![\"Adeshola](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Adeshola_Ore.png\")
Adeshola Ore<\/p>\nLehrmann appeal adjourns for early lunch break after judge rejects requests from his lawyer to end day earlyAdeshola Ore<\/p>\n
Bruce Lehrmann<\/strong>\u2019s federal court appeal has adjourned for an early lunch break after multiple requests from his lawyer for the court to finish for the day.<\/p>\n As she rose to begin her scheduled reply, Zali Burrows <\/strong>repeatedly asked the full federal court to adjourn for the day, saying she needs further time to address matters that arose yesterday. Burrows said:<\/p>\n I\u2019m instructed that there\u2019s been some assertions made in respect to the transcript which may not be correct. We need this time to check this as well.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Burrows says \u201cquite a few matters\u201d arose yesterday afternoon which she wants to address.<\/p>\n But Justice Michael Wigney<\/strong> said the court was \u201cinclined\u201d for her to commence her reply immediately. He says nothing that occurred this morning could affect her ability to respond to the proper appeal, not the qualified privilege matter.<\/p>\n We recognise the difficult position you\u2019re in but really it\u2019s important that this matter be concluded as soon as possible and certainly within the three days allocated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Burrows began her reply by asking for clarification about a question Justice Craig Colvin asked on Wednesday about a ground in Lehrmann\u2019s appeal.<\/p>\n Barrows said her client was challenging Justice Michael Lee\u2019s \u201cunderlying findings\u201d in his April 2024 judgment.<\/p>\n Asked by Justice Michael Wigney what \u201cunderlying findings\u201d Burrows challenged, she said there were \u201ca few\u201d and she wanted to address this later.<\/p>\n Wigney said this was a \u201ccentral issue\u201d in the appeal and asked if Burrows understood the reference to the \u201cunderlying facts\u201d. He said it was not apparent from Burrows\u2019 written submission that she challenged any of these facts.<\/p>\n Wigney then agreed to Burrows\u2019 request for an early lunch break and said the federal court would adjourn until 2.15pm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.05 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Penry Buckley<\/p>\n $50m fund for mid-north coast and Hunter flood victims<\/strong><\/p>\n This week\u2019s flood risk follows several major rainfall events this year, including floods in May which devastated the mid-north coast<\/a> and Hunter Valley, claiming the lives of five people.<\/p>\n It coincides with the announcement of a $50m housing support package<\/a> for those impacted by the May floods by the NSW and federal governments.<\/p>\n The funding includes provision for caravans and self-contained pod homes for residents whose homes were uninsured or uninhabitable, allowing them to stay on their property during repairs.<\/p>\n In a \u201cfirst for flood recovery\u201d, support is also being given to renters, with one-off grants to support those facing financial hardship to relocate.<\/p>\n This photo from May shows flooded areas near the NSW town of Taree. Photograph: NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> Whitehaven Coal CEO promises investors \u2018bright future\u2019 after profit pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n Whitehaven Coal<\/strong> has recorded surging revenue \u2013 and emissions \u2013 after taking over two mines in Queensland, telling investors rising coal demand will support further expansion.<\/p>\n The new mines saw coal production rise to 39 megatonnes in the year to June, up from 24.5Mt the previous year, though falling coal prices meant revenue overall only rose from $3.8bn to $5.8bn and went backwards for Whitehaven\u2019s New South Wales operations.<\/p>\n Production costs also surged, halving annual underlying profits to $319m and cutting the year\u2019s total dividend to 15c per share, down from 20c over 2023-24.<\/p>\n Photograph: Dean Lewins\/AAP<\/p>\n The share price slipped 3% after the company\u2019s annual report was published this morning but recovered after an investor call where Paul Flynn<\/strong>, Whitehaven\u2019s managing director and chief executive, told investors rising Chinese demand was set to boost sales, prices and profit margins:<\/p>\n These scenarios just point to a bright future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The chief financial officer, Kevin Ball<\/strong>, told investors Whitehaven hoped to \u201cunder-promise and overdeliver\u201d on its projections of lower costs and slightly lower production, with rain the only bad news on the horizon.<\/p>\n Unmentioned in the call was the surge in Whitehaven emissions in its first full year of operating the two Queensland mines, up from 1.3Mt carbon dioxide-equivalent to 2.2Mt CO2-e combined scope 1 and scope 2 emissions.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.51 EDT<\/p>\n CommBank home loan applications soar after rate cuts Commonwealth Bank<\/strong> has reported a surge in hopeful homebuyers looking for loans after interest rate cuts, which have together boosted a $200,000-income household\u2019s borrowing capacity to over $1m.<\/p>\n The Reserve Bank\u2019s first two rate cuts in February and May delivered CBA a 12% jump in pre-approval applications in June and July, compared to the same two months in 2024. First home buyers have been squeezed out<\/a> by surging prices but kept pace, with an 11% jump.<\/p>\n Photograph: Mike Bowers\/The Guardian<\/p>\n New South Wales and Queensland saw outsized jumps in applications, up 25% and 19% respectively, while Victorian interest stayed relatively flat, CBA said.<\/p>\n Pre-approval applications point forward to more home loans and purchases. The first half of 2025, including the first two rate cuts, saw CBA home loans rise 2%, according to its mid-year report.<\/p>\n With a third cut in August, variable home loan rates around the country have fallen by about 0.75% on average<\/a>, which CBA calculates has increased borrowing capacity by about 7%. That allows households with $150,000 to now borrow an extra $40,000, while a combined $200,000 income\u2019s loan size has leapt $66,000 to over $1m.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.37 EDT<\/p>\n Midwifery numbers won\u2019t be cut but discussions at RPA ongoing, NSW minister says<\/strong><\/p>\n The NSW health minister, Ryan Park, has promised no midwifery jobs in the state will be lost despite workforce planning at Sydney\u2019s Royal Prince Alfred hospital threatening to cut 20 full-time roles.<\/p>\n After protests in July<\/a>, the proposed cuts were paused. Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst<\/strong> told NSW budget estimates the community still hadn\u2019t been provided with any updates since then, and asked the minister if he was able provide an update on whether those midwifery staff cuts will go ahead.<\/p>\n Park replied:<\/p>\n I want to be very clear on this, no jobs will be lost as a result of that workforce planning.<\/strong> But those discussions are still taking place and are ongoing \u2026<\/p>\n So no intention to make any cuts in relation to midwifery numbers. What I\u2019ve got to do is make sure that we will deliver those midwifery, maternal, antenatal, postnatal, birthing services where people are having children. So obviously, there are parts of our state where we have big population growth and \u2026 therefore women are having more births than in other parts of the state.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney. Photograph: Joel Carrett\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.26 EDT<\/p>\n Lehrmann appeal adjourns for early lunch break after judge rejects requests from his lawyer to end day early Bruce Lehrmann<\/strong>\u2019s federal court appeal has adjourned for an early lunch break after multiple requests from his lawyer for the court to finish for the day.<\/p>\n As she rose to begin her scheduled reply, Zali Burrows <\/strong>repeatedly asked the full federal court to adjourn for the day, saying she needs further time to address matters that arose yesterday. Burrows said:<\/p>\n I\u2019m instructed that there\u2019s been some assertions made in respect to the transcript which may not be correct. We need this time to check this as well.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Burrows says \u201cquite a few matters\u201d arose yesterday afternoon which she wants to address.<\/p>\n But Justice Michael Wigney<\/strong> said the court was \u201cinclined\u201d for her to commence her reply immediately. He says nothing that occurred this morning could affect her ability to respond to the proper appeal, not the qualified privilege matter.<\/p>\n We recognise the difficult position you\u2019re in but really it\u2019s important that this matter be concluded as soon as possible and certainly within the three days allocated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Burrows began her reply by asking for clarification about a question Justice Craig Colvin asked on Wednesday about a ground in Lehrmann\u2019s appeal.<\/p>\n Barrows said her client was challenging Justice Michael Lee\u2019s \u201cunderlying findings\u201d in his April 2024 judgment.<\/p>\n Asked by Justice Michael Wigney what \u201cunderlying findings\u201d Burrows challenged, she said there were \u201ca few\u201d and she wanted to address this later.<\/p>\n Wigney said this was a \u201ccentral issue\u201d in the appeal and asked if Burrows understood the reference to the \u201cunderlying facts\u201d. He said it was not apparent from Burrows\u2019 written submission that she challenged any of these facts.<\/p>\n Wigney then agreed to Burrows\u2019 request for an early lunch break and said the federal court would adjourn until 2.15pm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.05 EDT<\/p>\n Man rescued from flood waters south-west of Sydney<\/p>\n Penry Buckley<\/p>\n Platz says rescue operations have included the search for two men who are missing after a car drove into the Macdonald River near St Albans, north of Sydney, as we reported earlier.<\/p>\n They also include the rescue of a man at Douglas Park, south-west of Sydney, earlier this morning.<\/p>\n In this particular instance, a man was travelling through some flooded waters. The water had reached the headlights of his vehicle, and New South Wales SES volunteers attended and were able to rescue him through a tethered approach.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.07 EDT<\/p>\n Penry Buckley<\/p>\n NSW SES responds to more incidents as roads close and communities watch flood advisories<\/strong><\/p>\n The NSW SES and the Bureau of Meteorology are giving a joint press conference about the flood risk from today\u2019s continued heavy rainfall.<\/p>\n NSW SES assistant deputy commissioner Debbie Platz<\/strong> said the SES has now responded to more than 500 incidents, including five flood rescues.<\/p>\n Platz said the weather system is now affecting \u201cmost of the east coast of NSW and into the north-west area of the state\u201d.<\/p>\n We are starting now to see road closures across many parts of NSW, and these road closures are going to cause isolation to many communities. So again, we urge everybody in NSW, in these impacted areas, to monitor our website very closely to see what is going to impact you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Photograph: Steve Markham\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.03 EDT<\/p>\n Pocock says ANU\u2019s leadership has taken \u2018sledgehammer\u2019 to the university<\/strong><\/p>\n Pocock accused the ANU\u2019s management of taking a \u201csledgehammer\u201d to the institution. Addressing the rally, Pocock said he would \u201ccontinue to fight\u201d alongside students and staff to push for change:<\/p>\n We have to continue to push for better governance, for more transparency, and for a way forward that actually takes into account the students and staff here and the very people who have built this university \u2026<\/p>\n It\u2019s been really hard to watch the way that council and senior leadership have gone about the so-called proposals, and the way that they\u2019ve taken a sledgehammer to this university.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Earlier this month, Pocock called for ANU\u2019s chancellor, Julie Bishop<\/strong>, to step aside until an ongoing review by the regulator into the university council\u2019s culture and oversight of its financial position was completed.<\/p>\n Photograph: AAP<\/p>\n A spokesperson for ANU said it acknowledged implementing widespread change was \u201csignificant to our operations, our services, and most critically of all, our people and the fabric of our campus\u201d but did not comment on requests for Bishop to step aside.<\/p>\n All future changes under Renew ANU will be achieved without involuntary redundancies, and no further change plans will be released in 2025. We know this period of transformation hasn\u2019t been easy and we thank and acknowledge the work and dedication of our community to support ANU during this time of change.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.52 EDT<\/p>\n David Pocock fronting student-led rally at ANU against job cuts<\/strong><\/p>\n Independent senator for the ACT, David Pocock<\/strong>, is fronting a student-led rally at the Australian National University ANU today protesting against job cuts and ongoing restructuring at the embattled institution.<\/p>\n The protest, which kicked off at 11am on ANU\u2019s Kambri Lawns, comes after the university announced on Wednesday there would be no further involuntary redundancies as management seeks to find $250m in annual savings. Students will be calling for ANU to cease going ahead with the existing proposed job cuts, estimated at about 130 by the National Tertiary Education Union, and for the government to commit to more funding for higher education.<\/p>\n David Pocock. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAP<\/p>\n Last month, about 100 students gathered to protest against the proposed changes, which include the disestablishment of the Australian National Dictionary Centre, the Centre for European studies, the Humanities Research Centre and the ANU School of Music.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for ANU said they knew it had been a \u201cchallenging period of change\u201d in the community and implementing \u201cchange of this scale is significant to our operations, our services, and most critically of all, our people and the fabric of our campus\u201d.<\/p>\n The university has reached an important milestone by achieving $59.9m in savings to date towards the salary reduction target of $100m. This brings us a step closer to returning the university to a financially sustainable footing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n\n
Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n![\"Natasha](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755749113_490_Natasha_May.png\")
Natasha May<\/p>\n\n
Adeshola Ore<\/p>\n\n
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Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n\n
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Caitlin Cassidy<\/p>\n\n
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Tom McIlroy<\/p>\n