Updated at\u00a000.52 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
What we learned, Wednesday 30 September<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a wrap on our live coverage, before we go let\u2019s recap the day\u2019s top headlines:<\/p>\n
Thanks for sticking around, we\u2019ll see you tomorrow!<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018I am ready to play hardball\u2019: Hodgins-May vows to take drastic change in new role<\/p>\n Newly appointed Greens deputy leader Steph Hodgins-May said the role presented an opportunity to \u201creimagine what the future could look like if we put people ahead of those corporate profiteers\u201d.<\/p>\n Speaking on ABC\u2019s Afternoon Briefing, she said she was determined to represent Australians calling for greater action from the government.<\/p>\n double quotation markI am ready to play hardball \u2026 I\u2019m listening to the Victorians, the Australians who are every day telling me they are distraught at the fact that this government is not doing more to help people.<\/p>\n Incremental change doesn\u2019t cut it when we are staring down the biggest El Ni\u00f1o on record, and the potential for immense droughts, floods, fires. Incrementalism won\u2019t cut it on climate action. Incrementalism won\u2019t cut it when we want to materially make lives better, so we are demanding more ambition and courage from the Labor party, but not expecting it.<\/p>\n Hodgins-May said she would \u201ctake that responsibility incredibly seriously\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markIf that means playing hardball with the ALP and the Labor government, then absolutely. But if they turn around tomorrow and say, \u2018Hang on, maybe we can do things differently,\u2019 and serve us up some reforms that will genuinely change lives for the better, then I\u2019m all ears and ready to go. We are ready to go as a team.<\/p>\n Senator Steph Hodgins-May at a press conference announcing the new leadership team of the Australian Greens. Photograph: George Chan\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.09 EDT<\/p>\n Commbank becomes first of big four banks to increase home loan rates<\/p>\n Commonwealth Bank has announced it will increase variable home loan interest rates by 0.25% per annum following Tuesday\u2019s RBA rate hike.<\/p>\n The changes will take effect from 9 October 2026.<\/p>\n CBA Executive of Retail Banking Angus Sullivan said:<\/p>\n double quotation markEach customer\u2019s circumstances are different, and our teams are ready to provide support, help them understand their options and consider what might work best for their situation.<\/p>\n For some customers, the immediate priority might be understanding how their repayments and budget may change and where adjustments can be made. For others, it may be having a more detailed conversation with us about their finances.<\/p>\n Photograph: Hollie Adams\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Peugeot announces major recall of over 500 cars due to \u2018software issue\u2019<\/p>\n The European car brand has recalled hundreds of vehicles in Australia over a \u201csoftware issue\u201d that could increase the \u201crisk of serious injury or death\u201d.<\/p>\n A warning published<\/a> on the Department for Transport\u2019s website said the fault could cause the interior door handles to deactivate unexpectedly while the engine was running.<\/p>\n The issue may prevent passengers from opening the doors from inside the vehicle, potentially leaving them unable to escape in an emergency.<\/p>\n Peugeot estimated that 550 vehicles manufactured in 2024 and 2025 were affected.<\/p>\n Owners of affected vehicles are being urged to contact their local dealership to have the software updated at no cost.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.22 EDT<\/p>\n NSW\u2019s Greens condemn state government\u2019s extension approval of Hunter Valley Operations coalmine expansions<\/p>\n The party has criticised the state government\u2019s planning commission for approving the proposal.<\/p>\n The approval will allow Glencore and Yancoal\u2019s Hunter Valley Operations to continue until 2045. The Greens said the mine will produce an estimated 809m tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent \u2013 about seven times NSW\u2019s annual emissions.<\/p>\n Greens climate and energy spokesperson, Cate Faehrmann, said the decision had \u201ckilled any chance of NSW meeting its own climate emissions reduction targets\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markEach year, the Minns government falls further and further behind on reaching its net zero targets. The latest report from July shows that NSW is not set to reach its 2030 target until 2034 and its 2035 target until 2042.<\/p>\n The Minns Labor government doesn\u2019t care about climate action. It prefers propping up a dying industry, with even the International Energy Agency saying that global demand will decline from 2030.<\/p>\n The signs of climate breakdown caused by the burning of fossil fuels are all around us and we\u2019re facing a super El Ni\u00f1o here this summer. Meanwhile, the Minns government\u2019s love affair with coal continues.<\/p>\n NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.08 EDT<\/p>\n Police investigate public fights at SA beaches<\/p>\n South Australian police are investigating after reports of public fights at beaches.<\/p>\n The possible move comes after \u201cseveral disturbances along the metropolitan coastline late yesterday\u201d, including reports of fighting at Glenelg and Henley Beach.<\/p>\n Detective said it\u2019s understood a small number of individuals were involved in public fights as several young people spectated.<\/p>\n Police said they were alerted to the incidents through social media videos. They said no reports had yet been made to police and no injuries had been reported.<\/p>\n Officers are working to identify and locate those involved.<\/p>\n The force\u2019s annual Operation Jericho monitors crime, public disorder and road safety along Adelaide\u2019s coastline during summer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.33 EDT<\/p>\n Good afternoon!<\/p>\n Thanks for sticking around, I\u2019ll be taking the reins for the rest of the arvo.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> That\u2019s all from me. Achol Arok will take the blog from here. Enjoy your Wednesday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Trump\u2019s man in Canberra starts work The new American ambassador to Australia, David Brat, has begun the new job, after presenting his diplomatic credentials to the governor general on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Brat met Sam Mostyn at a ceremony at Government House in Canberra.<\/p>\n The US embassy says Brat\u2019s priorities in Australia include deepening the defence relationship, advancing the Aukus nuclear submarines pact, strengthening cooperation on critical minerals, and expanding trade and investment.<\/p>\n In his first official act, Brat paid tribute to Australian servicemen and women by laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.<\/p>\n \u201cAustralia has been our closest ally and friend for generations. It\u2019s an honour to visit such an awe-inspiring tribute as Ambassador,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n double quotation markUS and Australian soldiers have fought side-by-side and stood shoulder-to-shoulder for decades in times of war and times of peace. I look forward to furthering our longstanding defence partnership during my posting to Australia.<\/p>\n He said he looked forward to meeting Australians, including sport fans.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth of our nations are crazy about sports, and I can\u2019t wait to get out there, whether it\u2019s tennis, NRL, AFL, rugby, or cricket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.51 EDT<\/p>\n Mother of Marco Tapia wants people to remember her son \u2018beyond the circumstances of his death\u2019<\/p>\n Claudia Tapia, the mother of Marco Tapia, the Sydney student mistakenly killed in an alleged crime hit gone wrong, has released a statement after her son\u2019s death.<\/p>\n NSW police said earlier two men and a teenage boy had been charged in the shooting with a series of offences, including murder. A NSW official alleged the trio were \u201chired guns\u201d by organised crime groups to commit the shooting, saying Tapia was a \u201ccompletely innocent party\u201d.<\/p>\n Claudia Tapia said her family was \u201cso grateful to NSW Police and everyone continuing to work on this investigation\u201d. She went on:<\/p>\n double quotation markFor our family, however, every development brings us back to the reality that Marco is no longer here. We want people to know who Marco was beyond the circumstances of his death.<\/p>\n Marco was a warm, caring and loving 23 years old, a biomedical engineering student, a committed Christian, a youth leader, a volunteer, a martial artist, a boyfriend, a brother and our deeply loved son. \u2026<\/p>\n Marco had plans. He had purpose. He had a future, and he was already making a difference in the lives of others. His death is part of his story, but it must never become his identity. Marco was not simply a victim. He was our son, a brother, a boyfriend, a friend, a man of faith, a young leader and a biomedical engineer in the making, who was going to impact this sphere greatly.<\/p>\n An undated image of Marco Tapia. Photograph: Jessica Stilloni\/GoFundMe\/PR IMAGEShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.40 EDT<\/p>\n Police appeal for information after serious ebike crash in Sydney\u2019s south<\/p>\n Officials said emergency services were called to the suburb of Engadine about 3.30pm amid reports a child had been struck by an ebike rider. A five-year-old boy was treated at the scene by paramedics for serious leg injuries before he was taken to Sydney children\u2019s hospital. He is in stable condition.<\/p>\n Officers were told the e-bike rider did not stop and left the scene before police arrived. They are searching for two people in relation to the incident.<\/p>\n Anyone with information related to the crash has been urged to contact police.<\/p>\n![\"Achol](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790760620_939_Achol_Arok,_L.png\")
Achol Arok<\/p>\n![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790760621_401_Nick_Visser.png\")
Nick Visser<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790760622_975_Tom_McIlroy.png\")
Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n
![\"Graham](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790760623_866_Graham_Redfearn.png\")
Graham Readfearn<\/p>\n