Key occasions
What we realized; Tuesday, 30 January
Listed here are at the moment’s foremost tales:
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Queensland stays liable to additional flooding after heavy rain within the Moreton Bay area, with faculties closed and roads badly broken;
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Administrative errors and Covid-19 are responsible for lacking nationwide security-related cupboard paperwork from 2003, an inquiry has discovered;
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Greater than 13 tonnes of disposable vapes with a avenue worth of $4.5m have been seized by Australian Border Power officers;
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Adobe casts doubt on declare ‘automation’ induced outfit of Victorian MP Georgie Purcell to look extra revealing;
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NSW coroner refers demise of Dunghutti teenager Jai Wright to Division of Public Prosecutions; and
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Two Aboriginal youngsters stranded within the UK with out passports or visas since 2020 whereas courts determined their guardianship should be instantly introduced house, the nation’s peak physique for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youngsters says.
We are going to see you again right here for extra information tomorrow morning.
Arrest over collection of arson assaults in Melbourne
A person has been arrested over a string of suspicious fires in Melbourne that are believed to be linked to a dispute between crime syndicates over unlawful tobacco, AAP report.
The Epping man, 25, was arrested in Bundoora in Melbourne’s north simply after 3pm on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks informed reporters it’s believed the person is a “important ring chief” who acted for a criminal offense gang.
Investigators allege the person is involved with the top of the syndicate primarily based abroad and had been coordinating the fires.
The 25-year-old is being interviewed over a number of arson assaults on Melbourne companies from October to December in 2023.
They embody fires at a smash restore enterprise in Williamstown, a Glenroy tobacco retailer, a Tullamarine reception centre, two blazes at a Docklands restaurant and one other at a unique Docklands restaurant.
Victoria Police have stated it’s believed Center Japanese organised crime teams and outlaw motorbike gangs are in competitors for income from illicit tobacco and use low-level criminals to hold out assaults.
Two Aboriginal youngsters stranded in UK since 2020, peak physique says
Two Aboriginal youngsters who’ve been stranded within the UK with out passports or visas since 2020 whereas courts determined their guardianship should be instantly introduced house, the nation’s peak physique for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youngsters says.
The chief government of SNAICC, Catherine Liddle, stated it “beggared perception” that any authorities company would enable weak youngsters to be “trapped in limbo” as “undesirable aliens in a distant nation, with no household or cultural hyperlinks”.
She stated:
The very fact they’re within the UK within the first place is yet one more demonstration of how youngster safety techniques are failing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youngsters and households.
These Aboriginal youngsters must be of their nation, with their household and neighborhood, sustaining their connection to tradition.
You’ll be able to learn extra on that story right here:
Drug extra harmful than fentanyl and heroin getting used to lace MDMA
A extremely potent opioid, extra harmful than fentanyl and heroin, is being blended into the favored get together drug MDMA, prompting emergency warnings and renewed requires tablet testing.
Three folks had been taken to Sydney hospitals on the weekend after taking a type of nitazenes, that are sturdy artificial opioids that may trigger extreme overdose or demise.
These hospitalised ingested half a tablet, with one individual handled within the intensive care unit. Assessments on one tablet – which was stamped with the Purple Bull brand – discovered traces of nitazene and no MDMA.
You’ll be able to learn extra on that story right here:
Abode casts doubt on ‘Photoshop’ claims about Victorian MP’s picture
Adobe has forged doubt on claims by 9 Information that “automation by Photoshop” was responsible for an edited picture of Victorian higher home MP Georgie Purcell, which appeared in its bulletin.
Purcell lashed 9 Information Melbourne over the “sexist enhancing” of the picture that made her breasts look larger and uncovered her midriff, which was proven in the course of the Monday night time’s bulletin.
This system’s information director, Hugh Nailon, apologised to the Animal Justice get together MP on Tuesday for the “graphic error” and blamed “automation by Photoshop”.
However in an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Adobe stated use of its generative AI options would have required “human intervention”.
You’ll be able to learn extra on that story right here:
Josh Butler
Dutton claims nuclear push going ‘unbelievably effectively’
Dutton’s speech went on to assert that the Coalition’s push for nuclear energy in Australia was going “unbelievably effectively”, and elevating outdated considerations from previous Liberal election campaigns about Labor’s coverage on franking credit.
In a speech praising the mining trade, and its contribution to Australia’s financial coffers, Dutton stated he was “involved about our nationwide economic system and the wellbeing of Australians” – citing price of residing pressures, inflation and rising costs.
The opposition chief accused the federal government of “implementing ideological insurance policies that are proving deadly for our nationwide economic system”, notably claiming the useful resource trade was in danger. Pointing to Anthony Albanese’s damaged promise on the stage-three tax cuts, Dutton raised considerations about whether or not the federal government would make adjustments to unfavourable gearing, franking credit, or gas tax credit.
The franking credit problem was weaponised by the Coalition as a “retirees tax” within the 2019 election. Labor hasn’t made strikes to resurrect that coverage since.
Dutton went on to again within the Coalition’s rhetoric on small modular reactors and nuclear know-how.
“We’ve began this debate – and it’s gone unbelievably effectively, I would say,” he claimed.
“It was 31% assist to begin. It’s moved to 52%, and notably for lots of youthful people who find themselves effectively researched on the subject, we’ve seen the truth that 50 international locations are embracing nuclear know-how.”
Dutton stated “very clearly, we have to have a nationwide debate about how we will present assist to renewables going into the system, because the transition of our power system takes place, and we’re all embracing that”.
Josh Butler
Coalition ‘weren’t a decent group’: Dutton
Commenting on the ABC’s Nemesis program, aired final night time, and which chronicles the Liberals’ final decade in energy, opposition chief Peter Dutton has admitted the Coalition “weren’t a decent group” in 2007 after John Howard’s election defeat.
Talking in Perth in an tackle to the Chamber of Minerals and Power WA, Dutton stated “going into opposition is at all times a depressing place”.
I say to folks in enterprise – and I had a enterprise profession earlier than I got here into politics, as effectively – it’s like going bankrupt on Saturday night time, the financial institution turning up, taking the keys, kicking you out of your constructing and you then’ve obtained to recreate the chance and amass your fortune over the following three years. And you’ll solely do this when you have a decent group.
In 2007, when John Howard misplaced the election, we weren’t a decent group – we noticed a few of that evidenced on the ABC final night time. However we’re in a really totally different area now, we’re a reputable opposition, and a part of that’s the very important engagement being undertaken by my colleagues.
Allan says Fowles is not going to return to Labor get together, says complainant might be supported
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has issued a strongly worded assertion concerning the closure of the police investigation into former Labor MP Will Fowles.
Fowles resigned from the parliamentary Labor get together final 12 months over an alleged incident that was described by the then premier, Daniel Andrews, as a “critical assault”. Fowles has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, and welcomed the top of the investigation.
Police issued an announcement earlier on Tuesday saying {that a} “rigorous and methodical investigation” by the sexual crimes squad into the reported incident within the Melbourne CBD final 12 months had concluded and “along side senior authorized recommendation, it has been decided that prices is not going to be laid”.
Allan stated on Tuesday afternoon:
The wellbeing of workers and their proper to a protected office will not be negotiable and we are going to at all times act on any allegations of a critical nature.
Victoria police has now concluded an investigation into the member for Ringwood.
The member for Ringwood was requested to resign from the parliamentary Labor get together in August final 12 months.
He is not going to return.
The complainant will proceed to be supported and their privateness should be revered right now.
Sodden Queensland cities liable to flash flooding, mayor says
Eden Gillespie
Elements of Queensland’s Moreton Bay area which had been “significantly impacted” by extreme thunderstorms and rainfall might even see an elevated threat of flash flooding on Wednesday, in keeping with mayor, Peter Flannery.
Flannery stated the catchment space was already saturated after intense rainfall on Monday night time and Tuesday morning sparked highway closures, livestock points and landslides.
He stated there have been greater than 84 requires help and 10 swift water rescues within the Bray Park space.
Round 92 roads had been closed as of 1pm AEST and 100 properties had been with out energy within the area.
Samford, Bray Park and Caboolture South had been a number of the worst impacted by the storms, in keeping with the mayor.
“Samford obtained 244mm of rainfall since midnight. There’s a 0.05% probability of this taking place yearly, making the rainfall occasion in Samford excessive,” he stated.
“Bray Park had 235mm since midnight and 275 mm was recorded at Bribie Island Highway.”
Flannery stated these ranges “far exceeded” these skilled in these areas in the course of the 2022 floods.
Six evacuation areas are open for the neighborhood, with concern remaining for the higher Caboolture River.
Residents are inspired to watch town’s Catastrophe Dashboard for emergency info.
For extra background on this story:
Victorian MP welcomes closure of investigation
The Victorian MP Will Fowles, who as we reported earlier is not beneath investigation by police over an alleged incident final 12 months, has issued an announcement:
In it he stated:
I acknowledge the affirmation from Victoria police that they’ve closed the investigation and won’t proceed with any prices.
I’ve at all times maintained my innocence and I’m trying ahead to persevering with my work for my constituents in parliament.
Final 12 months, Fowles resigned from the parliamentary Labor get together over an alleged incident that was described by the then premier, Daniel Andrews, as a “critical assault”. Fowles has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
In October, Fowles was arrested and interviewed by the sexual crimes squad however launched with out cost.
Immediately, Victoria police confirmed an investigation by the sexual crimes squad into the reported incident within the Melbourne CBD final 12 months has concluded.
Man launched after excessive courtroom ruling charged with alleged offences
The Australian federal police have confirmed one other individual launched after the excessive courtroom’s ruling on indefinite detention has been charged with additional alleged offending.
The AFP stated in an announcement that the person was arrested and charged at the moment after he was present in Footscray, a suburb in Melbourne’s interior west.
He’s alleged to have breached the circumstances of his visa on 28 and 29 January by failing to look at his residential curfew obligations, the AFP stated.
It stated the person, who was born in Eritrea, was anticipated to face courtroom at the moment and had been charged with 5 offences regarding allegedly failing to conform along with his visa-mandated curfew and keep a monitoring machine.
The offences carry most penalties of 5 years’ imprisonment.
Adeshola Ore
Victoria’s First Peoples’ Meeting head steps down
The chief government of Victoria’s First Peoples’ Meeting will step down from the position in June, because the state prepares for treaty negotiations to start this 12 months.
The meeting – the state’s democratically elected Indigenous physique – will start negotiating a state-wide treaty with the state authorities this 12 months.
Guardian Australia has confirmed Andy Gargett has emailed meeting members saying he is not going to lengthen his time within the place and can depart in the course of the 12 months. Within the e mail, he stated it was vital for an Indigenous individual to fill the position.
Final week, the opposition introduced it could withdraw its assist for a treaty course of with First Nations Victorians, lower than every week earlier than Australia Day. The opposition cited points with the state’s cultural heritage laws as a key cause for its backflip.
