Attorney general says Nacc could use a ‘reset’ after commissioner says he will step down
Rowland also said the National Anti Corruption Commission (Nacc) could get a “reset” after Paul Brereton, the body’s first commissioner, said he would step down from the role in July.
Brereton said this week he felt criticism of him had drawn “attention away” from the Nacc’s purpose, adding he thought “the commission’s success is paramount, and not due to any single person”.
Rowland told RN Breakfast the Nacc needed “public support in terms of perception and in practice”, adding:
double quotation markI’ve never stated anything but support for the commissioner and confidence in Commissioner Brereton. But this does give us an opportunity with these new appointments to have a reset and I will be engaging across the parliament to make sure that that happens.
Paul Brereton. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 18.13 EDT
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ACCC opens court proceedings against Amazon over alleged lack of button battery warnings on unicorn backpack
The ACCC has opened federal court proceedings against Amazon amid allegations children’s backpacks for sale on its online marketplace failed to comply with mandatory warnings for button batteries.
The ACCC said it is the first federal court gas brought against an online marketplace on allegations of non-compliance with mandatory product safety standards.
The allegedly offending backpacks, which feature a large colourful unicorn, were designed for children and feature a detachable light-up unicorn plush toy containing button batteries. The ACCC claims Amazon held the products in fulfilment centres in 2022, but required warning labels were missing.
“Many Australian consumers now shop on online marketplaces. That’s why it is important that consumers have confidence and trust in digital markets, and for the ACCC to take this action, the first of its kind to come before the federal court,” the ACCC deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, said. She went on:
double quotation markButton batteries pose a serious hazard for young children. If swallowed or inserted, they can cause severe internal burns and injury, and in some cases death. These mandatory warnings are there to help keep children safe and businesses must get them right.
Amazon responded to the claims in a statement, saying:
double quotation markWe are considering the case filed by the ACCC. Amazon is proud to be a founding signatory of the ACCC’s Online Product Safety Pledge, and we remain focused on providing the best experience for our Australian customers. That includes continuing to work hard to ensure every product available in our store is safe and compliant with our policies and applicable regulations.
The unicorn component of the backpack. Photograph: ACCCShare
Updated at 19.51 EDT
‘Speed and scale of radicalisation’ of young people one of most pressing challenges, AFP says
Young Australians are being moved to violent extremism in a matter of days as the speed and scale of radicalisation accelerate, the Australian federal police warned yesterday.
AAP reports that for years, terrorists and extremists have used the internet to target young people and convince them to plan and carry out violent acts.
But the recent use of social media, gaming platforms, online forums, the dark web and private group chats has allowed bad actors to more quickly and effectively radicalise people. The AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, told Senate estimates on Thursday:
double quotation markWe see the speed and scale of radicalisation becoming one of our most significant challenges, especially when it comes to young people.
Australian federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPShare
Updated at 19.44 EDT
Josh Butler
Modelling shows 90% of young Australians will be better off under Labor’s tax reforms
Ninety per cent of young Australians will be better off under the Albanese government’s tax proposals, the Treasury claims, as Labor moves to pass its reforms into law.
The government introduced the tax changes to parliament on Thursday before a heated question time. Earlier on Thursday, Treasury secretary Jenny Wilkinson shared the previously unreleased modelling at an Australian Business Economists lunch in Sydney.
Wilkinson said the combined effect of the automatic $1,000 tax deduction, $250 “working Australians tax offset” (Wato) and the capital gains tax and negative gearing reforms would benefit most young people.
“The cumulative impact of the reforms is assessed as benefiting around 90% of young people, before impacts in the housing market are taken into account,” she said.
Had the changes been made decades ago, those under 30 today would be in a better financial position, she said.
Read more:
Taylor’s performance to ‘dominate’ Liberal conference
Angus Taylor’s performance as Liberal leader is expected to dominate discussion when the party’s federal council meets, AAP reports.
Support for the federal Liberal party has plummeted to historic lows amid a turbulent leadership change in which Taylor took the top job in February, and the rise of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
The dire state of affairs and the opposition leader’s attack on the Albanese government’s 2026/27 budget will be hot topics when the Liberal Federal Council meets on Friday.
“The big discussions are going to be about how we’re travelling and has Angus turned a corner for us?” political consultant and former Howard government adviser Ian Hanke said. He added:
double quotation markYes, he has, but how far have we got to go? A long way. That will dominate a lot of the conversation …
The budget in reply was a test for Angus, and he passed it because Labor is now responding to us for the first time in ages.
Angus Taylor. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 18.56 EDT
Concert celebrating John Farnham to feature slate of stars, including Tina Arena, Céline Dion and Hugh Jackman
An upcoming concert in Melbourne will celebrate the life and songs of legend John Farnham while raising funds for head and neck cancer research.
The celebration concert will feature a lineup of 120 artists and musicians for a “powerful night of John Farnham’s music”, including Keith Urban, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Jessica Mauboy, Céline Dion and Hugh Jackman (the latter two will perform via satellite).
Farnham’s longtime musical director will lead the John Farnham band alongside a 38-piece orchestra an choir.
Farnham told the Herald Sun he will not sing or perform in public again after he was diagnosed with oral cancer four years ago. He told the paper:
double quotation markBecause of the surgeries to my mouth and face over the past few years, singing on stage is not something I can consider again. It’s just not possible …
I’m gobsmacked and truly grateful that everyone has said yes. It is truly humbling and I can’t thank them enough for what they will be doing for this cause, which is very special and personal for me.
The show will take place on 20 September at the Rod Laver Arena.
Updated at 18.31 EDT
Luca Ittimani
Who’s leading the fight against Labor’s CGT reform – and what’s in it for them?
People with direct personal financial stakes in Labor’s tax reforms are among the loudest voices opposing the changes.
Labor’s efforts to amend the tax discount awarded for profits on the sale of assets, or capital gains, have attracted criticism from real estate and investment funds.
Some opponents have a history of opposing Labor. One is a long-term Labor insider.
Loud voices in the debate over Labor’s capital gains tax reforms include (from left) Paul Bassat, Lachlan Harris, Andrew Charlton and Gina Rinehart. Composite: Scott Barbour/Jessica Hromas/Mick Tsikas/Richard Wainwright/Getty Images/The Guardian/AAP
Here’s what you need to know about some of the people leading the charge:
Updated at 18.12 EDT
Minister says any potential changes to capital gains tax discount plans will be minimal
Tim Ayres, the minister of industry and innovation, was asked on RN about changes to the capital gains tax discount after the prime minister warned any potential changes to the plan would be minimal. Critics have urged the Albanese government to alter the plan, arguing small business would be negatively affected.
Ayres said the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, had been firm that the plans would only see minimal changes once they were announced, adding:
double quotation markThe challenge in a lot of the problem for our political opponents is they’ve lost sight of the people who are the subject of these changes. They’re all about the politics of what’s going on. People who will substantially benefit from this are young Australians who have had the property market tilted against them and are finding it very hard to get their first, you know, to get on that first rung of the property ladder …
We’re legislating to deliver the package that was outlined in the budget to give those young Australians security.
Ayres said many in the housing industry with a “vested interest” in any changes are actively campaigning to see them reversed.
Tim Ayres. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 17.58 EDT
Attorney general says Nacc could use a ‘reset’ after commissioner says he will step down
Rowland also said the National Anti Corruption Commission (Nacc) could get a “reset” after Paul Brereton, the body’s first commissioner, said he would step down from the role in July.
Brereton said this week he felt criticism of him had drawn “attention away” from the Nacc’s purpose, adding he thought “the commission’s success is paramount, and not due to any single person”.
Rowland told RN Breakfast the Nacc needed “public support in terms of perception and in practice”, adding:
double quotation markI’ve never stated anything but support for the commissioner and confidence in Commissioner Brereton. But this does give us an opportunity with these new appointments to have a reset and I will be engaging across the parliament to make sure that that happens.
Paul Brereton. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 18.13 EDT
Attorney general says any money from 3M suit would be used to recover ‘significant past and future expenses’
The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, is speaking about the government’s legal action against 3M over Pfas chemical contamination. The government is seeking $2bn in damages, the largest legal claim ever brought by the federal government.
She said if the case is successful, the money will be used for recovering “significant past and future expenses” the government has incurred investigating and managing contamination from the use of “forever chemicals” in firefighting foam. She said:
double quotation markI acknowledge that this has been a cause of significant distress in many communities around Australia, and we have been focused as a government, and we will continue to be focused on taking really practical steps to assist Australians and communities that have been impacted by PFS.
I want to be clear that this action is about the government recovering its costs, it doesn’t relate to personal injury or any human health effects that have alleged to be impacted by PFAS exposure.
A spokesperson told Guardian Australia yesterday 3M has never manufactured Pfas in Australia and stopped sales of the products “around two decades ago”.
Updated at 17.31 EDT
Good morning, and welcome to the live blog. It’s Nick Visser here to take up the reins. Let’s get through Friday together.
Share‘AFP boss says alleged leaker of Ben Roberts-Smith arrest should ‘face consequences’
Sarah Basford Canales
The federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, says she is determined to find out how the media knew of Ben Roberts-Smith’s arrest ahead of time and says the alleged leaker should “face consequences”.
Earlier this week, the federal government’s special investigator for war crimes allegations and the Australian federal police told a Senate estimates hearing they have asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nacc) to investigate media leaks. As of Tuesday, the Nacc had yet to respond to the request.
Arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April, Roberts-Smith faces five charges of war crime murder over allegations he killed unarmed civilians during his service with the Australian SAS in Afghanistan.
The former SAS corporal has vehemently denied the charges, saying “I categorically deny all of these allegations”.
At a Senate estimates hearing last night, the AFP boss said she had no evidence someone in her organisation had shared details of the imminent arrest with journalists but referred it to the Nacc “out of an abundance of caution”.
Barrett said one media outlet was at the airport when Roberts-Smith was arrested and she was “determined to find out how they knew of the arrest”.
Barrett said:
double quotation markIf the date of the individual’s arrest or other sensitive information was disclosed to anyone in the media, this could be an unauthorised disclosure, and in my view, anyone who disclosed that information should face consequences.
Read more:
ShareFull Story wins two Australian Audio awards
Guardian Australia’s Full Story team took home two awards at the inaugural Australian Audio awards held at Carriageworks in Sydney last night.
The screen flashes up the win for Guardian Australia’s Full Story Photograph: Shelley Hepworth/Guardian
Full Story won the award for best news and current affairs podcast – major, while Gina: Power, privilege and influence took out the award for best investigative journalism podcast – major.
Guardian Australia wins best investigative journalism podcast. Photograph: Shelley Hepworth/Guardian
Full Story is a daily news podcast where Guardian journalists take listeners behind the headlines. Gina: Power, privilege and influence was an investigative series about the life and influence of Australia’s wealthiest person, Gina Rinehart.
The special podcast series Gina won best investigative journalism podacst.
Guardian Australia’s winning Full Story team. (L-R) Producer Karishma Luthria, host Reged Ahmad, executive producer Hannah Parkes and host Nour Haydar. Photograph: Shelley Hepworth/GuardianShare
Updated at 17.05 EDT
Flood warnings for parts of NSW and Tasmania
There are flood warnings around after some wild weather and downpours in several states.
This morning the NSW SES issued a warning for parts of the Upper Hunter, forecasting heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.
And Tasmania SES has issued a flood warning for Royal George, Avoca and surrounding low-lying areas, saying people in low-lying areas should monitor conditions and prepare to move to safety if conditions get worse.
We’ll bring you any updates on the situation as the day unfolds.
Updated at 17.07 EDT
Asio warns MPs, public servants over secrecy in internet-connected cars
Asio has warned politicians and public servants not to discuss sensitive government information in internet-connected cars, due to the risk of electronic eavesdropping.
The country’s top spy agency said discussing classified or sensitive information outside the workplace was always a risk, especially in vehicles which send realtime information back to the manufacturer.
Deputy director general Lisa Alonso Love told a budget estimates hearing last night the warning, communicated to government amid a surge in demand for electric vehicles, was not specific about country of origin or carmaker.
“Obviously, a connected car may have other vectors to gather that information but those conversations should only ever happen in places that are set up for classified conversations,” she said.
“People should be conscious of the things that they are discussing in vehicles, knowing that people may be able to get that information.”
Australia’s spy agency, the Australian Signals Directorate, has already published advice about the risks posed by connected vehicles.
Updated at 16.38 EDT
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before we get into the main action.
The federal police commissioner has told Senate estimates she is determined to find out how the media knew of the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith ahead of time and says the alleged leaker should “face consequences”. More coming up.
Politicians and public servants have been warned by Australia’s spy chiefs not to discuss sensitive government information while they are in internet-connected cars due to the risk that the vehicles could be bugged. More to come.