Dfat ‘Urgently Seeking’ Welfare Updates of 11 Detained Australians on Global Sumud Flotilla
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) is urgently seeking confirmation regarding the welfare of 11 Australian citizens believed to have been detained off the coast of Cyprus.
A spokesperson stated:
We will continue to make clear our expectation that any detainees receive humane treatment in line with international norms. We understand people want to respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but we continue to urge Australians not to join others seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade as they will be putting themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation.
The spokesperson also encouraged those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through established channels.
Australia has been part of the international call on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.
Dfat remains in contact with local authorities in Israel. Last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong arranged for Dfat to provide a briefing on the most current travel advice for the region and consular services ahead of future flotilla departures.
Albanese Maintains That WA Will Get Its ‘Fair Share’ of GST
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking in Perth, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Western Australia receives its fair share of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
I will continue to back WA consistently as I have throughout my time … I back WA across the board.
He emphasized the important role WA plays in the national economy and noted the strong WA representation in the federal caucus.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook was asked about his trust in the Prime Minister.
Absolutely. The prime minister gave us a rock-solid commitment that WA will receive its fair share of the GST.
Man Charged with Three Counts of Domestic Violence Murder After Woman and Children Found Dead in Sydney Home
A 47-year-old man has been charged with three counts of domestic violence murder following the discovery of a woman and two children deceased inside a home in Campbelltown, Sydney’s south-west.
Police responded to a triple zero call from the residence at approximately 7:50 pm on Monday. The victims were identified as a 46-year-old woman and two boys aged 12 and four.
The man was arrested at the scene and taken to Campbelltown police station. Early Tuesday morning, he was formally charged with three counts of domestic violence murder.
Researchers Find Illicit, Contaminated Alcohol at Many Australian Bottle Shops
Research conducted by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, and the National Drug Research Institute has revealed that nearly one in three bottle shops in Australia stock suspected illicit alcohol products, some contaminated with methanol and plastic debris.
The study involved visits to over 200 stores across various socioeconomic areas in New South Wales, Victoria, and other states, confirming the widespread presence of these products.
Postdoctoral research fellow Michala Kowalski noted:
Methanol concentrations in products we tested were lower than the deadly threshold. But finding it at all is a really big concern about product quality, and we don’t know what’s out there in other products.
Consumers are advised to reduce risk by purchasing trusted brands and from reputable shops, monitoring suspiciously low prices, and checking bottle quality, including the presence of pregnancy warnings and barcodes.
Rate Hikes Now to Prevent Recession Later, Reserve Bank Says
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has expressed concerns that if rising fuel costs from the global oil shock become entrenched in the economy, it may have to induce a recession to control inflation.
RBA Chief Economist Sarah Hunter explained in a speech that the central bank aims to prevent a temporary oil shock from becoming embedded in broader price increases by managing inflation expectations.
If businesses and households expect high future inflation, this can become a self-fulfilling prophecy as these expectations get baked into contracts for goods, services and wages.
Hunter warned that if inflation expectations become unanchored, the RBA might need to significantly slow economic activity, similar to measures taken during the early 1990s recession.
Doing so may require a more substantial slowing of economic activity, as we saw during the early 1990s recession. So it’s crucial for central banks to keep inflation expectations anchored around the inflation target.
The RBA board has increased its cash rate target three times this year, currently at 4.35%. Markets anticipate a low probability of a hike in mid-June but a higher chance in August.
Global Sumud Flotilla Participants Urge Australian Government to Intervene and ‘Keep Us Safe’
The Australians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), include academics, doctors, students, activists, and filmmakers. The group comprises Anny Mokotow, Dr Bianca Pullman-Webb, Neve O’Connor, Violet Coco, Gemma O’Toole, Sam Woripa Watson, Zack Schofield, Helen O’Sullivan, Juliet Lamont, Isla Lamont, and Surya McEwan.
Ethan Floyd, who was temporarily detained by the IDF during the interception of 22 boats off the coast of Greece two weeks ago, stated that delivering food, water, and medicine to a starving population is not a radical act.
This is now the second time Israel has illegally abducted Australian citizens in international waters, and our government has said nothing … For as long as Australia continues to support Israel’s genocide, Australians will keep sailing.
In a video circulated by flotilla supporters during the interception on Monday, documentary filmmaker and mother Juliet Lamont said:
You never know the minute when the Israelis decide that ‘yeah, let’s fuck over some ordinary people,’ 500 of them, who have got a whole load of baby food in boats trying to break their illegal siege in international waters. Here we are in international waters, and our governments are completely failing us. Do everything that you can to keep us safe.
The foreign minister Penny Wong and the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade have been approached for comment.
Lifeblood Calls for Urgent Donations of A and O Blood in Victoria
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued an urgent call for 5,500 Victorians with blood types A and O to donate within the next week due to critically low supplies.
Victoria, being one of the most populous states, has high demand for blood, especially following a severe 2025 winter that saw many donors cancel due to cold and flu illnesses.
Lifeblood spokesperson Cath Stone emphasized the importance of these blood types:
Type O and A blood are among the types most frequently ordered by hospitals.
She added:
When people are unwell with colds or flu, they can’t donate, even if they want to. But the need for blood doesn’t slow down. Patients undergoing cancer treatment, people needing surgery, and those injured in accidents rely on blood every single day.
To book a donation, individuals can call 13 14 95 or visit the Lifeblood website.
Butler Says Risk of Ebola to Australia ‘Still Low’, but Officials Monitoring Situation Very Closely
Health Minister Mark Butler reported that the Australian Centre for Disease Control is closely monitoring the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern.
Butler noted that Australian officials are collaborating with the World Health Organization and that chief health ministers from all states and territories convened recently.
The risk to Australia is still low, but we’re monitoring it very closely because, first of all, the case numbers are increasing almost every day there. The number of deaths, as I think one of your reports said, is now over 100. And it’s a rare strain that’s not responsive to vaccines or treatments that we have. So we’re monitoring it very closely.
The government is prepared to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Border Force to adjust travel advice if necessary.
Eleven Australians Intercepted on Global Aid Flotilla to Gaza
Eleven Australians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza were intercepted off the coast of Cyprus.
According to reports, 60 boats carrying hundreds of activists, including Australians, were intercepted recently.
The flotilla alleges that those onboard were illegally attacked and abducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with videos posted on social media showing armed military personnel boarding the boats. These claims have not been independently verified by Australia.
The flotilla issued a statement:
We are outraged by the normalization of these violations of international maritime law and the kidnapping of peaceful civilians in international waters. We demand the immediate release of our participants, the safe passage of our entire fleet, and an end to the illegal siege of Gaza.
Among the Australians onboard are five who were previously detained by the IDF off the coast of Greece.
The Israeli foreign ministry and embassy have been contacted for comment.
Queensland Rescue Crews Help 42 Stranded Students Near the Gold Coast Overnight
Brad Moore, coordinator with the Queensland State Fire Control Centre, reported that rescue crews assisted 42 schoolchildren and their teachers trapped by floodwaters near the Gold Coast overnight.
Moore told ABC that officials conducted 15 rescues overnight, mostly in the Gold Coast area. The group of year 12 students and teachers called for help after realizing they could not cross a dangerous flooded area.
The rescue was completed safely around 9:30 pm.
The conditions can change quite quickly, particularly with the amount of rainfall … the water heights can change dramatically. … It’s very important for people if they are in those areas or visiting those areas to kind of look ahead and plan the worst-case scenario.
Liberal Senator Says Coalition’s Migration Policy ‘Alienates’ Migrants and ‘Doesn’t Meet the Needs’ of the Community
Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan expressed deep concerns that the Coalition’s immigration policy could divide the nation and alienate migrant communities.
He disagreed with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s recent call for heavy restrictions on immigration linked to housing shortages.
I have deep concerns, coming from a multicultural community, that we are going to create two types of members in the community going forward with this policy suite. … If you’re both contributing to the wealth of the nation and one is entitled to certain entitlements, you could have almost a form of a strata-ing of our society. And I’m not sure that’s the Australian way.
I don’t think our rhetoric meets the needs of the broader community. I think our rhetoric used alienates migrant communities. I don’t think we should take a negative approach to migration. Certainly it should be controlled and we don’t want to invite people here without giving them a society that can accommodate them. Both economically and culturally. But we cannot continue to blame migrants for the problems of our economy.
More Than $57bn of Victorian Infrastructure at Risk Due to Climate Hazards
New research by Infrastructure Victoria indicates that over $57 billion worth of public infrastructure in Victoria will be at risk from extreme weather events by 2030, with bushfires, flooding, and heat posing the greatest threats.
The independent assessment covered $318 billion in government-owned or regulated assets, identifying transport, energy, and health infrastructure as the most vulnerable. By 2070, the value at risk could exceed $71 billion.
Dr Jonathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, stated:
Following a summer that saw bushfires, flooding and landslides hit many Victorian communities, we know extreme weather is a reality now. The government needs to update and fund its adaptation plans. Funding high-priority, cost-effective infrastructure adaptation actions can save millions in recovery costs and lost productivity.
Erwin Jackson, head of Australia programs at Climateworks Centre, commented on the challenge of investment scale required for resilience:
The policies at a high level need to start integrating both reducing emissions and adaptation, but also focusing on the key risks, whether that be heat, bushfire, coastal inundation.
Part of the challenge was the scale of investment required to make infrastructure more resilient, he said. So, governments needed to identify the communities and assets that were most vulnerable, and work with the private sector to unlock investment in adaptation and resilience building.
Health Minister Acknowledges Change to Private Health Insurance Rebates for Seniors ‘Unwelcome’ but Says They Are Necessary
Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged that changes to private health insurance rebates for older Australians have caused concern among seniors but argued the changes are necessary for sustainability.
The proposed budget would reduce rebates for Australians aged 65-69 from 28% to 24%, and for those 70 and over from 32% to 24%, with savings redirected to aged care.
Butler explained:
We’ve taken this hard, but I think responsible decision to re-equalise, if you like, private health subsidies based on household income rather than household age, and putting every single dollar we save there back into aged care. … I know it’s unwelcome to many, but at a time of real challenge in our budget and the need to find every dollar we can into aged care, we just took the view that where there are two households next door to each other on the same income, paying them a different subsidy for their private health insurance simply based on age was not sustainable.
Restricting Welfare to Citizens Not ‘Punishing’ but ‘Incentivising’, Shadow Minister Says
Shadow Immigration Minister Jonno Duniam defended the Coalition’s budget proposal to restrict welfare access for permanent residents, describing it as a pro-migration policy aimed at encouraging citizenship.
In response to a question about whether the policy punishes tax-paying permanent residents, Duniam stated:
But they’ll still have to wait under the visa system a number of years, in almost all cases, to receive the kinds of welfare benefits that you are talking about. And in many cases now, under Labor’s current approach, there are wait times between 4 and 10 years for various supports that people may want to take advantage of. So this is not about punishment, but it is about trying to incentivise that pathway to Australian citizenship.
Duniam emphasized the Coalition’s pro-migration stance, noting the need to manage numbers and housing availability:
We want to ensure that we have houses for them to live in. And can I say, we want to preserve, for those who eventually become Australian citizens – which I hope is all of them that want to come here – the services that we provide in this country. That’s a pretty pro-migration policy, if ever I’ve seen one. But there will always be critics, and they will say what they say.
Good Morning
Good morning, it’s Nick Visser here to guide you through a gloomy Tuesday in Sydney. Here’s what’s on the news agenda:
- More than $57 billion of infrastructure in Victoria is at risk due to climate hazards, according to a new study. The assessment covered government-owned or regulated assets, many exposed to extreme weather. By 2070, the value at risk could rise to over $71 billion.
- A flood warning remains in place for the Nerang and Coomera Rivers in the Gold Coast following moderate to heavy rainfall since Sunday night. Flash flooding has been reported across roads, with further rainfall expected on Tuesday, leading to rising river and creek levels and potential flooding, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
