Updated at\u00a003.51 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
What we learned today, Wednesday 16 September<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where we\u2019ll leave the blog for today. Here were today\u2019s top stories:<\/p>\n
It was a sitting day in federal parliament in Canberra, where AI, copyright and immigration dominated the debate ahead of a speech by the home affairs minister<\/a>, Tony Burke, tomorrow, which is expected to unveil Labor\u2019s new migration policy.<\/p>\n Barnaby Joyce<\/a> backed his leader, <\/a>Pauline Hanson<\/a>, saying she got a \u201c10 out of 10\u201d for issuing a lukewarm, qualified apology<\/a> over her comments about Indigenous Australians and to Anthony Albanese.<\/p>\n Betting company Dabble was fined more than $1m for sending more than 800 messages to 165 gamblers<\/a> who had joined the federal government\u2019s self-exclusion register and asked to be left alone.<\/p>\n The Queensland premier announced that Anthropic, the AI giant behind the large language model Claude<\/a>, has done a deal to lease the site of its first Australian datacentre in western Queensland<\/a>.<\/p>\n One Nation\u2019s New South Wales leader Mike Newman tried to clarify comments he made at a rally on Tuesday night that he wanted abortions to \u201cstop\u201d<\/a>, saying that he \u201cmade a mistake\u201d and the party\u2019s policy on abortion \u201cis clear\u201d.<\/p>\n The Victorian premier made another policy backflip, announcing a re-elected Labor government would give police and protective services officers the power to stop and search people for knives using handheld metal detectors<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cotality released its \u201cpain and gain\u201d report, showing one in five Melbourne apartments, and more than one in 10 Sydney units<\/a> sold in the June quarter made a loss.<\/p>\n Sarah Abo<\/a> announced she would finish up as co-host of Today and leave Nine at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities.<\/p>\n And veteran Network 10 journalist Hugh Riminton <\/a>told his colleagues he would retire<\/a> from journalism on 2 October after a 48-year career.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.11 EDT<\/p>\n Minns says Ticehurst\u2019s murderer should have more jail time<\/p>\n The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, says Daniel Billings is a \u201cbastard\u201d and his prison sentence is inadequate.<\/p>\n Billings, 31, will spend at least 20 years behind bars, before becoming eligible for parole, for murdering his ex-girlfriend Molly Ticehurst, who was a childcare educator and young mother from Forbes, in central western NSW.<\/p>\n Justice Natalie Adams sentenced Billings to a maximum term of 28 years in the NSW supreme court on Friday, finding he acted out of revenge after Ticehurst reported allegations of sexual assault to police.<\/p>\n At a press conference earlier today, the premier was asked whether he thought Billings\u2019 sentence was adequate. Minns responded:<\/p>\n double quotation markNo, it\u2019s a vicious, horrible crime. I would have loved to see him far, far longer.<\/p>\n And obviously, we\u2019ve changed the law since that horrific murder to have a standard non-parole period of 25 years, but you know the judge made the decision, and I just feel terrible for the family who are decent, honest, hard-working people who\u2019ve lost their daughter at the hands of a complete bastard.<\/p>\n Billings was out on bail when he smashed through Ticehurst\u2019s bedroom window and stabbed her 15 times with a hunting knife just before midnight on 21 April 2024.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.51 EDT<\/p>\n Crackdown on reckless prescribing as regulator ramps up peptides oversight Australia\u2019s medical practitioner regulator is cracking down on high-volume prescribers of drugs including unapproved peptides, medicinal cannabis and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.<\/p>\n The Australian Health<\/a> Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) announced on Wednesday it will also soon release conflict-of-interest guidance for doctors as concerns grow about commercial influence over their prescribing.<\/p>\n In a statement, Ahpra said the agency has been investigating unsafe prescribing and \u201cis concerned growing consumer demand for certain medicines, coupled with undue commercial influence, has led some practitioners to depart from established professional standards\u201d.<\/p>\n The statement said:<\/p>\n double quotation markTelehealth prescribing and the provision of certain medicines require practitioners to demonstrate even greater rigour to prevent harm to patients.<\/p>\n Ahpra can take regulatory action against practitioners over unsafe prescribing, with the most serious cases referred to tribunals.<\/p>\n Photograph: Tom Little\/Reuters<\/p>\n Medical Board of Australia chair Dr Susan O\u2019Dwyer warned doctors and prescribers \u201cactive in these new pharmaceutical frontiers\u201d that they have ethical and legal obligations, saying that:<\/p>\n double quotation markA patient may want peptides, but that doesn\u2019t mean they need peptides. It doesn\u2019t mean that peptides are clinically justified.<\/p>\n For patients, the Ahpra chief executive Justin Untersteiner, said people \u201cshould not be taking chances on black-market peptides or advice from online influencers with zero clinical knowledge or training\u201d.<\/p>\n Anyone with concerns about a doctor or other health professional\u2019s conduct should contact Ahpra<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.14 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018We do not want Peter\u2019s death used to promote political agendas\u2019: family issues statement after Victorian motorcyclist dies in reported pothole crash<\/p>\n The family of Peter Mason, a 71-year-old motorcyclist who died on Monday after reportedly hitting a pothole on a regional Victorian highway say his loss has \u201cleft an enormous hole\u201d in their lives.<\/p>\n Mason, known as Tiki, was the president of a social motorcycle club, Eureka Social Riders, and was widely respected within the community. He died on Sunday after reportedly losing control on the Western Highway near Trawalla Road, with his death reigniting a political debate over the condition of Victoria\u2019s roads in the lead-up to the November state election.<\/p>\n His family issued a statement this afternoon asking people not to use his death to \u201cpromote political agendas\u201d. It reads:<\/p>\n double quotation markThere are no words to express the heartbreak our family is experiencing following the sudden and devastating loss of Peter Mason.<\/p>\n Peter was so much more than the circumstances of his death. He was a much-loved member of our family and a friend to many. His loss has left an enormous hole in our lives, and we are struggling to come to terms with a life taken far too soon.<\/p>\n We are aware of the public interest surrounding the circumstances of Peter\u2019s death, including the condition of the road where the incident occurred. If, through the appropriate processes, changes are identified that could prevent another family from experiencing this devastation, we sincerely hope something positive can come from Peter\u2019s death. However, these matters should be dealt with by the appropriate authorities.<\/p>\n We do not want Peter\u2019s death used to promote political agendas, and we ask that no one speak on behalf of our family or claim to represent our views.<\/p>\n The family thanked everyone who had reached out with condolences, support and memories of Peter. They also asked reporters to be \u201crespectful , factual and sensitive\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.04 EDT<\/p>\n Hugh Riminton to leave 10 and retire from journalism after near-five decade career<\/p>\n Veteran Network 10 journalist Hugh Riminton has told his colleagues he will retire on 2 October after a 48-year career.<\/p>\n Riminton made the announcement in an email to Network 10 staff earlier today, in which he said:<\/p>\n double quotation markOne of my emotions is excitement. I got my first job as a cadet reporter aged 17. I am now 65. 48 years in daily news is probably enough.<\/p>\n This reporter\u2019s life has given me the world. I leave with nothing but gratitude for every hour of it.<\/p>\n In the coming weeks and months, I plan to support my son as he does his HSC. I also want to spend some time with my splendid Dad who is coming on 98.<\/p>\n Every hour is precious.<\/p>\n After that, I am sure projects will emerge to keep me busy.<\/p>\n I want to thank you all for being my colleagues and friends for the past 17 years.<\/p>\n There is no one among you I am not proud to work alongside.<\/p>\n Martin White, a vice-president of news at 10\u2019s owner, Paramount, wrote:<\/p>\n double quotation markAs you\u2019ve heard already, the great Hugh Riminton has made the tough decision to move on. After a near half-century on the day-to-day news, it\u2019s an innings few of us can comprehend, let alone get close to.<\/p>\n While I\u2019m sad, and will miss him greatly, I\u2019m also proud to have been able to call him a colleague. I\u2019ve even subbed a few of his scripts, though I can\u2019t recall ever changing a word!<\/p>\n He is rightly celebrated as one of the premier journalists in this country and has had a vital impact on the Australian media, and on Australian democracy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.47 EDT<\/p>\n Sarah Abo announces she is leaving Today<\/p>\n Sarah Abo<\/a> has announced she will finish up as co-host of Today and leave Nine at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities.<\/p>\n In a statement today, Abo said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWords can\u2019t express how grateful I am to our viewers for letting me into your homes to be part of your morning routine. Without you, there is no Today show.<\/p>\n Together with 60 Minutes, I\u2019ve spent my time at Nine chasing stories, travelling and reporting from all over the world, interviewing some incredible and inspiring people from all walks of life. Becoming a mum has heralded a new chapter and sharing that with our audience has been truly special. As many of you know, this has been a significant journey for my family and will continue to be my greatest achievement.<\/p>\n Nine\u2019s executive director of news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, thanked Abo and said she had been an \u201cintegral part\u201d of the team, \u201cbringing warmth, energy and first-class journalism to the program each morning\u201d.<\/p>\n Today co-host Sarah Abo. Photograph: Adam Hollingworth Hired Gun\/Adam HollingworthShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.43 EDT<\/p>\n Police appeal after woman\u2019s body found in central Queensland sand dunes<\/p>\n A young woman has been found dead in sand dunes days after visiting a hair salon, sparking a police appeal, AAP reports. She was last seen at 8.55am on Friday at an Andergrove salon, located about 6km from the beach.<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters in Mackay earlier today, Det Insp Emma Novosel said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re trying to fill a four-day gap at this time.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why we\u2019re seeking information from members of the public.<\/p>\n We\u2019re obviously going through that bushland area to try and find any items of interest that could assist us in determining what happened to Payge and how she came to be in that location.<\/p>\n The mother-of-one\u2019s cause of death was unknown but an autopsy had been scheduled, Novosel said.<\/p>\n Leembruggen was not reported missing and it was not unusual for her to travel from her Mount Jukes address \u2013 where she lived with extended family \u2013 to Mackay, about 40km away.<\/p>\n Support was being provided to Leembruggen\u2019s family who were \u201cunderstandably\u201d upset, and her young child was being cared for by family members, police said.<\/p>\n Leembruggen is described as Caucasian and about 178cm tall with brown hair.<\/p>\n She was last seen wearing a white top, bright red yoga pants and a red bow in her hair, with a small backpack-style handbag.<\/p>\n Police have urged anyone who saw her between Friday and Tuesday or with any information to contact them.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.32 EDT<\/p>\n First hearings announced in royal commission into Victoria\u2019s Big Build<\/p>\n The royal commission into the Victorian government\u2019s Big Build will hold its first public hearing next week.<\/p>\n Known formally as the \u201croyal commission into the integrity of major public and civil infrastructure construction projects in Victoria\u201d, the inquiry headed by Chris Kourakis confirmed it will hold its opening hearing next Wednesday.<\/p>\n The hearing will be held in the Melbourne magistrates court from 10am and will be live-streamed.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.05 EDT<\/p>\n Hello, I hope you\u2019ve had a nice day so far. I\u2019ll be with you on the blog until this evening.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> That\u2019s all from me today folks, thanks for following along on the blog!<\/p>\n I\u2019ll leave you with the brilliant Catie McLeod for the rest of the day\u2019s news while I coax myself to go outside and get some fresh air.<\/p>\n See you back here tomorrow.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Tl;dr here\u2019s what happened in question time<\/p>\n The spotlight was heavily on the prime minister and health minister Mark Butler today, who defended himself over planned cuts to private health insurance rebates<\/a> for over 65s.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese\u2019s patience was also somewhat tested over his links to former Play School host and ex-Labor staffer Rhys Muldoon, who was yesterday stood down over \u201cabhorrent\u201d social media posts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tony Burke acknowledged immigration numbers<\/a> do need to drop, ahead of his appearance at the National Press Club tomorrow (a month after he was first due to speak).<\/p>\n The opposition also tried to corner Labor on whether the prime minister had sought cabinet approval before extending the increase to Australia\u2019s humanitarian intake to 20,000<\/a>. Burke replied that it showed how far away the Coalition was from understanding government function.<\/p>\n And Jim Chalmers nearly got kicked out today after he called Tim Wilson a \u201ckaraoke clown<\/a>\u201d. He was referring to this<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.42 EDT<\/p>\n Question time ends<\/p>\n After a final dixer to Kristy McBain, that was surprisingly rowdy and nearly led to housing minister Clare O\u2019Neil getting booted, the prime minister calls time on QT.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018All care, no responsibility\u2019, Albanese defends private health insurance changes<\/p>\n Why doesn\u2019t the government properly tax coal and gas, cut the $11bn diesel fuel rebate or reconsider the $368bn Aukus agreement if it needs to find savings, asks Monique Ryan, instead of targeting pensioners by cutting private health insurance rebates for over 65s.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not a misprint \u2013 Ryan has been given a second question today, lucky her.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese spends half of his answer defending Aukus, and then also defends the decision to change the private health insurance rebate.<\/p>\n He then takes aim at the crossbench.<\/p>\n double quotation markI expect the Independents don\u2019t have to come up with a budget, and that\u2019s fine. All care \u2013 no responsibility. But as a government, we have to.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.19 EDT<\/p>\n Rhys Muldoon comments \u2018outrageous and completely unacceptable\u2019 says Albanese<\/p>\n Before we get to the next question, Ben Small is booted, after a dixer to Tony Burke where he was railing off about the Plymouth Brethren church and their involvement in the election.<\/p>\n Then Tony Pasin returns to the dispatch box, and asks the prime minister point blank if he provided Rhys Muldoon a reference for his role as an Australia Day ambassador or any other role.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese says it was appropriate that Muldoon was immediately stood down after several old social media posts surfaced.<\/p>\n double quotation markThere are two roles in which action has been taken. One was he was a relief staff casual employee for Senator Dowling, and the comments, when people became aware of them and the senator became aware of them, he took immediate action and that\u2019s appropriate.<\/p>\n Albanese says Muldoon was an Australia Day ambassador since 2014 but was not this year.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe assistant minister has taken action today, who has responsibility for those issues, to clearly say that it is not appropriate for him to be an ambassador. I find his comments outrageous and completely unacceptable.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese: Muldoon\u2019s comments \u2018completely unacceptable\u2019. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.15 EDT<\/p>\n Butler on the defence over decision to lower private health insurance rebates for over 65s<\/p>\n Monique Ryan has picked up the baton and is also asking the government about its decision to lower the private health insurance rebates for over 65s. Modelling by the parliamentary budget office that she commissioned found half of the $3bn in savings would be paid for by pensioners.<\/p>\n She asks if pensioners were \u201creally the only place that you could find budget savings?\u201d<\/p>\n Mark Butler says, for the 50th time, that the government has had to make \u201chard decisions\u201d and that it\u2019s necessary to pay for more aged care beds and home care support.<\/p>\n He says the initial decision by John Howard to give over 65s a higher health insurance rebate was done in a very different economic scenario.<\/p>\n double quotation markI would like to be able to maintain that arrangement but we have had to make some difficult decisions to find the aged care investment that is necessary.<\/p>\n Now in this debate there have frankly been a lot of misinformation about what the impact will be. Our modelling indicates that first of all the average impact on a private health insurance member of these changes will be in the order of 70 cents per day.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.03 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Zero to do with me\u2019: Albanese distances himself from Muldoon<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese has tried to completely distance himself from Rhys Muldoon, the former Play School host, and brief Labor staffer who was yesterday stood down after \u201cabhorrent\u201d posts were unearthed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Liberal frontbencher Tony Pasin asks what involvement Albanese had in Muldoon\u2019s appointment as a Labor adviser and if he provided Muldoon with a reference for his Australia Day ambassador role.<\/p>\n Albanese says no, and no.<\/p>\n double quotation markOn the first part of that question, none. On the second part, his Australia Day role began under the former Coalition government \u2026 and his appointment had zero to do with me.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.32 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018We do need to get net overseas migration down\u2019, says Burke<\/p>\n Net migration does need to come down, says Tony Burke, ahead of his national press club address tomorrow.<\/p>\n Regional independent MP Helen Haines asks him whether the government will speed up visa processing for regional areas, who are struggling to get critical workers.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe do need to get net overseas migration down, we do \u2026<\/p>\n To be able to work through this, we need to be able to make sure that we deal with the numbers \u2013 we need to make sure that we deal with the numbers overall and do so in a sensible, targeted way that provides the easiest pathway through for the Australian economy.<\/p>\n He doesn\u2019t exactly answer the question on whether he\u2019ll reverse the \u201cgo-slow\u201d on visa processing for the regions.<\/p>\n He does say there are more tools that the government has at its disposal to improve the migration system and he\u2019ll says he\u2019ll have more to say about that tomorrow.<\/p>\n A bit of a forward sizzle, as it were.<\/p>\n Seasonal workers harvest oranges from trees at an orchard in NSW. Photograph: Bloomberg\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.02 EDT<\/p>\n Butler holds firm on private health insurance rebates for over 65s<\/p>\n Nationals MP Michelle Landry is next and asks about a warning from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which says Labor\u2019s reduction of private health cover rebates for over 65s will lead to \u201cincreased costs for older women who require gynaecological care\u201d.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese says broadly that the government has introduced the largest ever women\u2019s health program.<\/p>\n The health minister, Mark Butler then takes over and says that submissions are still coming into the inquiry taking a look at the changes, and the government will consider them.<\/p>\n But he holds firm and maintains the changes are necessary.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe are doing this \u2026 to find necessary savings to fund more beds in aged care, more packages at home and better care, particularly changing the co-contribution arrangements which I think have been advocated by the opposition, among others, around showering and other hygiene activities.<\/p>\n The changes that we make restore arrangements to their original design which did not differentiate between members or private health insurance holders based on their age.<\/p>\n![\"Melissa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Melissa_Davey2.png\")
Melissa Davey<\/p>\n![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789549097_650_Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\n
Payge Leembruggen, 31, was discovered by a man walking his dogs at a popular Mackay beach in central Queensland about 8am on Tuesday, police said.<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\n![\"Catie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789549097_349_Caite_McLeod.png\")
Catie McLeod<\/p>\n![\"Krishani](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789549098_971_Krishani_Dhanji.png\")
Krishani Dhanji<\/p>\n