![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781476690_209_Andrew_Messenger.png\")
Andrew Messenger<\/p>\nKey events<\/p>\n
Andrew Messenger<\/p>\n
Lyle Shelton loses challenge against vilification ruling<\/p>\n
Conservative commentator Lyle Shelton has lost a legal challenge against a six-year old vilification ruling.<\/p>\n
The case dates to a January 2020 blog post by Shelton about two Drag Queen story time performers from Brisbane.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave we learned nothing from creeps like Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew?\u201d he blogged.<\/p>\n
The performers complained to the state\u2019s human rights commission that the posts amounted to vilification under the state\u2019s anti-discrimination act.<\/p>\n
The Queensland Civil and Administrative tribunal dismissed their complaint in 2023 partly on the basis that transphobia and homophobia \u201clives in the past\u201d meaning \u201cany such incitement it could not be vilification\u201d under the act. That judgement was set aside earlier this year by the same court.<\/p>\n
Shelton challenged the latter decision in a judicial review at the Supreme Court, but on Friday the court ruled against him. The case will now return to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Little evidence that shark culls improve beach safety, experts say<\/p>\n Experts warn there is little evidence shark culls keep ocean-goers safer following the latest shocking encounter at a busy city beach, AAP reports.<\/p>\n A woman, 35, was swimming about 30 meters offshore at Coogee beach in Sydney<\/a> when she was bitten by a shark on Saturday. She remained in critical but stable condition on Sunday.<\/p>\n A great white shark, which is a protected species, is thought to have been responsible. It follows a cluster of attacks nationwide, including several bull shark bites in Sydney Harbour.<\/p>\n The latest incident has reignited calls for culls to protect swimmers, which NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has not expressly ruled out.<\/p>\n Adelaide University program director of environmental science Brianna Le Brusque said harmful encounters with the predators were tragic and cull discussions an understandable response.<\/p>\n But she said there was no science on how many animals would need to be removed to keep swimmers safe nor evidence it would meaningfully improve community safety.<\/p>\n Surveillance methods to alert swimmers were more effective, though complicated by a flight path keeping drones out of the air around Coogee.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.29 EDT<\/p>\n Nearly $200m given to industry in zero-interest government loans amid Middle East conflict The federal government\u2019s Economic Resilience Program has provided nearly $200m in zero-interest loans since its announcement last month.<\/p>\n The program offers $1bn in zero-interest loans for industrial manufacturing and critical supply chains impacted by market disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n In an update provided on Monday, more than 200 businesses have signed up for the zero-interest loans, totalling almost $195m.<\/p>\n The industry and innovation minister, Tim Ayres, said more than three-quarters of the loans have been for under $1m.<\/p>\n Ayres said:<\/p>\n double quotation markFirms in crucial sectors like freight and logistics, fuel, plastics and fertiliser are receiving vital support from the National Reconstruction Fund in partnership with Australian banks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.13 EDT<\/p>\n Barnaby Joyce says One Nation’s fundraised money to go towards ad campaign<\/p>\n One Nation\u2019s Barnaby Joyce is speaking now, saying the millions in fundraising the party has raised in recent days will go towards \u201cthe removal of the Labor party<\/a> because they have not been good for Australia\u201d.<\/p>\n Joyce spoke to RN, saying the money would largely go to an advertising campaign in the lead up to the next election.<\/p>\n He said the party would not get \u201ccarried away\u201d, saying he\u2019s \u201cvery aware of hubris\u201d and would solely focus on the \u201chere and now\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe election is still somewhere away, and polls are indicators, not votes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.14 EDT<\/p>\n Assistant treasurer says One Nation\u2019s rise reflects \u2018frustration\u2019 of many people<\/p>\n Daniel Mulino, the assistant treasurer, said One Nation\u2019s rise began \u201cwell before\u201d the latest federal budget and reflected a \u201cfrustration on the part of many people\u201d at the way the system is working for them.<\/p>\n Mulino spoke to RN Breakfast this morning as Pauline Hanson\u2019s party continues to surge in the polls. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think it, for me, reflects a frustration on the part of many people at the way the system is working for them and the fact that they\u2019re feeling pressures on a number of fronts: pressures from cost of living, pressures from Increasingly uncertain global economy and political situation.<\/p>\n What I\u2019d say about One Nation is that they are very good at identifying grievances. They\u2019re not very good at solutions. And in fact, Pauline Hanson\u2019s voting record over recent years has often been to the detriment of people seeking pay rises, to the detriment of workers\u2019 rights. And so that\u2019s something which, as that comes to light more, I think people will judge that in due course.<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781476691_185_Sarah_Basford_Canales.png\")
Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n