Pro-Palestine protest could be tested in the supreme court
Jordyn Beazley
The Palestine Action Group is deciding whether to go before the supreme court once again about a planned protest after the police opposed a march to the Sydney Opera House.
Assistant commissioner Peter McKenna addressed reporters a short time ago to say police had decided to oppose the planned route outlined in the group’s ‘form 1’ protest permit because of safety concerns linked to limited exit points from the opera house forecourt.
As was the case for the march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August on behalf of people living in Gaza, Police are worried about how many people will join the protest proposed for the Opera House forecourt. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/AAP
He said police would lodge an objection to the protest in the NSW supreme court, but were still discussing altenative routes with the action group.
Mckenna said:
They have indicated to us that they will give us a response later about whether they themselves will test this matter in the supreme court, or whether they will consider the alternative routes that we may be able to negotiate.
We understand that this is a significant anniversary
We’re not anti-protest. We facilitate thousands of protests, and in fact, in this particular group, we’ve been facilitating protests and public assemblies for the last two years. So it’s not a matter of us not wanting them to have a public assembly.
It’s not even a matter about it being at the Opera House itself. It’s about public safety.
Mckenna said organisers had estimated in their form one that 10,000 people would attend. However, he said he was skeptical of the estimate, given how the number of people that marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August vastly exceeded what organisers expected.
Updated at 22.38 EDT
Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Ima Caldwell
When does daylight saving start again in Australia – and how can you adjust your body clock?
Just a reminder before the long weekend brain kicks in: Clocks will move forward one hour this Sunday in many parts of Australia as the weather warms up.
Here’s what you need to know about the start of daylight saving time – and how it will affect you.
Read more:
Share
Cait Kelly
Too hard to work out how many people affected by Centrelink’s unlawful debt calculations, government bureaucrat says
Back in the Senate Community Affairs Legislation committee, the department of social services is speaking about the Australians affected by Centrelink’s unlawful debt calculation.
Matt Flavell, the deputy secretary of social security said the department did not know how many people were affected:
The practice of income apportionment, we understand, went back to the early 1990s. It isn’t possible to say with precision how many debts may be affected, because that would require going into each individual debt and seeking to determine exactly whether it was or wasn’t impacted by income apportionment.
Asked if the debts should be waived, he said:
That would mean, effectively, going back and refunding millions and millions of debts going back to the early 1990. The number of hours involved in doing that is significant.
Updated at 22.32 EDT
Pro-Palestine protest could be tested in the supreme courtJordyn Beazley
The Palestine Action Group is deciding whether to go before the supreme court once again about a planned protest after the police opposed a march to the Sydney Opera House.
Assistant commissioner Peter McKenna addressed reporters a short time ago to say police had decided to oppose the planned route outlined in the group’s ‘form 1’ protest permit because of safety concerns linked to limited exit points from the opera house forecourt.
As was the case for the march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August on behalf of people living in Gaza, Police are worried about how many people will join the protest proposed for the Opera House forecourt. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/AAP
He said police would lodge an objection to the protest in the NSW supreme court, but were still discussing altenative routes with the action group.
Mckenna said:
They have indicated to us that they will give us a response later about whether they themselves will test this matter in the supreme court, or whether they will consider the alternative routes that we may be able to negotiate.
We understand that this is a significant anniversary
We’re not anti-protest. We facilitate thousands of protests, and in fact, in this particular group, we’ve been facilitating protests and public assemblies for the last two years. So it’s not a matter of us not wanting them to have a public assembly.
It’s not even a matter about it being at the Opera House itself. It’s about public safety.
Mckenna said organisers had estimated in their form one that 10,000 people would attend. However, he said he was skeptical of the estimate, given how the number of people that marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August vastly exceeded what organisers expected.
Updated at 22.38 EDT
Police officer pleads ‘not guilty’ to double murder charges
Here’s more from that AAP report about Beaumont Lamarre-Condon’s court appearance today, and some background about his upcoming trial.
Last year, Lamarre-Condon became the first serving NSW police officer charged with murder in several decades after he was accused of shooting couple Luke Davies and Jesse Baird, at Baird’s Paddington home in Sydney’s east.
Floral tributes placed last year at the front of the Sydney home of Jesse Baird. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The case has been mired in delays, with the now-sacked senior constable changing lawyers twice and negotiations with prosecutors dragging on for months.
For the first time since he was arrested, the words “not guilty” left Lamarre-Condon’s lips in open court today, as he was asked to answer to two counts of domestic violence-related murder.
He also pleaded not guilty to aggravated break and enter.
The 30-year-old appeared on screen from prison, wearing a green polo shirt and sporting facial stubble.
His trial will begin on 21 September 2026.
Updated at 21.59 EDT
Police officer accused of Sydney double murder launches tirade during court hearing
Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, the police officer accused of the murder of a TV presenter and his partner, claims he agreed to admit to manslaughter but prosecutors and police denied his offer, AAP reports.
As Lamarre-Condon formally pleaded not guilty to the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in Sydney this morning, he interrupted the court to launch a tirade at investigators.
The 29-year-old said he opposed any orders for a closed court at his trial because he wanted people to know the truth of his case.
He also accused NSW Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of being corrupt.
“I will not be silenced,” Lamarre-Condon said via video link in the NSW supreme court.
The accused double-murderer claimed he had previously offered to prosecutors to plead guilty to one charge of manslaughter while in a lower court, but this was rejected.
Justice Peter Hamill indicated that if such negotiations had taken place then they would have been recorded in the court file.
Updated at 21.58 EDT
Penry Buckley
Police investigating reports of armed man in south-west Sydney
Returning to the operation under way in Panania in south-west Sydney, police have told Guardian Australia officers are investigating reports of a man armed with a gun inside a home on Wollongbar Avenue.
A police spokesperson said it is believed the man has since left the property. Police have advised the public to avoid the area.
They also confirmed police officers at the scene are armed. Aerial footage from the ABC and Nine News shows several armoured vehicles and armed officers on the street.
Updated at 21.47 EDT
Cait Kelly
Senate committee discussing decision to offer compensation to those affected by unlawful debt calculations
Today, the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee is discussing the government’s decision to offer about $3m to Australians affected by Centrelink’s unlawful debt calculation method.
People with unlawful debts of between $250 and $2,000 will receive $200, those between $2,000 and $5,000 will receive $400, and debts of more than $5,000 will receive $600.
The government would also raise the threshold for small debts to $250, meaning about 1.2m debts are expected to be waived or not raised this financial year.
Kristin O’Connell, a spokesperson for advocacy group the Antipoverty Centre, said all the debts should be completely waived:
I mentioned someone in my opening statement who’s been criminalised and he’s been incarcerated as a result of one of these debts.
There is no amount of money that can make up for the harm done to that person.
But under this scheme, if he is deemed to be able to get that compensation, it will be $600 and his debt is in the tens of thousands of dollars.
He’s been living with the consequences of criminalisation now since 2018.
At least two people were jailed after Centrelink used unlawful calculations to accuse them of overclaiming welfare benefits, a watchdog has revealed.
Updated at 21.32 EDT
Penry Buckley
Police operation under way in south-west Sydney
A police operation is under way in Panania in south-west Sydney.
In a statement, a spokesperson for NSW police said officers attached to Bankstown area command as well as “specialist resources” were on scene on Wollongbar Avenue.
NSW police has not provided further details but the public has been urged to avoid the area.
The ABC has reported that several armed police and armoured vehicles are present on the street. We will bring you more details once they are confirmed.
Man accused of killing Molly Ticehurst closer to entering a plea, court hears
The man accused of the domestic violence murder of Molly Ticehurst appears one step closer to entering a plea, with nearly 18 months of “fragile” legal negotiations almost complete, AAP reports.
Daniel Billings, 30, is charged with murdering Ticehurst at her home in Forbes, central western NSW, in the early hours of 22 April 2024. Ticehurst’s death intensified a national movement against domestic and gendered violence.
A photograph of Molly Ticehurst at a funeral service. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
During a brief mention in Parkes local court on Friday morning, Billings’ Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston said negotiations with prosecutors were at an advanced stage. The parties were “90%” towards an agreed statement of facts, deputy senior crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC said via audio-visual link from Sydney.
The case was adjourned to Forbes local court in November.
Updated at 21.14 EDT
Government names next national children’s commissioner
The Albanese government tapped Deborah Tsorbaris, an executive in the not-for-profit and public sectors, as the next national children’s commissioner this morning.
The role of children’s commissioner was established in 2013 and is tasked with standing up for the human rights of children and young people in Australia.
Tsorbaris has served as the CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare since 2013, Victoria’s peak body for child and family services.
Attorney-general Michelle Rowland said in a statement:
The National Children’s Commissioner acts as a strong voice for the human rights of children and young people – helping them get the best start in life while ensuring their ongoing needs are put front and centre in the development of commonwealth policies and programs.
I congratulate Ms Tsorbaris on her appointment.
ShareTony Mokbel has convictions overturned in Lawyer X appeal
Nino Bucci
Underworld figure Tony Mokbel has had two convictions set aside by the Victorian court of appeal, in the most significant case yet involving the gangland lawyer and police informer Nicola Gobbo.
The court of appeal handed down its judgment on Friday morning in relation to several appeals filed by Mokbel.
He was successful in overturning his convictions for trafficking not less than a large commercial quantity of MDMA and for incitement to import a commercial quantity of MDMA.
The convictions were set aside and new trials were ordered on both charges.
But Mokbel was unsuccessful in his bid to appeal a conviction for trafficking not less than a large commercial quantity of methyl amphetamine.
Mokbel had been in custody for almost 18 years before he was released on bail in April pending the appeal judgment.
Tony Mokbel. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 20.41 EDT
Police officer charged after he allegedly uploaded child abuse material to social media platformJordyn Beazley
A police officer has been charged over online child abuse material after he allegedly uploaded material to a social media platform.
The 26-year-old police officer, who is a constable with Sydney’s central metropolitan region command, was arrested and charged on Thursday.
NSW police on Friday morning said the officer was charged after a joint investigation with the Australian federal police under Strike Force Lautersee.
He was charged with four offences, including two counts of possessing child abuse data using a carriage service, transmit to self child abuse matter by carriage service, and soliciting child abuse matter.
NSW police said in a statement:
Police will allege in court that the man uploaded child abuse material to a social media platform.
The officer’s employment is under review and he has been suspended from duty without pay.
The man has been refused bail and will appear before Bankstown local court today.
Updated at 20.34 EDT
Jane Hume says flotilla ‘not the way’ to voice discontent on Gaza
The Liberal senator Jane Hume has said the flotilla was “not the way to go about” voicing opposition to the situation in Gaza.
Hume spoke to Sunrise this morning:
The concerns that people have for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are very real and perfectly understandable. If people would like to help they should go to maybe Oxfam or Save the Children or Unicef.
There are organisations that are fit for purpose to help with humanitarian crisis, putting yourself in danger and getting on a flotilla of boats.
Putting yourself in a war zone that is partly run a terrorist organisation is not the wisest cause of action.
Liberal senator Jane Hume. Photograph: ParlViewShare
Updated at 20.26 EDT
NSW police to meet pro-Palestine group over proposed Opera House marchPenry Buckley
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, says a police decision as to whether to challenge an application by the Palestine Action Group to march on the Sydney Opera House is likely by the end of today.
Speaking to 2GB earlier, Catley said the group, which organised August’s Harbour Bridge protest, has submitted an application for a protest on Sunday, 12 October – which marks over two years since the start of the war in Gaza – starting at Hyde Park, before marching to the Opera House.
Catley said police were meeting with organisers to discuss the details of the application this morning.
Pro-Palestine protesters during the Palestine Action Group’s march on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in August. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/AAP
Asked if she opposes the protest, Catley said she did not want to pre-empt the police’s decision, although she has claimed the Opera House’s trust has a bylaw which prevents protests on its forecourt. She said:
We’re not going to solve the problems of what is going on overseas on the forecourt of the Opera House, and social cohesion is the most important thing that we need to do. And I think I just ask people to be peaceful.
If police oppose the application, it will be subject to a supreme court hearing to determine whether protesters will be legally protected if the march goes ahead.
Updated at 20.14 EDT
NSW psychiatrists to receive temporary 20% pay bump, commission decides
Natasha May
The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) has handed down a decision finding the state’s psychiatrists will receive a temporary pay rise of 20% for a 12-month period.
The case comes after 200 psychiatrists threatened to resign in January, saying it was not about the money but being unable to continue working in a system causing them moral injury, knowing they were providing substandard care to their patients when one in three permanent psychiatrists positions were vacant.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (Asmof), the doctors’ union representing the psychiatrists against NSW Health, argued that the special levy was necessary to avoid the “collapse” of psychiatric care in the state.
This morning Justice David Chin announced that a special case had been made out which justifies the payment of a temporary allowance for the purpose of attracting and retaining psychiatrists.
Chin said the psychiatrists would receive a “combined interim uplift of 20% for period of 12 months”.
He said this increase was including the 10% abnormal duties allowance paid to psychiatrists since 3 February, and that the increase would be absorbed into any increase in the general award for doctors across the state. Asmof was separately still in negotiations for a new award which would apply across all doctors working in the public sector.
The NSW government has said they will accept the IRC’s decision, whatever the outcome.
Read the full report here:
Updated at 19.59 EDT
Cait Kelly
Millions of Australians eligible for 5% first home buyers scheme may be unable to afford repayments
Millions of Australians eligible to take up the federal government’s new 5% deposit scheme could be unable to afford mortgage repayments, new analysis has shown.
Data compiled by the Parliamentary Library and commissioned by the Greens shows of the 3.8 million Australians in the top 10 most common professions in Australia, the vast majority would be unable to afford mortgage repayments on the median Australian home without falling into housing stress.
On Wednesday, the government expanded the scheme, which helps eligible first-time buyers get into the market with a deposit of as little as 5% by lifting borrowing limits and income caps.
Read more here:
Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPShare
Updated at 19.36 EDT
Australia will provide consular assistance to anyone detained by Israel, minister says
Mark Butler, the health minister, said the Australian government has put in a formal request with Israeli authorities for more information about how many Australians may have been detained on the humanitarian flotilla.
Butler spoke to Channel Seven’s Sunrise this morning:
We have provided clear advice, I have to say, for Australians not to take part in these attempts to break the naval blockade because of obvious safety risks that are involved here.
I get that Australians want to see aid float, basic things like food and medicines to civilians in Gaza. But for those who are detained we’ll be providing consular assistance to them.
Health minister Mark Butler. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 19.04 EDT
Dfat officials in Tel Aviv have requested information on any detained Australians
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) says that Australian officials in Tel Aviv were “liaising with Israeli authorities and have formally requested confirmation of the detention of any Australians and early consular access”.
Dfat said in a statement this morning:
Australia calls on all parties to respect international law, to ensure the safety and humane treatment of those involved.
We understand that people want to help deliver aid to those suffering in Gaza – we also want to see critical aid delivered.
For some time, we have warned against attempts to breach the naval blockade and strongly advised Australians not to do so because of the risks to their safety.
We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Updated at 18.51 EDT
Krishani Dhanji
Supporters of Australians on flotilla believe they are in Israeli custody
Supporters of Australian Surya McEwen reported last night Australians on board a flotilla to Gaza, including McEwen, were in Israeli custody. Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) organisers last night said the ships they were on were considered intercepted by Israeli forces, as they had not made contact.
The GSF, with more than 500 people including politicians, lawyers and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, is aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid.
McEwen’s supporters demanded the prime minister and foreign minister, Penny Wong, use all diplomatic and economic tools to have the Australians they believe are in Israeli custody released.
In a statement on Thursday evening, a Dfat spokesperson said the department was “aware of reports of detainments by Israeli forces on the Global Sumud Flotilla”.
Guardian Australia is working to independently verify their status.
Updated at 19.36 EDT