Australian news and politics live: Israel warns Hamas for failing to return bodies, Biden commends Trump
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Key Events
Allan declares Melbourne 'safe’ after wild CBD carjacking
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan declared Melbourne CBD safe amid rising pressure about surging crime and a terrifying incident that shut down the city this morning.
A man who allegedly pointed a gun at guests and staff in the lobby of a city hotel was arrested by heavily armed officers after a wild police chase.
Ms Allan said she had confidence in police.
“As we saw this morning, Victoria Police moved swiftly, dealt with this situation quickly,” she said at a media conference.
She added, “I do understand that when incidents do occur, it would be incredibly distressing to either the witness to those sort of instances or indeed … if that happened to you more directly.”
Fresh data from Victoria has revealed the state is enduring the worst crime surge in its history, including 5400 individuals arrested 10 times or more in the year to June.
Timing of Chalmers’ super backdown convenient
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has admitted the Labor Government’s partial reversal of higher superannuation taxes will be expensive.
The timing of the announcment on Monday, as Hamas returned surviving hostages to Israel, made it likely the dumping of higher retirement taxes would receive less media coverage.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also headed overseas with fiancée Jodie Haydon for a seven-day holiday, meaning he wouldn’t have to answer questions on the change, which will cost the Budget $4.2 billion.
New $14 million ad blitz about upcoming social media ban to launch Sunday
The Albanese Government will splash $14 million on an advertising campaign to help prepare young Australians for the impending social media ban for children aged under 16.
Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the “For The Good Of” campaign in Melbourne on Tuesday, saying it would appear across TV, billboards, and “ironically” social media from Sunday, October 19.
The crackdown — which kicks in on December 10 — is designed to keep children off major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and YouTube.
Chalmers spoke to Keating ‘half a dozen times’ on super tax changes
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he held “half a dozen” conversations with former prime minister Paul Keating last week about the government’s latest superannuation tax changes.
When asked about his discussions with Mr Keating, who initially criticised the $3 million super tax reform before later welcoming the revised version, Dr Chalmers said he would not comment in detail on private talks.
“I’ve been speaking to Paul about this for some years and I think I spoke to him half dozen times in the second half of last week. I take very seriously the feedback that he provides and I value the opportunity over a really long period of time to engage with Paul Keating, someone who I have a lot of respect for ... I appreciate the opportunity to talk about super with him from time to time, sometimes very frequently including last week.”
Dr Chalmers added that he intends to keep consulting with Mr Keating on how to refine the superannuation system.
“I take my responsibilities as the custodian of Paul’s creation very seriously and that means doing the important changes, making the important reforms, to make sure that our superannuation system is as strong and fair and sustainable as it can be,” he said. “I will always talk to Paul about (the issues) as we go.”
Biden ‘commends Trump’ for getting ceasefire deal over line
Former US President Joe Biden has commended Donald Trump for “getting a ceasefire deal over the finish line”.
“The road to this deal was not easy. My Administration worked relentlessly to bring hostages home, get relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war,” he said in a post on X.
“I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line.
“Now, with the backing of the United States and the world, the Middle East is on a path to peace that I hope endures and a future for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety.”
Aussies WFH targetted by China-backed hackers
Beijing-backed hackers are targeting Australians who work from home and using their devices to unleash sprawling spyware on corporate systems.
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) on Tuesday released its Annual Cyber Threat Report revealing it confronted 1200 cyber security incidents over the past year – an 11 per cent jump on the previous year.
Chinese state-sponsored groups, such as the notorious APT 40, drove the spike.
The ASD noted that groups were “routinely” hunting “Australian government networks for cyber espionage purposes”.
“Government and defence-related information is an attractive target for state-sponsored cyber actors seeking strategic insights into Australia’s national policies and decision-making,” the report said.
Hostage couple finally reunite
Two years after being torn apart by Hamas militants, Noa Argamani and her partner Avinatan Or have been reunited, a moment that has come to symbolise Israel’s long, agonising wait for peace.
On October 7, 2023, footage was captured of Ms Argamani being carried away on a motorbike by Hamas militants as she cried desperately, “Don’t kill me”, reaching for her boyfriend.
The image of Ms Argamani screaming for Mr Or as he was also dragged away went around the world and came to symbolise the cruelty of the militants, even before the horrors of captivity were revealed by those, including Ms Argamani, who were released.
Emotional scenes as Israeli hostages reunite with families
Israeli hostages have reunited with their families after being released by Hamas and being held in captivity in Gaza for two years.
The IDF has released videos of the families embracing in extremely emotional reunions.
The hostages, all men, have returned to Israel, where they will undergo medical checks.
Marles praises Trump’s ‘extraordinary’ peace plan
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has described the scenes of Israeli and Palestinian families reuniting in recent days as “truly incredible” and said it was “impossible not to” feel moved by such moments.
“President Trump and his administration deserve an enormous amount of credit,” Mr Marles told ABC TV.
“This is an extraordinary achievement, one that will be remembered by history and now is the moment to seize this and make sure that what comes from it is an enduring peace.”
Mr Marles said the focus must now be on ensuring all parties find a path forward to lasting peace.
“There has to be, in this moment, a resolve to never see this again,” he said.
“And that can only occur if, really, a pathway is walked to an enduring peace, and has to involve a two-state solution.
“And indeed, President Trump’s plan lays out the pathway for the governance of the Palestinian territories and a Palestinian Authority. So, it is a really important point now to be adhering to every aspect of this plan.”
Albanese’s private number leaked by AI contact scraper
Authorities are scrambling to keep Anthony Albanese’s personal number private after reporters revealed it is available on a US-based website, government sources familiar with the issue have told NewsWire.
The site’s owner uses AI to scrape the web, including social media platforms and professional profiles, for contact details.
The scraped information is then compiled to create an entry on the site’s database, effectively creating a digital phonebook.
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