potential cooperation with the Coalition to increase pressure on Labor over gambling reforms. The live coverage also highlighted arrivals, fashion moments and other social aspects of the annual event.

Hydrodynamic modelling by CSIRO found that constructing up to 10 water detention systems in northern New South Wales could have reduced the height of the 2022 Lismore floods by as much as 2.1 metres, though not enough to stop the Lismore CBD levee from overtopping. Governments have not committed to the proposed measures but jointly funded a feasibility study. Residents expressed mixed views, with some supporting mitigation projects and others calling them costly or ineffective. Political figures offered diverging positions, with federal and state ministers seeing potential benefits, while the NSW Greens urged nature-based solutions and planned retreat. The findings will inform future resilience planning as recovery programs continue across the region.

Sydney will introduce marked parking bays for shared ebikes under a A$6.6m program designed to reduce footpath obstructions. Sixteen councils will receive funding to create parking zones, supported by expanded enforcement powers including penalties for non‑compliant operators. Authorities plan to require riders to park in designated bays to end trips, enforced through geo‑tracking and photo verification. The city’s ebike fleet has grown rapidly, with more than one million residents using shared bikes monthly. The initiative is part of a broader safety crackdown following increased injuries and aims to improve pedestrian access and urban order.

A New South Wales court ordered the suppression of identities of survivors and complainants in the case against alleged Bondi attacker Naveed Akram, citing risks to their mental safety. The day’s parliamentary events covered debates over multiculturalism, housing policy, environmental reform, and digital platform regulation, while political tensions between the major parties and One Nation continued. The government defended its Murray Darling Basin water policies and faced scrutiny over housing affordability. Additional developments included Queensland electorate renamings, a murder charge in a 2024 domestic violence case, and testimony at the antisemitism royal commission describing extensive online threats against the Lowy family.

Paul Hogan dismissed Pauline Hanson’s call for an “Australian monoculture” by calling her a “pelican”, using a term commonly understood in Australian slang to mean a fool. Hanson had cited Hogan as an example of monocultural Australia, prompting his rejection of the concept and affirmation of multiculturalism. The article explores the history and usage of “pelican” as an insult, notes Hogan’s criticism of Hanson’s outdated views, and highlights Australia’s tradition of animal‑based slang while underscoring the political tension surrounding Hanson’s rhetoric.

National auction clearance rates remained below 50% as treasurer Jim Chalmers discussed housing softness, tax reform and inflation progress. NSW premier Chris Minns promoted expanded shark‑spotting drone surveillance and declined to rule out a bull shark cull, while rejecting calls for great white shark culling. Paul Hogan criticised Pauline Hanson’s ‘monoculture’ comments, and DFAT confirmed assistance to Australians affected by deadly Venezuelan earthquakes. Murray Watt reiterated concerns about inadequate compliance by major tech companies with Australia’s under‑16 social media ban, as the government prepared higher penalties and expanded eSafety commissioner powers.

New South Wales will fund a year‑round, dawn‑to‑dusk drone surveillance program across 70 beaches to reduce shark encounters, aiming to restore public confidence after recent attacks. Surf Life Saving NSW will expand operations, supported by trials of AI‑based shark detection. Experts caution about the limitations of drones but support enhanced monitoring over culling, while Premier Chris Minns rejects a great white shark cull and leaves open the possibility of targeted measures for bull sharks. The program also includes expanded listening stations and increased regional coverage to improve swimmer safety.

Political debate centred on comments from James Paterson rejecting Pauline Hanson’s call for a monocultural Australia and defending Angus Taylor’s stance on multiculturalism. Parliament advanced tax reform with concessions on capital gains changes, while ministers faced pressure over legislation affecting widows and divorcees. Discussions highlighted national security concerns, the formation of the Community Strong Australia party, disputes over gas export taxes, and questions on social media regulation. Multiple MPs addressed economic issues, electoral dynamics, and departmental policies during a contentious question time.