![\"Jordyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Jordyn_Beazley,_L.png\")
Jordyn Beazley<\/p>\nNSW electoral commission alleges two Labor officials tried to disguise donations to Chris Minns in 2015 election campaignJordyn Beazley<\/p>\n
The New South Wales Electoral Commission has revealed that prosecutors have launched proceedings against two state Labor officials after they allegedly tried to disguise donations to Chris Minns during his 2015 election campaign.<\/p>\n
The NSW director of public prosecution launched proceedings against Jonathan Yee and Ernest Wong last Thursday after the electoral commission commenced an investigation in 2019 into a \u201cpotential scheme to circumvent\u201d election funding laws during the campaign to elect Minns for the seat of Kogarah. The commission said in a statement on Tuesday:<\/p>\n
double quotation markIn the proceedings, it will be alleged that between 28 October 2014 and 12 August 2015 at Sydney and at other places in the State of New South Wales, Mr Yee and Mr Wong carried out a scheme to circumvent a prohibition or requirement under Part 6 of the [Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981].<\/p>\n
The commission said in the statement that it became aware of the potential alleged breach during the 2019 Independent Commission Against Corruption\u2019s Operation Aero investigation, which in 2022 found Wong \u2013 a former NSW Labor MP \u2013 had engaged in corrupt conduct by concealing the illegal political donations<\/a>.<\/p>\n The commission said it provided materials to the NSW DPP in between March and May 2026 after it received materials from the public accountability and works committee of the NSW parliament relating to the investigation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.25 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Australian shares trim losses but miners under pressure<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s share market has trimmed its early losses on reports of de-escalation in the Middle East, but miners have remained under pressure from heavy commodity prices, AAP reports.<\/p>\n The S&P\/ASX200 fell 20.9 points on Tuesday, down 0.24%, to 8,604.2, as the broader All Ordinaries trimmed 31.1 points, or 0.35%, to 8,824.8.<\/p>\n Basic materials were a drag on the broader exchange, falling more than 2% after drips in gold, iron ore and copper prices, while healthcare, consumer-facing, real estate and communications stocks rebounded.<\/p>\n The Australian dollar is buying 70.56 US cents, down from 71.25 US cents on Friday at 5pm, after the hawkish repricing for US interest rates supported the greenback.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.19 EDT<\/p>\n Melbourne students caught using AI in year 12 English exam Year 12 students at the Mazenod College in Mulgrave were caught using artificial intelligence in their Year 12 oral English exam.<\/p>\n Reports suggest up to 50 students may have used AI in the oral English exam, but when contacted by Guardian Australia, the school did not confirm this figure.<\/p>\n The principal of Mazenod College, Paul Shannon, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markFollowing a review of the Year 12 Oral English exam process, the college identified evidence that suggested artificial intelligence tools were used by several students.<\/p>\n The matter was thoroughly investigated, and all appropriate processes were followed in submitting results to the VCAA. This included conversations with the students involved, and the appropriate reduction in marks for the affected assessment.<\/p>\n Shannon said AI tools are a \u201cgrowing challenge\u201d within schools, and they have no place in assessments and examinations.<\/p>\n The Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority\u2019s handbook states: use of generative AI in an assessment may breach academic integrity, and must be investigated under the school\u2019s policy for investigating rule breaches.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.05 EDT<\/p>\n NSW electoral commission alleges two Labor officials tried to disguise donations to Chris Minns in 2015 election campaign The New South Wales Electoral Commission has revealed that prosecutors have launched proceedings against two state Labor officials after they allegedly tried to disguise donations to Chris Minns during his 2015 election campaign.<\/p>\n The NSW director of public prosecution launched proceedings against Jonathan Yee and Ernest Wong last Thursday after the electoral commission commenced an investigation in 2019 into a \u201cpotential scheme to circumvent\u201d election funding laws during the campaign to elect Minns for the seat of Kogarah. The commission said in a statement on Tuesday:<\/p>\n double quotation markIn the proceedings, it will be alleged that between 28 October 2014 and 12 August 2015 at Sydney and at other places in the State of New South Wales, Mr Yee and Mr Wong carried out a scheme to circumvent a prohibition or requirement under Part 6 of the [Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981].<\/p>\n The commission said in the statement that it became aware of the potential alleged breach during the 2019 Independent Commission Against Corruption\u2019s Operation Aero investigation, which in 2022 found Wong \u2013 a former NSW Labor MP \u2013 had engaged in corrupt conduct by concealing the illegal political donations<\/a>.<\/p>\n The commission said it provided materials to the NSW DPP in between March and May 2026 after it received materials from the public accountability and works committee of the NSW parliament relating to the investigation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.25 EDT<\/p>\n Missing Tasmanian devil spotted by home security camera A missing Tasmanian devil has been spied on home security footage, narrowing the search after it escaped from the Paradise Country theme park<\/a> on the Gold Coast last Tuesday.<\/p>\n The park confirmed the sighting of the devil, named Mary, on Facebook<\/a>:<\/p>\n double quotation markFollowing the continuation of an extensive search over the weekend and the sighting on local home security, we have triangulated the area which backs onto Saltwater Creek Reserve as a priority for the operation to locate Mary.<\/p>\n Lauren Mousley, Paradise Country Curator of wildlife, asked the local community to monitor their security cameras for any movements and warned:<\/p>\n double quotation mark\u2026 if they do sight Mary to not approach or attempt to capture to avoid risk of injury.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.58 EDT<\/p>\n AFP senior executive has driver\u2019s licence suspended for drink-driving<\/p>\n A senior executive for the Australian Federal Police has had their driver\u2019s licence suspended for three months after the employee was caught drink-driving in Queanbeyan.<\/p>\n The Australia Federal Police said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markOn Monday, 8 June, 2026, an AFP senior executive employee received an infringement notice for a low-range drink driving offence in Queanbeyan, NSW.<\/p>\n Their driving privileges were suspended in NSW for three months.<\/p>\n Per standard practice, the AFP has initiated an internal investigation in line with the AFP\u2019s integrity framework.<\/p>\n The AFP is committed to transparency.<\/p>\n No further comment will be made.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.31 EDT<\/p>\n BoM says El Ni\u00f1o is \u2018approaching\u2019 but not yet locked in<\/p>\n The Bureau of Meteorology has said this afternoon that the tropical Pacific Ocean is \u201capproaching El Ni\u00f1o conditions\u201d but has stopped short of declaring the climate pattern is locked in.<\/p>\n El Ni\u00f1o can bring hotter and drier conditions to Australia\u2019s east, particularly in winter and spring, and can increase the risk of bushfires, heatwaves, drought and coral bleaching.<\/p>\n The bureau\u2019s long-range forecast for the winter months<\/a> already shows an increased chance of below average rainfall for much of the country\u2019s east and south west WA, as well as an increased chance of above average maximum and minimum temperatures across much of the country.<\/p>\n A map showing areas in brown that are expected to get below average precipitation between June and August 2026. Illustration: Bureau of Meteorology<\/p>\n The bureau said in an update<\/a> that trade winds, atmospheric pressure patterns and clouds were also \u201ctrending towards an El Ni\u00f1o state\u201d.<\/p>\n A temperature index in a key region of the tropical Pacific was now at +0.81C, the bureau confirmed, which was just over one of the thresholds for declaring an El Ni\u00f1o. The bureau said:<\/p>\n \u201cSome uncertainty remains in the likely strength of this El Ni\u00f1o event. Models indicate it will be at least moderate in strength, with the possibility of a strong event, based on the extent of warming in the central tropical Pacific.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts have stressed that for Australia, the strength of an El Ni\u00f1o does not necessarily align with its affects.<\/p>\n Globally, El Ni\u00f1o can push up global temperatures, and some climate scientists expect the climate pattern could deliver a record hot year in 2027.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.09 EDT<\/p>\n Liberal party \u2018indistinguishable these days\u2019 from One Nation, PM says<\/p>\n Albanese has said \u201cthe Liberal One National party are indistinguishable these days\u201d after being asked about Angus Taylor not ruling out joining forces with One Nation.<\/p>\n The prime minister said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe Liberal One National party are indistinguishable these days, and the problem for Angus Taylor is that if he tries to out-One Nation, One Nation \u2026 then they become indistinguishable, and people more and more will go towards what they see as the real thing.<\/p>\n The problem is when it comes to solutions, and we certainly know that people are under pressure, but if you\u2019re serious about government, you\u2019ve got to come up with solutions.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.42 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese says Liberals\u2019 plan to abolish Housing Australia Future Fund is \u2018extraordinary\u2019<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese was asked during the press conference in Bendigo if his government can help respond to concerns from a local housing group that there\u2019s a rising homeless population and not enough transitional and support housing in the region.<\/p>\n He responded that the government can help \u201cif the Coalition [and] the Greens got out of the way\u201d.<\/p>\n He continued:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe had the Housing Australia Future Fund that was held up in the Senate for two years, and now we have, as part of that, emergency accommodation as well.<\/p>\n The Housing Australia Future Fund, a $10bn fund for more social housing, more emergency housing, more housing that Australians really need for workers in essential services, has all been opposed, and the Coalition is saying that they will abolish it.<\/p>\n It is extraordinary that in Angus Taylor\u2019s budget reply, he wants to reinstitute the taxes that will advantage investors over first home buyers, and in order to fund that, he will abolish these programs that build social, affordable, and public housing.<\/p>\n The Greens agreed to support the Albanese government\u2019s Housing<\/a> Australia Future Fund (Haff) after months of bitter negotiations and securing a further $1bn for public and community housing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.23 EDT<\/p>\n PM speaks in support of Jacinta Allan<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese is speaking from Bendigo right now, where he has said the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, is \u201cabsolutely\u201d the best person to lead the state.<\/p>\n double quotation markVictoria needs a strong premier, they need someone who is a strong advocate.<\/p>\n Premier Allan was one of the first premiers to sign up to ensure that every school in Victoria, public and private, received full and fair funding from the Commonwealth government.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.10 EDT<\/p>\n Hi there, I\u2019ll now be taking you through our rolling news coverage for the rest of today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> That\u2019s all for me. Jordyn Beazley will take the reins for the rest of the day. Enjoy the arvo!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n More on the Liberal unease over One Nation and Coalition preference deals<\/p>\n More on those potential preference deals between One Nation and the Coalition from my colleague, Dan Jervis-Bardy:<\/p>\n The Liberals and Nationals are grappling with how to respond to the surging support for One Nation<\/a>, which threatens to replace them as Australia\u2019s main conservative party.<\/p>\n The Liberals encouraged supporters to direct preferences to One Nation ahead of the independent challenger at the Farrer byelection, in part to avoid alienating their right-wing supporter base.<\/p>\n It made a similar decision at this year\u2019s South Australian election and in several seats at the 2025 federal election, breaking from the John Howard-era position<\/a> of rejecting Hanson\u2019s candidates.<\/p>\n The strategy has caused unease among moderate Liberals, who fear that associating themselves with Hanson will make it harder to reclaim city seats lost to teal independents and Labor.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Pauline Hanson. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.54 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese: Tim Cook says Apple\u2019s new safety controls are inspired by Australia\u2019s social media ban <\/p>\n Anthony Albanese says the Apple chief executive, Tim Cook, has linked the introduction of new online safety controls on for children Apple platforms to Australia\u2019s social media ban for under-16s.<\/p>\n In the statement, the PM said Cook called him to explain the changes, which include features designed to allow parents to more easily manage the content their children can see, who they can communicate with, and when they have access to apps.<\/p>\n \u201cMr Cook told me these changes are in part inspired by Australia\u2019s world leading social media age ban, as well as the continued research Apple is undertaking into the impact of social media on kids,\u201d Albanese said.<\/p>\n double quotation markI welcome this announcement, and I am proud of the world leading work Australia is doing to fight for a safer online world for our children.<\/p>\n We have a long way to go and we knew it would not be easy.<\/p>\n However we are now seeing a number of nations follow Australia\u2019s lead and take forward their own social media age bans.<\/p>\n Cook invited Albanese to visit Apple next time he is in the United States.<\/p>\n A range of countries around the world, including France and Denmark, are already following Australia\u2019s lead on restricting social media use for children.<\/p>\n Tim Cook. Photograph: Josh Edelson\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.36 EDT<\/p>\n The \u2018less lethal\u2019 weapons Australian police don\u2019t want you to know about<\/p>\n Projectiles that release powder designed to burn the eyes and throat. Flashbang grenades. Teargas. Launchers that resemble semi-automatic rifles.<\/p>\n Often dubbed \u201cless lethal\u201d, these weapons can cause serious injuries or even death if misused \u2013 but they are deployed by police against crowds in Australia with little scrutiny.<\/p>\n Police use OC spray amid violent clashes at a 2021 anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne. Photograph: Dave Hewison\/Speed Media\/REX\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \u201cAll of these weapons can kill people,\u201d says Rohini Haar, a medical adviser at Physicians for Human Rights who has researched their health impacts on protesters around the world.<\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s Ariel Bogel and Nino Bucci have an investigation into such weaponry, and it\u2019s worth your time. Take a look here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Angus Taylor hints Coalition could work with One Nation to defeat ‘rotten Labor government’<\/p>\n The opposition leader, Angus Taylor, has alluded to the possibility the Coalition could work with One Nation to \u201cget rid of a rotten Labor government\u201d when asked about swapping preferences with Pauline Hanson\u2019s party.<\/p>\n Taylor spoke to journalists during a doorstop this morning, saying Australians were \u201cangry\u201d after polls showed a rise in support for One Nation. When asked about the potential of swapping preferences with Hanson, Taylor had this to say:<\/p>\n double quotation mark[Australians] they\u2019ve had enough of this rotten Labor government that\u2019s taking this country in the wrong direction. We\u2019ll work with others to get rid of this rotten Labor government.<\/p>\n So, obviously, these are decisions that will, ultimately, be made by party organisations over time.<\/p>\n When asked later about the Western Australia Liberal leader leaving the door open to working with One Nation to form government in the state, Taylor went on to say the Coalition would work with \u201cwhoever we can\u201d to defeat Labor.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s got to go. It has failed Australians. This prime minister has failed Australians. This treasurer has failed Australians, and we\u2019ll work with whoever we have to get rid of this toxic Labor government and their toxic taxes.<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780990037_101_Josh_Taylor.png\")
Josh Taylor<\/p>\nJordyn Beazley<\/p>\n![\"Ima](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ima_Caldwell.png\")
Ima Caldwell<\/p>\n![\"Graham](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Graham_Redfearn.png\")
Graham Readfearn<\/p>\nJordyn Beazley<\/p>\n![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Nick_Visser.png\")
Nick Visser<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780990039_24_Tom_McIlroy.png\")
Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n
![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780990040_799_Patrick_Commins.png\")
Patrick Commins<\/p>\n