Penny Wong warns Australians in Lebanon they must leave immediatelyThe foreign minister, Penny Wong, has again reiterated warnings to Australians to leave Lebanon immediately while flights are available.Wong advised those in the country to “please take whatever option is available” saying “this may not be a direct route”.Australians in Lebanon should leave immediately while commercial flights are available. Please take whatever option is available. This may not be a direct route. Register where you are on DFAT’s crisis portal https://t.co/VcaXXTFaPW & follow @Smartraveller for updates.— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) August 3, 2024ShareUpdated at 07.01 CESTKey eventsOpposition leader Peter Dutton has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of “talking out of both sides of his mouth” and of pushing for a “Voice 2.0” over his personal support for a Makaratta Commission.
The Prime Minister insists he’s not changing his position. Well, what’s the money in the budget? If the Prime Minister says he’s not changing his position? What? What is his position and why is there money in the budget for a makarrata commission? Why has taxpayers money already been spent on establishing a makarrata commission? What will it do? Who will be appointed to it? What impact will it have on indigenous people and communities and business? The Prime Minister again, is treating people as he did through the course of the voice by starving them of the detail that they need to get a better understanding of what he’s proposing. He does believe in the Makarrata Commission. He said it on numerous occasions. He does believe in truth telling. He said it on multiple, multiple times.
The Opposition leader also says the government is “out there with slogans and solar panels” that he claims won’t address the “practical” needs of Indigenous Australians.
He’s done nothing. He’s spent half a billion dollars on The Voice and divided the nation.
Dutton said he would not support progressing the truth-telling process and that his party would be focussed on “practical support” for Indigenous people.ShareAlbanese backs Tony Burke’s comments on Palestinian refugeesAlbanese was also asked at the press conference about 2,000 applications for refugee visas that have been filed by Palestinians and, specifically, how many of those should be granted refugee status.The PM has backed in comments by his cabinet colleague Tony Burke, saying that “no country in the world would send people back to Gaza at the moment”.
With regard to receiving people, it was appropriate that people be granted visas in the way that they were, given the nature of their departure, but I don’t think anyone could suggest that now it’s a time where people would be sent back to Gaza, given what is happening in Gaza.
What we want to see is a ceasefire. I want to see hostages released. I want to see increased aid be made available to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. I want to see the US peace deal advanced. And I want to see the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security, with prosperity for the future.
Asked about the situation in Lebanon, Albanese also echoed earlier warnings by Penny Wong that Australians in the country should leave immediately.
These are volatile circumstances and we want to make sure that Australians are safe, which is why we repeat our request that people [leave] while commercial flights are still available – and the latest figures that I received in a briefing was that some 11% of flights have been cancelled, 50% have been delayed – but there were still flights available.
ShareUpdated at 07.18 CESTEntrenched disadvantage ‘should be called closing the chasm’, Albanese saysAnthony Albanese has spoken at another press conference this morning where he has been asked about the money set aside for the Makarrata commission in the budget and whether his government is now walking away from that commitment.His response:
We’ve said that makarrata is a Yolŋu word, and I haven’t seen the interview this morning, but I gave it yesterday. And I’m sure what I said was what I’ve always said. Makarrata is a Yolŋu word from north-east Arnhem Land, which means coming together after struggle. No one can deny that there’s been a struggle, since the arrival of Europeans with First Nations people. That’s why we have the closing the gap targets, because of entrenched disadvantage, which is intergenerational. Makarrata means coming together. There has been a struggle and we do want to come together. That’s a process of engaging, working together, walking side by side towards what will be a common interest that we have for a better future for First Nations people, both in the interests of Indigenous Australians, but importantly, as well, in the interests of all Australians.
We’re diminished by the fact that the closing the gap targets in some cases should be called closing the chasm, because there’s such a wide variation in health outcomes, infant mortality, incarceration rates, educational outcomes, employment outcomes. What I want to see is an Australia where every Australian, regardless of the nature of their birth, has an opportunity to be the best they can.
The PM was asked about the issue again later in the press conference and repeated a similar answer, saying:
If you ask the same question you’ll get the same answer, is that makarrata is a Yolŋu word that means coming together after struggle. It is important that we come together. That’s why I’ve attended the Garma Festival every year that it’s been held since I’ve been Labor leader, and going back more than a decade, I attended the Garma Festival.
Addressing the voice referendum itself, Albanese said:
Both major political parties have gone to elections saying they would advance constitutional recognition. I kept my word and put that to the Australian people as I said I would do, in the form that was requested by First Nations people to give them respect. I also respect that democratic outcome and the Australian people made their decision. I accepted responsibility for it and hence we need to work on new paths, new ways of achieving outcomes and closing the gap.
The voice to parliament was never the end in itself. The voice was about how we close the gap in health, education, housing, life expectancy, infant mortality, incarceration rates. All of these areas, governments of all persuasions, Labor and Coalition, have not done good enough. And we need to do better and that is what I seek to do.
ShareUpdated at 07.07 CESTDaniel HurstAbout 15% of commercial flights out of Lebanon cancelledFurther to the post earlier in which Penny Wong reiterated calls for Australians to leave Lebanon: these calls are driven by fears the conflict could spread into a broader regional war, including between Israel and Hezbollah.Government sources say commercial flights are still available to leave Lebanon, but about 15% of them have been cancelled.At this stage, it is unclear whether the Australian government is looking to arrange government-run evacuation flights. It is understood such flights would require the airport in Beirut to stay open. An additional requirement would be that it remains safe to fly. Sources are concerned it may not remain safe to fly later in the week.The latest estimates are that there are about 15,000 Australians living in Lebanon. On top of that number are Australians in Lebanon on holiday.For more on this issue, see yesterday’s story from my colleague Mostafa Rachwani:ShareUpdated at 06.25 CESTPenny Wong warns Australians in Lebanon they must leave immediatelyThe foreign minister, Penny Wong, has again reiterated warnings to Australians to leave Lebanon immediately while flights are available.Wong advised those in the country to “please take whatever option is available” saying “this may not be a direct route”.Australians in Lebanon should leave immediately while commercial flights are available. Please take whatever option is available. This may not be a direct route. Register where you are on DFAT’s crisis portal https://t.co/VcaXXTFaPW & follow @Smartraveller for updates.— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) August 3, 2024ShareUpdated at 07.01 CESTEconomists expect RBA will not announce a rate rise this weekAustralian borrowers should be spared another hike in loan repayments, with economists broadly in agreement the key rate will stay put.The Reserve Bank of Australia board meets across two days this week and is widely expected to leave the official cash rate on hold at 4.35%.That’s after June quarter inflation data arrived that was soft enough to quash fears of another rate rise, which started building in response to a string of firm monthly price data.Although the annual rate of headline inflation accelerated in June – rising to 3.8%, up from 3.6% – this was broadly in line with expectations.Along with the all-important trimmed mean gauge moderating and coming in a little below expectations, conversation promptly shifted back to the likely timing for cuts.RBA governor Michele Bullock will speak at Tuesday’s press conference and deliver a speech later in the week – opportunities to communicate the central bank’s thinking.The Reserve Bank governor, Michele Bullock. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPShe is due on Thursday to give the annual Rotary lecture in Armidale, the regional NSW town where she grew up.During the week, the Melbourne Institute will also release its inflation gauge for July, offering a timely view of price pressures.Job ad numbers are out from ANZ and Indeed on Tuesday, followed by selected cost-of-living indexes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday.– AAPShareUpdated at 06.00 CESTAuction activity has fallen this weekend, with 1,716 auctions to be held.This is lower than the 1,975 held last week and a modest gain on the 1,746 auctions that occurred at the same time last year.Based on results collected so far, CoreLogic’s summary found that the preliminary clearance rate was 69.2% across the country, which is lower than the 72.2% preliminary rate recorded last week but well above the 64.5% actual rate on final numbers.Across the capital cities:

Sydney: 454 of 594 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 78.3%

Melbourne: 612 of 801 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 69.8%

Brisbane: 98 0f 136 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 71.7%

Adelaide: 75 of 128 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 76.4%

Canberra: 37 of 44 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 63.3%

Tasmania: One auction to be held.

Perth: Nine of 12 auctions held.
ShareUpdated at 05.30 CESTBuyers forgoing property checks in ‘rush to snap up’ homes, report saysProperty buyers are rushing into the market and forgoing important checks such as pest and building inspections, fresh research shows.About three-quarters of buyers and sellers say they encountered challenges in the market, InfoTrack’s State of Real Estate report states.Prices were the biggest concern for 21% of people while 14% struggled to find a property, according to the survey conducted for the conveyancing and legal services provider’s report, between May 2023 and April 2024.Australia’s property shortage had an impact on purchasing behaviour with 30% of those surveyed using a buyer’s agent to secure a house or unit, InfoTrack’s head of property Australia, Lee Bailie, said.
In the rush to snap up available homes, more buyers seem to be compromising on important property checks in favour of putting in a speedy offer.
Not even half of all respondents had a pest inspection carried out, for example.
– AAPShareUpdated at 05.14 CESTGigs postponed after Jimmy Barnes admitted to hospital for ‘unbearable’ hip painRock musician Jimmy Barnes has suffered another health setback, forcing him to reschedule shows to recover from unexpected surgery.The 66-year-old posted to social media saying he had been admitted to hospital on Friday night and was told he needed to have a procedure to address “unbearable” pain in his hip.
The doctors have recommended a remedial medical procedure ASAP followed by some physio to address the issue.
These doctors don’t muck around! Providing all goes to plan, I’m expected to make a full recovery in six weeks.
Seven months ago he underwent open-heart surgery due to a serious bacterial infection.Jimmy Barnes performs at the Royal Melbourne showgrounds in 2018. Photograph: Sam Tabone/WireImageBarnes returned to the stage at Bluesfest in March and was due to perform solo shows in August and September, however they will be postponed.
I hate to let everyone down but I’m also never going to compromise the quality of my gigs.
I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause everyone – I HATE moving shows! – but thank you for understanding.
Ticketholders will be contacted once details for the new shows are in place.Cold Chisel are due to embark on a sold out nationwide “Big Five-0 Tour” in October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic rock band.– AAPShareUpdated at 06.10 CESTSecond person dies in Melbourne legionnaire’s disease outbreakA second person has died after being diagnosed with legionnaire’s disease during an outbreak in Melbourne’s west and north-west.The man in his 60s became unwell over a week ago and was admitted to hospital, before dying on Thursday.The death follows another, a woman in her 90s, who became ill on Tuesday evening and presented to hospital where she died shortly after.In an update on Sunday, Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Clare Looker, said another seven cases had been reported, bring the total to 77 known cases and seven suspected cases.Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Clare Looker, speaks to the media. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAPLooker said authorities are seeing a reduction in the number of cases identified, suggesting that “the situation is stabilising”.
Hopefully we are seeing the tail end of things.
Authorities are inspecting over 100 cooling towers in the Derrimut and Laverton North areas – though Looker advised that it is possible the source of the outbreak may never be found.
The information we have to date suggests the source of the outbreak is likely linked to one cooling tower in the area. Cooling towers are the focus of this investigation, as they are the most commonly the source of Legionnaires outbreaks.
ShareUpdated at 04.49 CEST‘Half-hearted, half-arsed’: teal MP slams Labor’s rejection of gambling ad banThe independent MP for Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, has released a statement regarding reports that the Labor government will not introduce a blanket ban on gambling advertising, calling the substitute proposal “half-hearted”.Daniel, who last year introduced a private members bill to ban gambling ads, said the changes will ruin the lives of “young and impressionable sports fans” and called the backdown a “betrayal”.
What the government has in mind is half hearted, half arsed, won’t work and is a betrayal of Peta Murphy’s legacy.
A total ban on gambling advertising was the priority and unanimous recommendation of the multipartisan committee she chaired.
Once again the gambling giants have been given the inside running on the government’s plan while gambling harm experts have been frozen out, complete with confidential briefings and non disclosure agreements.
Independent MP Zoe Daniel. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The GuardianDaniel said the available evidence shows restrictions on gambling advertising do not work.
After the last restrictions were introduced in 2017, gambling ads actually increased by 50 percent and migrated to general programs viewed by even more impressionable kids and teenagers.
Rather than responding to the Murphy report, Michelle Rowland is giving the gambling giants pretty much what they want – the appearance of action when all the proposed measures would do is enable them to continue to normalise the relationship between gambling and sport and wreck the lives of thousands more mainly young people.
Daniel reiterated a call for a total ban on gambling advertising across all mediums.
Listen to what the people want, not what the gambling giants tell the government.
ShareUpdated at 06.02 CESTDaniel HurstMarles and Wong flying to US for annual defence talksThe defence minister, Richard Marles, and the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, are about to fly to the US for annual talks with their American counterparts.The annual talks with Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken are scheduled to happen in Maryland on Tuesday.The trip was announced by the US embassy last week, but Marles and Wong have today issued their own statement about the visit. They described the US as “Australia’s closest ally and our principal security partner”.Marles said the alliance “remains fundamental to our national security”. He said the two sides would work on “ways to deepen and broaden our alliance, including through the longstanding US Force Posture Initiatives in Australia”.Wong said the visit was “an opportunity for action to take our alliance forward”.She said Australia and the United States were “finding new areas for cooperation and collaboration that will not only boost our own resilience and prosperity but will also deliver for a peaceful Indo-Pacific”.She said the two countries were “committed to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region”.ShareUpdated at 04.12 CESTGovernment opens public consultation on supports to be funded under NDISMinister for government services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, has opened public consultation on what will and won’t be funded under the NDIS.The government has developed a list of NDIS Supports based on “current guidance and practices”. It is intended this list will remain in place until the federal government and the states agree to replace it.Shorten said this approach will provide clarity for participants under the scheme.
The purpose of defining NDIS Supports is to make it clearer for participants what they can and can’t use their NDIS funds to buy.
This will enable transition to more flexible budgets as recommended by the NDIS review.
We’ve listened to the participants and providers who have said there isn’t enough guidance out there to support them. This consultation is part of the broader reform of the NDIS, to deliver better outcomes for Australians with disability.
We want to get rid of the uncertainty and confusion so everyone is clear on what’s in and what’s out, and participants can get on with achieving the outcomes they want and lead the fulfilling life they deserve.
Shorten said nothing would change for participants or providers while consultation was under way, and all levels of government would closely consider feedback before finalising how to communicate the defined supports.The public consultation period will be open until 18 August, with the proposed lists available from the DSS engage website.ShareUpdated at 03.53 CEST