![\"LA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7052.jpg\")
LA Rams players warm up at the MCG. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\nUpdated at\u00a023.26 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
Queensland credit rating downgraded for the first time in 17 years<\/p>\n
Queensland has been dealt the first downgrade to its credit rating in 17 years, heaping more borrowing costs on to the state\u2019s budget, AAP reports.<\/p>\n
Credit agency S&P Global slapped a stable outlook on Queensland\u2019s downgraded AA rating.<\/p>\n
The loss of Queensland\u2019s AA+ rating came on the same day NSW received an upgrade to its credit outlook. Queensland\u2019s budget performance would remain \u201cvery weak\u201d over the next two to three years compared to peers with a similar rating, S&P said on Friday.<\/p>\n
The state\u2019s historically large infrastructure program ahead of the 2032 Olympics and forecast deficits contrasted with previous expectations for sound surpluses from 2028, it said in a report.<\/p>\n
The state could also expect lower stamp duty revenues after property tax changes in the federal budget exacerbated a deepening housing downturn, S&P said.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a> One flight cancelled every three days across Australia due to staff shortages<\/p>\n Worker shortages have cancelled one flight every three days on average in the last year, Airservices Australia has told a senate hearing.<\/p>\n The government agency\u2019s deputy CEO, Peter Curran, said Australia\u2019s airports recorded 2,536 cancellations over the year to 31 August, of which 121 were attributed to Airservices. Sydney accounted for 103 of those.<\/p>\n Just this morning, the troubled airport<\/a> recorded 14 inbound cancellations and more outbound cancellations, after some overnight staff were unavailable, Curran said. Airservices and airlines manage the shortage by delaying or cancelling flights.<\/p>\n Curran said Sydney had grown and now needed a team of 41 air traffic controllers, spread across the roster. It has 49 employed but eight are unavailable at the moment. Curran said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhen we have a bit of short-term sickness or unavailability, like we had last night, it makes it very difficult to recover.<\/p>\n Curran said retired staff had been asked to come back to work but some of them were \u201csimply not interested\u201d. He said there were about 1,100 air traffic controllers working across Australia and 91 would join in the coming year.<\/p>\n With more recruitment, Curran said Airservices would be able to enough on-call staff to cover two absences a day by March 2027.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s not an ironclad model, but it certainly reduces the likelihood of the sorts of issues that we\u2019re having today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.24 EDT<\/p>\n 49ers rout Rams 27-7 in NFL clash at the MCG<\/p>\n Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel caught touchdown passes from quarterback Brock Purdy, and the San Francisco 49ers routed the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 Friday in the first NFL regular-season game in Australia.<\/p>\n Purdy passed for 205 yards against the Rams\u2019 ineffective defense at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 100,021 fans, the seventh-largest regular season crowd in NFL history.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s sporting capital reveled in its first real taste of American football \u2013 and in a dominant win by the 49ers, who had already won many Aussies\u2019 affection by travelling to Melbourne a week earlier than the Rams, who only boomeranged in on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.16 EDT<\/p>\n NFL stars, cheerleaders and the Jonas Brothers as American football comes to Melbourne<\/p>\n About 100,000 fans filled the MCG for the historic NFL regular-season clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Die-hard supporters and interested spectators came from all corners to see American football\u2019s cultural exchange, which included cheerleaders before the match and a Jonas Brothers show at half-time.<\/p>\n Take a look at some below:<\/p>\n The Jonas Brothers perform at the half-time break. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/EPASan Francisco 49ers\u2019 quarterback #13 Brock Purdy (R) runs with the ball during the NFL match. Photograph: Martin Keep\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.45 EDT<\/p>\n Australian share market veering towards worst week since US-Iran war began<\/p>\n The Australian share market is barreling toward its worst week since the US-Iran war began, as surging oil prices pressure bond yields and squeeze central banks to hike borrowing costs.<\/p>\n The benchmark S&P\/ASX200 index fell 112.2 points by midday on Friday, to be down 1.27% as the broader All Ordinaries tumbled 120 points, or 1.33%.<\/p>\n The top-200 is on track for a 3.2% slump since Monday and its worst week since early March\u2019s 3.8% plunge, when US-led strikes killed Iran\u2019s supreme leader and triggered a broader regional conflict.<\/p>\n The Australian dollar was buying 71.56 US cents, down from 72.16 US cents on Thursday at 5pm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.35 EDT<\/p>\n Sarah Hanson-Young on big tech\u2019s \u2018attack on democracy\u2019 \u2013 Australian Politics podcast<\/p>\n This week, the Albanese government released its draft digital duty of care legislation and announced reforms to allow social media users to opt out of algorithms. The Coalition has ruled out their support, so the Greens will be crucial to the changes passing the Senate.<\/p>\n Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young about why she thinks this will be a \u201cbattle for our generation\u201d.<\/p>\n Listen here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Molly Ticehurst\u2019s killer Daniel Billings sentenced to 28 years in jail for murder<\/p>\n Molly Ticehurst\u2019s ex-boyfriend will spend at least 20 years inhas been sentenced to 28 years in jail for her senseless and brutal murder, which was revenge for her reporting allegations of sexual assault to police.<\/p>\n Daniel Billings was sentenced in the Orange Supreme Court today by Justice Natalie Adams, who imposed a non-parole period of 20 years.<\/p>\n Ticehurst, a 28-year-old childcare worker, was found dead in her pyjamas at her home at Forbes, in the state\u2019s central west, in the early hours of 22 April 2024.<\/p>\n Justice Natalie Adams found Billings\u2019 offending was in the high range of seriousness, given he murdered her in the exact way he had long threatened to do.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt must have been absolutely terrifying for Ms Ticehurst to die knowing her worst fears were realised.<\/p>\n Read the full story:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.36 EDT<\/p>\n Asio chief reveals 16 terror plots have been foiled since Bondi attack Australia\u2019s domestic spy agency says it has disrupted 16 terrorist threats in the nine months since the Bondi attack, including an antisemitic attack, a plot to kill Muslims and a violent racist allegedly found with weapons and ammunition.<\/p>\n The Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation\u2019s director general, Mike Burgess, outlined the \u201cevolving threat\u201d in a speech today on the 25th anniversary<\/a> of the 9\/11 terror attacks on the United States.<\/p>\n The Asio chief revealed his organisation had disrupted 16 terror plans since December where the \u201cthreat was considered serious but not necessarily imminent\u201d. In June the figure was 14. Since 2014, it has foiled 33 major terrorism plots.<\/p>\n Burgess said Sunni violent extremism represented the majority of Asio\u2019s counter-terrorism caseload but that it was \u201ctoo simplistic to assume there is a single terrorism threat or a most likely terrorist threat as we did in the aftermath of 9\/11\u201d.<\/p>\n He said the threats included an individual allegedly inspired by extreme right-wing ideology, others inspired by extreme left-wing ideologies and others inspired by \u201cmixed and seemingly incompatible beliefs\u201d, including one person who allegedly wanted to blow up a school who was allegedly inspired by ideological and extreme Christian beliefs.<\/p>\n Burgess said:<\/p>\n double quotation markThese dynamics make the contemporary terrorism environment different \u2013 and in some ways, more difficult \u2013 than a quarter of a century ago … Spikes in grievance, intolerance and polarisation are degrading our security environment and making politically motivated violence more likely.<\/p>\n Asio\u2019s director general Mike Burgess. Photograph: Hollie Adams\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.38 EDT<\/p>\n Matt Canavan \u2018welcomes\u2019 communication between Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie<\/p>\n Matt Canavan spoke to News24 earlier, saying he \u201cwelcomes\u201d Barnaby Joyce reaching out to Andrew Hastie about the One Nation<\/a> \u201ctraitor\u201d cartoon.<\/p>\n Canavan began by condemning One Nation\u2019s bids to \u201cdistance\u201d themselves from the cartoon, noting the video was authorised and published by the party.<\/p>\n double quotation markI thought that was pretty weak.<\/p>\n The Nationals leader said he appreciated that Joyce had explained to Hastie that he didn\u2019t know about the cartoon.<\/p>\n double quotation markI welcome Barnaby\u2019s apology, it\u2019s a matter for Andrew if he accepts it \u2013 but I think Pauline should do the same.<\/p>\n (In a statement, Hastie said he did accept it, but characterised it as an \u201cexplanation\u201d rather than an apology.)<\/p>\n Canavan said he personally welcomed criticism but said that politicians did not need to \u201cdevolve\u201d into this sort of language.<\/p>\n The interview took somewhat of an odd turn when Cavanan also referred to himself as someone with \u201ccommunist sympathies\u201d in his youth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.23 EDT<\/p>\n Albanese is under fire over a grants program that benefited his local golf club. Were any rules broken?<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese is under fire after an invite-only grant program allocated millions to marginal Labor seats and his old local golf club.<\/p>\n The government claims it has broken no rules and delivered its election promises by the standard method but transparency advocates have said the system needs reform and have drawn comparisons to the notorious \u201csports rorts\u201d affair.<\/p>\n What went wrong \u2013 and is this sports rorts all over again?<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Marrickville Golf Club. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins\/The GuardianShare<\/a><\/p>\n Marles says Hanson should take Hastie cartoon down and apologise<\/p>\n Back to defence minister Richard Marles, who made some other comments this morning about the One Nation<\/a> video.<\/p>\n Speaking on Nine, Marles said the Australia\u2019s veteran community would have been affected by the One Nation video\u2019s use of the word \u201ctraitor\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markOne of the issues here is to use that word in respect of any veteran is taken on by the entire veterans community \u2026 it\u2019s distasteful. It\u2019s inappropriate. It should come down and Pauline Hanson should apologise.<\/p>\n Defence minister Richard Marles. Photograph: WPA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.16 EDT<\/p>\n Pauline Hanson not backing away from Hastie cartoon, suggesting a \u2018chill pill\u2019 for critics<\/p>\n The One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, is standing by the cartoon that labelled Andrew Hastie a \u201ctraitor\u201d despite growing condemnation from Labor, the Greens, Liberals and the crossbench.<\/p>\n The video is currently pinned to the top of Hanson\u2019s X feed, and she said on Wednesday she would not apologise and the uproar was \u201ca storm in a teacup as far as I\u2019m concerned\u201d. She has denied ever calling Hastie a traitor.<\/p>\n Last night, Hanson posted a photo of Jacqui Lambie and herself in the Senate, alongside a post that read \u201cI think everyone just needs to take a chill pill\u201d.<\/p>\n A furious Lambie told ABC radio yesterday that Hanson was a \u201cbloody coward\u201d.<\/p>\n The One Nation<\/a> leader posted again this morning on X to express her \u201cthanks\u201d to Hastie that the \u201ccartoons make the news again\u201d, sharing the \u201cten best episodes\u201d of the animation Please Explain.<\/p>\n As we reported earlier, Hastie told Guardian Australia he accepted Barnaby Joyce\u2019s explanation that he didn\u2019t know about the cartoon. He said he now knows that Hanson \u201cis the only lying coward\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.08 EDT<\/p>\n Carroll says NFL game in Victoria a moment in the state\u2019s history<\/p>\n The Victoria premier, Ben Carroll, spruiked the NFL game at the MCG this morning, saying it was an exciting and historic day for the state.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe atmosphere, the weather for Melbourne, everything has just come on so perfectly. I couldn\u2019t be more excited to be part of this day.<\/p>\n This event helps cement Victoria as the major events capital, not only of Australia, but of the world.<\/p>\n It\u2019s going to be one of those events that people look back in history and say, \u2018Where were you?\u2019 Or \u2018I was there\u2019.<\/p>\n LA Rams players warm up at the MCG. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.26 EDT<\/p>\n Woolworths increased prices of at least four \u2018family staples\u2019 during \u2018Price Freeze\u2019 promotion<\/p>\n Woolworths raised prices for popular items \u2013 including a 33% mark up on chicken fillets \u2013 within days of promising to freeze prices on 300 \u201cfamily staples\u201d for three months to help customers with the cost of living.<\/p>\n Pricing data, compiled by comparison website CW Scanner and provided to Guardian Australia, shows the supermarket chain increasing the prices of at least four key products after starting the three-month \u201cPrice Freeze\u201d promotion on 1 May.<\/p>\n Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAP<\/p>\n The supermarket nearly doubled the price of a 420g can of Woolworths \u201cMexican Style 3 Bean Mix\u201d during the promotional period \u2013 from 60c to $1 on 17 June \u2013 the data shows. Woolworths dropped the price back to 60c on 17 August<\/p>\n Woolworths has justified the increases because it regarded the previous prices as promotional prices, rather than the \u201cstandard shelf price\u201d for each product.<\/p>\n A Woolworths spokesperson said that the end of a temporary promotion did not represent a shelf price increase.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The NFL is set to hold its first regular-season game in Australia today, a contest between the San Francisco 49ers and the LA Rams.<\/p>\n The showdown will take place at Melbourne\u2019s MCG this morning.<\/p>\n Fans have been turning up in droves. The game starts at 10.35am and you can watch it on Netflix.<\/p>\n A fan arrives at the MCG. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/EPAA fan of the LA Rams. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAPSpectators arrive in 49ers gear. Photograph: Robert Cianflone\/Getty ImagesLA Rams fans. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.34 EDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Carroll says NFL game in Victoria a moment in the state\u2019s history The Victoria premier, Ben Carroll, spruiked…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":887723,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[64,63,44],"class_list":["post-887722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=887722"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/887722\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/887723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=887722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=887722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=887722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Luca](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789101374_157_Luca_Ittimani.png\")
Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789101375_785_Sarah_Basford_Canales.png\")
Sarah Basford Canales<\/p>\nLuca Ittimani<\/p>\n![\"Catie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789101376_945_Caite_McLeod.png\")
Catie McLeod<\/p>\n