Australia news live: NSW anti-slavery commissioner questions handling of Iranian football squad’s departure; earthquake felt north of Canberra | Australia news
NSW abolitionist commissioner questions how Iran football team’s departure was handled
Jordyn Beazley
The NSW anti-slavery commissioner has questioned the role of Australian federal police, Sydney airport and Qantas in facilitating the Iranian women’s football team to leave Australia despite “widespread concern about threats, intimidation and coercion”.
Doctor James Cockayne In a statement, he said he was pleased that players and some support staff were given the chance to meet privately with an internal affairs official and a translator. Following the meeting, two more team members decided to stay in Australia, but one later changed his mind.
But Cockayne said he still had doubts about whether the women made their decisions without pressure.
He said:
This was an extraordinarily difficult and traumatic decision to make: return to a war-torn country and face the wrath of an extremely oppressive, misogynistic regime, or remain with a very uncertain future, far from family and supports, possibly putting the family returning to Iran at greater risk.
So the key questions we need to ask now are: Were these decisions really made without pressure? But did these women have all the information they needed and were entitled to?
I have my doubts.
He said a number of questions needed to be answered, including whether Iranian athletes had received independent legal advice, whether the AFP had interviewed the women to determine whether they were under pressure and what Sydney airport and Qantas were doing to “address this clear and highly publicized risk of exit from human trafficking”.
He said:
Like many Australians, I look forward to seeing these pressing questions answered. I certainly do not want to believe that our national police force or the businesses that operate our national flag carrier and busiest airport may have turned a blind eye or even unknowingly contributed to the crackdown on smuggling.
important events
Chalmers thinks country is well placed to deal with the ‘worst’ of economic fallout from Middle East conflict
Accountant Jim Chalmers He said this morning that the government was not considering cutting fuel taxes due to the turmoil in the Middle East, but that the country was well positioned to recover from the economic effects of the ongoing war.
Chalmers spoke to RN Breakfast this morning
I can reassure people that we have sufficient fuel overall and where there are issues in certain regional areas or parts of Australia, we work closely with industry and the ACCC to supply those areas. … Of course, we share the concerns that the developments in the Middle East will reflect on our own economy.
We will not be immune to these developments, but as a country and economy we are incredibly well positioned to cope with the worst the world can throw at us.
Chalmers said there was no doubt the war was putting pressure on Australians, but the government had renewed efforts to address cost-of-living pressures.
This conflict in the Middle East is already putting additional pressure on Australians. We understand this.
Good morning, Nick Visser I’m here to take over. After the morning headlines, it’s time to dive into the day in politics. Stay with us.
Victorian plan calls for free pest and construction reports to home buyers
Benita Kolovos
Buyers will no longer need to foot the bill for expensive building and pest inspections under a plan to be unveiled by Victoria’s premier. Jacinta Allanlater this morning.
Allan will announce that if Labor is re-elected in November, it will develop a mandatory building and pest control scheme and the legislation will be introduced to parliament in 2027. Under the plan, sellers will need to organize inspections, pay for them and provide reports to all potential buyers.
The government pointed to data from the Center for Consumer Policy Research, which found that building and pest inspection reports can cost up to $600 and that nearly half of all buyers pay for more than one inspection during the home-finding process. The center also found that 17 percent of buyers “blind bought” with no reporting due to cost and hassle.
Allan said in his statement that “the status quo is not working”:
Some buyers spend thousands of dollars on multiple reports. Some roll the dice and go without. When you buy a car, the dealer pays the on-road costs. It should work the same way when looking for a home.
Currently the Australian Capital Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia with such a programme. There, sellers pay for inspection reports that must be completed within three months before the sale; However, these reports are not required for new structures. Once the contract is signed, the seller can collect the report costs from the buyer.
Allan said he would consult with the ACT and the industry to develop his own plan.
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Nick Staikosin question:
Doing due diligence for your big purchase should be as simple and affordable as possible. We will do the necessary work to ensure our plan is watertight and protects buyers from conflicts of interest.
Vehicle belonging to missing tourists found
Queensland police said a vehicle was located in the Kilkivan area last night searching for two missing tourists.
The 26-year-old man and the 23-year-old woman were traveling from Brisbane to the North Burnett in a Silver Subaru Forrester when they failed to reach their destination.
A search operation was launched yesterday with the participation of police, SES and helicopters in the region from Kilkivan to Mundubbera.
A silver vehicle was later found on Tansey Road, Kilkivan, near McArthur Road, while police remained at the scene last night.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the two missing tourists was asked to contact the police.
There were floods in the region due to heavy rains.
Earthquake felt near Boorowa
Jordyn Beazley
A 4.4 magnitude earthquake occurred 110 km north of Canberra just after 19:00 last night.
More than 4,000 people told Geoscience Australia they felt the earthquake within 45 minutes of it hitting.
The epicenter of the earthquake was near Boorowa and was recorded at 19.09.
NSW abolitionist commissioner questions how Iran football team’s departure was handled
Jordyn Beazley
The NSW anti-slavery commissioner has questioned the role of Australian federal police, Sydney airport and Qantas in facilitating the Iranian women’s football team to leave Australia despite “widespread concern about threats, intimidation and coercion”.
Doctor James Cockayne In a statement, he said he was pleased that players and some support staff were given the chance to meet privately with an internal affairs official and a translator. Following the meeting, two more team members decided to stay in Australia, but one later changed his mind.
But Cockayne said he still had doubts about whether the women made their decisions without pressure.
He said:
This was an extraordinarily difficult and traumatic decision to make: return to a war-torn country and face the wrath of an extremely oppressive, misogynistic regime, or remain in a very uncertain future, far from family and supports, possibly putting the family returning to Iran at greater risk.
So the key questions we need to ask now are: Were these decisions really made without pressure? But did these women have all the information they needed and were entitled to?
I have my doubts.
He said a number of questions needed to be answered, including whether Iranian athletes had received independent legal advice, whether the AFP had interviewed the women to determine whether they were under pressure and what Sydney airport and Qantas were doing to “address this clear and highly publicized risk of exit from human trafficking”.
He said:
Like many Australians, I look forward to seeing these pressing questions answered. I certainly do not want to believe that our national police force or the businesses that operate our national flag carrier and busiest airport may have turned a blind eye or even unknowingly contributed to the crackdown on smuggling.
Welcome
Martin Farrer
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I Martin Farrer with the best night stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.
The New South Wales anti-slavery commissioner has questioned Australian federal police, Sydney airport and Qantas’ role in facilitating the departure of the Iranian women’s football team from Australia despite “widespread concern about threats, intimidation and coercion”. More is coming.
And buyers will no longer have to foot the bill for expensive building and pest inspections under a plan to be unveiled by the Victorian premier. Jacinta Allanlater this morning.
More is coming.
