{"id":117333,"date":"2025-08-04T04:46:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T04:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/117333\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T04:46:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T04:46:16","slug":"australia-news-live-pm-chooses-first-female-afp-commissioner-ley-claims-harbour-bridge-protest-caused-chaos-australia-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/117333\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia news live: PM chooses first female AFP commissioner; Ley claims Harbour Bridge protest caused \u2018chaos\u2019 | Australia news"},"content":{"rendered":"

Krissy Barrett to be first female commissioner of Australian Federal Police<\/p>\n

Prime minister Anthony Albanese<\/strong> is speaking after appointing Krissy Barrett<\/strong> as the new commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. It\u2019s a historic appointment, which will see Barrett become the first woman to lead the agency.<\/p>\n

Barrett has worked in law enforcement for nearly 25 year and most recently served as a deputy commissioner with the AFP, managing national security. She also worked on the Bali bombings investigation.<\/p>\n

Albanese said:<\/p>\n

\n

The role of the AFP is critical to keeping our nation safe. There is no greater honour than wearing the uniform of those that serve and protect Australians. And we are so proud of our world-leading AFP and the work that they do. Krissy, we very much look forward to working with you as you take on the leadership of the AFP.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Her five-year term will begin on 4 October.<\/p>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a023.22 EDT<\/p>\n

Key events<\/p>\n

Show key events only<\/p>\n

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n

Australia will spend $130m to woo international tourists, including new ad featuring Nigella and Robert Irwin<\/strong><\/p>\n

The government will soon launch a $130m campaign to appeal to international travellers, including a series of ads set to roll out in China, the US, UK, India and Japan. The television and online ads are centred on a 3-minute video featuring Ruby the Roo and a slate of international and local celebs, including Robert Irwin<\/strong>, Nigella Lawson<\/strong>, Heartbreak High star Thomas Weatherall<\/strong> and others.<\/p>\n

The government says every dollar in tourism investment leads to $14 in return to the tourism industry.<\/p>\n

Check out the full ad below:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

NSW Greens say Minns seeking to \u2018override the will of the people\u2019, will work to roll back police powers to move on protesters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sue Higginson<\/strong>, the NSW Greens justice spokesperson, said she will introduce a measure in parliament this week to remove police powers to move on peaceful protesters, saying NSW premier Chris Minns<\/strong> had sought to \u201coverride the will of the people and is influencing the police with his personal opinion and his own ignorance and arrogance\u201d.<\/p>\n

Sue Higginson. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts\/AAP<\/p>\n

Higginson\u2019s remarks come after the major protest over the Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday. She said in a statement:<\/p>\n

\n

Labor premier Chris Minns is acting strangely and is not listening. He has lost authority over his own caucus and on matters too significant to ignore. \u2026<\/p>\n

The premier has come out saying he has no regrets about his fierce opposition to the history-making march for humanity and is now making clear his opposition to future marches across the bridge \u2026 The question now really has to be: where was the premier? What was more important for the premier that he could not attend the march for humanity? \u2026<\/p>\n

Protest in NSW is a critical feature of our democracy, and the state\u2019s response to protest can make the difference between whether it is safe, peaceful and understood.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As reported in the blog earlier, at a press conference earlier today Minns did not rule out changes to legislation to make it harder to organise demonstrations that would cross the bridge. He said the public has a right to protest but he was tasked with protecting that right and the need for public safety.<\/p>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a000.31 EDT<\/p>\n

Greens back ACTU calls for levy on coal and gas exports and rollback of negative gearing<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Greens have thrown their support behind a proposal from the Australian Council of Trade Unions<\/strong> to roll back negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts, as well as impose a 25% tax on coal and gas export revenue.<\/p>\n

Sally McManus<\/strong>, the secretary of ACTU, told ABC\u2019s Insiders this weekend the government needed to \u201cbite the bullet\u201d<\/a> on such policies to help young people get a leg up. McManus said the union, which represents about 1.8 million workers, believes the major changes would be in the national interest. The ACTU secretary will be at treasurer Jim Chalmers\u2019<\/strong> upcoming economic roundtable.<\/p>\n

ACTU secretary Sally McManus. Photograph: James Ross\/AAP<\/p>\n

Greens leader Larissa Waters<\/strong> agreed with the ACTU proposals on Monday, which echo changes the party has long called for, saying:<\/p>\n

\n

Australia urgently needs comprehensive economic reform that tackles both the housing crisis and the climate crisis.<\/p>\n

The Greens would be happy to see reforms in all of these areas come to the Senate and to work with Labor to pass them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a000.13 EDT<\/p>\n

Police CCTV shows man in Scream mask approaching Melbourne synagogue \u2013 video<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"PolicePolice CCTV shows man in Scream mask approaching Melbourne synagogue \u2013 videoShare<\/a><\/p>\n

Current AFP commissioner leaving role after more than a decade: \u2018It takes a toll on family life\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw<\/strong> said earlier he is leaving the role a year early after saying the job had taken a toll on his family life. Kershaw said earlier:<\/p>\n

\n

I\u2019m coming up to almost 11 years as a commissioner and, as you\u2019d appreciate, it takes its toll on the family life. Being a grandfather has changed me dramatically, and I need to be there for my family.<\/p>\n

I want to give back to the Australian community in some other capacity down the track but it has been an incredible journey for myself. I am very grateful and privileged to have been able to serve the community.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Reece Kershaw and Krissy Barrett. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a023.42 EDT<\/p>\n

PM says he is not surprised Australians marched in Sydney en masse yesterday<\/strong><\/p>\n

The prime minister said it is a good thing for people to peacefully protest in a healthy democracy, saying he was not surprised \u201cso many Australians have been affected\u201d by the images coming out of Gaza<\/a>. Albanese said at a press conference:<\/p>\n

\n

Yesterday\u2019s march was peaceful and an opportunity for people to express their concern about what is happening in Gaza.<\/p>\n

It is not surprising so many Australians have been affected in order to want to show their concern at people being deprived of food and water and essential services. And so the demonstration in a democracy, it is important people be able to express themselves.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Prime minister Anthony Albanese. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAP<\/p>\n

Albanese went on to say that the march\u2019s approval was a decision for the courts and it was important for the rule of law to win out.<\/p>\n

\n

What\u2019s an immediately important takeout was it was peaceful. I don\u2019t support when there have been breaches of the peace, which has occurred in the past. What we saw yesterday was peaceful demonstration in a democracy; it is important people be able to express themselves.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a023.41 EDT<\/p>\n

Krissy Barrett to be first female commissioner of Australian Federal Police<\/p>\n

Prime minister Anthony Albanese<\/strong> is speaking after appointing Krissy Barrett<\/strong> as the new commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. It\u2019s a historic appointment, which will see Barrett become the first woman to lead the agency.<\/p>\n

Barrett has worked in law enforcement for nearly 25 year and most recently served as a deputy commissioner with the AFP, managing national security. She also worked on the Bali bombings investigation.<\/p>\n

Albanese said:<\/p>\n

\n

The role of the AFP is critical to keeping our nation safe. There is no greater honour than wearing the uniform of those that serve and protect Australians. And we are so proud of our world-leading AFP and the work that they do. Krissy, we very much look forward to working with you as you take on the leadership of the AFP.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Her five-year term will begin on 4 October.<\/p>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a023.22 EDT<\/p>\n

Major flooding hitting parts of NSW, with hundreds of properties under evacuation orders in Gunnedah<\/strong><\/p>\n

Around 230 properties in the NSW town of Gunnedah are under evacuation orders amid major flooding. NSW SES<\/strong> officials said more than 1,500 volunteers had attended about 2,200 incidents over the weekend. In Gunnedah, officials said the Namoi River is now at 8.4m and is expected to peak later this evening, although it will stay at a major flood level until at least Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Debbie Platz<\/strong>, the deputy commissioner of the NSW SES, said on the ABC earlier:<\/p>\n

\n

We are monitoring 11 different river systems and all of them, anything from a minor to a major flooding, we do need people to stay really alert. So, concentrating on your Hazards Near Me app, where you live, where you work and where you\u2019re travelling to, and also the SES website.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019ll provide you with the most up-to-date information that we can so that we can keep you and your family and friends safe.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a023.11 EDT<\/p>\n

Sussan Ley says protests that shut down major routes \u2018not reasonable\u2019<\/p>\n

Opposition leader Sussan Ley<\/strong> was just asked about yesterday\u2019s protest in Sydney. She expressed concern about Sydney being thrown \u201cinto chaos for hours\u201d and mused about people accessing emergency services, with the additional police deployed to monitor the event. Ley said:<\/p>\n

\n

It\u2019s not reasonable that we have protests that shut down a major arterial route. It\u2019s not reasonable that we throw Sydney into chaos for hours and hours and I just wonder about the people who genuinely needed emergency services and had to wait or couldn\u2019t actually get them.<\/p>\n

So thank you to the police, thank you to the emergency services for what you did to keep Sydneysiders safe.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Opposition leader Sussan Ley. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAP<\/p>\n

Ley encouraged NSW premier Chris Minns<\/strong> to take action to address such protests in the future. Ley said:<\/p>\n

\n

These events are overseas. This is the shutting down of a major city.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a022.54 EDT<\/p>\n

\"JordynJordyn Beazley<\/p>\n

Minns on court allowing Sunday march: \u2018I don\u2019t want to make the same mistake twice\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minns<\/strong> said he wouldn\u2019t rush legislation because there\u2019s a chance it could be deemed constitutionally invalid.<\/p>\n

He said:<\/p>\n

\n

We thought we were on firm ground with the police rejection of the form one last Saturday, but the supreme court knocked it over. So I don\u2019t want to make the same mistake twice, other than to say I have to examine all of this. I\u2019m not ruling anything out. And I think even most reasonable people would expect that, yes, you do have, from time to time, massive demonstrations, even if it\u2019s on the bridge, but knocking it out every week is just not something that we can consider forever.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a022.40 EDT<\/p>\n

\"JordynJordyn Beazley<\/p>\n

Chris Minns says he will \u2018look very closely\u2019 at judgment allowing Harbour Bridge march<\/strong><\/p>\n

Returning to the NSW premier, Chris Minns<\/strong>, who spoke about the protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge a short time ago.<\/p>\n

Minns did not rule out changes to legislation to make it harder to organise demonstrations that would cross the bridge, saying the government was examining whether a precedent was set by the courts in authorising the march.<\/p>\n

Asked if he would consider legislation, he said: \u201cLook, I\u2019m not going to announce something like that this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then said:<\/p>\n

\n

There\u2019s a few reasons for that. Firstly, we want to look specifically at the judgment. If it doesn\u2019t provide a precedent, then the police will still make assessments on form ones, regardless of who puts in an application, whether it\u2019s an anti-vax group … or whatever the demonstration is. I\u2019ll have to look at that very closely.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a022.36 EDT<\/p>\n

\"NatashaNatasha May<\/p>\n

Joe Massa\u2019s mother says toddler \u2018would be with us today\u2019 if the proactive question had been asked<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe<\/strong>\u2019s mother Elouise<\/strong> told the press conference had this question been asked on the day her toddler presented to the emergency department, she believed he would still be alive today:<\/p>\n

\n

When we were in hospital on the 14th of September last year, had I been asked \u201care you worried Joe is getting worse?\u201d, had the healthcare clinicians been retrained and empowered to ask those simple five words \u2013 \u201cworried they are getting worse?\u201d \u2013 had that happened, I truly believe Joe Massa would be with us today,<\/strong> would be with his siblings.<\/p>\n

So today it\u2019s such an important day. It\u2019s a day of proactivity. It\u2019s a proactive tool, worried they are getting worse. Joe would be alive had that question been asked to us that day and had the clinicians listened attentively and purposefully to our answers.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s look to the future \u2026 Let\u2019s learn from the past, and let\u2019s ensure that every single healthcare clinician across the emergency departments and elsewhere more broadly use this, are empowered and that parents are empowered to respond clearly and respectfully so that together we can save lives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a022.30 EDT<\/p>\n

\"NatashaNatasha May<\/p>\n

New NSW healthcare question \u2018designed to be proactive\u2019, minister says<\/strong><\/p>\n

Park<\/strong> said the new tool will provide a proactive tool for families, as opposed to the reactive Reach protocol already in place.<\/p>\n

Park said this fits into the work he is doing with the family of toddler<\/a> Joe Massa, <\/a><\/strong>who died after waiting hours at Northern Beaches hospital emergency department<\/a> with his parents\u2019 concerns not being followed up.<\/p>\n

\n

This works in partnership with a piece of work that we are doing with the Massa family around enhancing Reach.<\/p>\n

Reach is very much more a reactive lot of protocols. This question is designed to be proactive<\/strong>, designed to be asked regularly, even if the vitals are not indicating that there is a problem.<\/p>\n

\u2026 The feedback that Eloise and Danny Massa provided me on day one when I met them was that they didn\u2019t feel that they had been listened to and heard.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a022.24 EDT<\/p>\n

\"NatashaNatasha May<\/p>\n

NSW children\u2019s health workers will be required to ask families: \u2018are you worried they are getting worse?\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we mentioned in the blog earlier, the NSW health minister has today launched a new tool to support parents to raise concerns about their child\u2019s condition if they feel it is getting worse.<\/p>\n

Healthcare workers will be required to regularly ask families the question: \u201cAre you worried they are getting worse?\u201d in paediatric and neonatal observation charts in emergency departments. This will be implemented in all NSW public hospitals by October 2025 and will be extended into maternity and adult wards in early 2026.<\/p>\n

The health minister, Ryan Park<\/strong>, held a press conference earlier this morning at the Sydney Children\u2019s hospital, elaborating on what the program will mean:<\/p>\n

\n

So what does this mean? It means we will regularly ask this question as we do our rounds, as we do our transition, as we do our shift changeover, when another clinician or another allied healthcare professional or a nurse comes and sees our child, it\u2019s all about making sure that we give the power to people who know their child the most, and that is parents and carers. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Park said if a parent is concerned, then it will trigger a series of clinical reviews.<\/p>\n

Share<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a022.22 EDT<\/p>\n

NSW beaches to be extremely dangerous for days, surf life savers say<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beaches across NSW are expected to be \u201cfar too dangerous for coastal activities\u201d in the coming days amid large surf and hazardous conditions.<\/p>\n

Surf Life Saving NSW<\/strong> said life savers were issuing urgent warning to rock fishers, swimmers and boaters to stay away from the coastline, saying the entire state was seeing beaches hit with large surf. Those conditions come amid moderate to heavy rain across the state, and are set to remain for at least two days.<\/p>\n

SLSNSW life saving manager, Oliver Munson,<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n

\n

Even in what profiles as our off-season, these hazardous surf events are something our lifesavers are always prepared for. The conditions are not isolated, the entire NSW coastline is expected to be hazardous for swimming, boating and rock platform-related activities over the coming days.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There have been three coastal drowning deaths in NSW since 1 July.<\/p>\n

The cliff on the northern end of Bronte Beach in Sydney, seen Sunday. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n

Meg Harris puts gold stamp on swim worlds but US pip Australia on medal table<\/strong><\/p>\n

Swimming with her eyes shut, Meg Harris<\/strong> put a golden exclamation mark on Australia\u2019s world titles with a victory in the women\u2019s 50m freestyle. Harris\u2019 gold medal on Sunday\u2019s last night of the titles in Singapore came amid silver medals to compatriot Jenna Forrester<\/strong> (women\u2019s 400m medley) and Australia\u2019s women\u2019s 4x100m medley relayers.<\/p>\n

Australia, with eight gold, six silver and six bronze, finished second on the medal tally behind the United States (nine, 11, nine).<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s Meg Harris flanked by Qingfeng Wu and Yujie Cheng of China after winning gold in the 50m freestyle at the swimming world titles. Photograph: Tingshu Wang\/Reuters<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old Harris, who is partially deaf, was stunned at her success \u2013 not least because she swims the entire lap with her eyes closed. She said:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s normal for me. I do it a lot in the 50m and in the 100m, I always do it on the second lap. So I\u2019m not quite sure what it is, I do it in training as well, but I guess it\u2019s just like trying to focus on my stroke \u2026 not 100%, that\u2019s just what happens.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/p>\n

Share<\/a>\"JordynJordyn Beazley<\/p>\n

NSW police minister says \u2018nobody is being stopped\u2019 from protesting<\/strong><\/p>\n

The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley<\/strong>, was asked about the protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge a short time ago.<\/p>\n

Asked if she recognised the need for a symbolic protest given the situation in Gaza<\/a>, Catley said:<\/p>\n

\n

Police have facilitated more than 100 marches by this organisation in the past 20 months, so nobody is being stopped.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be clear about that, but each of those applications that are put forward will be assessed for their risk, and that\u2019s exactly what we want the police to be doing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Asked if she would consider legislation to \u201cban bridge protests\u201d, she said that\u2019s a \u201chypothetical\u201d.<\/p>\n

She then said:<\/p>\n

\n

The police will make these decisions. The Court made the decision to allow yesterday to go ahead. We absolutely respect that decision. But people are allowed to protest in this state, but they have to do it lawfully, peacefully and take the direction of police.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Share<\/a>\"TomTom McIlroy<\/p>\n

Ed Husic says some protest signs shouldn\u2019t detract from march<\/strong><\/p>\n

Labor MP Ed Husic<\/strong> says a protester at the huge Sydney Harbour Bridge march on Sunday with a sign depicting Iran\u2019s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should not detract from calls for an end to the war in Gaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Husic was one of the high profile marchers who crossed the bridge, part of the crowd of at least 90,000 people. He said the image of the Iranian dictator was not in the spirit of the event, telling Sky News this morning:<\/p>\n

\n

I\u2019m obviously here as a member of parliament, not the chair of the Australian chant regulator authority.<\/p>\n

There are, when you have so many people present, you won\u2019t agree with everyone, and clearly people will pick out some things that were objectionable to other people, and I completely understand that.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s democracy, but I just think, I would hate for it to detract from the images of that aerial view of the Harbour Bridge, with so many people on it, that just want the hostilities to end, and particularly impact on kids.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Palestine Action Group\u2019s March for Humanity in Sydney on Sunday. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Krissy Barrett to be first female commissioner of Australian Federal Police Prime minister Anthony Albanese is speaking after…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":117334,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[4740,50],"class_list":{"0":"post-117333","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-australia","9":"tag-news"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114968683310754174","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117333\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}