Australia news live: Bowen says nuclear advocates living in ‘fantasy world’; Leeser says funding won’t improve Naplan results

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Bowen says energy bills are ‘higher than we would like’, but claims nuclear could fix things quickly are from a ‘fantasy world’

Bowen says energy bills are ‘higher than we would like’, but any claims nuclear could fix things quickly are from a ‘fantasy world’

Chris Bowen, the federal energy minister, is speaking at the National Press Club this afternoon in Canberra.

He said Australians are “right to be concerned” about high power prices, saying bills are “higher than we would like”. But, he said, the answer to that problem is working hard every day to get them down.

Chris Bowen speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Claims that a magic bullet like introducing nuclear power on an “unrealistic timeline”, Bowen said, won’t help. He said those pushing such ideas were living in a “fantasy world”. He went on:

double quotation markIf they want the next election to be a referendum on energy, that’s OK, too. Because our plan is ultimately, the only one on offer to the Australian people that can reduce bills. And their plan will make electricity more expensive.

Bowen says energy bills are ‘higher than we would like’, but any claims nuclear could fix things quickly are from a ‘fantasy world’

Chris Bowen, the federal energy minister, is speaking at the National Press Club this afternoon in Canberra.

He said Australians are “right to be concerned” about high power prices, saying bills are “higher than we would like”. But, he said, the answer to that problem is working hard every day to get them down.

Claims that a magic bullet like introducing nuclear power on an “unrealistic timeline”, Bowen said, won’t help. He said those pushing such ideas were living in a “fantasy world”. He went on:

\n If they want the next election to be a referendum on energy, that’s OK, too. Because our plan is ultimately, the only one on offer to the Australian people that can reduce bills. And their plan will make electricity more expensive.\n

Australian shares have rallied to a record high in early trading after optimism about peace negotiations in the Middle East buoyed global markets.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 spiked above the 9,200 point mark shortly after the market opened this morning, surpassing an intraday record set in late February.

Prices then eased to trade at 9,150 points by late morning.

The ASX has been pulled around by global events in recent months, with the Iran conflict and fears of an AI bubble leading to wild swings.

The recent bullish sentiment has outweighed concerns over inflation, which typically drag stock prices down. There have also been multiple past instances of failed negotiations between the US and Iran.

Market strategist Michael McCarthy, from trading platform Moomoo, says “while stock investors may be ignoring bad news while buying good news” there has been a flow of strong US company earnings reports to support stock prices.

The latest bout of market optimism was sparked by comments by US and Qatari officials saying progress is being made in restoring a ceasefire in the US-Iran war and reopening the strait of Hormuz.

The main US index, the S&P 500, rallied to a record high overnight, led by a surging technology sector.

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:

\n The 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.\n We are investing in reforms that improve coordination across the health system and help people access the right care at the right time.\n

Read more:

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.

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

• 1h agoBowen says energy bills are ‘higher than we would like’, but claims nuclear could fix things quickly are from a ‘fantasy world’
• 3h agoAustralian share market hits record high
• 3h agoNSW government accepts all recommendations from inquest after Bondi Junction stabbing attack
• 4h agoBrother of former premier Perrottet to appear before NSW Icac
• 4h agoVictorian corruption watchdog finds ‘concerning’ conduct by Andrews government but no evidence premier was blackmailed in tabled report
• 5h agoAI and datacentres ‘off the leash’, new Victorian premier says in first broadcast interview
• 6h agoBowen to announce expansion of solar discount to commercial buildings
• 6h agoPocock says housing correction would be ‘good thing for our country’
• 7h agoJetstar will begin charging at least $25 for overhead baggage space
• 7h agoGovernment drops ‘widow tax’ on negative gearing and capital gains changes
• 7h agoGood morning

Andrew Messenger

Brisbane showground to get $287m Olympics upgrade

The Brisbane showgrounds, host to the Ekka, will get a $287m upgrade over the next two years, in advance of the 2032 Olympics.

The Royal Queensland Show – known as the Ekka – will celebrate its 150th anniversary when it opens on Saturday.

Deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie announced on Wednesday that the showgrounds will get a major upgrade, becoming a 20,000 outdoor arena, over the next two years, in order to be a host venue.

The heritage listed Brisbane showgrounds, host to the Ekka, will get a $287m upgrade for the 2032 Olympics. Illustration: Queensland government

The heritage-listed showgrounds date to 1886, and several stands in the main arena area are unusable due to safety problems caused by their age.

The Ekka grounds will also be a neighbour to one of three athlete’s villages.

Bleijie said construction would get under way a matter of days after this year’s Ekka ends next week, on 24 August. It will take two years to finish; next year’s show will take place using temporary facilities.

“The Ekka – the show – will go on, concerts will happen, events will take place, the Ekka will happen every year, bar one year in 2032, because the Ekka is held same month as the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Bleijie said.

The Ekka has been cancelled four times, to serve as a hospital during the Spanish Flu, twice during Covid-19 lockdowns, and in 1942, during WW2.

A mock-up of the site. Illustration: Queensland government

Josh Taylor

High court to hear social media ban challenge cases in November

The two high court challenges to Australia’s under 16s social media ban will be heard in November, orders from the court late last week reveal.

There are two cases to be heard jointly: one from New South Wales Libertarian MP John Ruddick’s Digital Freedom Project group, and one from Reddit.

In orders from 29 July, the court gave leave to both cases to file a special case jointly for the opinion of the full court.

The court ordered the matter be set down for a two-day hearing in November.

Last week eSafety’s own study of the social media ban’s effectiveness found that there had been a slight drop in the number of teens holding accounts, but “little to not change” in offline activities or “potentially problematic behaviour”.

The regulator blamed the platforms for not taking enough action to remove teen accounts, as the parliament is considering legislation that will double the fine that eSafety can seek in the court against platforms for breaching the law, and give eSafety new powers to compel the platforms to hand over documents.

Graham Readfearn

Penguins and dolphins among nearly 400 Australian species under threat from bird flu

Almost 400 native Australian bird and mammal species have been assessed as being at a high risk – or worse – from the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, a federal government assessment has revealed.

Some of Australia’s most beloved animals – including species of penguins, fur seals, quolls, dolphins, more than 300 birds and the Tasmanian devil – are considered at least high risk from the virus, meaning they could suffer “severe reduction in population size or viability” or worse if it reached them.

Five species are considered at extreme risk, meaning “unlikely to survive where the virus occurs”.

Read more here:

Little penguins are among numerous species at very high risk from deadly H5N1. Photograph: leelakajonkij/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bowen says energy bills are ‘higher than we would like’, but claims nuclear could fix things quickly are from a ‘fantasy world’

Bowen says energy bills are ‘higher than we would like’, but any claims nuclear could fix things quickly are from a ‘fantasy world’

Chris Bowen, the federal energy minister, is speaking at the National Press Club this afternoon in Canberra.

He said Australians are “right to be concerned” about high power prices, saying bills are “higher than we would like”. But, he said, the answer to that problem is working hard every day to get them down.

Chris Bowen speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Claims that a magic bullet like introducing nuclear power on an “unrealistic timeline”, Bowen said, won’t help. He said those pushing such ideas were living in a “fantasy world”. He went on:

double quotation markIf they want the next election to be a referendum on energy, that’s OK, too. Because our plan is ultimately, the only one on offer to the Australian people that can reduce bills. And their plan will make electricity more expensive.

Luca Ittimani

Investors rushing to buy homes via superannuation before ban, mortgage broker says

Australians are racing to borrow to buy investment properties though their self-managed super funds before the government bans the practice next week.

Labor’s reforms to investor tax breaks became law in June with the Greens’ help, on the condition SMSF loans be banned from 10 August, as you can read here:

Loan Market, a mortgage brokers group, says it received hundreds more SMSF loan applications than normal in the month ahead of the ban.

Applications for SMSF property loans rose about 30% from July 2025 to June 2026, after the budget reforms made super one of the least-taxed ways of investing in property.

Applications then rose 326% in July 2026 to hit record volumes, after the ban was announced, Loan Market reported.

About 1.2 million Australians have self-run super funds, which are an alternative to industry super that typically incur high fees, and housing made up only about 6% of their combined wealth. The government estimated just 4,000 people took out SMSF investment loans each year but the Australian Finance Industry Association estimated more than 16,000 were written in 2025-26.

The rush suggests there is still demand for property investment despite a broader fall as prices slide. Lending to all housing investors rose 0.8% in June, or 10.4% annually, its highest rate since 2015, according to Reserve Bank data. Lending to owner-occupiers rose 0.5% in the month.

Caitlin Cassidy

Julian Leeser says funding isn’t the answer to improving educational outcomes

The shadow education minister, Julian Leeser, says “money is not the issue” to improving Naplan results after Wednesday’s release showed one in three students are failing to reach literacy and numeracy benchmarks, with disadvantage gaps persisting.

Leeser says it is “another disappointing round of national results” but “clearly, money is not the issue”.

double quotation markI am calling on every Labor government in Australia to stop pretending that funding is the answer. We have much more fundamental problems – with curriculum, with discipline and with the way that we teach. We need a renewed focus on quality. Since Labor changed the way we measured outcomes in 2023, funding has gone up significantly, but results have not. In fact, in most cases, kids are behind where they were years ago.

Last year, the Labor government reached a deal with every state and territory to fully fund public schools for the first time. The money will be rolled out over a decade to 2034. Currently, the ACT is the only jurisdiction in Australia where public schools receive the minimum benchmark of funding.

Caitlin Cassidy

Experts say Naplan results point to ‘concerning’ advantage gaps

The CEO of the Smith Family, Doug Taylor, says Wednesday’s Naplan results have again highlighted a “significant and persistent” gap in achievement between students from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds.

The results showed three in 10 students from disadvantaged backgrounds needed additional support to reach minimum literacy and numeracy benchmarks – 10 times higher than their peers from high socioeconomic backgrounds.

Taylor:

double quotation markA test can reveal whether a student can decipher the theme of a poem or solve an algebra equation. But it doesn’t show the very real challenges holding many children and young people back from making the most of the educational opportunities … Early intervention is key. That’s how we close the achievement gap between students from low and high SES backgrounds.

Tanya Serry, a professor at La Trobe’s school of education, says the “persistent gap between our highest and lowest performing students is of concern”.

double quotation markStudents from more advantaged areas, and those who live in urban areas of Australia, are much more likely to be meeting proficiency levels. This is a concerning social equity issue.

Read about the results here:

Penry Buckley

Jean-Claude Perrottet was made redundant from Catholic Schools NSW in month before Icac hearing

Returning to the NSW Icac’s Operation Rosny hearings, Jean-Claude Perrottet, younger brother of former premier Dominic Perrottet, has been giving evidence under questioning from counsel assisting, Juliet Curtin.

Questions this morning have methodically gone through Jean-Claude’s history with the Liberal party and his early years in conservative right faction group the Reformers, alleged to have solicited illegal donations, after joining in 2018. He has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Like Reformer Robert Assaf and previous witness Dylan Whitelaw, Jean-Claude has been an employee at Catholic Schools NSW. Icac is investigating the allegation that illegal donations were made by the schools governing body, arranged and approved by the Catholic Schools NSW chief executive, Dallas McInerney.

The inquiry heard that although Jean-Claude was promoted to head of communications in May this year, he was made redundant from Catholic Schools NSW in June, weeks before Icac’s inquiry. He says McInerney, who has stepped aside from his role during the inquiry, told him the decision was because of office changes. Curtin asks:

double quotation markCurtin: “I want to suggest to you, Mr Perrottet, that the reason you were made redundant only a month after you’ve been promoted to this new role was because of your involvement in this inquiry. Is that right?” Jean-Claude Perrottet: “That wasn’t what was communicated to me from the office and the emails that I received, but I mean, obviously, I’ve thought about the timing of it.”

Achol Arok

NSW police required to switch on body cameras under new policy

New South Wales police officers carrying out operational duties will be required to wear and activate body cameras under a new policy.

The change follows a key recommendation from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s review of the force’s body-worn video policy and practice, prompted by a series of serious incidents in which officers failed to activate available cameras.

Under the new policy, officers must activate their body-worn cameras in most operational situations, unless doing so “is reasonable impracticable or an exemption applies”.

If an officer is not wearing a camera, fails to switch it on, or turns it off during a job, they will have to provide an explanation.

NSW police. Photograph: AAP

Chief commissioner Peter Johnson welcomed the change, calling it “a very important development” that should “increase public confidence” in the force. He said:

double quotation markThe knowledge that interactions between police and community members are being recorded helps to keep both the officer and the community safe. The use of body worn cameras also promotes officer accountability by enabling the NSW Police Force and the Commission to effectively scrutinise officers’ actions where there are allegations of police misconduct.

The NSW police force says it has now implemented most of the commission’s 15 recommendations.

Penry Buckley

NSW Liberal leader backs in shadow attorney general who admitted to leaking confidential report to Reformers

The NSW Liberal leader, Kellie Sloane, says she will not make a decision about the future of shadow attorney general, Damien Tudehope, after he admitted to Icac to leaking a confidential draft copy of a parliamentary inquiry report to a member of conservative right faction group the Reformers.

Yesterday, Tudehope, who is also leader of the Liberals in the upper house but has stepped aside from his roles during the inquiry after being called as a witness, admitted to leaking the confidential parliamentary document from an inquiry which preceded Icac’s probe. Members of the Reformers avoided being served summons to appear before the inquiry.

At a press conference this morning, Sloane, who has said she will not provide running commentary on Icac’s investigation, said yesterday’s evidence had not changed her position and she would make a decision about Tudehope’s future as shadow attorney general “once Icac proceedings have finalised”. She said:

double quotation markDamien cooperated with the inquiry. He was thanked by the inquiry, and he was released from his summons. The leaking of a report is never good. It’s a standard that I don’t accept. I spoke to Damien about that this morning, but the status remains that Damien is not in my shadow cabinet for the remainder of these hearings, and that’s appropriate. It’s not because he’s accused of anything wrong. It’s not because he’s a person of interest by the inquiry. It’s because, quite simply, as my shadow attorney general, there’s a perceived conflict of interest. He is close to many of the parties involved, and he is in effect our spokesperson for Icac. So on that basis, he will remain, and I won’t pre-empt the outcomes of the inquiry.

NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/AAP

Australian share market hits record high

Jonathan Barrett

Australian shares have rallied to a record high in early trading after optimism about peace negotiations in the Middle East buoyed global markets.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 spiked above the 9,200 point mark shortly after the market opened this morning, surpassing an intraday record set in late February.

Prices then eased to trade at 9,150 points by late morning.

The ASX has been pulled around by global events in recent months, with the Iran conflict and fears of an AI bubble leading to wild swings.

The recent bullish sentiment has outweighed concerns over inflation, which typically drag stock prices down. There have also been multiple past instances of failed negotiations between the US and Iran.

Australian Securities Exchange in Sydney. Photograph: Steven Markham/AAP

Market strategist Michael McCarthy, from trading platform Moomoo, says “while stock investors may be ignoring bad news while buying good news” there has been a flow of strong US company earnings reports to support stock prices.

The latest bout of market optimism was sparked by comments by US and Qatari officials saying progress is being made in restoring a ceasefire in the US-Iran war and reopening the strait of Hormuz.

The main US index, the S&P 500, rallied to a record high overnight, led by a surging technology sector.

SpaceX rocket hours away from crashing into the moon

A four-tonne piece of a SpaceX rocket that has been floating in space since last year is set to unintentionally crash into the moon at high speed on Wednesday, a collision that poses no danger to Earth but will leave behind a new lunar crater and afford an opportunity for further scientific research.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on 15 January 2025. Part of the rocket will crash into the moon on Wednesday. Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA

The ​school-bus-size object is the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that had launched a lunar lander from Firefly Aerospace toward the moon in January 2025.

The rocket body ⁠is due to hit the moon about 4.35pm Sydney time.

Read more here:

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. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

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:

Brother of former premier Perrottet to appear before NSW Icac

Penry Buckley

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.