Updated at\u00a021.45 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
![\"Achol](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Achol_Arok,_L.png\")
Achol Arok<\/p>\n
Victoria police officer charged with assaulting teenager after anti-corruption investigation<\/p>\n
A Victorian police officer has been charged with assaulting a teenager following an investigation by the state\u2019s anti-corruption watchdog into alleged force used during an arrest in Melbourne\u2019s west in October 2025.<\/p>\n
The probe investigated allegations that the leading senior constable unlawfully assaulted the teenager, who was under 18 at the time, during an arrest in Braybrook.<\/p>\n
The officer is accused of unlawfully striking the teen with a baton multiple times and standing on the minor while they were being restrained on the ground.<\/p>\n
The senior constable has been charged by the anti-corruption body with two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon and two counts of unlawful assault.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n PM bats off questions about China\u2019s influence at Pacific Islands forum<\/p>\n The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has shut down questions about China\u2019s \u201cbullying\u201d tactics against Palau on the eve of the meeting.<\/p>\n On Monday night the Chinese envoy threatened there would be \u201cconsequences\u201d if Taiwan officials, who had been invited, attended the forum.<\/p>\n When asked if the tensions had been a distraction, Albanese repeatedly dodged questions.<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019m not distracted, I\u2019m focused on members of the Pacific family and that is precisely the meetings that I have scheduled here \u2026 I\u2019m Australia\u2019s spokesperson and I speak on behalf of Australia.<\/p>\n When asked if there had been any \u201coutside interference\u201d, the PM said he was \u201cconcentrating on the Pacific Islands Forum here\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2013 Piper Duffy<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.04 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese dismisses concerns over no-shows at Pacific Islands Forum<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese remains positive despite several countries pulling out of this year\u2019s Pacific Islands Forum in Palau.<\/p>\n Leaders from Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Kiribati all pulled out ahead of the meeting.<\/p>\n Speaking to journalists on the ground a little earlier alongside the energy minister, Chris Bowen, and the minister for Pacific Island affairs, Pat Conroy, the PM instead spruiked the bilateral agreements Labor has struck with Pacific nations.<\/p>\n double quotation markFrom time to time, the Pacific Islands Forum has had issues with people not participating. Everyone\u2019s participating at this forum \u2026 There is a presence here, and everyone is focused on outcomes at this forum.<\/p>\n Albanese says climate change, security and transnational crime are the big-ticket items at this year\u2019s forum.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese (middle) stands with Chris Bowen (left) and Pat Conroy during a press conference at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders\u2019 meeting in Palau on Tuesday. Photograph: Saeed Khan\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.23 EDT<\/p>\n Beetaloo gas set to flow in NT, despite environmental concerns<\/p>\n The first gas from the controversial Beetaloo Basin fracking projects in Australia\u2019s north is set to flow to homes and businesses in a territory touting its vast energy supply potential, AAP reports.<\/p>\n The basin is a major onshore shale gas resource in the Northern Territory\u2019s Sturt Plateau, about 500km south-east of Darwin.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, first gas is set to flow, with more than 40 terajoules a day going into the territory\u2019s gas grid. The territory uses about 60 terajoules a day of gas at peak levels for power generation and mines.<\/p>\n The NT chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markEvery time Territorians flick on a light switch, or pull a cold beer from the fridge, they\u2019ll see the benefits of the Beetaloo Basin at work.<\/p>\n Beetaloo fracking, construction of pipelines to get the gas to market, and using the gas to power AI datacentres have all been vigorously opposed by environmental groups. Fracking could see up to 6,000 wells drilled through underground water supplies, which supply 90% of the territory\u2019s water needs, Environment Centre NT acting chief executive, Bree Ahrens, said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWater is life in the territory and we are calling for a ban on fracking and AI datacentres before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n A drone view of Tamboran Resources\u2019 Shenandoah drilling site in the Northern Territory\u2019s Beetaloo Basin. Photograph: Tamboran Resources\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.00 EDT<\/p>\n Police find parents of toddler found wandering Sydney street alone at 2am<\/p>\n NSW police have located the parents of a toddler found wandering the road alone just after 2am this morning.<\/p>\n Official initially issued a public appeal for information after the young child was found in Ramsgate, a suburb in southern Sydney, without his parents or carers. He was thought to be about two years old.<\/p>\n Police said just before 8am that his parents had been found. An official said:<\/p>\n double quotation markPolice would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal. Inquiries are continuing into the incident.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.45 EDT<\/p>\n Continuing on from the last post \u2026<\/p>\n Dowling, who told estimates she first met Hutley when she came to the bar in 1997, said she knew \u201cmost of the senior members of the inner bar after 30 years in Sydney\u201d. Asked if she and Hutley were friends, she said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI know him professionally and socially and have utter respect for his professionalism, and if Mr Hutley considered that he had some kind of conflict that meant that he shouldn\u2019t accept that from the attorney general, I have total confidence that he would have informed the attorney general of that.<\/p>\n She said her signing a statement of support for Hutley\u2019s candidacy for the NSW bar council in 2015 did not give rise to a conflict, saying she was one of 26 other barristers who signed the letter \u201cten years ago\u201d.<\/p>\n She said none of the names were interstate lawyers. Asked if it would have been more appropriate for someone from interstate to write the review, she said:<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s a matter for the attorney general whom he seeks advice from.<\/p>\n On Monday morning, Daley told estimates he rejected the suggestion that Dowling and Hutley were friends. He said he had \u201cfull and absolute confidence\u201d in Dowling and that Hutley\u2019s review had provided \u201can objective and expert analysis of [the report\u2019s] shortcomings\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> NSW state\u2019s top prosecutor discussed barristers to review findings against her office<\/p>\n The NSW director of public prosecutions (DPP), Sally Dowling, says she discussed a list of barristers to lead an independent review into controversial findings against her office with the NSW attorney general, before he appointed someone she had known \u201cprofessionally and socially\u201d for nearly 30 years.<\/p>\n Last month, a parliamentary committee voted 4-3 to find Dowling had given false evidence <\/a>about the pitching of a story about an Indigenous child performing an acknowledgement of country at a sentencing hearing to radio station 2GB. Dowling admitted her office had pitched the story, but denied she had authorised it.<\/p>\n NSW director of public prosecutions, Sally Dowling. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts\/AAP<\/p>\n Daley and the DPP rejected the committee\u2019s findings. At budget estimates on Monday, Dowling said that she and the NSW attorney general, Michael Daley, had spoken before Noel Hutley SC was appointed to lead an independent review, which found there was \u201cno positive basis\u201d to find she had given false evidence. Dowling said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe attorney [general] called me to tell me that he was appointing a senior counsel to review the evidence that was before the inquiry and its report of the majority. He raised quite a number of [senior counsel\u2019s] names that he was considering, including Mr Hutley\u2019s name, and some of those people did have a conflict, they had acted for the ODPP, for me, and that was about the extent of the discussion.<\/p>\n She said Daley had not asked for \u201cadvice\u201d. \u201cHe mentioned some names, and I responded to those names,\u201d she said. Dowling said of the list of eight to 12 people, she said two \u201cwould not be appropriate\u201d, but she did not raise Hutley as inappropriate as she did not believe there was a conflict of interest. Under further questioning, Dowling said she had indicated to Daley that she knew Hutley, but had not given any further detail.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.58 EDT<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a dispatch from our reporter Cait Kelly in Nepal<\/p>\n Border area between Nepal and China where 33 Australians are missing still almost entirely cut off<\/p>\n Guardian Australia\u2019s Cait Kelly has another dispatch from Nepal. She writes:<\/p>\n double quotation markIt has been almost a week since the catastrophic floods in Nepal and not even a vehicle can get into the area where the majority of missing Australians were last heard from.<\/p>\n Gyirong Port, the border area between Nepal and China, was the first to be hit. Images from Chinese rescue teams who have managed to get in by helicopter or hiking show the area has been completely flattened. The immigration building, the power lines, everything, just wiped away.<\/p>\n News that phone connectivity to the area was back on spread quickly on Monday around the families of lost Australians who have come to Kathmandu to wait. In WhatsApp groups and over Facebook, they shared any updates they had.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Firefighters and sniffer dogs conduct a search for missing people along a road leading towards Gyirong Port. Photograph: cnsphoto\/ReutersShare<\/a>South Australia asks federal government to remove telehealth barriers for voluntary assisted dying<\/p>\n South Australia has asked the federal government to amend the criminal code to remove legal uncertainty around the use of telehealth for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) services.<\/p>\n In a letter sent to the attorney general, Michelle Rowland, a slate of South Australian officials, VAD advocates and practitioners urged the changes were needed to make the service equitable. Australia currently prevents telehealth for voluntary assisted dying consults. Labor\u2019s national conference recently voted to repeal the law, but the prime minister has thrown water on the idea<\/a>.<\/p>\n The group wrote in a letter to Rowland:<\/p>\n double quotation markAs you are aware, the operation of the Criminal Code continues to create significant uncertainty regarding the provision of information about VAD via carriage services, including telehealth. This restriction is having a disproportionate impact on people living in regional and remote communities.<\/p>\n This restriction creates a barrier in equitable access to lawful healthcare and is becoming increasingly inconsistent with contemporary models of healthcare delivery. This is particularly true where telehealth plays an essential role in improving access for patients who are unable to attend appointments in person.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.58 EDT<\/p>\n China pledges \u2018consequences\u2019 over Taiwan\u2019s presence at Pacific Islands Forum<\/p>\n China has promised \u201cconsequences\u201d for Taiwan\u2019s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum opening ceremony, which put the two rivals in the same room, AAP reports.<\/p>\n Palau\u2019s National Gymnasium in Koror was the unlikely venue for the geopolitical flashpoint on Monday night. On the stage were traditional dancers, Pacific leaders and speeches pleading for unity and climate action.<\/p>\n Palau is one of just 12 nations that recognise Taiwan and Taipei has used the Micronesian nation\u2019s hosting rights to engage in diplomatic efforts. That outreach extended to the foreign affairs minister, Lin Chia-lung, attending the opening ceremony on Monday night, prompting a stern reaction from Chinese officials.<\/p>\n Taiwan\u2019s foreign affairs minister, Lin Chia-lung, speaks in Palau. Photograph: Saeed Khan\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n China\u2019s Pacific envoy, Qian Bo, said he had lodged diplomatic objections at Taiwan\u2019s presence at the summit.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe certainly have serious concern. We have made our position very clear to the government of Palau and the (Pacific Islands Forum) secretariat.<\/p>\n Asked if there would be consequences, Qian said \u201cthere will always be consequences\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt should not have happened. We think it\u2019s very inappropriate.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.06 EDT<\/p>\n The Nationals criticise Albanese government\u2019s \u2018go-slow\u2019 visa approach<\/p>\n The Nationals have criticised the Albanese government\u2019s decision to hit the brakes on visa processing, warning it could drive up grocery prices if farmers can\u2019t get enough workers to harvest crops.<\/p>\n In a press release this morning, the shadow agriculture minister, Darren Chester, said the quietly announced \u201cgo-slow\u201d approach \u2013 which aims to address political pressure over higher immigration levels in recent years \u2013 was causing farmers \u201cenormous uncertainty\u201d.<\/p>\n Chester said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWorking holidaymakers are a critical part of the seasonal agricultural workforce, particularly during peak harvest periods, so the timing of Labor\u2019s delays is critical. This is not just an inconvenience for farmers.<\/p>\n If growers cannot access the workers they need when crops are ready, it affects food supply, supermarket shelves and the prices Australian families pay at the checkout \u2026 we need practical migration settings that support agriculture, strengthen regional communities and help keep food on Australian tables.<\/p>\n The government is considering ways to bring down net overseas migration levels after it became a key political attacking point by One Nation<\/a> and the Coalition. It\u2019s understood a number of different levers are being considered, including tightening conditions for British backpackers exempt from regional working requirements and stopping those enrolled in higher education from making visa category.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.45 EDT<\/p>\n AI will likely have \u2018profound\u2019 impact on jobs in Australia<\/p>\n Treasury officials believe the adoption of artificial intelligence will likely have a \u201cprofound\u201d impact on Australian jobs.<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers requested a departmental briefing paper on what AI means for productivity, investment and employment, ahead of the release of the government\u2019s latest intergenerational report later this month.<\/p>\n To what degree AI replaces or augments Australian jobs remains an open question, and the answer depends on how transformational you believe the general purpose technology (or GPT) will prove to be.<\/p>\n The Treasury briefing note says:<\/p>\n double quotation markBecause AI has the potential to automate a significant share of cognitive, non-routine tasks currently performed by high-skilled workers, and accelerate productivity and economic growth, labour market impacts could be materially different to past waves of technology.<\/p>\n In either case, the effects are likely to be profound.<\/p>\n Jobs and Skill Australia has found that most occupations in Australia have more potential to be augmented rather than simply replaced by AI automation.<\/p>\n Separate research from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations found no evidence that AI was having a big impact on jobs \u2013 so far.<\/p>\n It says:<\/p>\n double quotation markEarly uptake of AI in Australia is promising but task automation is still at an early stage and greater reorganisation within firms is needed to capture AI\u2019s productivity benefits.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n NSW police hold press conference after man shot and killed inside Sydney home<\/p>\n NSW police are holding a press conference after a man was shot and killed during a home invasion in Sydney\u2019s south-west early this morning.<\/p>\n Acting Supt Gretchin Atkins said it was still very early stages and she couldn\u2019t say much about the incident, which is being investigated as a homicide. She said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe believe at this point in time it is a targeted attack, that is all the information that we\u2019ve been able to gather at this time \u2026 Everything is certainly subject to our inquiries.<\/p>\n Atkins said police believe there were multiple offenders but there remains \u201ca lot we don\u2019t know\u201d.<\/p>\n The victim was only known to police for a traffic offence but no other activity. There were family home at the time of the shooting and they are cooperating with police.<\/p>\n Atkins urged anyone in the community with information or footage to contact police.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.14 EDT<\/p>\n Victoria opposition says Labor has \u2018twice promised and twice failed\u2019 on transport upgrades<\/p>\n The former Labor premier Daniel Andrews first promised to electrify the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines, which still operate regional V\/Line trains, in 2018. He made the same commitment at the 2022 election. In May, state and federal governments announced $152.7m for design and preparation works for the extension of the Metro rail network to Melton.<\/p>\n Wilson said Labor had \u201ctwice promised and twice failed to deliver\u201d the services commuters in the growing western suburbs deserved. She said:<\/p>\n double quotation markLabor says one thing before an election then does another afterwards. Our plan will deliver metro-quality train services to Melbourne\u2019s west sooner \u2013 meaning more trains, more seats and greater capacity.<\/p>\n Guy said:<\/p>\n double quotation markOur hybrid suburban trains will deliver metro-quality services now and are able to run seamlessly across both electrified and non-electrified train lines.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Victoria opposition touting more trains during peak hour in election pitch<\/p>\n Commuters in Melbourne\u2019s west would be able to get more trains during peak hours under a proposal the Coalition<\/a> opposition is taking to the November state election.<\/p>\n Under the plan to be announced today by the opposition leader, Jess Wilson, and the public transport spokesperson, Matthew Guy, a Liberals Nationals government would spend $1.7bn to buy 25 new hybrid trains for the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines.<\/p>\n The trains \u2013 which would run on the overhead electric suburban network and then switch to battery power on V\/Line, non-electrified corridors \u2013 would run during peak hours and increase passenger capacity.<\/p>\n The opposition said the proposal would deliver electrified train services to the west quicker than the government\u2019s plan, which requires waiting until the Sunshine station upgrades are complete.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.11 EDT<\/p>\n NSW HSC students limited to one take-home assessment per subject<\/p>\n Year 12 students in New South Wales will be limited to just one take-home assessment worth no more than 15% of the school-based assessment mark for each HSC course, under new rules to combat the use of AI announced this morning.<\/p>\n School-based assessment is worth 50% of a student\u2019s HSC result, meaning the sole take-home assessment would only be worth 7.5% of the total HSC mark under the changes. The plan comes after the state\u2019s minister for education, Prue Car, asked the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to look at measures to protect student learning.<\/p>\n Right now, schools can determine how much of that 50% school assessment is given through take-home tasks. Schools will still be able to use a range of assessment types for each course, including exams, oral tasks and process diaries, but the take-home component will be dramatically reduced in value.<\/p>\n HSC major works are not included in the restrictions, but schools will still be required to authenticate the work.<\/p>\n The limit will apply to students in the class of 2027 beginning HSC studies in term 4 this year, and to students beginning year 11 in term 1, 2027.<\/p>\n Car said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe message this sends to schools and communities more broadly is that we are committed to protecting the teaching and learning happening in schools.<\/p>\n When students outsource their learning \u2013 whether that is to tutors, classmates or artificial intelligence, they are missing out on the rigorous, high-quality education they need to set themselves up for the future.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.34 EDT<\/p>\n Rowland says One Nation needs to look at its own behaviour amid political extremism<\/p>\n Rowland also spoke about the One Nation<\/a> leader, Pauline Hanson, and her criticism of the Albanese government. After the Secret Harbour byelection, Anthony Albanese told Queensland Labor\u2019s state conference that One Nation was \u201cdangerous, divisive and downright dishonest\u201d.<\/p>\n In a strongly worded riposte on social media<\/a>, Hanson on Monday said Albanese\u2019s comments \u201ccrossed a line\u201d and that \u201cwords have consequences\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is how political violence is incited,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n Rowland yesterday backed the PM, saying:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think some of One Nation\u2019s elements, particularly where they have been recruiting or otherwise giving a platform to extremist views \u2026 that is dangerous \u2026 I think it is also dangerous, at a time when social cohesion has never been more important, to trade on the politics of division.<\/p>\n The attorney general said this morning being a high-profile woman in politics is dangerous, as is being a politician in general, and observed \u201cextremism\u201d currently confronting politicians across the spectrum. But Rowland suggested Hanson\u2019s own rhetoric was also playing a role in this political landscape. She told RN:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhen you admit that you have a party that has been infiltrated by extremists \u2026 this is exactly the kind of dangers to which politicians are being put in this country.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t wish ill on Ms Hanson in a physical way. I don\u2019t wish any politician any ill will, irrespective of their political persuasion. But I think sometimes when comments like this are made, one needs to look at oneself and one\u2019s behaviour and the kinds of standards that they accept into their own party and their own ideology.<\/p>\n![\"Krishani](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Krishani_Dhanji.png\")
Krishani Dhanji<\/p>\n![\"Penry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Penry_Buckley.png\")
Penry Buckley<\/p>\nPenry Buckley<\/p>\n![\"Rescue](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/563.jpg\")
Rescue efforts continue as 43 Australians remain missing in Nepal \u2013 videoShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Sarah_Basford_Canales.png\")
Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Patrick_Commins.png\")
Patrick Commins<\/p>\n![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\n