![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771978149_639_Josh_Butler.png\")
Josh Butler<\/p>\nLarissa Waters says threats of violence against MPs \u2018must be called out\u2019Josh Butler<\/p>\n
Greens leader Larissa Waters has raised alarm about threats to politicians, after Anthony Albanese was forced to leave The Lodge last night due to a security threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Prime Minister being evacuated from his residence in Canberra due to a bomb threat overnight is shocking, I am glad he is safe and well,\u201d Waters said on X, adding:<\/p>\n
double quotation markThe recent escalation of threats against parliamentarians must be called out. Violence has no place in our democracy.<\/p>\n
Albanese is expected to speak at an event in Victoria later today, which we\u2019ll bring you as it happens.<\/p>\n
Updated at\u00a018.13 EST<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Capital gains tax discount too generous to the rich, committee hears<\/p>\n The flat 50% capital gains discount on the sale of assets held for more than a year \u201cundermines progressivity\u201d in the tax system as it favours the very top income earners, the head of the independent e61 Institute says.<\/p>\n Michael Brennan, a former chair of the Productivity Commission, said returning to a pre-1999 approach that adjusted gains for inflation and allowed the profits to be averaged over a number of years (rather than taxed as if the profits all happened in a single year) was a more efficient and equitable approach.<\/p>\n Speaking at a parliamentary committee hearing into the operation of the CGT, Brennan said it wasn\u2019t clear that we should tax wage income less favourably to capital income.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are circumstances under which you can effectively substitute what would otherwise be wage income for something that looks like capital income,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n double quotation markAnd you\u2019re making a reasonably significant real return out of that because the discount will be pretty kind to you, because you don\u2019t get a discount on your wage income.<\/p>\n He said it was not clear that we should be \u201cartificially encouraging\u201d capital income or business formation through tax breaks.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe broader point is it\u2019s not obvious from an economic point of view that we get more dynamism, innovation, entrepreneurship, etc, by having people buying and selling businesses or going into business.<\/p>\n A lot of that will happen through an employer and employee relationship; there\u2019s a lot of innovation and dynamism to be unlocked within an employment structure as well.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.02 EST<\/p>\n Chris Baghsarian\u2019s family welcomes recent arrests and asks for privacy<\/p>\n The family of Chris Baghsarian released a statement this morning. They said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe welcome the news of the recent arrests in relation to the kidnapping of our father and grandfather.<\/p>\n As we continue attempting to come to terms with this incident, we ask that media respect our privacy.<\/p>\n We will not be conducting any interviews and we kindly ask media refrain from filming outside our homes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.45 EST<\/p>\n Citizen scientists discover a Great Barrier Reef coral giant \u2018like a rolling meadow\u2019<\/p>\n Citizen scientists have discovered what they believe is one of the largest coral colonies ever documented on the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n The coral spans approximately 111 metres in maximum length and covers an estimated area of 3,973 sq m \u2013 about half the size of a soccer field.<\/p>\n Citizen scientists have identified what is believed to be the largest documented coral colony on the Great Barrier Reef, found during\u00a0the Great Reef Census. Photograph: Richard Fitzpatrick\/Biopixel<\/p>\n The Pavona clavus coral was first found by Jan Pope in waters a few hours offshore from Cairns. It was identified as part of the Great Reef Census, a citizen science project run by Citizens of the Reef.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was quite glassy and I could see this very strange pattern in the water,\u201d Pope said. \u201cWhen I jumped in the water, it became obvious to me that I\u2019d found something, that I\u2019d never seen anything like it before.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n The coral find will be tested to determine if it is one single organism. Photograph: Jan Pope\/Citizens of the ReefShare<\/a><\/p>\n Economists predict small downturn in inflation but figures unlikely to ward off rate hikes<\/p>\n Looming inflation figures could change how the federal budget is prepared, but the numbers are unlikely to ward off future interest rate hikes, AAP reports.<\/p>\n Economists are predicting a small downturn in inflation for January as they await the first round of figures for 2026 to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Headline inflation, which sits at 3.8%, is tipped to trend down to 3.6%. However, the trimmed mean, which removes volatile price swings, is expected to remain steady at 3.3%.<\/p>\n The trimmed mean is the preferred measure of inflation by the Reserve Bank, which aims for a target of between 2% and 3%.<\/p>\n The biggest contributor to inflation for the month will likely be energy, with electricity rebates from governments coming to an end in December.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.19 EST<\/p>\n Larissa Waters says threats of violence against MPs \u2018must be called out\u2019 Greens leader Larissa Waters has raised alarm about threats to politicians, after Anthony Albanese was forced to leave The Lodge last night due to a security threat.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Prime Minister being evacuated from his residence in Canberra due to a bomb threat overnight is shocking, I am glad he is safe and well,\u201d Waters said on X, adding:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe recent escalation of threats against parliamentarians must be called out. Violence has no place in our democracy.<\/p>\n Albanese is expected to speak at an event in Victoria later today, which we\u2019ll bring you as it happens.<\/p>\n Larissa Waters. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.13 EST<\/p>\n Minns says permanent rapid response force about making sure \u2018police are always ready\u2019<\/p>\n NSW premier Chris Minns said the permanent rapid response unit would ensure safety<\/a> remained the \u201cnumber one priority\u201d in the state, adding the body would mean the \u201cpolice are always ready\u201d.<\/p>\n He said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markOperation Shelter has worked. Making it permanent means we\u2019re building on what we know delivers real results.<\/p>\n People want to see police where it matters, at major events, near places of worship, and in busy public spaces. This ensures that presence is consistent, because our security challenges have changed and our policing model needs to change with them.<\/p>\n NSW premier Chris Minns. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi\/AAP<\/p>\n NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon added that it is essential police are \u201cable to provide an enhanced rapid response with long-arm capability\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markSimilar specialised police units are already operational overseas and form an important part of public safety operations in several countries in Europe.<\/p>\n Our priority is not only ensuring the community is safe, but that people also feel safe, while providing a deterrence to anyone who wants to do harm and support our frontline operational police.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.48 EST<\/p>\n NSW police makes heavily armed rapid response unit permanent after Bondi attack<\/p>\n A heavily armed rapid response unit is now a permanent fixture of policing, after it was created to counter hate-driven violence following the Bondi Beach terror attack, AAP reports.<\/p>\n About 250 NSW police officers will transform Operation Shelter, established in 2023 to crackdown on antisemitism and Islamophobia, into a lasting dedicated hate crime unit.<\/p>\n The Australian-first unit means police will be out and about with long-range firearms to patrol high-profile public buildings, places of worship and protests around Sydney with a 24\/7 specialised police operations centre to back them up.<\/p>\n The centre will support the unit with real-time coordination and surge management, including training, logistics and intelligence to sharpen targeting and prevention.<\/p>\n They will also be equipped with a fleet of specially modified rapid-response vehicles.<\/p>\n NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.10 EST<\/p>\n Mother-daughter fashion duo inspired by country Queensland win Australia\u2019s National Designer award<\/p>\n In 2024 Grace Kelly closed her Brisbane-based brand Joaen to reassess its viability. On Tuesday night during Melbourne Fashion festival, she won the National Designer award \u2013 the most prestigious award for emerging talent in Australian fashion.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s such a whirlwind,\u201d said Kelly. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect this so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Designer Grace Kelly (centre) with models wearing her label Joaen. On Tuesday evening she won the National Designer award at Melbourne Fashion festival. Photograph: Danielle Castano<\/p>\n Kelly established Joaen at the end of 2020, a \u201crisky\u201d time to start a business. Her relaunch in 2025 came with a renewed clarity, where she honed in on her family\u2019s fashion history.<\/p>\n The name Joaen is a combination of her maternal grandmother and great-grandmother\u2019s names \u2013 Joan and Jean. \u201cI felt [Joan] doing that collection,\u201d said Kelly. \u201cAnd before things go into production, I go, \u2018Yep, she\u2019d be proud of this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Should you sanitise your strawberries?<\/p>\n For Prof Enzo Palombo, an expert in food microbiology and gastroenteritis viruses at Swinburne University of Technology, the key to fruit and veg hygiene is to \u201cbe cautious, but don\u2019t be paranoid\u201d.<\/p>\n Photograph: Carol Yepes\/Getty Images<\/p>\n He acknowledges concerns about the presence of bugs or dirt, pathogens that can cause diseases like listeria or salmonella, and the use of chemicals and pesticides. But he says: \u201cWe tend to think we need to consume 100% sterile food \u2013 you don\u2019t. Our body is designed to deal with these things, within reason.\u201d<\/p>\n Scurr says Australia has stringent regulations in place to protect consumers from pesticides and disease, \u201cparticularly if you supply a major retailer\u201d.<\/p>\n Read more about ideal fruit behaviour here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Bowen says renewables and new infrastructure key to lowering power prices<\/p>\n Chris Bowen, the minister for climate change and energy, said the report echoed what the government had been saying about fossil fuels: big spikes in energy prices linked to gas and coal can have an \u201coversized impact on general prices\u201d.<\/p>\n He told RN Breakfast this morning that renewables can help bring prices down on average, but the country is still seeing difficulties with those benefits flowing through to retail prices \u201cwhen you have so much ageing infrastructure influencing supply prices\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markWhat all that means is it\u2019s even more important to keep on with the job of replacing that ageing infrastructure with new infrastructure, with the very well-balanced commonsense plans we have in place, to ensure as much new supply [is] coming on as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n He conceded that shift will \u201ctake a while\u201d, but the government would continue to press forward with that transition.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s largest coal-fired power plant, Eraring in New South Wales, recently said it will stay open until 2029 amid concerns about the grid\u2019s ability to satisfy demand.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.48 EST<\/p>\n Australia \u2018heavily reliant\u2019 on ageing fossil fuel infrastructure which is pushing up power prices, report finds<\/p>\n A new report from the <\/a>Climate Council<\/a> finds Australia remains \u201cheavily reliant\u201d on ageing coal-fired power stations and gas, which in turn is pushing power prices higher.<\/p>\n The report found a surge in domestic gas prices is the primary reason electricity prices are so high, adding that although gas provides only 5% of electricity in Australia\u2019s main grid, it sets the wholesale electricity price up to 90% of the time.<\/p>\n The report also found millions of Australians are paying too much for electricity in a system that penalises loyalty. Those households could, the Climate Council said, save $291 on average by switching to a better offer. South Australians who stuck with their retailer paid the biggest loyalty tax of $408 annually.<\/p>\n The Climate Council said in a release:<\/p>\n double quotation markThis year, many of us will be paying significantly more than we have been over the past 18 months as the energy bill rebates come to an end. It\u2019s clear that the way we power ourselves is no longer working for Australian communities and businesses.<\/p>\n![\"Larissa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771978149_829_3543.jpg\")
Larissa Waters. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Patrick_Commins.png\")
Patrick Commins<\/p>\n![\"Donna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Donna_Lu.png\")
Donna Lu<\/p>\nJosh Butler<\/p>\n![\"Isabella](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Isabella_Lee.png\")
Isabella Lee<\/p>\n