Key events
Luca Ittimani
Veterans more likely to to be hospitalised for suicidal behaviour
Veterans are more likely than other Australians to present to hospital for suicidal thoughts or self-harm, a new government study has found.
The share of former serving members of the defence force that attended emergency departments for suicidal behaviour from 2013 to 2020 was a third higher than the equivalent across the Australian population, at 3.7% compared to 2.8%.
The Australian Institute for Health Welfare’s report, released today, also found a higher proportion of ex-serving females went to hospital for intentional self-harm or suicidal ideation (4.1%) than ex-serving males (3.7%).
Ex-serving defence force members were also more likely to be admitted to public hospitals for alcohol and drug use in the year 2019-20.
Focusing on men in the same year, the study found those who left the defence force involuntarily or new or junior staff were more likely to be admitted for mental health-related care than ex-servicemen who left by choice or older or more senior members.
Admittance for mental health reasons was lower in the air force than in the army or navy.
AIHW spokesperson Paul Pham said the report aimed to help the federal government improve mental health support for defence force members and their families.
NSW police launch internal investigation after video of shark attack reportedly leaked
NSW Police have launched an internal investigation after the video of a shark attack, in which 23-year-old Kai McKenzie lost his leg, was reportedly leaked online.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the video appears to be of a computer screen showing the footage inside a police facility, of the moment McKenzie was struck by the shark.
McKenzie was surfing off North Shore beach on the mid-north coast of NSW last Tuesday morning when a suspected three-metre great white shark bit him. He was able to fight off the shark before catching a wave into shore, where he was treated with makeshift tourniquets before being airlifted to hospital.
His severed leg washed up on shore a short time after the attack and was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery and was recovering in a stable condition:
In a statement this moring, NSW police said:
NSW police are aware of a video circulating online and have commenced an investigation into how the video came to be released.
The NSWPF does not tolerate this kind of conduct and will take appropriate action pending the outcome of the investigation.
Karen Middleton
Assistant treasurer to foreshadow second stage of anti-scam measures
Stephen Jones will foreshadow a second stage of the government’s anti-scam measures, involving penalties for banks, telcos and digital platforms which don’t introduce preventative checks under new mandatory codes tailored to each sector.
For banks, this will include greater controls over bank transfers and an obligation identify and close “mule” accounts.
If there is a breach of the code, the bank, telco or digital platform will be held to account. If they drop the ball, they will be liable to compensate the victim.
Karen Middleton
More on Stephen Jones’ upcoming speech to the national press club
Government figures show Australians are losing less annually to scammers than they did two years ago – except on social media where the situation is worsening. The current assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones:
Scam losses originating on social media were up 17% in 2023. Scam reports were up 31% and the social media companies are dragging their heels.
Jones says the first phase of a suite of government anti-scam measures has helped reduce the losses by 13% last year from $3bn in 2022.
There was still $2.74bn lost and this is both tragic and excessive.
During the pandemic, the cost of scams skyrocketed, with annual losses in Australia doubling in 2021 & again in 2022. Last year’s fall was the first since 2016.
Half of all scams still occur via phone or text message and most involve a bank transfer.
Jones is vowing to force companies to take more preventative action, labelling it “offensive” that digital platforms allow scammers to use their platforms freely.
Digital platforms have a moral obligation to join the fight as part of their social licence. These are trillion-dollar corporations. They can afford to invest in a significant uplift to keep consumers safe. It’s really time for them to get on the side of consumers.
Government vows to force banks to compensate scam victims
Karen Middleton
The federal government is promising to change the law to force banks to compensate Australian customers who are tricked into transferring money to scammers, accusing them of doing too little to prevent people from being duped out of more than $2bn every year.
Assistant treasurer Stephen Jones will tell the National Press Club today that a government crackdown on scammers is having some success but that the corporate bystanders in the scam equation – the platforms that facilitate scammers’ contact and enable their financial transactions – should be doing more to stop them.
In a speech that also warns the trend is worsening on social media, Jones says the law does too little to help victims get their money back, because bank customers are being duped into handing over money so the transfers themselves are not unlawful.
According to an advance copy of the speech seen by Guardian Australia, Jones will say:
A fundamental characteristic of scams is that they are transactions that are authorised – through deception – by the victim, so the law is not fit-for-purpose.
We will address this to ensure victims can receive compensation in the right circumstances. Compensation for inaction, for negligence, for failing to meet an obligation is a critical part of our framework.
McKenzie says Rex failure would be ‘catastrophic for the regions’
Asked if Rex needs to be bailed out, Bridget McKenzie said if the airline failed it would be “catastrophic for the regions.”
They service regional routes that Qantas doesn’t want to … A third of Rex’s business in the regions is around servicing our health needs, either connecting regional residents with specialists in the city or indeed, flying out medical professionals into our communities.
They had training facilities for that next generation of pilots, and a huge part of their role is the air freight task.
So Rex is a critical component for those of us in the region connecting with the rest of the country, and I don’t want to see – we don’t want to see regional Australians cut off as a result of this government continuing to sit on its hands and not supporting Rex to get through this.
Shadow transport minister accuses PM of running ‘protection racket for Qantas’
The shadow minister for transport, Bridget McKenzie, was also on ABC RN earlier this morning to discuss the Rex Airlines administration.
She was asked about commentary from the prime minister that Rex’s woes coincided with the airline’s push into capital city markets and move away from regional routes, and responded:
I think what we heard from the prime minister yesterday was that, once again, [he is] running the protection racket for Qantas, and how dare [anyone] step in and compete on those capital city routes?
And remember, when Rex launched into those routes to compete against Qantas, Virgin was grounded, prices were sky high, and service was appalling. They raised private equity of around $150m to enter that market and provided much-needed competition for Qantas. Now you’ve got the prime minister saying, ‘Well, Rex, this is what happens when you go up against the behemoth and my best mate Qantas’…
We’ve been talking about this for a long time … [that for] airlines that seek to compete against Qantas, that there is a problem with competition in this country …
‘Higher interest rates would be harder for Australians’, Murray Watt says
Murray Watt was also asked about the June quarter inflation figures, set to be announced today. He said most of the market expectations are that inflation is going to remain persistent, “despite the work that the government’s been doing to bring it down”:
I’m not going to pre-empt what the Reserve Bank might do, but I think everyone understands that higher interest rates would be harder for Australians. So as a government, what we can do is do everything possible to take that pressure off both the RBA and consumers generally …
I think all Australians are nervous today about the inflation figure, and I think that reflects that people are doing it tough at the moment. That’s exactly why Jim Chalmers, in particular, as the treasurer, [finance minister] Katie Gallagher and our whole team are doing everything we can to provide cost of living relief.
Murray Watt says advice needed from administrators to determine government support amid administration
Murray Watt, the newly-appointed minister for workplace relations, also weighed in on the Rex Airlines administration on ABC RN just earlier.
He said all the options for a pathway forward would be considered “once the situation becomes clear and we get some advice from the administrators.”
In terms of equity stakes or other financial government support, we’ll make those decisions once the situation becomes clearer through the administrator.
Watt said that within his department, there’s a number of roles it could play to support workers – including a financial entitlements guarantee scheme.
This would only be activated if the company is unable to repay entitlements to any workers who are retrenched, and let’s hope it may not get to that.
But also, our department would be providing employment support to workers who do lose their job to ensure that they can get back into work as quickly as possible.
I was actually briefed by my department about this earlier this morning, and I’ve been in contact with [transport minister] Catherine King to make sure that we’re working together on this as well.
The government is really dedicated towards hoping to make sure that this airline has a future, but also to ensure the workers are protected.
Transport Workers Union says measures to protect jobs amid Rex administration ‘urgently needed’
Following Rex Airlines entering voluntary administration, the Transport Workers Union says measures to protect jobs and secure entitlements in the event of any job losses is “urgently needed”.
The long-term solution to issues affecting the industry is a stand-alone regulator, the union argued, also calling for a “safe and secure skies” commission into the industry.
The union’s national secretary, Michael Kaine, said the news comes just four weeks after Bonza went into liquidation:
It is absolutely critical that as many jobs as possible are protected through the continuation of regional flights, while entitlements are secured for those unable to retain employment …
Aviation is locked in a cycle of crises. While the Rex administration is handled as quickly as possible, we also need a long-term fix to the unregulated market dominance that sees Qantas popping the champagne corks while competitors are squeezed out and workers are left on the scrap heap.
Given the size of Australia, the question at the heart of this crisis is: what support do we need to make sure there’s a viable aviation industry that can serve the community reliably and affordably? A Safe and secure skies commission to bring balance and binding standards is the answer to that question.
Treasurer says inflation was ‘sticky and stubborn’ last month ahead of latest figures
Moving to the June quarter inflation figures – set to be announced today – the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said most people are expecting inflation to have been “sticky and stubborn” last month and “more persistent than anyone would like”:
But we need to remember that inflation has come down really considerably since we were elected. When we were elected it had a six in front of them. We’ll see what the numbers say later on this morning.
Asked if he would expect another rate rise, Chalmers said he would not pre-empt a decision of the RBA:
They’ll weigh up a whole range of factors in our economy, not just today’s inflation numbers, but also the conditions in the economy more broadly…
If the inflation figure today is a bit persistent – a bit sticky and stubborn, more so than we would like – that would be an unwelcome outcome, but also unsurprising, given the pressures coming to us from the world, and some domestic factors like fruit and vegetables and travel costs.
Chalmers says ‘there’s been discussions’ with Rex regarding pathway forward
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, was up on ABC News Breakfast earlier this morning to talk about the Rex Airlines administration. He said it was a “relief” for communities that regional services would continue:
We want to see those regional services continue. Minister Catherine King is also talking with the other airlines to make sure if there’s job losses, that the other airlines can re-employ and re-deploy some of the workers as well.
Asked if taxpayer support would be needed to keep the regional routes operating, Chalmers said “there’s been discussions but I don’t want to pre-empt the company statement”:
We want to hear next from the company. They’ve indicated they will be making a statement before long.
Sydney Airport CEO calls for more competition in aviation industry amid Rex administration
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton also responded to the Rex Airlines administration, sending thoughts to Rex passengers and employees impacted by the administration:
We are pleased to see that the administrator will continue regional operations to and from Sydney during this period as these services are critical for many regional communities.
What this situation demonstrates is that we need to change some things in the Australian aviation market for competition to thrive, because recent history suggests the barriers are too high.
We have a rare opportunity to get this right with the proposed slot reforms at Sydney airport and through the imminent aviation white paper, and we remain ready to work with the government on implementing both.
Melbourne airport responds to Rex Airlines administration news
Sticking with Rex Airlines for a moment: Melbourne Airport said in a statement this morning it is “deeply disappointed” by the suspension of Rex services and stands ready to assist passengers.
Rex services from Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, the Gold Coast and Perth have been cancelled. Affected passengers will be reaccommodated on Virgin Australia flights free of charge …
Melbourne Airport was proudly home to Rex’s largest 737 jet base and our thoughts are with the staff affected by this announcement.
The team at Melbourne airport will continue to work hard to facilitate new entrants to the Australian market because of the benefits they bring to consumers.
Transport minister says long-term solution needed for regional aviation, not ‘throwing money at the problem’
The transport minister, Catherine King, spoke with ABC AM earlier this morning about the future of Rex Airlines following news last night that flights between capital cities were grounded and it has entered voluntary administration.
King said that it was “in everyone’s interests that this airline continue, and we’re determined to do what we can.”
We understand how important Rex is, particularly to the regions – there are some areas where this is the only, only option in terms of transport …
We also can’t do it just at any cost, so we’ll be talking to the administrators, we’ve been talking to Rex – my department – all of yesterday. We know that there will be some seeking of support from government and we will take some time to work our way through that with the administrators, we want to do that properly.
The minister said Rex hadn’t “asked for specifics as yet”, but were after assistance to ensure operations can continue into the airport and to ensure they could still access fuel supply:
I think it is fair to say that we would be reluctant to just throw money at the problem … What we would want to do is ensure that there is a long-term solution to the security of regional aviation and we will take time to work our way through that.
Government response to the disability royal commission expected today
Stephanie Convery
The federal government is expected to formally respond today to the findings of the royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, nine months after they were made public.
The commission’s final report, released last September, came after four and a half years of hearings, publications, submissions and powerful testimony from people with disability and their loved ones.
The commission found that people with disability “continue to experience high rates of violence and abuse, multiple forms of neglect, and sexual and financial exploitation” and significant change was required for Australia to be a truly inclusive society.
There were 222 recommendations in the 12-volume final report, including that the federal government commit to the enactment of a disability rights act that embodies the principles set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Other recommendations included prohibitions on non-therapeutic, involuntary sterilisation of people with disability, immediate action at all levels of government to prevent the use of restrictive practices, and the “significant reform” and “transformational change” of mainstream housing, education and employment systems to remove ableist barriers and minimise or eliminate segregation.
The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said at the time that the government would take “a considered and staged approach” to responding to the findings. You can read more about what the commission recommended here:
Woman bitten by shark off the coast of Western Australia
A woman has been bitten by a shark on an island off the coast of Western Australia, about 80km west of Geraldton.
According to Sharksmart, she was snorkelling at Rat Island, in the Abrolhos Islands, when she was bitten by an unknown species of shark.
The ABC reported the woman in her 30s was flown to Geraldton and taken to the local hospital for treatment.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with local authorities to coordinate a response. It has urged people to take additional caution in the Rat Island area, adhere to any beach closures and report shark sightings to water police.
Welcome
Emily Wind
Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Welcome back to a new day on the Australia news live blog – I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll be taking you through our rolling coverage for most of today.
A woman has been bitten by a shark on an island off the coast of Western Australia, about 80km west of Geraldton. She was snorkelling at Rat Island, in the Abrolhos Islands, when she was bitten by an unknown species of shark yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the federal government is expected to formally respond today to the findings of the royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability – nine months after they were made public.
As Stephanie Convery reports, the commission found people with disability “continue to experience high rates of violence and abuse, multiple forms of neglect, and sexual and financial exploitation” and significant change was required for Australia to be a truly inclusive society. The social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, said at the time that the government would take “a considered and staged approach” to responding to the findings.
We’ll bring you more on both of these stories shortly.
As always, you can get in touch with any thoughts, tips or questions via X, @emilywindwrites, or you can email me, [email protected].
Let’s get started.
