Albanese says Kirk shooting is ‘horrific’ and condemns all political violence
Anthony Albanese has called the assassination of the US right wing commentator Charlie Kirk “horriffic” as he reiterated his condemnation of political violence.
The prime minister just spoke to reporters in Cairns:
This is horrific. There is no place for violence. I think the world is shocked by such an event and my heart goes out to Mr Kirk’s family and to all those who will be grieving today in the United States. Political violence has no role.
We in Australia can be really proud of the way that we conduct ourselves. We need to continue to get rid of the fringes, whether they be of the extreme left or the extreme right.
A message on a fence near Utah Valley University. Photograph: Hannah Schoenbaum/APShare
Updated at 00.28 BST
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NSW police celebrate 200 years as world’s longest-serving mounted unit
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the NSW Mounted Police, the longest-serving continuously mounted police unit in the world.
The force will participate in a public street parade in Sydney today, ending at the Sydney Opera House, which will include serving officers and troop horses, as well as a contingent of retired officers, among others. It begins at 11am at Hyde Park Barracks.
Photograph: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
The mounted police unit pre-dates the London Metropolitan Mounted Police, which began in 1828, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, from 1863.
Yasmin Catley, the state’s police minister, said in a statement:
From bushranger patrols in the 1800s, to crowd management and search operations today, this bond has helped keep the people of NSW safe for two centuries.
I want to acknowledge all former and current serving Mounted Police Unit officers, and their loyal Troop Horses, who have played an integral role in this state’s proud policing history.
SharePetra Stock
Offshore wind was touted as a big part of Australia’s energy transition – but does it still have a future?
For many Australians, the scale of offshore wind projects can be hard to fathom. These powerful machines, designed to harness the strong and consistent winds blowing over the ocean, are colossal, with blade tips reaching up to 350m – higher than our tallest skyscrapers.
If everything falls into place, Australia’s first offshore wind project could have turbines in the water before 2032.
Turbines at an offshore windfarm in Taiwan. Photograph: Efy Chen/Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP)
But those ambitions have begun to look increasingly optimistic in recent months as plans for projects up and down the east coast have collapsed.
Read more here:
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Updated at 01.10 BST
Albanese says discussions with Trump have been ‘really warm’
Anthony Albanese says he looks forward to continuing to engage with the US, calling the relationship an “important one”.
He added that every discussion with president Donald Trump, including his call last week, had been “really warm” and said he would continue to work with the White House to advance Australia’s interests and see more American tourists visit the country.
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Updated at 00.52 BST
PM hails relationship with Pacific region after returning from forum
Albanese was speaking in Cairns after returning from Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum. He said the country’s relationship with the region remains as strong as ever, and is linked in its prosperity:
We are family and we look after each other and we’ll continue to do so.
Anthony Albanese was in Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum. Photograph: Ben Strang/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 00.41 BST
Albanese says Kirk shooting is ‘horrific’ and condemns all political violence
Anthony Albanese has called the assassination of the US right wing commentator Charlie Kirk “horriffic” as he reiterated his condemnation of political violence.
The prime minister just spoke to reporters in Cairns:
This is horrific. There is no place for violence. I think the world is shocked by such an event and my heart goes out to Mr Kirk’s family and to all those who will be grieving today in the United States. Political violence has no role.
We in Australia can be really proud of the way that we conduct ourselves. We need to continue to get rid of the fringes, whether they be of the extreme left or the extreme right.
A message on a fence near Utah Valley University. Photograph: Hannah Schoenbaum/APShare
Updated at 00.28 BST
Natasha May
What do the experts say on ADHD rules?
Dr Michael Wright, the president of the Royal Australian College of GPs, said:
This is a chance for health ministers to make sure patients get consistent, affordable ADHD care no matter where they live.
Dr Rod Martin, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine president, said:
Whether a GP can provide care for a patient with ADHD is determined more by which side of a border they’re on than that GP’s training or experience in ADHD care. That inconsistency serves no one and further reduces health outcomes for rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
Prof David Coghill, the ADHD Professionals Association president, said:
When GPs have the right tools, appropriate training, and support, they can provide safe and appropriate care for both children and adults. Making non complex ADHD care available through GPs will increase access to care, reduce inequality and costs, and improve the lives of Australians.
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Updated at 01.14 BST
GPs and medical groups call for national rules on treating ADHD
Natasha May
GPs and ADHD professionals are calling for nationally consistent rules around who can diagnose and treat ADHD, as currently some states allow GPs to provide care while others don’t.
With state and federal health ministers expected meet today, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) have written a letter urging the ministers to allow GPs to use their full training and expertise to diagnose and treat ADHD.
At their last meeting in June, health ministers agreed that harmonising ADHD prescribing rules would be a priority.
With a rise in diagnoses, there have been rising costs and long wait lists involved to see a specialist in order to get a diagnosis, management plan and prescription medication for ADHD. These access issues are exacerbated in regional areas.
The joint letter urges the health ministers to make prescribing rules consistent across Australia so that specialist GPs, as well as psychiatrists and paediatricians, can start, change and continue ADHD medications for adults and children.
They are also calling for the alignment of criteria such as age limits, review periods, and transition rules from child to adult care, as well as funding for GP training, mentorship and tools, which is already happening in New South Wales and Wester Australia.
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Updated at 01.15 BST
Divisions over Gaza hit Eurovision as Ireland pulls out
Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has decided not to take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel is a participant.
RTÉ is the second of 37 broadcasters who took part in the event this year to have made participation next year conditional. The broadcaster said in a statement:
It is RTÉ’s position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision song contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead. … RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has also said it will participate in next year’s contest only if Israel is not involved. This week the Spanish culture minister said Spain should not take part either.
Israel’s Yuval Raphael performs during this year’s Eurovision song contest. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Read more here:
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Dementia now a leading cause of death in Australia
Australians are dying from dementia more than any other disease, as advocates warn the number of people with the disease could exceed 1 million without government intervention, AAP reports.
Dementia accounted for almost 17,400 deaths in 2023, equivalent to almost one in 10 of all deaths, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
It is the leading cause for women and second to heart disease for men.
More than 425,000 Australians were estimated to be living with dementia in 2024, equivalent to 16 people in every 1,000. By 2065, almost 1.1 million people are predicted to have dementia, a 2.5-fold increase.
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Updated at 23.41 BST
‘An entirely unedifying week’ for the Coalition, Jane Hume says
The Liberal senator Jane Hume says she hopes the Coalition does not repeat the drama surrounding Jacinta Nampijinpa Price over her remarks on Indian migrants, adding there had been “mishandling on all sides”.
Hume spoke to Channel Seven’s Sunrise this morning, saying it was now time to move on after Nampijinpa Price was dumped from Sussan Ley’s shadow ministry:
This has been an entirely unedifying week for the Coalition. Not something that we want to repeat. Something we should learn from.
I think there has been mishandling on all sides, but the good news is we have cauterised the wound. We are going to move on now and talk about what’s important to ordinary Australians.
Liberal senator Jane Hume. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPShare
Updated at 23.18 BST
Trump calls Albanese a ‘good man’ – report
Donald Trump said Anthony Albanese is a “good man” in brief remarks to a reporter from the Sydney Morning Herald in Washington DC.
The two leaders had a call last week during which the pair discussed the strength of the countries’ relationship and “the importance of our shared security interests”.
The Herald asked Trump about the chat as the president was leaving the White House earlier today.
Composite: Suzanne Plunkett/ PA/ Lukas Coch/ EPAShare
Updated at 23.02 BST
Hanson-Young says health concerns are mounting for people near SA algal bloom
Hanson-Young said she remained concerned about the health impacts on people related to the algal bloom, saying “anecdotally, health concerns and symptoms are mounting every day from people who live, work, and play along our coastline”.
She told RN Breakfast:
We need a much better and robust health advice regime. The anecdotal evidence now that people who are down living by the sea, where the foam and the sea mist, where the bloom has been, are getting sick, that the irritations, the cold-like symptoms, the respiratory systems, the rashes, you know, the government advises that this goes away in a few days.
We’re finding that people who live down in these areas are being impacted every day and they feel like the government is just not responding with the full force of resources that’s needed.
The SA government says the algal bloom does not produce toxins harmful to humans or one that could cause long-term effects. But officials say exposure could cause skin and eye irritation and symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing. The symptoms usually resolve within a few hours of leaving the beach or nearby areas.
A dead fish at Seacliff Beach in Adelaide. Photograph: Matt Turner/AAPShare
Updated at 22.48 BST
Sarah Hanson-Young says government response to SA’s algal bloom ‘doesn’t touch the side of what’s needed’
The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has been up and down the South Australia coastline this week looking at the impacts of the state’s devastating algal bloom, saying the government response thus far is a long way from what’s needed to address a major environmental crisis.
Hanson-Young spoke to RN Breakfast about the scope of the response so far:
It’s clear that the scale of the government response just doesn’t match the scale of the disaster that we have here, whether it’s the economic impacts, the loss of fishing, the loss of jobs, the loss of tourism, the health impacts … And then, of course, the huge job that is needed to restore the local environment to make it more resilient to this toxic algae.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Photograph: ABC via Reuters
Hanson-Young said the government should be investigating a jobseeker-like program to help support those who rely on the gulf, saying the $14m pledged by the Albanese government wasn’t nearly enough to help deal with the crisis (the state government has matched that funding for a total of $28m):
The money from the federal government, 14 million bucks, It doesn’t touch the side of what’s needed.
The government, frankly, if I’m really honest, has been floundering in their response to this environmental, social and health disaster.
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Updated at 22.29 BST
Good morning, and thanks to Martin Farrer for getting the blog rolling. Nick Visser here to take the reins. Let’s dive in.
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NSW wild weather ‘just the beginning’, says SES chief
People in New South Wales should prepare for more wild weather as they clean up after this week’s heavy rain and tornadoes.
Crews responded to more than 700 incidents between Wednesday and Thursday, including 36 flood rescues. The rain has slowly eased with sunny conditions predicted for Friday.
Hazardous surf conditions caused by a large and powerful swell are expected to continue today and decrease gradually on Friday.
However, SES assistant commissioner Dean Storey urged NSW residents to remain vigilant, with storm season brewing.
“This is just the beginning of what we are expecting to be a very busy storm season and it’s important people take simple steps to prepare,” he said.
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Updated at 22.31 BST
ATO watchdog to investigate how interest is applied on unpaid taxes
Sarah Basford Canales
The watchdog for the Australian Taxation Office will investigate how it charges interest on tax debts, warning it believes the agency could take a more “compassionate approach” in certain cases.
The tax ombudsman said it will look into the “hot topic” among the community where those owing the ATO money attempt to reduce or remove the 11% interest rate applied to the tax debt.
The ombudsman said it had received 134 complaints from taxpayers and tax professionals about a general lack of consistency and transparency in how interest is applied to debts.
Attempts to reduce or remove tax debt interest are determined by the ATO and can only be reviewed in the federal court.
From July 2025, tax debt interest is no longer tax deductible, placing additional pressure on taxpayers and small businesses already under financial stress, the watchdog said.
The ombudsman, Ruth Owen, said:
Taxpayers have an obligation to pay their tax bills, and we know most people are trying to do the right thing, but there are certain circumstances where we think the ATO could take a more compassionate approach to debt collection.
Although [applying debt interest] is an important element of the tax system, to ensure that those who deliberately avoid paying tax are not given an unfair advantage, it should not punish those trying to do the right thing.
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Updated at 22.11 BST
North West Shelf gas decision looms over Pacific climate talks
An expected call on the future of a major Australian gas project could cast a shadow over the final days of a climate change-heavy Pacific leader talks, Australian Associated Press reports.
The final go-ahead for the Woodside North West Shelf gas hub to continue operating until 2070 could be granted by the federal environment minister, Murray Watt, today, following years in approvals limbo.
Australia’s fossil fuel exports have long been a source of tension for climate-vulnerable Pacific islands on the front line of rising seas and severe weather, a point reiterated by the Vanuatu climate change adaptation minister, Ralph Regenvanu, in Honiara on Wednesday.
Regenvanu said Australia’s long-held argument that it was only responsible for cutting the greenhouse gases it emitted within its borders “is no longer tenable” following a landmark world court advisory opinion in July.
“We want Australia to start seriously talking about its fossil fuel production pipeline,” Regenvanu said at a Pacific Island Forum side event on Wednesday.
Woodside’s North West Shelf gas hub. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images
Anthony Albanese said he would “act in Australia’s interests but also in the interests of engaging in action on climate change” when queried on the Pacific reaction to the looming North West Shelf decision.
“We know that gas has an important role to play in the transition,” he told reporters from the leaders-only retreat in the Solomon Islands yesterday.
You can read more on Regenvanu’s previous criticisms of the North West Shelf project here:
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Updated at 22.34 BST
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the breaking overnight stories and then my colleague Nick Visser will be driving the news bus.
Anthony Albanese faces tough talks on climate action at the Pacific Islands Forum in Solomon Islands today – and they will be even tougher if his environment minister, Murray Watt, gives the final go-ahead today for Woodside to extend the life of its North West Shelf gas project as has been suggested by reports this week. More coming up.
And the watchdog for the Australian Taxation Office will investigate how it charges interest on tax debts, warning it believes the agency could take a more “compassionate approach” in certain cases. More details in a moment.
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