Government orders non-essential staff to leave Israel and UAE
The Australian government has instructed non-essential Australian officials in Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to depart due to the worsening security situation amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced the decision on Thursday night, stating that "essential" Australian officials would remain in these countries to provide assistance to Australians requiring support.
She also noted that registrations for the Department of Foreign Affairs crisis portal are open for Australians in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Qatar, and the UAE.
The government’s directive aims to ensure the safety of its personnel while maintaining support capabilities for Australians abroad.
Joyce cagey on One Nation’s tax policy
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was questioned regarding One Nation’s tax policies ahead of the South Australian election and the Farrer by-election in New South Wales.
Joyce indicated that the party’s tax policy would focus on a "proper assessment" of expenses but refrained from announcing specific details, citing the absence of an imminent federal election.
"It’s just like saying to the Labor party or to the Liberal party or to the Nationals: what’s your tax policy for the coming election? Well, If you asked any of them, Sally, you’re going to get exactly the same answer as what I’m giving you. We will cost it."
When pressed by RN host Sally Sara for further details, Joyce described the discussion as a strategic game that would only "confirm the votes of those who are never going to vote for us." He added:
"We will have a properly costed policy, like every other party has a properly costed policy."
Joyce says surge in support for One Nation reflects will of the people, not political jostling
Speaking on RN Breakfast, Barnaby Joyce addressed One Nation’s ambitions for the next federal election.
He responded to criticism from Nationals’ Bridget McKenzie, who warned that One Nation’s rising support could detract from the Nationals and help keep Labor in power. Joyce emphasised that voting decisions are made by the electorate and must be respected. He stated:
"We want to win seats wherever they are. We have no real target against National seats or Liberal seats, but we want to give people the option to vote for us in Labor seats, in National seats, and Liberal seats, and in teal seats.
If people choose to vote for One Nation, then you must respect that choice. You must understand. You do not own their vote. You earn their vote."
Two teenagers die after ebike crash near Brisbane
Two teenagers died following a collision between an electric bike (ebike) and a motorcycle in Greenbank, Queensland, last night.
Queensland police reported that investigators believe the motorcycle was overtaking a vehicle when it collided with the ebike, which was travelling in the opposite direction around 9 pm. Police noted that the ebike is not believed to have had its headlights on at the time of the crash.
A teenage boy and girl riding the ebike were both declared deceased at the scene. The motorcycle rider was transported to hospital in serious but stable condition.
Authorities are investigating the incident and have requested that anyone with footage come forward to assist with inquiries.
Greens announce candidate for Brunswick after MP’s cancer diagnosis
The Victorian Greens have announced Adam Pulford as their candidate for the Brunswick seat in the upcoming November state election, following the cancer diagnosis of incumbent MP Tim Read.
Pulford has served as a councillor and mayor of Merri-bek since 2020. He expressed his commitment to representing the "progressive and diverse" Brunswick electorate in parliament:
"This election, I want to show that it is possible for everyone to have what they need to be able to live a good life. Affordable rents and housing, fully-funded public schools and health services, and representatives who actually work for people, not corporate profits – this is all possible if people in Brunswick vote Greens."
Tim Read announced in January that he would not seek re-election after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Initially, he was told survival until the election was unlikely, but in February he reported that immunotherapy had halved his cancer.
Brunswick is considered a safe Greens seat, held with a 13.5% margin over Labor.
Man dies after being restrained by police in Melbourne
Victoria Police are investigating the death of a man in Fitzroy North on Thursday afternoon.
Police stated that officers responded around 3:50 pm to calls for assistance from ambulance crews regarding an uncooperative patient at a property. Upon arrival, officers restrained the man, who subsequently became unconscious. Paramedics commenced CPR, but the man died shortly thereafter.
The exact circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.
Detectives from the homicide squad are leading the inquiry with oversight from the professional standards command, following standard procedure for deaths in police custody.
Queensland and Northern Territory battered by flooding
The recent deaths add to the challenges faced by regions severely affected by wild weather, according to Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig.
Up to 400mm of rain fell within 24 hours, causing floodwaters to severely impact the western areas of the region.
Damage to crops, fences, and roads has been extensive, though the full extent will only be known once floodwaters recede.
"Looking at the financial impact on farmers, it will be 12 months before they will take any money from these paddocks that have been destroyed," Hartwig said.
Chinchilla, located northwest of Brisbane, was next in line for flooding after Bundaberg was inundated on Wednesday, affecting hundreds of houses and businesses.
An emergency was declared and an exclusion zone established in the Western Downs town as residents evacuated to the showgrounds.
Nearby Charleys Creek reached a peak of 6.4 meters on Thursday, below the 2011 record of 7.45 meters, but still impacted over 60 homes and businesses.
Attention has shifted westward to Longreach, where residents face uncertainty ahead of the town’s first major flood since 2000.
In the Northern Territory, multiple flood warnings and watches remain active across the saturated Top End.
Evacuations have been conducted in Katherine, with further river rises anticipated.
Backpackers found dead in submerged car were heading for fruitpicking jobs
Two backpackers were found deceased in a submerged vehicle after it drove off a bridge into floodwaters, according to Australian Associated Press.
Their bodies were discovered near Kilkivan, west of Gympie, during a search for two missing Chinese tourists who disappeared amid flooding.
This incident marks the first flood-related deaths in the rain-affected region as other communities prepare for rising river levels.
The backpackers, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, had left Brisbane on Sunday intending to travel to the North Burnett region for fruit picking.
"Their intention was to go to Mundubbera to do fruit picking," Police Minister Dan Purdie told reporters.
A friend reported them missing on Tuesday, prompting a large-scale search.
"It looks like the vehicle has driven off a bridge into flooded waters, which is really sad to see," Purdie said.
The victims’ families have been notified and are expected to travel to Australia as police coordinate with the Chinese consulate.
NSW government extends no-interest loan scheme amid cost-of-living concerns
The Minns government has extended the no-interest loan (NIL) scheme for an additional five years amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures, including an emerging energy crisis linked to the Middle East conflict.
An additional $21.5 million will be allocated to the scheme, which allows individuals earning less than $70,000 before tax, or families with combined incomes below $100,000, to borrow up to $2,000 for appliances, furniture, car repairs, or medical expenses, and up to $3,000 for housing-related costs such as rental bonds.
NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Anoulack Chanthivong, stated:
"We understand the pressure households in every corner of NSW are facing – whether they need to replace a stove, or a fridge, or are just trying to get help securing a new rental property.
By offering this alternative, consumers can safely obtain items for the household or key medical procedures while safeguarding their financial wellbeing and independence."
Approximately 12,000 people utilized the scheme in the last financial year, a slight decrease from nearly 13,500 in 2023–24. However, renewed cost-of-living concerns persist amid potential fuel shortages.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has cautioned against panic buying and confirmed that government departments have coordinated plans to ensure fuel availability for hospitals and emergency services if shortages occur.
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories before Nick Visser takes you through to the weekend.
