Wong calls for Dutton and Bandt to tone down language over Gaza conflict – as it happened

May Be Interested In:Nancy Mace Delivers Emotional Speech on House Floor Accusing Ex-Fiancé, 3 Others of Rape, Sex Trafficking


Key events

What we learned; Thursday 16 January

That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today, but first let’s recap the main events:

Share

Updated at 

Australian shares rally on renewed hopes for interest rate cuts

The Australian share market has rallied after US government data showed inflation cooled more than expected in December, raising hopes the Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates, AAP reports.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index today gained 113.7 points, or 1.38%, to 8,327.0, while the broader All Ordinaries climbed 112.3 points, or 1.33%, to 8,569.1.

The Australian dollar meanwhile, approached a one-week high against the greenback, buying 62.01 US cents, from 61.88 US cents at the close of business on Wednesday.

Share

Updated at 

Whereabouts of Melbourne man captured by Russian forces in Ukraine still unknown

Penny Wong was also asked about Australian Oscar Jenkins who has reportedly been killed after being captured by Russian forces.

The foreign minister says the government has spoken “very clearly” with the Russian ambassador, and has demanded information from Moscow on his whereabouts.

But Wong says they don’t yet have the information:

We have not been able to verify the facts associated with Jenkins’ whereabouts.

Wong says she’s also requested assistance from the Ukrainian government.

Share

Updated at 

Gaza ceasefire an ‘important opportunity’: Penny Wong

The foreign minister, Penny Wong, is speaking to Sky News, reiterating comments by the prime minister that the government welcomes the ceasefire deal made in Gaza:

We urge all parties to make sure they respect the terms of the ceasefire …

What we want to see is the momentum from this ceasefire mean something for the longer term peace in the region.

Domestically, Wong also says the ceasefire is an opportunity to turn down the temperature on the conflict.

She called out the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, and the Greens leader, Adam Bandt, saying they both have a role in toning down their language.

Share

Updated at 

Recently returned Bali Nine member arrested

A member of the Bali Nine is facing fresh criminal charges since being released from Indonesian prison, AAP reports.

Thirty-eight-year-old Matthew Norman was arrested at Waverley police station on Monday and charged with being a passenger in a stolen car on 16 March 2005.

Police allege Norman knew the white Ford had been stolen when he was in it, just one month before he was arrested in Bali.

Norman spent almost 20 years in Bali’s Kerobokan prison after being found guilty of attempting to traffic heroin, alongside Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj, all now aged in their late 30s or 40s.

The men were released in December.

Less than a month after landing back home, Norman faced court with fresh charges over the historical incident.

He was granted bail and is set to reappear at Waverley local court on 25 February.

Share

Updated at 

Greens call for a Minister for disability inclusion

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John says the appointment of Amanda Rishworth to the NDIS portfolio, on top of her social services portfolio, was a “missed opportunity”.

The Greens spokesperson for disability rights says a minister for disability inclusion, rather than a minister for the NDIS was a recommendation of the royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of disabled people.

Steele-John wrote:

A Minister for Disability Inclusion would be responsible for improving the lives of all disabled Australians – not just those who are eligible for the NDIS.

A Minister for Disability Inclusion would enable us to have the cross-government action we need to improve the lives of disabled people across all areas of life.

Share

Updated at 

Severe thunderstorm forecast for parts of the Gold Coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of damaging winds, hail and heavy rainfall forecast for parts of the Gold Coast.

It’s warning the rain could cause flash flooding, affecting Coolangatta and Tweed Heads on the NSW border.

Share

Updated at 

Man charged after allegedly fraudulently inheriting $4.5m estate

A man will face court today with allegedly creating a fraudulent will, to inherit a $4.5m estate in Wollongong.

Strike Force Sarina investigated the 38-year-old man, who has been charged with 27 offences, including making a false document to obtain financial advantage, and making a false document to obtain property.

Police allege the fraud involved four homes and two bank accounts.

Officers in Wollongong received a report of a break in at a home in January 2024, which was an unoccupied deceased estate.

In September 2024, strike force officers located documents under a search warrant at the home, which they say included an original will.

Yesterday a second search warrant was executed at the same address, where officers allegedly found two rifles, four gel blasters, ammunition, methylamphetamines, cash, three motor vehicles, a jetski and a motorcycle.

The man was refused bail to appear in Wollongong local court today.

Share

Updated at 

Emily Wind

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today, Krishani Dhanji will continue bringing you the latest for the rest of the afternoon. Take care.

Share
Caitlin Cassidy

Caitlin Cassidy

Medical studies tops list of most sought out courses for students in 2025

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) has revealed the most sought out courses for students in 2025, with medical studies continuing to top the list.

The UAC handles course applications for universities across New South Wales and the ACT.

With most domestic undergraduate students now having received their offers, data released today showed the bachelor of medical studies/doctor of medicine program at UNSW topped the list for another year, with 1,607 first preferences.

Students enter UNSW in Sydney. Photograph: AAP

Business and commerce programs were also in demand. The bachelor of commerce at the University of Sydney claimed second place with 1,107 first preferences, narrowly surpassing the bachelor of business at the University of Technology Sydney with 1,072 first preferences.

The bachelor of commerce and bachelor of laws at the University of Sydney ranked fourth, while a straight Arts Bachelor at the university came seventh.

Overall, medical courses received the most first preferences in the top 10 with a total of four.

Share

Updated at 

Coles worker allegedly stabbed on Monday out of ICU and off sedation, family confirms

The family of the woman who was allegedly stabbed in a south-east Queensland supermarket has released a statement, saying they are still trying to process what happened.

Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, was allegedly stabbed in the back on Monday while working at a Coles in Ipswich’s Yamanto Central shopping centre. The knife was taken from the supermarket’s shelves.

A 13-year-old boy was charged with attempted murder. Coles have since announced it would no longer stock kitchen knives in its stores.

In a statement issued by Queensland police on behalf of the family, they said Watt was out of the ICU and off sedation, and they had been able to speak with her:

The incident has left us is a state of shock and we remain in the process of trying to come to terms with what has happened …

To the first responders on scene that provided crucial medical attention, we thank you. To the specialists, doctors, nurses and their team who have continued to provide expert medical care we are extremely grateful.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank those members of the public who acted quickly to assist in the apprehension of the offender.

The family said Watt was “on the road to recovery” but there is “a long journey ahead of us”. They requested privacy “as we continue to come to terms with what has happened and give Claudia the time and space she needs to make a full recovery from this traumatic event.”

Share

Updated at 

Body of man found after search for missing boater in southern NSW

A body was been found in the Murray River in southern NSW.

On Tuesday night, a 23-year-old man disappeared after falling from a boat near Five Mile boat ramp, at Moama.

A multi-agency search commenced, but was suspended about 8.45pm due to poor visibility. It resumed yesterday, but there was no sign of the man.

NSW police said about 9.45am today, the body of a man was located south of the Five Mile boat ramp by police divers.

The body is yet to be formally identified, but is believed to be that of the missing 23-year-old male. A report will be prepared for the coroner, police said.

Share

Updated at 

Woman charged with alleged torture over ‘baby poisoning’

A woman has been charged with torture after she allegedly gave prescription medicines to a one-year-old girl without medical approval for months, AAP reports.

Police allege the 34-year-old gave the child, who is known to her, unauthorised prescription and pharmacy medicines between August and October 2024.

The woman allegedly disregarded medical advice and went to lengths to get unauthorised medicines to give to the child, including old medications for a different person that were available at the house.

The woman filmed and posted videos to social media of the child while she was in “immense distress and pain”, police say. The videos were allegedly used to entice monetary donations and increase online followers.

Police say she concealed her efforts to give the child medicine until it was reported to police by hospital staff in Brisbane’s south when the little girl was admitted in October.

After officers were alerted to the allegations, they tested the child for unauthorised medication which returned a positive result on 7 January.

Detectives went to a home, southeast of Brisbane, and arrested the woman today. She has been charged with five counts of administering poison with intent to harm, three counts of preparation to commit crimes with dangerous things, and one count each of torture, making child exploitation material and fraud.

The 34-year-old will face Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Share

RTBU accuses NSW government of ‘shifting blame of its own failure to negotiate with workers’

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has responded to the state government’s indication it would apply to stop protection industrial action under the Fair Work Act, labelling this a “desperate attempt to shift the blame for its own failure to negotiate with workers.”

The union said the government has “failed to engage in a single bargaining meeting” for 44 days, and “continues to drag its feet and refuse to negotiate in good faith.” The statement from the union continued:

If the NSW government truly cared about its essential workers … it would have come to the table long ago with a fair offer for these important workforces. Instead, it engages in cheap political tricks designed at achieving headlines, pays law firms top dollar to bring bogus legal cases, and anything else it can to avoid sitting at the bargaining table.

Now, instead of negotiating, the government is scapegoating rail workers, blaming them for economic disruption they themselves caused. The real cost to the economy isn’t the industrial action—it’s the government’s refusal to negotiate a fair deal.

The workers of NSW are asking for basic, fair wages, safer conditions, and job security … The longer the government refuses to take this seriously, the longer this dispute will drag on.

Town Hall Station in Sydney today. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP
Share

Updated at 



share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

FDA Approves the First Non-Opioid Pain Medicine in 20 Years
FDA Approves the First Non-Opioid Pain Medicine in 20 Years
Honda, Nissan in merger talks to compete with Tesla, Chinese EV rivals, reports say
Honda, Nissan in merger talks to compete with Tesla, Chinese EV rivals, reports say
Preparing For Winter Childbirth: What Every Expectant Mother Should Know
Lleyton Hewitt and Cruz Hewitt
Cruz Hewitt, Leo Borg and others following their tennis parents
Current concern
Britain’s efficiency trap
Biden Says 'We Should Commit to Remembering' January 6 Every Year
Biden Says ‘We Should Commit to Remembering’ January 6 Every Year
Timely Truths: Headlines That Make Waves | © 2025 | Daily News