Key occasions
What we discovered, 20 August 2025
With that, we’re wrapping up the weblog. Earlier than we go, listed below are at this time’s large tales:
Thanks a lot for becoming a member of us at this time. We might be again with you early tomorrow.
Cost dropped for foiled stunt at Woodside boss’s dwelling
A conspiracy cost towards a local weather activist over a foiled publicity stunt protest on the dwelling of Woodside Power’s boss has been dropped.
Joana Partyka, 40, was accused of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence after counter-terrorism police arrested three activists at Woodside chief government Meg O’Neill’s Perth dwelling in August 2023.
The Disrupt Burrup Hub member wasn’t considered one of them and she or he was charged with the conspiracy offence some months later.
She was scheduled to battle the cost at trial in October nevertheless it was vacated when prosecutors withdrew the cost on Wednesday within the WA magistrates court docket.
Outdoors court docket, Partyka mentioned the conspiracy cost confirmed the outrageous lengths to which authorities would go to silence peaceable local weather protesters.
Police haven’t supplied a cause for why they immediately dropped the costs, however I feel an inexpensive inference to attract is that they’d no case towards me.
That’s enormously vindicating.
– AAP
Particulars of assessment into Monash IVF bungle to stay a secret
An unbiased assessment into two embryo mix-ups at a number one IVF clinic has discovered human error and know-how limitations had been in charge, however the particulars will stay a secret.
Monash IVF revealed employees transferred the unsuitable embryo to a lady at a Melbourne clinic in June, after an identical mistake involving a separate Monash affected person in Brisbane.
The 2 circumstances sparked an unbiased assessment headed by main barrister Fiona McLeod, which has been accomplished however will stay confidential.
In a press release to the ASX at this time, Monash IVF confirmed the report wouldn’t be launched publicly to guard the privateness of affected sufferers.
The corporate mentioned each circumstances had been non-standard IVF remedies and the circumstances would “not come up within the overwhelming majority of IVF procedures”.
It supplied scant element on the mix-ups, saying human error led to a lady being mistakenly implanted with one other’s embryo in Brisbane in 2023 and giving beginning to a child who had no genetic hyperlinks.
– AAP
New opposition chief, Josh Willie, says Tasmanian Labor has ‘proud historical past’
Tasmanian Labor has a proud historical past and I look ahead to giving this function all the pieces I’ve acquired to return Labor to authorities.
I’d prefer to thank Dean Winter for his service. He’s a proud Tasmanian with sturdy Labor values and he’ll proceed to work to make Tasmania a greater place.
I’d additionally prefer to thank Anita Dow for her service as deputy chief. She is somebody the Labor workforce respects and might flip to for a comforting phrase, and she or he has supplied nice unity for a few years.
I congratulate Janie Finlay for her election as deputy, and I look ahead to working along with her and the remainder of the Labor workforce to return Labor to authorities.
Tasmania Labor’s Dean Winter takes ‘full duty’ for election loss, congratulates new chief Willie
Former Tasmanian Labor chief, Dean Winter, has congratulated Josh Willie on being elected as his alternative.
In a press release, Winter took “full duty” for the election outcome and mentioned it was “comprehensible that Labor has a brand new chief”.
I’ll proceed to function a Labor member for Franklin in parliament, and to battle for these employees who the premier has callously deserted in his clutch for energy.
Thanks to my colleagues, employees and the broader labor motion who’ve supported me each single day. Particularly Anita Dow, who has been an unbelievable deputy chief for our celebration and for me.
Lastly, I’d prefer to thank my stunning spouse, Alli, and our youngsters George and Harriet for his or her love and help over the marketing campaign. I look ahead to spending some a lot wanted time with them over coming weeks.
Josh Willie elected as new Tasmanian Labor chief, Janie Finlay as deputy
Tasmanian Labor has changed Dean Winter as parliamentary chief with the partyroom electing Josh Willie to function opposition chief.
The celebration has simply issued a brief assertion:
After yesterday’s occasions in parliament, the 2025 election was declared misplaced, and in accordance with Labor Social gathering guidelines the management was spilled at at this time’s caucus assembly.
Yesterday, Winter unsuccesfully moved a movement of no confidence in Liberal chief Jeremy Rockliff’s authorities. The movement failed after the Greens and crossbenchers refused to help it.
Janie Finlay has been elected as deputy chief, unopposed.
Willie will tackle the media tomorrow.
Ed Husic: ‘ramp up’ sanctions, maintain Israel choice makers ‘to account’ for Gaza
Labor MP Ed Husic has condemned the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s description of Anthony Albanese as a “weak chief” and known as for extra sanctions in response to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
Right here’s what Husic instructed the ABC:
When Prime Minister Netanyahu talks about betrayal, the betrayal is of humanitarian legislation, children and harmless Palestinians.
We’ve 60,000 harmless Palestinians killed, half of that are girls and kids. And I might counsel respectfully to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the larger focus must be to cease seeing children being killed or starved.
Husic has continued to name for extra sanctions to be positioned on Israeli authorities officers.
We must be ready to ramp up sanctions. Lots of our sanctions to this point have targeted on exercise within the West Financial institution.
I might say, taking a look at what is occurring in Gaza, we want decision-makers to be held to account for what is occurring.
I feel that’s vital and we should always stay open-minded about sanctions and admittedly I feel we might want to escalate it. [This is] due to the truth that we’re nonetheless struggling hunger and the Netanyahu authorities doesn’t appear to need to take a change of strategy.
Nino Bucci
Courtroom ends for the day in Lehrmann attraction listening to
The primary day of Bruce Lehrmann’s attraction towards the ruling in his defamation case has ended within the federal court docket.
Legal professionals for Lisa Wilkinson spent a lot of the afternoon making submissions about how Justice Lee erred in his findings that criticised her conduct.
Sue Chrysanthou SC, for Wilkinson, mentioned the reasonableness of her purchasers conduct included that Lehrmann was not named nor recognized within the story on The Challenge:
It was not vital for the needs of this system to call and disgrace Mr Lehrmann.
The listening to will proceed tomorrow at 10.15am, with Chrysanthou anticipated to renew her argument, earlier than Zali Burrows, for Lehrmann, begins her response.
The attraction is predicted to complete on Friday.
Australia gained’t reply to Netanyahu’s criticism of Albanese, performing overseas minister says
The performing overseas affairs minister, Tim Ayres, says the Australian authorities won’t retaliate towards Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declare that Anthony Albanese is a “weak chief”.
Right here’s what the Labor senator instructed the ABC:
No. We’re not going to reply when it comes to the general public statements.
The function of the federal government right here is characterize Australia’s nationwide curiosity.
The prime minister did have a fairly prolonged assembly with prime minister Netanyahu forward of the cupboard assembly final weekend and the announcement of Australia’s place in relation to recognition [of a Palestinian state].
You may learn extra on this story right here:
Disruption to worldwide flights as WA floor employees set to go on strike
Penry Buckley
Tons of of employees will go on strike at Perth Airport tomorrow after rejecting a pay provide, doubtlessly creating chaos for passengers on long-haul flights from the busy worldwide terminal.
Floor and passenger service employees employed by the Dubai Nationwide Air Journey Company (dnata) on the airport have voted overwhelmingly to take protected industrial motion between 5.30pm tomorrow till 10.00 am on Friday AWST, after rejecting a pay improve of 4% in 2025, 3.5% in 2026, 3% in 2027 and a couple of.5% or CPI for 2028.
It comes after a federal court docket choice on Monday noticed Qantas fined a record $90m for illegally firing 1,820 baggage handlers and different floor employees in 2020, with Justice Michael Lee ordering $50m of the penalty to go to the Transport Staff Union (TWU).
TWU Western Australia assistant secretary Shane O’Brien mentioned Perth floor employees had been among the many lowest paid within the nation:
Outdoors of Western Australia, all floor employees are lined by an settlement that’s … between eight and 20% extra presently than the employees in Perth doing the identical job.
A spokesperson for Perth Airport mentioned it was conscious of the motion however didn’t know what the influence on flights can be at this stage. The TWU expects flights with carriers together with Emirates, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airways – in addition to some freight providers – might be affected.
In a press release, a spokesperson for dnata mentioned the will increase in its provide aligned with market circumstances and had been designed to “ease cost-of-living pressures”, however mentioned it could proceed to interact with the TWU “in good religion to achieve a mutually acceptable settlement”.
Luca Ittimani
NSW toll reform not anticipated to chop operator income, Transurban reassures buyers
Tollway large Transurban has reassured buyers it nonetheless expects to earn billions of {dollars} in income even when New South Wales reforms lower tolls for commuters.
The NSW authorities is pushing for decrease toll prices, establishing a brand new authorities company to run tollways and providing reimbursement for weekly prices over $60 till the top of this 12 months.
It’s but to announce extra substantive mooted reform. Requested concerning the modifications’ scope and impact on income, Transurban chief government, Michelle Jablko, mentioned:
It’s not nearly worth; there’s a community effectivity influence of any change and so all of that’s been taken under consideration.
The federal government’s been very clear … that they respect the worth of contracts, that they respect income.
Sydney’s commuters ought to anticipate toll highway reforms to be revealed earlier than the top of the 12 months, Jablko mentioned.
It’ll be as much as the federal government to decide on once they make an announcement … I anticipate they’ll have one thing extra to say over the approaching months.
Catie McLeod
Australians nonetheless spending on lottery tickets, regardless of fall in dimension of high prizes
Australians have continued shopping for lottery tickets regardless of a tricky financial local weather and “under common” jackpot outcomes, the pinnacle of the Lottery Company has instructed buyers.
The Lottery Corp, which was created after a demerger with playing large Tabcorp, reported income of $3.75bn within the 2024-2025 monetary 12 months, down 6.2% from the earlier 12 months.
In accordance with its FY24-25 monetary outcomes, launched at this time, the Lottery Corp earned $365.5m in web revenue, down 11.7% from $414m recorded the 12 months earlier than.
In a presentation to buyers, the Lottery Corp’s CEO and managing director, Sue van der Merwe, mentioned the corporate’s executives had been assured about its future success.
Van der Merwe mentioned the corporate’s companies, which embody Australia’s lottery and Keno manufacturers, carried out properly.
She mentioned there was nonetheless “wholesome underlying participation” in its core video games, regardless of a 13% discount in high prize choices in its two jackpot video games, and financial pressures that she acknowledged meant some shoppers had been extra cautious about how they spent their cash.
Buyers seem to have been reassured – the Lottery Corp’s share worth on the ASX had risen 7.84% to $5.70 as of 1.39pm at this time.
Heaviest east coast rain on its manner, with BoM forecasting greater than 150mm in some locations, together with Sydney
Petra Inventory
The “wettest interval” for New South Wales and southern Queensland is predicted between now and Friday, in response to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Miriam Bradbury, senior meteorologist on the BoM, says persistent rainfall is predicted to build up over the approaching days, and will attain totals of between 60 and 120mm, with some locations recieving in extra of 150mm.
A few of these increased accumulations embody locations like Sydney [and] all the way in which as much as across the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Rain on already saturated floor is predicted to result in riverine flooding.
A serious flood warning has already been issued for the Namoi River with a reasonable flood warning for the Peel River.
The BoM has issued widespread flood watches throughout NSW, together with components of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Nepean and North West Slopes.
Sarah Basford Canales
Judgment in Brittany Higgins defamation case introduced by ex Liberal senator due in WA supreme court docket, subsequent week
Western Australia’s supreme court docket is predicted to ship its judgment subsequent week on the defamation trial towards Brittany Higgins introduced by her ex-boss, former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds.
The five-week trial, which started in Perth in August 2024, heard from greater than 20 witnesses introduced by Reynolds’ authorized workforce as a part of her case towards Higgins over three social media posts she alleges broken her fame.
The case is considered one of a variety of authorized battles to stem from Higgins’ choice to publicly allege in 2021 she had been raped in Reynolds’ workplace by a colleague, Bruce Lehrmann.
Lehrmann has all the time vehemently denied the allegation and he pleaded not responsible on the prison trial, which was aborted attributable to juror misconduct. A second trial didn’t proceed due to prosecutors’ concern about Higgins’ psychological well being.
As a part of his failed defamation trial towards Community Ten and Lisa Wilkinson, a federal court docket in April discovered that, on the steadiness of chances, Lehrmann raped Higgins. His attraction is now earlier than the courts.
Within the WA case, the court docket heard a variety of claims from Reynolds, together with that Higgins and her now husband, David Sharaz, had schemed to “ambush” the previous senator by concocting a “fairytale” of “political cover-up” to break her.
Higgins didn’t seem as a witness however her lawyer argued the then-young Liberal staffer felt professionally and personally remoted after the alleged incident in Parliament Home and stayed quiet about it within the lead as much as the 2019 federal election out of worry of dropping her job.
The judgment might be delivered subsequent Wednesday, at 10am AWST at Perth’s David Malcolm Justice Centre.
Patrick Commins
Sally McManus: don’t assume all the pieces might be higher with AI
Sally McManus, the ACTU’s secretary, says she might be pushing for a worker-centric strategy to regulating synthetic intelligence, on this afternoon’s roundtable session.
Talking on the sidelines on day two of the parliament home summit, McManus says she anticipated to really feel a “bit lonely on AI this arvo” when it got here to warning of the dangers of the know-how.
The ultimate roundtable session at this time is on “AI and innovation”. Right here’s what McManus instructed the ABC:
We shouldn’t simply say mechanically we’re all going to be higher off due to AI; we’ve acquired to ensure we’re.
The union boss says she isn’t advocating for “over-regulating” AI, however says there’s a “doomer” view of the know-how that comes with the worry of a “Trump-billionaire, let-it-rip” strategy to regulating the know-how.
It might enhance productiveness, it could additionally simply enhance earnings. So we shouldn’t simply say mechanically we’re all going to be higher off due to AI – we’ve acquired to ensure we’re.
That’s why you want governments.
Nick Visser
Thanks for sticking with me via a busy Wednesday. Henry Belot will take the reins from right here and information you thru the afternoon.
Choose erred to find Lehrmann was reckless about consent throughout rape, court docket instructed
Courtroom has resumed in Bruce Lehrmann’s attraction towards the federal court docket choice that he was not defamed by Community Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.
Sue Chrysanthou SC, for Wilkinson, is talking a couple of discover of competition, which can also be being raised through the attraction. This pertains to the truth that she argues that Justice Lee erred in how he characterised Lehrmann’s rape of Brittany Higgins.
Chrysanthou mentioned Lee ought to have discovered that Lehrmann was not simply reckless about Higgins’ lack of consent, however knew she was not consenting. “Intentional rape”, she mentioned, was confirmed: Lehrmann knew concerning the lack of consent, versus being reckless about consent.
Lee made a number of feedback in his judgment, Chrysanthou mentioned, which underlined this.
She mentioned Lee described Lehrmann as “an individual so bent on gratification”, and mentioned he was “not caring”. Lee additionally accepted Higgins was “like a log” and used what Chrysanthou mentioned was “an old style time period, unlucky maybe on this context” that Lehrmann “went forward willy-nilly” with the rape.
The listening to continues.
Luca Ittimani
Rising east coast visitors will increase Transurban toll income
Visitors is on the rise throughout the east coast, driving up income for toll highway large Transurban.
Sydney skilled the most important improve in common day by day journeys on the corporate’s tollways , up 2.7% over the 12 months to June, whereas Melbourne noticed 1.2% improve and Brisbane 1.5%.
Sydney had a much bigger improve in weekday visitors, whereas Melbourne and Brisbane’s improve was weighted in direction of weekends. Increased working from dwelling and decrease workplace occupancy may very well be taking part in a task, in response to Transurban’s chief government, Michelle Jablko:
That’s proof of evolving work and life-style habits, so there was a shift in journey patterns because of that.
Not like the opposite two east coast capitals, most of Brisbane’s improve was from massive car visitors, up 4.1%, which Jablko attributed to Queensland’s financial development.
Congestion is about to ease in Melbourne’s west with the opening of the West Gate bridge however has grown in Sydney’s north west as populations improve close to the M7 and M2 roads, the corporate says.
Increased toll costs boosted Transurban’s proportional income by between 4% and 5% for every metropolis.
Mixed with a 20% leap in income from its North American operations, Transurban’s proportional income rose to $3.7bn. Nonetheless, its earnings halved to $178m, as financing and working bills rose.
Tory Shepherd
Simply to recap a few of at this time’s blooming algae happenings
In addition to the nationwide testing centre talked about earlier, there will even be $4m in grants for native governments to assist their communities, a bit over $4m for scientific analysis help, monitoring and information assortment, on high of $28m beforehand introduced joint funding.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese additionally confronted down some native outrage over whether or not the bloom must be declared a nationwide catastrophe. There’ll be a brand new stream of funding obtainable via the Regional Funding Company for these affected by the bloom, which is totally different to bushfires and floods, Albanese mentioned:
We are going to create a brand new stream, a big ecological occasion program with a view to be certain that long term help is put in place. It is rather clear that sluggish onset occasions like marine heatwaves and algal blooms will proceed to influence our pure surroundings, communities and companies.
