Point-to-point speed camera trial coming to NSW highwaysThe speed of all drivers, not just truckies, will be tracked through average-speed camera zones in a NSW trial, AAP reports.But don’t expect a fine in the mail if you mess up in the early days.Australia’s biggest jurisdiction has announced it would cease being a global outlier on point-to-point speed detection and its heavy-vehicles-only policy.An all-driver approach will be trialled along two stretches of highway where six people have died in recent years.Speeding drivers will receive written warnings for the first 60 days before financial and licence penalties kick in.All other mainland Australian states and countries like the UK, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands had found average speed cameras to be effective, roads minister John Graham said:
We aim to be as rigorous as possible to be sure they will also reduce road trauma in NSW.
Legislation will be required to set up the trial, which will begin along a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes on the mid-north coast and a similar length of the Hume Highway, north of Gundagai.Six people died and 33 more were seriously injured in the five years to 2022 at those locations.In 2023, speeding contributed to 44% of road deaths in NSW, three-quarters of which were in regional NSW.A comprehensive communications campaign will inform drivers about the trial.ShareUpdated at 07.45 CESTKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureWhat we learned today, Sunday 8 SeptemberThank you everyone for following along with us today. We’re going to wind things up. Here are the day’s key events:

It turns out you can do not one, but two backflips, and end up in a different place. The government will add a gender identity question to the 2026 census.

The adorably named laughing frog is just one of 750 new species now recognised in Australia.

The speed of all drivers, not just truckies, will be tracked through average-speed camera zones in a NSW trial on stretches of two highways.

South Australia is aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2027.

Thousands of anti-war activists are protesting at a weapons expo in Melbourne. They already brought in extra police, and the expo doesn’t even start until Wednesday.

Women are limiting their exercising and commuting because there’s not enough lighting in public spaces.
ShareUpdated at 08.41 CESTWe had a piece earlier from Karen Middleton on Labor’s attack ad on opposition leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear plans. Here it is if you’re keen to watch:ShareHere are the details of that story we mentioned early about South Australia cracking down on social media giants:ShareSteph Harmon asks Ben Lee 10 chaotic questions and the result is a marvellous ride:ShareCompensation for Tasmanians affected by last week’s stormsTasmanians are eligible for more compensation in the wake of those wild storms last week, which caused flooding, power outages and damage to homes. The state and federal government deal means payments of up to $2,000 will be available to households whose primary residence has been without power for more than a week, or is uninhabitable.Flooding in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley at Bushy Park and New Norfolk on Tuesday. Photograph: Ethan James/AAPThe premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said while power has been restored to many households, “the unprecedented scale of the damage means that thousands of Tasmanians are still waiting to be reconnected”.“For households facing power outages for up to five weeks, this new payment means they are eligible for $10,000 in payments,” he said.Emergency management minister, Jenny McAllister, said:​
We know that it has been a really difficult week for families and communities, and we are committed to supporting everyone impacted by these storms, as we move from response into recovery.
People can apply here from Monday.ShareUpdated at 07.28 CESTPoint-to-point speed camera trial coming to NSW highwaysThe speed of all drivers, not just truckies, will be tracked through average-speed camera zones in a NSW trial, AAP reports.But don’t expect a fine in the mail if you mess up in the early days.Australia’s biggest jurisdiction has announced it would cease being a global outlier on point-to-point speed detection and its heavy-vehicles-only policy.An all-driver approach will be trialled along two stretches of highway where six people have died in recent years.Speeding drivers will receive written warnings for the first 60 days before financial and licence penalties kick in.All other mainland Australian states and countries like the UK, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands had found average speed cameras to be effective, roads minister John Graham said:
We aim to be as rigorous as possible to be sure they will also reduce road trauma in NSW.
Legislation will be required to set up the trial, which will begin along a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes on the mid-north coast and a similar length of the Hume Highway, north of Gundagai.Six people died and 33 more were seriously injured in the five years to 2022 at those locations.In 2023, speeding contributed to 44% of road deaths in NSW, three-quarters of which were in regional NSW.A comprehensive communications campaign will inform drivers about the trial.ShareUpdated at 07.45 CESTAn update on those anti-war protests in Melbourne – AAP reports interstate police have been called in to bolster law and order ahead of what could be Victoria’s biggest protest since the chaos surrounding the World Economic Forum in 2000.ShareKaren Middleton has rounded up everything we know (so far) about the changes to the next census:ShareSA considers social media ban for under 14sA bill to ban children under 14 from social media is being considered in South Australia. The proposed legislation would also make social media companies get parents’ consent for children aged 14 and 15.The state government will now consult on the draft bill, which would have a regulator overseeing compliance, issuing sanctions and penalties, and seeking further action through the supreme court for more serious breaches. Families of children who suffer mental or physical harm as a result of social media access would be able to sue for damages if a provider has breached their duty.The premier, Peter Malinauskas, discussed the proposed move at national cabinet on Friday.He said there was clear evidence social media was harming children:
And my intent is clear, we are going to do something about it.
We now have a pathway forward to implement a ban on social media platforms allowing children under the age of 14 to have accounts, and to require parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
When we see products doing children harm, whether it be drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, governments have a role to play. The addictive nature of social media is no different.
Ultimately, we want to see a legal framework in place across the country and to that end, I took the opportunity to brief the prime minister and other state and territory leaders on Mr French’s considerable work while in Canberra this week.
ShareUpdated at 06.05 CESTLiked the cute turtles? You’ll love the laughing frog! And the ghost sand dragon, and all the others Lisa Cox has rounded up here:Share