Australia news live: Ben Carroll grilled about involvement in Victorian leadership spill

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AI and datacentres ‘off the leash’, new Victorian premier says in first broadcast interview

Benita Kolovos

Victoria’s new premier, Ben Carroll, gave his first broadcast interview with ABC Radio Melbourne’s Raf Epstein this morning, where he was grilled about his involvement in last week’s leadership spill.

He said it was “not an easy decision” to put his hand up for the leadership and he only did so after a group of colleagues had already told Jacinta Allan they had lost confidence in her.

double quotation markEpstein: “So you had nothing to do with it?” Carroll: “No.”

Carroll also stressed that the newly created minister for AI would not mean a free-for-all regarding datacentres. He said:

double quotation markWhat is clear with artificial intelligence and datacentres is that it’s off the leash, so to speak, Raf, and I think we need to put working people and the people we represent into that equation. And I don’t think they are at the moment. Whether it’s AI or datacentres, I want to make sure it’s not just free rein.

Victorian premier Ben Carroll. Photograph: Jay Kogler/AAP

When asked who let AI off the leash, Carroll replied:

double quotation markThis is what happens with the big disruptors. We know [this is] the biggest disruptor happening to society right now. We’ve seen it with other things, Uber, transport. But what I want to do is make sure we have a strong, vibrant datacentre industry [and] a strong, vibrant artificial intelligence industry, but with the guardrails and the regulatory reform. I have tasked the incoming minister for artificial intelligence and digital economy – that is his first priority: putting workers front and centre of this massive economic transformation for society.

Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog has tabled a long-awaited report into the former Daniel Andrews government’s dealings with the United Firefighters Union and its secretary Peter Marshall.

The Operation Richmond report did not find that any individuals engaged in corrupt conduct, but it found that senior members of the Andrews government engaged in “serious and concerning” conduct in their dealings with Marshall when negotiating pay deals for the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and their later amalgamation into Fire Services Victoria.

This included “actions contrary to policy, procedure and codes of conduct, deliberate attempts to conceal and mislead, and the misuse of information.”

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) found the government made an “undisclosed deal” with Marshall, “to the exclusion of other key stakeholders,” which allowed him to “exert extraordinary influence over the negotiations” for both the CFA and MFB enterprise bargaining agreements.

Ibac also found that Marshall was granted “privileged access” to responsible ministers.

The final release of the findings comes after years of legal attempts by the UFU to keep the report secret, including a high court challenge. The investigation first began in 2018 following a tip-off that Marshall “blackmailed or otherwise compromised” Andrews “to change his position on the CFA EBA”. Ibac found no evidence of blackmail and did not substantiate the allegation, which both Andrews and Marshall denied.

Victoria’s new premier, Ben Carroll, gave his first broadcast interview with ABC Radio Melbourne’s Raf Epstein this morning, where he was grilled about his involvement in last week’s leadership spill.

He said it was “not an easy decision” to put his hand up for the leadership and he only did so after a group of colleagues had already told Jacinta Allan they had lost confidence in her.

\n Epstein: “So you had nothing to do with it?”\n Carroll: “No.”\n

Carroll also stressed that the newly created minister for AI would not mean a free-for-all regarding datacentres. He said:

\n What is clear with artificial intelligence and datacentres is that it’s off the leash, so to speak, Raf, and I think we need to put working people and the people we represent into that equation. And I don’t think they are at the moment. Whether it’s AI or datacentres, I want to make sure it’s not just free rein.\n

When asked who let AI off the leash, Carroll replied:

\n This is what happens with the big disruptors. We know [this is] the biggest disruptor happening to society right now. We’ve seen it with other things, Uber, transport. But what I want to do is make sure we have a strong, vibrant datacentre industry [and] a strong, vibrant artificial intelligence industry, but with the guardrails and the regulatory reform. I have tasked the incoming minister for artificial intelligence and digital economy – that is his first priority: putting workers front and centre of this massive economic transformation for society.\n

The minister for energy and climate change, Chris Bowen, will announce an expansion to the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) in an address to the National Press Club today.

Bowen will announce an expansion of the solar discount to include installations up to 1MW – 10 times greater than the previous limit of 100kW – which will “slash the installation costs for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings by around 20%”.

The scheme’s expansion is hoped to encourage more mid-scale solar installation, what Bowen will describe as the “missing middle in Australia’s energy transition”.

On per capita terms, Australia is a world leader in residential solar, with 22GW installed as of last December. Businesses have only installed about a quarter of that – 5.6GW – despite consuming more electricity than households, according to a June analysis.

Bowen is also expected to request the Australian Energy Market Commission consider a rule change, to require the network providers to “approve commercial and industrial solar much more expeditiously and efficiently than they have been doing”.

Today’s announcements come after a $100m federal investment through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, announced on Monday, to support the development of up to 16 hybrid solar, battery storage and battery retrofit projects.

Independent senator David Pocock said a housing correction “would be a good thing for our country”, adding house prices cannot grow at the rate they have over the past two decades.

Pocock spoke to ABC News Breakfast this morning, saying:

\n It’s kind of just become this normal thing that house prices go up at a rapid rate. I think we’ve got to ask the question – what is housing for?\n Housing is so fundamental to functioning as a human, to flourishing families, communities – we have to actually ensure that we can keep house prices in check over the next couple of decades while wages rise to get back to a point where housing is affordable in this country.\n

Pocock said it was great news that Labor had released a change to negative gearing laws to better protect widows and divorcees and drop the so-called “widow tax”.

Jetstar is changing its carry-on baggage policies and will charge customers for use of the overhead compartments on its aircraft.

The airline said it would remove the 7kg carry-on weight limit for bags from February 2027 and instead allow customers to bring one underseat bag like a backpack or handbag.

Anyone wanting to use the overhead lockers would need to buy “priority carry-on”, which includes a second, larger bag and the chance to be among the first to board. The fees will start at $25 one-way on short flights and can vary upwards of $52 for long-haul routes.

Jetstar’s CEO said the decision came amid frustration from passengers and crew that have struggled to access the overhead bins:

\n By giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time.\n Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.\n

Labor has announced it will drop the so-called “widow tax” in its next tranche of tax reforms after widespread pressure from the opposition and crossbench.

Under the reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount announced in the May budget, a widow or divorcee would have lost their tax concession – which Labor promised to fix under subsequent legislation.

It was revealed in June that, for example, if a property was owned by a couple, they would lose grandfathered exemptions to negative gearing and capital gains tax in the event of a divorce or death, and the property was transferred to one of the partners.

The treasurer has also exempted beneficiaries of “genuine testamentary trusts, deceased estates and special disability trusts” from the new minimum tax on capital gains.

The government will now consult on the latest changes.

Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Nick Visser here bright and early. Here is what’s on deck.

Jetstar will make it more difficult for travellers to bring carry-on baggage onboard an aircraft. The company will remove its 7kg carry-on weight limits, but impose a size-based model that will allow customers to bring just one underseat bag. An overhead bag will now cost.

The federal government said it will drop the so-called “widow tax” after widespread pressure from the opposition and crossbench. Under the reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, a widow or divorcee would have lost their tax concession.

Stick with us, more on these stories soon.

Key events

• 52m agoVictorian corruption watchdog finds ‘concerning’ conduct by Andrews government but no evidence premier was blackmailed in tabled report
• 1h agoAI and datacentres ‘off the leash’, new Victorian premier says in first broadcast interview
• 3h agoBowen to announce expansion of solar discount to commercial buildings
• 3h agoPocock says housing correction would be ‘good thing for our country’
• 3h agoJetstar will begin charging at least $25 for overhead baggage space
• 3h agoGovernment drops ‘widow tax’ on negative gearing and capital gains changes
• 4h agoGood morning

NSW government accepts all recommendations from inquest after Bondi Junction stabbing attack

The NSW government has formally accepted all recommendations from a coronial inquest into the stabbing deaths of six people at Bondi Junction shopping centre in 2024.

The final report into the attack made 13 recommendations directed to the government, 11 of which it will accept in full and two in principle. They include a new health-led response model for mental heath emergencies funded with $270m over the next 10 years and stronger community mental health services, among others.

“The Government’s response outlines the significant work already underway across agencies to strengthen mental health care, enhance emergency preparedness and response, improve community safety, and deliver on the Coroner’s recommendations,” a press release reads.

NSW health minister Ryan Park said in a statement:

double quotation markThe Government’s response continues our work to strengthen mental health services, improve access to care and ensure people with severe and complex mental illness receive the support they need earlier and closer to home. We are investing in reforms that improve coordination across the health system and help people access the right care at the right time.

Read more:

Penry Buckley

Brother of former premier Perrottet to appear before NSW Icac

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (Icac) Operation Rosny hearings resumed this morning.

Today’s witness is Reformers member Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet.

Icac is investigating whether Liberal figures including Jean-Claude solicited or accepted illegal donations for the recruitment or renewal of members to the Liberal party, a practice known as branch stacking, which is not itself illegal.

Icac is investigating another allegation that Liberal figures including his brother, Charles Perrottet, solicited or accepted donations from fugitive property developer Jean Nassif in exchange for the pursuit of outcomes sought by Nassif.

The inquiry has heard that Jean-Claude and Charles avoided being served summons to appear at a parliamentary inquiry which preceded Icac’s probe. Yesterday’s witness, NSW shadow attorney general, Damien Tudehope, who admitted to leaking a confidential draft report from the parliamentary inquiry to another Reformer, claimed to have discussed with Dominic Perrottet that Jean-Claude was in Fiji during the 2023 inquiry.

Dominic Perrottet is not accused of any wrongdoing, while Jean-Claude and Charles have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Victorian premier will read report from corruption watchdog ‘carefully’

Ben Carroll held a press conference after the release of the report by Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog into the former Andrews government’s dealings with United Firefighters Union and its secretary Peter Marshall.

The Victorian premier said he would “read the report carefully” and give “Victorians the action and the answers they deserve”. Carroll went on:

double quotation markThis is poor behaviour. It is intolerable. I will take action. I will accept the recommendations and get on with implementing [them].

Victorian corruption watchdog finds ‘concerning’ conduct by Andrews government but no evidence premier was blackmailed in tabled report

Benita Kolovos

Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog has tabled a long-awaited report into the former Daniel Andrews government’s dealings with the United Firefighters Union and its secretary Peter Marshall.

The Operation Richmond report did not find that any individuals engaged in corrupt conduct, but it found that senior members of the Andrews government engaged in “serious and concerning” conduct in their dealings with Marshall when negotiating pay deals for the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and their later amalgamation into Fire Services Victoria.

This included “actions contrary to policy, procedure and codes of conduct, deliberate attempts to conceal and mislead, and the misuse of information.”

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) found the government made an “undisclosed deal” with Marshall, “to the exclusion of other key stakeholders,” which allowed him to “exert extraordinary influence over the negotiations” for both the CFA and MFB enterprise bargaining agreements.

Ibac also found that Marshall was granted “privileged access” to responsible ministers.

The final release of the findings comes after years of legal attempts by the UFU to keep the report secret, including a high court challenge. The investigation first began in 2018 following a tip-off that Marshall “blackmailed or otherwise compromised” Andrews “to change his position on the CFA EBA”. Ibac found no evidence of blackmail and did not substantiate the allegation, which both Andrews and Marshall denied.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Benita Kolovos

Victorian premier says he wants Suburban Rail Loop to be ‘most cost effective it can be’

On the Suburban Rail Loop, Carroll says he’s not going to be “ripping up contracts” but wants to ensure the project is “the most cost effective it can be”. So far the state has signed about $14.5bn worth of contracts for SRL East – a 26km stretch of tunnels between Cheltenham and Box Hill – with tunnelling to begin soon.

Carroll said:

double quotation markThis project is proceeding, but I want it done in a cost-effective, transparent way, making sure Victorians know that every dollar we spend on their behalf is treated with respect.

Host Raf Epstein asked: “Does cost-effective mean you’ll spend less each year? Are you going to slow down spending on the SRL?”

double quotation markCarroll: “Raf, I’ve got no announcements to make on that today except to say this is a project for the state, just like Airport Rail, just like Melton electrification. I want a more integrated approach to Victoria’s transport system.” Epstein: “That sounds like you are going to slow down that project so you can spend some of those dollars elsewhere.” Carroll: “Raf, I am focused on a statewide integrated public transport system. Orbital rail is an important part of Victoria’s future. Airport Rail, as someone who used to watch the planes as a young boy and still in my house now, Airport Rail under my premiership will be my focus and the number one project for our state.”

AI and datacentres ‘off the leash’, new Victorian premier says in first broadcast interview

Benita Kolovos

Victoria’s new premier, Ben Carroll, gave his first broadcast interview with ABC Radio Melbourne’s Raf Epstein this morning, where he was grilled about his involvement in last week’s leadership spill.

He said it was “not an easy decision” to put his hand up for the leadership and he only did so after a group of colleagues had already told Jacinta Allan they had lost confidence in her.

double quotation markEpstein: “So you had nothing to do with it?” Carroll: “No.”

Carroll also stressed that the newly created minister for AI would not mean a free-for-all regarding datacentres. He said:

double quotation markWhat is clear with artificial intelligence and datacentres is that it’s off the leash, so to speak, Raf, and I think we need to put working people and the people we represent into that equation. And I don’t think they are at the moment. Whether it’s AI or datacentres, I want to make sure it’s not just free rein.

Victorian premier Ben Carroll. Photograph: Jay Kogler/AAP

When asked who let AI off the leash, Carroll replied:

double quotation markThis is what happens with the big disruptors. We know [this is] the biggest disruptor happening to society right now. We’ve seen it with other things, Uber, transport. But what I want to do is make sure we have a strong, vibrant datacentre industry [and] a strong, vibrant artificial intelligence industry, but with the guardrails and the regulatory reform. I have tasked the incoming minister for artificial intelligence and digital economy – that is his first priority: putting workers front and centre of this massive economic transformation for society.

Almost every house sold in first six months of the year made a profit

The vast majority of homeowners are selling their properties for more than they bought them for, even as house prices enter a tailspin, AAP reports.

Despite warnings that Australians could end up in negative equity and financial distress as a result of the accelerating housing downturn, only a small portion of resales made a loss in the first half of 2026, according to real estate platform Domain.

Its latest Profit and Loss report, released on Wednesday, showed 97.4% of houses sold in the six months to June made a profit, with the median gain reaching a new high of $458,000.

But the share of houses sold for a profit was down 0.1% from the previous six months.

The share of houses that sold for a loss in Sydney rose from 2% to 2.4%, while in Melbourne the share of loss-making houses increased from 4.4% to 5.7%.

While falling house prices will put more Australians into negative equity, it only becomes a problem when homeowners are forced to realise the loss with a sale.

Property for sale in Brisbane. Photograph: Glenn Hunt/Getty Images

AFL and NRL awash in alcohol and gambling advertisements, study finds

Children watching Australia’s two biggest football codes are being exposed to harmful alcohol advertising at every match, AAP reports.

Research published on Wednesday found alcohol and gambling sponsorships have become embedded across every level of the AFL and NRL.

It exposed millions of people, including children, to near-constant alcohol and gambling content saturating both sports, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education found.

“We shouldn’t have kids growing up in a world where they think that alcohol, gambling, and sport are one and the same thing,” former NRL player Luke Bateman told AAP.

Findings released on Wednesday reveal every AFL and NRL club is sponsored by at least one alcohol company, while all NRL clubs, along with five AFL clubs, are also sponsored by gambling companies.

The study found two AFL clubs had since removed branding on official uniforms in 2026, although it was a different story for NRL clubs.

Sportsbet is an AFL sponsor. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

Gambling reform should be centred on opt-in system, not opt-out, shadow minister says

Simon Kennedy, the shadow assistant minister to the leader of the opposition, says its “absolute madness” to impose an opt-out system to gambling ads and it should instead be an opt-in system for Australians who are interested in such content.

Kennedy spoke to RN Breakfast this morning amid ongoing calls for the government to do more to tackle the gambling industry and an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the matter. He pointed to a colleague, Labor MP Josh Burns, who said earlier on the program he would opt out of gambling ads.

Kennedy had this to say:

double quotation markJosh said he’s going to opt out. So he’s going to have to opt out of 7 Plus, 9 Now, 10 Play, Kayo. He’s going to have to opt out on Google for when he’s [making a] Google search. He’s going to have to opt out on Spotify, on the Guardian, on the Australian, on The Daily Telegraph … on Chat GPT, on Claude, on Gemini, on Spotify, on TikTok on Snapchat. They seriously want us to opt out on all of those to avoid gambling ads. And we have to digitally identify ourselves. It’s absolute madness. We should be moving to an opt-in. If you move to an opt-in where gambling ads aren’t showing, and if people like a punt, and I gamble myself, a lot of my mates gamble. If you want a punt, you can opt in and see the ads and see the odds.

The Guardian does not run gambling ads.

Shadow minister Simon Kennedy. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

Kat Wong

Hanson engages in the ‘easy business of politics’: former PM lashes One Nation Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd has offered a scathing analysis of Pauline Hanson’s politics.

He noted the grinding business of politics looks after practical problems including national security, the economy, environmental sustainability and housing affordability, while Hanson plies in the politics of protest.

He told ABC’s 7.30:

double quotation markThe hard business of government is to come up with practical responses to each of those challenges. The easy business of politics is simply to act as a protest vector and then lace it and spice it with the politics of race. That is what Ms Hanson has been doing ever since she emerged in my fair state of Queensland a quarter of a century ago. What single answer does she have to any of the challenges I listed before? Zip is the answer to that.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Photograph: Richard Drew/AP

Bowen to announce expansion of solar discount to commercial buildings

Donna Lu

The minister for energy and climate change, Chris Bowen, will announce an expansion to the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) in an address to the National Press Club today.

Bowen will announce an expansion of the solar discount to include installations up to 1MW – 10 times greater than the previous limit of 100kW – which will “slash the installation costs for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings by around 20%”.

The scheme’s expansion is hoped to encourage more mid-scale solar installation, what Bowen will describe as the “missing middle in Australia’s energy transition”.

Minister for energy and climate change Chris Bowen. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

On per capita terms, Australia is a world leader in residential solar, with 22GW installed as of last December. Businesses have only installed about a quarter of that – 5.6GW – despite consuming more electricity than households, according to a June analysis.

Bowen is also expected to request the Australian Energy Market Commission consider a rule change, to require the network providers to “approve commercial and industrial solar much more expeditiously and efficiently than they have been doing”.

Today’s announcements come after a $100m federal investment through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, announced on Monday, to support the development of up to 16 hybrid solar, battery storage and battery retrofit projects.

Pocock shocked by gambling inquiry testimony

David Pocock went on to say he has been shocked by the testimony in the parliamentary inquiry into the gambling industry.

He told the ABC:

double quotation markWe’re the biggest losers, per capita, in the world. The last two days has shown us exactly why. You have a predatory industry that is doing everything to, one, normalise gambling against Australians, and, two, to absolutely milk people for their money.

The senator said gambling reform is not a “left versus right” issue, adding:

double quotation markThis is vested interests and their stranglehold on the major parties. And particularly on the prime minister. That is what’s stopping the government doing what the vast majority of Australians want. … This is a real opportunity for the Senate, for the Coalition, for the crossbench, to say to the government – we’re going to actually protect young Australians.

Pocock says housing correction would be ‘good thing for our country’

Independent senator David Pocock said a housing correction “would be a good thing for our country”, adding house prices cannot grow at the rate they have over the past two decades.

Pocock spoke to ABC News Breakfast this morning, saying:

double quotation markIt’s kind of just become this normal thing that house prices go up at a rapid rate. I think we’ve got to ask the question – what is housing for? Housing is so fundamental to functioning as a human, to flourishing families, communities – we have to actually ensure that we can keep house prices in check over the next couple of decades while wages rise to get back to a point where housing is affordable in this country.

Pocock said it was great news that Labor had released a change to negative gearing laws to better protect widows and divorcees and drop the so-called “widow tax”.

Independent senator David Pocock. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Jetstar will begin charging at least $25 for overhead baggage space

Jetstar is changing its carry-on baggage policies and will charge customers for use of the overhead compartments on its aircraft.

The airline said it would remove the 7kg carry-on weight limit for bags from February 2027 and instead allow customers to bring one underseat bag like a backpack or handbag.

Anyone wanting to use the overhead lockers would need to buy “priority carry-on”, which includes a second, larger bag and the chance to be among the first to board. The fees will start at $25 one-way on short flights and can vary upwards of $52 for long-haul routes.

Jetstar’s CEO said the decision came amid frustration from passengers and crew that have struggled to access the overhead bins:

double quotation markBy giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time. Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.

Jetstar airplanes. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters

Government drops ‘widow tax’ on negative gearing and capital gains changes

Krishani Dhanji

Labor has announced it will drop the so-called “widow tax” in its next tranche of tax reforms after widespread pressure from the opposition and crossbench.

Under the reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount announced in the May budget, a widow or divorcee would have lost their tax concession – which Labor promised to fix under subsequent legislation.

It was revealed in June that, for example, if a property was owned by a couple, they would lose grandfathered exemptions to negative gearing and capital gains tax in the event of a divorce or death, and the property was transferred to one of the partners.

The treasurer has also exempted beneficiaries of “genuine testamentary trusts, deceased estates and special disability trusts” from the new minimum tax on capital gains.

The government will now consult on the latest changes.

A house for lease in Melbourne. Photograph: Michael Currie/AAP

Good morning

Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Nick Visser here bright and early. Here is what’s on deck.

Jetstar will make it more difficult for travellers to bring carry-on baggage onboard an aircraft. The company will remove its 7kg carry-on weight limits, but impose a size-based model that will allow customers to bring just one underseat bag. An overhead bag will now cost.

The federal government said it will drop the so-called “widow tax” after widespread pressure from the opposition and crossbench. Under the reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, a widow or divorcee would have lost their tax concession.

Stick with us, more on these stories soon.