Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of people participated in a paddle-out in memory of a 12-year-old boy killed in a shark attack in Sydney.
- A private member’s bill will be moved to give councils more power to regulate blueberry and other berry farms in New South Wales.
- The heatwave in southern Australia has eased, but Western Australia is bracing for more hot weather.
- Bushfire smoke has blanketed Sydney and the Central Coast, causing concerns for air quality.
- NDIS workers are being stalked, harassed, and assaulted, with urgent safety reforms taking three years to enact.
- The Liberal Party is facing internal turmoil, with questions over Angus Taylor’s frontbench position and a potential leadership challenge.
Introduction to the Paddle-Out
Hundreds of people participated in a paddle-out in memory of a 12-year-old boy killed in a shark attack in Sydney. The boy, Nico Antic, sustained critical injuries after being bitten near a popular swimming spot at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. His school, Rose Bay Secondary College, organized a community paddle-out at North Bondi, where surfers formed a ring in the water to honor his memory. The event was a touching tribute to the young boy, who was remembered as a "happy, vibrant, and social young person."
Regulation of Berry Farms
A private member’s bill will be moved to give councils more power to regulate blueberry and other berry farms in New South Wales. The bill, introduced by Greens member Cate Faehrmann, aims to address the environmental impact of intensive berry farming. The move comes after allegations of worker exploitation and poor living conditions on some berry farms in the region. The state Labor government is also considering an inquiry into alleged worker abuse in the region. The bill is expected to provide more powers to councils to regulate the industry and ensure that workers are treated fairly and safely.
Heatwave and Bushfire Smoke
The heatwave in southern Australia has eased, but Western Australia is bracing for more hot weather. Adelaide is experiencing its driest summer since records began, with no rain in January and only 2.8mm in December. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting another week of dry, warm conditions, with temperatures expected to hover around 30C for the next seven days. Meanwhile, bushfire smoke has blanketed Sydney and the Central Coast, causing concerns for air quality. The smoke is from fires burning north of Newcastle, and authorities expect it to linger throughout the morning before a wind change breaks it up.
NDIS Worker Safety
NDIS workers are being stalked, harassed, and assaulted, with urgent safety reforms taking three years to enact. A government-commissioned review into the safety of NDIA staff made 36 urgent recommendations to improve the safety and security of frontline NDIA staff. However, it took the government 15 months to share the review with staff and the union, raising concerns about the prioritization of worker safety. The review found that NDIS workers are facing increasing violence and aggression from participants, with some workers experiencing death threats, stalking, and assault.
Liberal Party Turmoil
The Liberal Party is facing internal turmoil, with questions over Angus Taylor’s frontbench position and a potential leadership challenge. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has questioned Taylor’s position, saying he doesn’t understand how Taylor remains in the shadow cabinet after a secret meeting to discuss a future Liberal leadership challenge. The party is also facing a split between supporters of Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor, with some calling for a reunified Coalition. However, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has said that replacing Ley as Liberal leader would not resolve the issue, and that the problem lies elsewhere. The party’s internal struggles are expected to continue in the coming days, with a potential leadership challenge looming.
