Speaking on ABC\u2019s Afternoon Briefing, Shoebridge said:<\/p>\n
double quotation markIt\u2019s an extraordinary intervention in our domestic politics, that\u2019s what we have seen.<\/p>\n
The US embassy issuing, basically, a slap down to the Australian government on a piece of domestic legislation that the Australian parliament should be deciding on, not Washington.<\/p>\n
It is almost unprecedented in my experience to see a foreign government in this country through their embassy \u2026 so overtly try and dissuade the Australian parliament from taking actions to protect the Australian public.<\/p>\n
Shoebridge said the US \u201cneeds to be brought to heel by the rest of the world\u201d as global discussions continue over artificial intelligence safeguards and the power of major technology companies.<\/p>\n
Updated at\u00a003.31 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n What we learned, Wednesday 23 September That\u2019s a wrap on our live coverage for today!<\/p>\n Before we go, let\u2019s recap the day\u2019s top headlines:<\/p>\n The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has denied Australia\u2019s proposed digital duty of care laws are about government control<\/a> after the Trump administration accused the legislation of being \u201cviewpoint-based censorship\u201d. Despite the row, Albanese posed for a selfie with Trump<\/a> at the UN assembly in New York.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese has met Japan\u2019s prime minister,<\/a> Sanae Takaichi, at the United Nations \u2013 the first time the pair have been together since Albanese\u2019s comments about melons in a controversial podcast.<\/p>\n Parenthood chief executive, Georgie Dent, addressed the National Press Club in Canberra<\/a> today on new research that shows the cost for Australian families of raising two or more children has risen to at least $36,500 a year<\/a>.<\/p>\n The royal commission into allegations of corruption<\/a> on Victorian government construction sites has begun, with commissioner Chris Kourakis kicking off proceedings by asking his associate, Peter Tantalos, to read out the letters patent, which formally established the inquiry in August<\/a>.<\/p>\n Randwick council announced it intends to ban smartglasses across Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs beaches<\/a>. Sydney\u2019s inner west council has also moved to ban smartglasses and other wearable recording devices in its facilities<\/a>, including pools, change rooms, childcare centres and public toilets.<\/p>\n Sydney airport saw some flights delayed or cancelled this morning amid a blanket of fog <\/a>that settled over the harbour city.<\/p>\n Continuing on aviation, Qantas announced its 18-hour direct Sydney-New York flights <\/a>will start in mid-2028, predicting it will cut travel time between the two cities by three hours.<\/p>\n A $1m reward has been offered for information about four-year-old <\/a>Gus Lamont<\/a>, who went missing almost a year ago.<\/p>\n Thanks for sticking around, we\u2019ll see you tomorrow morning.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.00 EDT<\/p>\n Shoebridge accuses US of overreach in Australia\u2019s online safety laws<\/p>\n The Greens senator David Shoebridge has accused the United States of interfering in Australia\u2019s domestic politics after the Trump administration criticised the government\u2019s proposed opt-in algorithm reforms.<\/p>\n In a submission overnight<\/a>, the Trump administration warned the measures risked becoming a mechanism for \u201cviewpoint-based censorship\u201d and called for American platforms to be exempted.<\/p>\n Speaking on ABC\u2019s Afternoon Briefing, Shoebridge said:<\/p>\n double quotation markIt\u2019s an extraordinary intervention in our domestic politics, that\u2019s what we have seen.<\/p>\n The US embassy issuing, basically, a slap down to the Australian government on a piece of domestic legislation that the Australian parliament should be deciding on, not Washington.<\/p>\n It is almost unprecedented in my experience to see a foreign government in this country through their embassy \u2026 so overtly try and dissuade the Australian parliament from taking actions to protect the Australian public.<\/p>\n Shoebridge said the US \u201cneeds to be brought to heel by the rest of the world\u201d as global discussions continue over artificial intelligence safeguards and the power of major technology companies.<\/p>\n Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.31 EDT<\/p>\n NAB says it is working to fix online bank outages affecting customers<\/p>\n Continuing our coverage of the NAB outage, the bank said it is aware of the reported issues and has launched an investigation.<\/p>\n NAB said the issues have affected \u201ca number of our digital channels\u201d including internet banking, its mobile app and broker digital services.<\/p>\n In a statement to social media, the bank said the issues \u201care not limited to\u201d its online services:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe issue is also affecting our phone services, and customers may be unable to contact us by phone at this time.<\/p>\n Our teams are investigating and working to fix this as quickly as possible. NAB ATMs remain available.<\/p>\n We\u2019re sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience while we work to restore services. We\u2019ll share updates as they become available.<\/p>\n A NAB spokesperson said:<\/p>\n double quotation markMost services have now been restored. Some business customers are continuing to experience login issues via NAB Connect, and we\u2019re working as quickly as possible to resolve the remaining impacts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.04 EDT<\/p>\n NAB customers report online banking outage<\/p>\n National Australia Bank (NAB) customers are reporting an outage affecting access to the bank\u2019s online services.<\/p>\n According to DownDetector, reports began at about 1pm, peaking at more than 2,000 reports at about 3.30pm.<\/p>\n Users have taken to social media to say they are unable to access their accounts.<\/p>\n NAB has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.05 EDT<\/p>\n \u2018Chaos, confusion\u2019: cop recalls jumping castle tragedy<\/p>\n A veteran police officer has described the chaos and mistakes that followed a deadly school jumping castle tragedy, saying unclear chains of command created confusion, AAP reports.<\/p>\n An inquest which began on Monday is examining the circumstances of the tragedy, safety processes and whether there were any departmental deficiencies.<\/p>\n Tasmania Police constable Dean Wotherspoon was one of the first officers to attend the Hillcrest primary school accident on 16 December 2021.<\/p>\n Students Addison Stewart, Chace Harrison, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt and Zane Mellor died after a freak \u201cdust devil\u201d wind gust lifted the jumping castle into the air above the Devonport school grounds.<\/p>\n The leading forensic officer told an inquest on Wednesday:<\/p>\n double quotation markI think the phrase perhaps is organised chaos.<\/p>\n There were a lot of people doing their utmost to save children.<\/p>\n Police officers, school staff, paramedics all doing what they could. It was nothing like I had seen.<\/p>\n Rosemary Gamble, the operator of Taz-Zorb, which set up the inflatable equipment, was in 2025 cleared of criminal workplace safety breaches.<\/p>\n Photograph: Bianca de Marchi\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.03 EDT<\/p>\n Good afternoon!<\/p>\n I hope today has been nice to you. I\u2019ll be here to take you through the rest of the day\u2019s news.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> That\u2019s all from me today folks.<\/p>\n The blog is now in the capable hands of Achol Arok.<\/p>\n See you next time!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Inner west council to ban AI smartglasses in public facilities<\/p>\n Sydney\u2019s inner west council has moved to ban smartglasses and other wearable recording devices in its facilities, including pools, change rooms, childcare centres and public toilets.<\/p>\n Inner west councillor Kerrie Fergusson said that the technology is likely \u201cjust the beginning of many new challenges for local councils\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markFor people with vision or hearing impairments, they offer a new level of independence. But they can also discreetly record high-definition video and live-stream, creating genuine privacy concerns \u2026<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t tearing down new technology like a bunch of 19th-century luddites, but ensuring AI technology properly serves our community without compromising its privacy or civil liberties.<\/p>\n Council staff have been asked to report back on how the ban will be implemented, including conditions of entry and signage requirements.<\/p>\n Exemptions will be provided to people who rely on the technology as accessibility devices.<\/p>\n As reported earlier this morning<\/a>, smartglasses could soon be banned across Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs beaches Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra under a motion put forward to Randwick council. It has already banned the technology<\/a> at the Des Renford leisure centre, citing \u201cgrowing community concerns\u201d about their potential misuse.<\/p>\n It also follows City of Sydney councillors voting to ban smartglasses at council gyms, childcare centres and pools on Monday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.45 EDT<\/p>\n Police appeal for information after Wagyu cow \u2018unlawfully\u2019 shot and butchered in Queensland<\/p>\n Detectives from Queensland\u2019s Rural and Stock Crime Squad are appealing for public information, after a Wagyu cow was \u201cunlawfully shot and butchered for meat\u201d on a property in Queensland.<\/p>\n Police believe trespassers entered the property in Farnborough on 13 or 14 June.<\/p>\n Investigators urge anyone who noticed suspicious activity or captured dashcam footage along Fishing Creek Road, off Farnborough Road, between 13 and 16 June to contact police or Crime Stoppers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Parenting advocate Georgie Dent tells National Press Club that Australians should get 52 weeks paid parental leave<\/p>\n More on the national press club address today by Georgie Dent, Parenthood chief executive \u2026<\/p>\n Dent cited Treasury data showing that having children reduces the earnings of Australian women by an average of 55% over the first five years of parenthood.<\/p>\n Dent said families need two incomes to stay afloat in the current economy and even with both parents working, they have less breathing room in their household budget.<\/p>\n double quotation markFor many families it feels like a cruel game of whack-a-mole \u2026<\/p>\n For parents of young children seeking to raise and provide for their family one obstacle towers over the others: early childhood education and care.<\/p>\n Too many face an impossible bind. They cannot access it, they cannot afford it, or they cannot trust what is available. This isn\u2019t perceived: the options families have are largely determined by what the market has delivered.<\/p>\n Dent will call for a policy pathway from government for the provision of 52 weeks of paid parental leave, up from 26 weeks currently paid for by taxpayers, and meaningful parental leave for fathers and partners.<\/p>\n The speech comes after Monday\u2019s intergenerational report<\/a> showed that, for the first time, more Australians will be dying than being born in 40 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.18 EDT<\/p>\n Press Club says it will never ban journalists from \u2018doing their job\u2019<\/p>\n The host of today\u2019s national press club momentarily interrupted question time to say it will never ban journalists from \u201cdoing their job\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markJust another message, we\u2019re going to depart for our theme for a second.<\/p>\n [There is] a lot of news at the moment, and in recent months, about journalists not being able to, you know, attend press conferences, et cetera.<\/p>\n Just a note on behalf of the national press club that no journalists will ever be banned from doing their job here.<\/p>\n The message was greeted by applause, before returning to the topic of childcare costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n This press club comment comes after US president Donald Trump banned journalists<\/a> from CNN, MS Now and Politico<\/a> from the White House.<\/p>\n In Australia, the ABC and the Guardian have called on One Nation to reverse its ban<\/a> on select media outlets from press conferences amid warnings the party is practising censorship and actively avoiding public scrutiny. Journalist Peter Greste has written for Guardian Australia about how these circumstances show \u201cwhy Australia urgently needs a media freedom bill\u201d:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.25 EDT<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese meets Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi in New York Anthony Albanese has met Japan\u2019s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, at the United Nations \u2013 the first time the pair have been together since Albanese\u2019s comments about melons in a controversial podcast.<\/p>\n The PM has repeatedly rejected suggestions he made offensive comments about a gift of two melons from Takaichi on the Bush Deep podcast in early July. Japan\u2019s ambassador to Australia downplayed any possible offence and said Tokyo had been reassured by the Australian government that Albanese\u2019s comments had been misunderstood.<\/p>\n Albanese wrote on social media, in a post that included a photo with world leaders including Takaichi:<\/p>\n double quotation markWorking with our international partners. Standing up for Australian interests. Finding global solutions to global challenges.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s voice matters at the United Nations. And it\u2019s here that we\u2019re delivering for Australians back home.<\/p>\n While in New York, Albanese has met Britain\u2019s Andy Burnham, the French president Emmanuel Macron, Pedro Sanchez of Spain and the US president Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.42 EDT<\/p>\n Plan to shift $4bn of NDIS spending snagging on lone holdout state<\/p>\n Health minister Mark Butler says he is frustrated that Queensland is the only state or territory not to sign up to the government\u2019s Thriving Kids program, a week before the first phase is due to begin.<\/p>\n The health minister told ABC Radio on Wednesday:<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019m a little frustrated they haven\u2019t signed because all other states and territories, Liberal and Labor alike, CLP government in the NT has signed on.<\/p>\n The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, was shirking a responsibility he had previously promised to accept, according to Butler. He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI can\u2019t imagine a Queensland government that, for the next 15 months, would sit on its hands and pretend it does not have a very serious obligation to follow the rest of the country.<\/p>\n Frankly [it should] implement commitments that the premier made at the national cabinet meeting earlier this year.<\/p>\n The health minister, Mark Butler. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.49 EDT<\/p>\n Gus Lamont\u2019s parents make teary plea for information about missing boy Gus\u2019s parents, Josh Lamont and Jess Murray, have spoken in a video shown by police.<\/p>\n Williams said Gus was \u201clearning so much and had such a bright future ahead of him\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation markHe should have celebrated his fifth birthday and his little brother\u2019s first birthday with us.<\/p>\n Lamont thanked family, friends, the community and those who were part of the search for Gus, and said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe believe someone knows something. Someone knows what happened to Gus. Someone knows where he is.<\/p>\n Fielke emphasised that neither of them are suspects and vowed to keep searching for answers.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.49 EDT<\/p>\n Police offer $1m reward for information about missing boy Gus Lamont A $1m reward for information about missing four-year-old Gus Lamont is on offer, as police say they have found no evidence to suggest he is still alive.<\/p>\n It has been almost a year since four-year-old Gus went missing from his family\u2019s enormous sheep farm in the South Australian outback.<\/p>\n He was last seen playing outside at 5pm on Saturday 27 September. Half an hour later, he was gone.<\/p>\n His disappearance sparked one of the biggest searches the state has ever undertaken, with new searches launched as new information or theories came to light.<\/p>\n Volunteers, police, emergency service and defence personnel, along with dogs and divers and drones scoured the 60,000 hectare Oak Park Station, about 300km inland from Adelaide.<\/p>\n One of the biggest moments in the saga came in February this year, when the South Australian police declared his disappearance a major crime, and said they had identified a suspect.<\/p>\n Det Supt Darren Fielke said at the time they had effectively ruled out Gus wandering off or being abducted, and that they were now investigating someone in his household.<\/p>\n The suspect was not one of his parents, Fielke said.<\/p>\n The SA premier, Peter Malinauskas, said they stand ready to do \u201ceverything they can\u201d to help police. He said it would go to anyone who had information leading to a body or a conviction. He said it was a \u201ccrystal clear\u201d message:<\/p>\n double quotation markIf you know something you\u2019ve gotta speak. <\/p>\n The disappearance of Gus Lamont has deeply shocked and saddened all South Australians. I cannot imagine the anguish that Gus\u2019s parents Jess and Josh are going through, and my thoughts remain with them.<\/p>\n Fielke said the police would do everything they could \u201cto locate Gus and reunite him with his family\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"Greens](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790155331_249_6880.jpg\")
Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Achol](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790155332_44_Achol_Arok,_L.png\")
Achol Arok<\/p>\nAchol Arok<\/p>\n![\"Ima](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ima_Caldwell.png\")
Ima Caldwell<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790155333_997_Tom_McIlroy.png\")
Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n![\"Tory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790155334_150_Tory_Shepherd.png\")
Tory Shepherd<\/p>\nTory Shepherd<\/p>\n