![\"Caitlin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Caitlin_Cassidy,_L.png\")
Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\nActivists land in Australia after being detained by Israeli military on Freedom Flotilla vesselCaitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n
Two activists have touched down in Australia after being intercepted and detained by the Israeli military<\/a> while attempting to transport aid to Gaza on a Freedom Flotilla vessel.<\/p>\n Journalist Tania \u201cTan\u201d Safi <\/strong>and human rights activist Robert Martin<\/strong> were among 21 activists on board the Handala ship when it was intercepted last Sunday and transported to Israel<\/a>.<\/p>\n This morning, the pair landed at Sydney<\/a> airport after enduring what they described as days of being \u201cbrutalised psychologically in every way\u201d. Safi told reporters they were still \u201ca little bit wobbly\u201d and felt \u201cvery sore and weak\u201d. But they said their vessel was the 37th Freedom Flotilla and it \u201cwill not be the last\u201d.<\/p>\n Asked about the federal government\u2019s holdout on recognising a Palestinian state, after Canada, France and the UK indicated they will do so<\/a> at the UN general assembly in September, Robert told reporters:<\/p>\n What\u2019s he waiting for? What actually is he waiting for? The death of every single Palestinian? \u2026 They are getting massacred, there is a genocide, they are ethnic cleansing \u2026 it must be done today.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The press conference at the airport concluded with the calls of \u201cFree Palestine\u201d as Safi and Robert were embraced by family, friends and supporters.<\/p>\n The Israeli embassy in Canberra was approached for comment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.49 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Queensland review of gender-affirming care may not be released to the public<\/strong><\/p>\n The Queensland government banned gender-affirming care \u2013 such as puberty blockers \u2013 in public hospitals in January while a panel led by psychiatrist Ruth Vine<\/strong> conducted a review.<\/p>\n Tim Nicholls. Photograph: Darren England\/AAP<\/p>\n The health minister, Tim Nicholls<\/strong>, said it would be up to Vine to determine how her advice would be treated. Nicholls said:<\/p>\n Prof Vine and her committee and her fellow reviewers have a very wide remit, including recommendations as to how her advice is treated.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve clearly and consistently said that the cabinet and the government will consider the advice by Prof Vine and I will be guided and will not preempt the decisions of cabinet in relation to how that advice is dealt with.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.50 EDT<\/p>\n Embattled Star looking for new options after Brisbane casino deal falls through<\/strong><\/p>\n Star Entertainment Group<\/strong> is looking at alternative options for its half-stake in a newly opened Brisbane entertainment complex after failing to reach agreement on a sale it had been negotiating for months, AAP<\/strong> reports.<\/p>\n The embattled casino operator had since March been planning to sell its 50% interest in the Queen\u2019s Wharf Brisbane to its Hong Kong partners, which each hold a quarter-stake in the 12-hectare riverfront development.<\/p>\n The Queen\u2019s Wharf precinct and Star Brisbane Casino, seen in Brisbane. Photograph: Darren England\/AAP<\/p>\n But Star said on Friday<\/a> it had been unable to reach a final agreement on a number of commercial issues with Chow Tai Fook<\/strong> and Far East Consortium<\/strong> by Friday\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n It offered to extend their negotiating framework for another week, but the duo rejected that offer and walked away.<\/p>\n That means Star has until next Wednesday to repay Chow Tai Fook and Far East Consortium a $10m advance on the sale it received back in March, and until 5 September to repay another $31m.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Asylum seekers on Nauru contract dengue as advocates call on Australia to take responsibility<\/strong><\/p>\n At least nine asylum seekers on Nauru<\/a> have contracted dengue fever amid an outbreak on the island, including one man who was medically evacuated to Australia for treatment and then returned this week, according to a legal aid group and an asylum seeker there.<\/p>\n Cases of dengue, also known as break-bone fever<\/a>, rose sharply in July amid a broader outbreak of the virus in the Pacific.<\/p>\n Refugees in Nauru, seen in 2014. Photograph: Natasha Blucher<\/p>\n Heidi Abdel-Raouf<\/strong>, the manager of detention casework advocacy at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre<\/strong> (ASRC), said the group was aware of nine men who have dengue \u201cbut there are reports of many more\u201d.<\/p>\n There are approximately 93 asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru, who mostly live in the community on a stipend of $230 a fortnight from the Australian government. They have been there between two and 22 months, and will never be settled in Australia under government policies<\/a>. Those with refugee status currently have no resettlement options.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n House prices at all-time highs in almost half of Australian suburbs<\/strong><\/p>\n More on the record house price figures, as we reported in the blog<\/a> earlier: housing market values in almost half of all Australian suburbs are at all-time highs \u2013 and plenty more are expected to join them, AAP<\/strong> reports.<\/p>\n In a sure sign the housing market has recovered, property platform Cotality<\/strong>, formerly known as CoreLogic, released data on Friday showing record values in almost 45% of suburbs.<\/p>\n The property data firm has predicted the proportion of suburbs at peak value will rise to 50% in the coming months on the back of national dwelling value growth in June.<\/p>\n In Australia\u2019s most expensive housing market, 37% of Sydney<\/a> suburbs were at record highs, while just 13% of Melbourne\u2019s reached new highs. Queensland\u2019s market is booming with almost four-in-five (78%) suburbs in Brisbane at peak dwelling values and regional markets in the state about the same mark.<\/p>\n Three-quarters of Perth\u2019s suburbs have hit record values, as have 61% of Adelaide\u2019s.<\/p>\n Photograph: Darren England\/AAPShare<\/a> Peak dental body calls on government to urgently promote children\u2019s dental scheme as more than 1.5 million children missing out<\/strong><\/p>\n A million-and-a-half children are missing out on the free dental scheme for kids, the peak dental association has said as it calls on the government to better promote it to parents.<\/p>\n Guardian Australia has previously reported<\/a> that the department of health and aged care has acknowledged more than 2.4 million children were eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) in the 2023-24 financial year, but less than 40% used it.<\/p>\n New data released today by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) based on a survey of 25,000 adults showed that of the families who believed they were eligible for treatment under the scheme, only 36% \u2013 just over one in three \u2013 actually use it.<\/p>\n The survey found the scheme is \u201cshrouded in confusion and misinformation\u201d with many parents unaware of its existence or unsure of their eligibility.<\/p>\n The ADA president, Dr Chris Sanzaro<\/strong>, says:<\/p>\n \u201cThis leaves millions of eligible Australian families either going without dental care or paying more out of pocket than they need to, when it could so well fund a child\u2019s first dental visit. It\u2019s a scheme that\u2019s shrouded in mystery and confusion \u2013 and with over 1.5m Australian kids missing out, the government urgently needs to better promote it to ensure eligible families can access this care.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.58 EDT<\/p>\n Trump accuses foreign nations of \u2018freeloading\u2019 on drug prices as Australia insists PBS prices won\u2019t rise<\/strong><\/p>\n Donald Trump<\/strong> has threatened a crackdown on major pharmaceutical companies who fail to sell cheaper drugs to the US, and criticised nations \u201cfreeloading on US innovation\u201d.<\/p>\n Trump wrote to 17 pharmaceutical companies<\/a>, demanding they treat the US as the \u201cmost favoured nation\u201d and lower prices of drugs for the US Medicaid scheme, and threatened to use \u201cevery tool in our arsenal\u201d to crack down on pharmaceutical giants if they fail to cut drug prices for Americans within 60 days.<\/p>\n Photograph: AAP<\/p>\n In Australia, under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS), pharmaceutical companies negotiate directly with the department of health on pricing.<\/p>\n The Australian government hasn\u2019t said whether tariffs or restrictions from the US on pharmaceuticals would impact the PBS.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Farrell won\u2019t predict when Albanese will meet Trump<\/strong><\/p>\n Farrell says he won\u2019t make predictions about when prime minister Anthony Albanese<\/strong> could meet the US president, Donald Trump<\/strong>. He said:<\/p>\n The prime minister has had two very good discussions with President Trump and I am sure that, at the appropriate time, there will be further discussions. Obviously, this decision by the United States government is a very positive one for our relationship.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That\u2019s where we\u2019ll leave that press conference with Farrell.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.56 EDT<\/p>\n Don Farrell says Aukus \u2018completely independent\u2019 of trade relationship<\/strong><\/p>\n It is a little hard to hear the questions being put to Farrell in Adelaide but he\u2019s also speaking about Aukus and what the US tariff decision could mean for this relationship.<\/p>\n He says:<\/p>\n We have never linked our trade relationship with our defence relationship. The US is our greatest ally, our most important ally. Just like with trade, we have an agreement with the United States to produce and make in Adelaide submarines, high-quality, highest tech submarines in the world.<\/p>\n We will continue to have discussions with the US about Aukus. It will be completely independent of our trade relationship. There is no job that is more important for a federal government than our national security.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.59 EDT<\/p>\n Australia ‘vindicated’ on US tariff decision: trade minister<\/p>\n Farrell says the US decision on tariffs means Australian products are now more competitive, but that the Albanese government will not \u201cleave the issue here\u201d. He said:<\/p>\n We believe in free and fair trade, and we will continue to put the argument to the US that they should remove all tariffs on Australian products in accordance with our free trade agreement, and we will continue to prosecute that argument.<\/p>\n I have invited [commerce secretary Howard Lutnick<\/strong>] to come to Australia to continue the discussions.<\/p>\n We believe this is a vindication of our cool and calm negotiations with our trading partners.<\/p>\n At no stage did we introduce tariffs on American goods. America still has a significant advantage in terms of our trading relationship \u2026 We will continue the discussions until we get those tariffs removed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A graphic of Don Farrell and the prime minister, Anthony Albanese. Photograph: AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.09 EDT<\/p>\n The trade minister, Don Farrell<\/strong>, is speaking in Adelaide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> More on Australia dodging the latest tariff hike<\/strong><\/p>\n Trump\u2019s latest executive order castigated unnamed countries he felt had shown insufficient fealty to the US on trade. The order read:<\/p>\n Other trading partners, despite having engaged in negotiations, have offered terms that, in my judgment, do not sufficiently address imbalances in our trading relationship or have failed to align sufficiently with the United States on economic and national-security matters.<\/p>\n There are also some trading partners that have failed to engage in negotiations with the United States or to take adequate steps to align sufficiently with the United States on economic and national security matters.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The new executive order punishes small economies in particular, who have limited trading relationships with the US: Syria was given a 41% tariff rate, Myanmar and Laos 40%.<\/p>\n The EU has a split tariff rate: 0% on some goods, and 15% on others.<\/p>\n Read more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.14 EDT<\/p>\n Government says no country has reciprocal tariffs lower than Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n A spokesperson for the minister for trade, Don Farrell, <\/strong>just responded to the news that Australian imports into the US will continue to be subject to a 10% tariff, saying:<\/p>\n The White House has confirmed that no country has reciprocal tariffs lower than Australia.<\/p>\n While we remain in the best possible position under the United States\u2019 new tariff regime, we will continue to advocate for the removal of all tariffs in line with our free trade agreement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Photograph: Godofredo A V\u00e1squez\/APShare<\/a>Activists land in Australia after being detained by Israeli military on Freedom Flotilla vessel Two activists have touched down in Australia after being intercepted and detained by the Israeli military<\/a> while attempting to transport aid to Gaza on a Freedom Flotilla vessel.<\/p>\n Journalist Tania \u201cTan\u201d Safi <\/strong>and human rights activist Robert Martin<\/strong> were among 21 activists on board the Handala ship when it was intercepted last Sunday and transported to Israel<\/a>.<\/p>\n This morning, the pair landed at Sydney<\/a> airport after enduring what they described as days of being \u201cbrutalised psychologically in every way\u201d. Safi told reporters they were still \u201ca little bit wobbly\u201d and felt \u201cvery sore and weak\u201d. But they said their vessel was the 37th Freedom Flotilla and it \u201cwill not be the last\u201d.<\/p>\n Tania Safi and Robert Martin. Composite: Freedom Flotilla Coalition<\/p>\n Asked about the federal government\u2019s holdout on recognising a Palestinian state, after Canada, France and the UK indicated they will do so<\/a> at the UN general assembly in September, Robert told reporters:<\/p>\n What\u2019s he waiting for? What actually is he waiting for? The death of every single Palestinian? \u2026 They are getting massacred, there is a genocide, they are ethnic cleansing \u2026 it must be done today.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The press conference at the airport concluded with the calls of \u201cFree Palestine\u201d as Safi and Robert were embraced by family, friends and supporters.<\/p>\n The Israeli embassy in Canberra was approached for comment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.49 EDT<\/p>\n Photos from last year\u2019s Garma festival<\/strong><\/p>\n Guardian Australia was at last year\u2019s Garma festival. Here are some photos from that event as we prepare for this year\u2019s.<\/p>\n Yolngu red flag dancers from Numbulwar dance on the Gulkula ceremonial grounds at Garma 2024. Photograph: Mike Bowers\/The GuardianWadeye Port Keats clan paint themselves in preparation to perform at Garma 2024. Photograph: Mike Bowers\/The GuardianThe Mangalil perform at Garma 2024. Photograph: Mike Bowers\/The Guardian<\/p>\n See more here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n House prices climb higher once again<\/strong><\/p>\n Lower interest rates have pushed house prices to a record high before another expected cut, AAP<\/strong> reports.<\/p>\n Home prices grew nationally at 0.6% in July, marking six consecutive months of increases that have driven median dwelling prices to $927,000 in the capital cities and $689,000 in the regions, property data firm Cotality<\/strong> has found.<\/p>\n This increase aligns with the Reserve Bank<\/strong>\u2019s first rate cut in February and with more on the horizon, prices are only expected to accelerate. Cotality\u2019s head of research, Eliza Owen,<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n Demand is on the rise once again and it\u2019s clear that\u2019s largely induced by recent rate cuts and expectations of further rate cuts this year. It\u2019s coming at a time when supply is relatively constrained \u2013 both from a construction perspective, but also from a listings perspective \u2013 with far more people looking to buy themselves.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Photograph: Darren England\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.10 EDT<\/p>\n NSW politician says Sunday protest \u2018absolutely inevitable\u2019 after mishandling <\/strong><\/p>\n NSW Labor MLC Stephen Lawrence<\/strong> decried what he called a \u201cslow but steady demonisation of protest\u201d in the state in a post explaining his support for Sunday\u2019s march across the Sydney<\/a> Harbour Bridge.<\/p>\n![\"Tania](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/5000.jpg\")
Tania Safi and Robert Martin. Composite: Freedom Flotilla Coalition<\/p>\n\n
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Andrew Messenger<\/p>\n\n
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Natasha May<\/p>\n![\"Krishani](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Krishani_Dhanji.png\")
Krishani Dhanji<\/p>\n\n
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Ben Doherty<\/p>\n\n
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Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n\n
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