Senator Linda Reynolds testified at a defamation trial against Brittany Higgins and shared some unsettling details about her encounters with Lehrmann. She mentioned that she was aware of the risks at Parliament House and began giving evidence in the trial at the WA Supreme Court.
In other news, the likely source of a legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Victoria has been identified, and the Greens have accused the PM of politicizing the increase in the terror threat level. NSW public servants have been instructed to stop working from home every shift, and the Australian Conservation Foundation had its account suspended for the second time.
During the trial, the power difference between Higgins and Reynolds was described as “palpable.” The Victorian government plans to release prime land in Kew for homes, and cheap fares have been implemented across Queensland. The opposition has criticized the government’s inaction in aviation, and the Israeli embassy has responded to a report on a drone strike.
Moreover, environmental groups have welcomed the rejection of Woodside’s Browse Gas project, and the Indigenous Australians minister has emphasized the need to give First Nations people time after a defeat on the voice issue. Independent MP Kate Chaney expressed concerns about the effectiveness of partial gambling ad bans, while an international study cautioned against imposing caps on student numbers.
Australia has achieved more Olympic medals overnight, with athletes like Meg Harris and Nicola Olyslagers securing silver. However, the historic apology for police injustices towards Indigenous Australians must be followed by a cultural shift within the NT police force. Race discrimination commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman emphasized the importance of embedding change throughout the entire force.
The Greens have called on the government to scrap a bill capping international student numbers, citing concerns raised in a Senate inquiry. The proposed caps have been criticized by education experts, warning of the negative impact on Australia’s reputation and the education sector. Additionally, Uluru co-chair Pat Anderson expressed concerns that the Prime Minister may be backtracking on the promise of a Makarrata commission for Indigenous truth-telling.
As the week unfolds, developments in these key events will continue to shape the national conversation. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on these pressing issues.
