The Australian government has announced $2.1 million in funding for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate excessive surcharges, with the potential to ban debit card surcharges from January 1, 2026.The move comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is conducting its own review of merchant card payment costs and surcharging, with the first consultation paper released today. The government aims to reduce payment fees for both consumers and small businesses, but acknowledges the complexity of Australia's payments and surcharging system.According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, "My Government's number one priority is to ease the cost of living for households and businesses, and this is another step to protect Australians."Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasised the goal of getting a better deal for consumers and reducing costs for small businesses, stating, “Consumers shouldn’t be punished for using cards or digital payments, and at the same time, small businesses shouldn’t have to pay hefty fees just to get paid themselves."The government is prepared to implement a ban on debit card surcharges, provided the RBA's review supports the move, and safeguards are in place to benefit both small businesses and consumers.In the meantime, the ACCC will use the $2.1 million in funding to crack down on illegal and unfair surcharging practices, increasing education and compliance activities.Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones believes these actions will give small businesses and consumers a fairer go, reducing the burden of surcharges on both groups.

Indigenous leaders remain confident Australia will enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to parliament in the constitution, one year on from the referendum defeat.More than 60 per cent of Australians voted 'no' in the referendum on October 14, 2023, with every state and territory - aside from the ACT - rejecting the proposal, which would have established a permanent advisory body and constitutional recognition of First Nations people.Despite the defeat, Indigenous campaigner Thomas Mayo, who was among the leading 'yes' vote advocates, said constitutional change could still take place down the track."There's still a future that includes Indigenous people in the constitution. Sure, in reality it's not going to happen again for a while," he told ABC radio on Monday."We don't always get things right in a democracy. If we accepted the 'no' answers that we got about equal wages or about our right to vote as Indigenous people ... things would be worse today."Because more than 60 per cent of young people voted 'yes' between 18 and 24, that tells me that we've got a future, and what we tried to do last year will be achieved."One of the architects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart Megan Davis said once it became clear the referendum was unlikely to win public support, it should have been delayed.But Mr Mayo said despite the polls, the government was right in pursuing the referendum."I don't think it was a mistake and the reason is because ... we would still be wondering if we didn't do it," he said."We had to press on, because it might not have been another chance."(Megan Davis said the referendum should have been delayed. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)Opposition Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said the referendum remained a waste of time and money."It was a task that ended up dividing our country, and at a time we don't need to be divided, and unfortunately, the Albanese government put all their eggs in one basket," she told ABC TV."The Albanese government hasn't implemented any methods to improve the circumstances or change things on the ground."Following the referendum result, Indigenous leader and academic Marcia Langton declared reconciliation was dead.But Senator Nampijinpa Price said supporters of the voice needed to move on.(Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says it's time to move on from the voice referendum result. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)"The 'yes' campaigners need to let go, accept the result, because Australia's made that determination and move forward," she said."There are marginalised, Indigenous Australians whose lives need to be impacted in a positive way right now."Workplace Minister Murray Watt said the government made the right decision to keep going with the referendum despite signs it was heading to defeat in polling."This was a proposal about enshrining rights of First Nations people in our constitution and we didn't think it was appropriate to ignore their wishes, either at the beginning of the campaign or as the campaign went on," he told ABC radio."This is going to be a pretty painful day for First Nations Australians, there were a lot of hopes invested in the voice to parliament proposal."By Andrew Brown and Tess Ikonomou in Canberra

Veterans have criticised a plan to give Australian troops a $1000 cash bonus if they recruit a friend into the military.The two-year trial will begin within the next month to help grow the size of the Australian Defence Force and retain people.The federal budget handed down in May showed the forecast workforce at 58,600 personnel by June 30 2025, against a requirement of more than 63,000.The Defence Department outlined the initiative to encourage members to refer people to join the military.(The Australian Defence Force is on a major drive to recruit and retain personnel. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)"This scheme provides a $1000 payment to an ADF member who refers a person to join the ADF who then completes 12 months of service as a member of the permanent forces," the direction reads.Veterans reacted in disbelief to the scheme on social media, with many deeming it misinformation.Decorated Afghanistan veteran Justin Huggett said it was not a "digger's job" to recruit people, and criticised the Albanese government.Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said the scheme's design had been based on programs operated by the US and the UK."We know that around 80 per cent of people that join the Australian Defence Force have a close connection to somebody that is currently or has previously served in the defence force," he said."This initiative is an important step recognising how our ADF personnel can contribute to our recruitment efforts in showcasing their experiences and skills to people that they know and to assist them on the journey of not just joining our defence force, but also starting their career in the defence force."Australian National University expert associate Jennifer Parker said the initiative was positive."It gets Defence members out there with an incentive to be talking to their friends about their career and why there's a benefit joining," she told AAP."We do know from all sorts of analysis that people in uniform who have gone through those experiences are normally the best people at actually selling the job."Ms Parker said checks and balances were needed to ensure there were no instances of fraud, as there had been overseas."To really get the most out of this initiative, Defence recruiting are going to have to address their backlogs, they're going to have to address call-back times, people who want to join getting medicals in the appropriate time frames," she said.Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said the military had failed to meet its recruitment goals because of "deep cultural issues"."Turning serving soldiers into freelance recruiters with the promise of some cash is another in a long line of doomed attempts to plug the fundamental issues with staffing in Defence," he said."The Albanese government's response to failures by Defence leadership is to sign more cheques."By Tess Ikonomou in Canberra

King Charles is reportedly taking two doctors and a supply of his blood on his upcoming tour of Australia and Samoa.The monarch, 77, who has been battling an undisclosed form of cancer since February, will apparently have the medics on standby 24 hours a day during his upcoming nine-day royal trip starting on Friday.Charles will be "monitored closely during the visit", with a palace source adding Michael Dixon – head of the royal medical household and known for his interest in homeopathy – "will not be travelling" with His Majesty, according to a report in The Times.(Charles and Camilla arrive on Friday for their first Commonwealth tour since ascending the throne. (AP PHOTO)Charles' visit to Sydney and Canberra will be his first to a Commonwealth realm since becoming king and it's understood he is pausing his chemotherapy treatment until after the trip.The Times added steps taken to support Charles abroad are "the same as arrangements put in place for the late Queen". They will also apparently include travelling with a supply of the king's blood to ensure a match if a transfusion was needed, The Times said.As well as travelling with his own doctors, the king will be supported by medical teams during the entire trip. In Australia, Charles' itinerary will include a rest day and there will be no evening engagements.But Charles and his wife Queen Camilla, 77, will arrive in the evening in Samoa and are due to attend a state dinner. Buckingham Palace said in April Charles was "greatly encouraged" by news from his doctors he could resume public duties while his treatment continued. Despite the encouraging signs over Charles' health, a planned visit to New Zealand was dropped from the upcoming tour.Charles told the nation's female rugby squad at a reception for them in Buckingham Palace in September: "I'm extremely sorry I can't come to New Zealand in later October – it's on doctors' orders. "But I hope there will be another excuse (to come) before too long. "In the meantime, give my love to New Zealand."

Police have been required to break up a group of white supremacists demonstrating in a small Victorian-NSW border community.About 50 people were demonstrating in Corowa, on the Murray River, on Saturday afternoon before police split them up.A group of balaclava-wearing men were spotted huddled under a sign that read 'white man fight back'.A video posted online shows the group's leader, Thomas Sewell, delivering a tirade suggesting white people are being "pushed out" of their towns.(Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell is self-appointed leader of the National Socialist Network. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Police said no arrests were made but inquiries into the incident were ongoing."About 12.15pm (on Saturday) emergency services were called to Sanger Street, Corowa, following reports of an unauthorised assembly," a statement read."Officers attached to Murray River Police District attended and dispersed the crowd of about 50 people."Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who is the local federal MP, condemned the white supremacy but said she was heartened community members had made it clear to them racism had no place in Corowa."I am saddened this hate was forced upon members of my community, including many families who were simply enjoying their weekend, the day before the Corowa Show," she said."It is clear this is part of a strategy to shock and provoke using regional towns … in recent months, similar activities have been rightly shut down in our cities."(Sussan Ley says she's heartened community members made it clear racism has no place in Corowa. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)On Saturday, a 65-year-old Victorian police sergeant was interviewed as part of an investigation into allegations she twice performed the Nazi salute.She is accused of approaching two employees on Tuesday afternoon and performing the salute, as well as uttering the words "heil Hitler".In a post family violence scenario debriefing with a recruit squad and another instructor, the sergeant again allegedly performed the salute and said "heil Hitler".State and federal governments have banned Nazi symbols and gestures following concerns about a rise in anti-Semitism.Neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant, 25, became the first Victorian found guilty of intentionally performing the Nazi salute in public on Tuesday.(Jacob Hersant (right) faces jail after being convicted of intentionally performing the Nazi salute. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Hersant walked free from court on Wednesday but Magistrate Brett Sonnet has indicated he will be sentenced to jail on November 8.A Sydney court was told last month three men accused of performing Nazi salutes outside an inner city Jewish museum in 2023 were joking, with one saying he was mimicking the act of British comedian Ricky Gervais.The trio have pleaded not guilty to charges of behaving in an offensive manner in public and knowingly displaying Nazi symbols without an excuse.By Alex Mitchell in Sydney

A veteran police sergeant has been interviewed and released without charge for now as an investigation continues into allegations she twice performed the Nazi salute.Victoria Police said the 65-year-old was interviewed by Professional Standards Command detectives on Saturday.A brief of evidence is due to be prepared regarding the incidents and any charges are expected to proceed on summons.The family violence centre instructor allegedly made the banned gesture at the Victoria Police Academy at Glen Waverley, in Melbourne's southeast, on successive days this week.She is accused of approaching two employees on Tuesday afternoon and performing the salute, as well as uttering the words "heil Hitler".In a post family violence scenario debriefing with a recruit squad and another instructor, the sergeant again allegedly performed the salute and said "heil Hitler"."(It was) completely out of context," Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters.The sergeant, who has worked in the force for 40 years including roughly 16 years at the training academy, was suspended on Friday with pay.(Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says he's disappointed and angry. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)In Victoria, performing the Nazi salute in public can carry a sentence of up to 12 months in prison and or a $23,000 fine if proven.Mr Patton said there was no place for the alleged "abhorrent" actions in society, let alone the state's police force.The Victoria Police boss said there was no history or evidence of the officer expressing extremist views but her motives were unknown."The motive doesn't matter," he said."The conduct should not, cannot and will not be tolerated, and it just shouldn't have occurred."Mr Patton apologised to the Jewish and broader community, saying many would undoubtedly feel let down by the officer's alleged behaviour, especially so soon after the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attack that claimed the lives of 1200 Israelis."It lets down our reputation," he said."It disappointed me, it made me angry."A Victorian police union spokesman described the allegations as serious."The Police Association has consistently condemned this offensive gesture and urged the government to toughen legislation and penalties against those who perform it," he said in a statement."That stance applies to everyone in our community."Dvir Abramovich says a Nazi salute is "a horrifying symbol of genocide, terror and anti-Semitism". (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich said the alleged acts were a slap in the face for every Holocaust survivor and a "grave betrayal" of the badge."A Nazi salute isn't just a gesture - it's a horrifying symbol of genocide, terror and anti-Semitism and for a police officer to wield this emblem of hate is beyond disturbing," he said.He also commended the swift action taken to suspend the officer.State and federal governments have banned Nazi symbols and gestures following concerns about a rise in anti-Semitism.Neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant, 25, became the first Victorian found guilty of intentionally performing the Nazi salute in public on Tuesday.Hersant walked free from court on Wednesday but Magistrate Brett Sonnet has indicated he will be sentenced to jail on November 8.Jacob Hersant faces jail after he was convicted of intentionally performing the Nazi salute. (AP PHOTO)MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR NAZI SALUTES UNDER OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL BANS* NSW: 12 months prison and/or an $11,000 fine for an individual, while corporations face a $55,000 fine* Tasmania: three months prison or a $3900 fine for first time offenders, which doubles for further offences within six months * Victoria: 12 months in prison and/or a $23,000 fine* ACT: 12 months in prison and/or a $19,200 fine* South Australia: 12 months in prison or a $20,000 fine* Queensland: six months in prison or a $11,291 fine* Western Australia: five years in prison, or two years in prison and a $24,000 fine * Federal: 12 months in prison. By Callum Godde and Caitlin Powell in Melbourne

Quick thinking by police has likely saved a woman's life after her arm was severed by her own dog in a vicious attack.Officers promptly applied a tourniquet after they found the woman, in her 30s, bleeding heavily outside a north Queensland residence with an aggressive dog barricaded inside.The attack in Townsville came a day after a woman was critically injured by a dog in Melbourne.Officers arrived at the Garbutt address about 7am on Friday and found the woman nursing a severed right forearm after being attacked by her dog, believed to be a large Pitbull cross.The woman quickly received first aid from police before paramedics arrived, with the detached arm reportedly later found in a bid to have it reattached.Applying the makeshift tourniquet "might have saved her life", Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick said.After being rushed to Townsville University Hospital, the woman was reportedly in a serious but stable condition."Her blood loss was quite extensive, and that tourniquet has pretty much ceased that blood loss," Sgt Warrick told reporters."I commend them for their efforts under very high pressure situation.Sgt Warrick said it was one of the most significant injuries from an animal he had seen in his 37-year career."This is the first time I've gone to such serious injury as a result of a dog attack," he said."The injuries to this lady are just absolutely awful and we wish her a speedy recovery."Police attempted to subdue the dog by trapping it inside the house."It was very angry, very aggressive...(it) was still trying to get outside," Sgt Warrick said.The dog continued to be aggressive and had to be euthanised at the scene. "I have dogs, and to see an outcome like this is absolutely heartbreaking, and we do understand people will be upset," Sgt Warrick said."But we were left with no other choice...it was as humane as possible."What we did today is an absolute last resort."Sgt Warrick said the dog had been subject to previous complaints of aggressive behaviour and another less serious attack several weeks ago.(In the attack in Melbourne, a woman suffered severe injuries after being mauled by three dogs. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Under laws introduced earlier this year, the owner of a dog that kills or seriously injures someone can be fined more than $100,000 or face three years in prison.But Sgt Warrick said given the seriousness of the woman's injuries it was unlikely she would be charged.The woman also owned a smaller dog, which is now in the care of the RSPCA.In the Melbourne attack, a woman was critically injured, and the three dogs responsible were fatally shot by police.She remained in a critical condition on Friday. Police tried to save her by using pepper spray on the dogs before drawing their guns."We are distressed about yesterday's incident and the injuries to one of our residents - we remain concerned about her welfare," Greater Dandenong City Council chief executive Jacqui Weatherill said in a statement.It was also confirmed there had been numerous previous complaints and concerns from neighbours about the dogs."We have previously taken action in response to those concerns and visited the property," Ms Weatherill said.By Savannah Meacham in Brisbane

The NSW Government is honoured to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Sydney during their first official visit to Australia this month and is inviting NSW residents to join the celebration. NSW Premier Chris Minns is inviting members of the public to join Their Majesties at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, 22 October, which will be followed by an impressive Fleet Review and a flypast by the Australian Defence Force on Sydney Harbour.Members of the public are invited to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt for the special event and the chance to meet The King and Queen. The afternoon event [at 4.20pm] will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, including an Australian Defence Force fly-over. Their Majesties, accompanied by the Governor-General, Chief of the Defence Force and Chief of Navy, will conduct a review of His Majesty’s Australian Ships Hobart, Warramunga, Arunta, Gascoyne, and Yarra, which will be anchored in the Harbour. In celebration of regional NSW, Their Majesties will also attend a Premier-hosted community BBQ in Parramatta, which will showcase the cultural diversity of modern Australia, in particular Western Sydney. Invited guests include community leaders, volunteers, and individuals who have excelled in their field. The event will also showcase produce from NSW with support from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.As part of His Majesty’s engagements, The King will have the opportunity to meet current Australians of the Year (also NSW Australians of the Year 2024), Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, to hear firsthand about their world-leading cancer research and treatment.The Queen will visit a Sydney library and meet students participating in a series of writing workshops, esteemed authors, and recipients of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.The King’s visit to Australia will be His Majesty’s first to a Realm as Monarch. After Australia, Their Majesties will undertake a visit to Samoa and will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)For more information about the Royal visit and the Sydney Opera House engagement visit: www.nsw.gov.au/royalvisit. Premier Chris Minns said, “I look forward to hosting Their Majesties at the Western Sydney community BBQ to showcase this state’s rich culinary and cultural diversity, where they will also meet with a range of community organisations and outstanding Australians.“It is wonderful His Majesty is taking the time to meet with current Australians of the Year (also NSW Australians of the Year 2024), Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO.“I invite everyone to head to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on the afternoon of Tuesday, 22 October to attend this special event.”

Australian lobster fishers will be able to resume exports to the lucrative Chinese market in time for the Lunar New Year after the two governments agreed to end trade barriers.The lifting of the ban on live rock lobster imports effectively draws to a close a years-long trade dispute between the nations, after Beijing dropped billions of dollars of tariffs on Australian products such as barley and wine.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed the embargo would be lifted by the end of 2024 after meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos on Thursday."Premier Li and I have agreed on a timetable to resume full lobster trade by the end of this year," Mr Albanese told reporters in Vientiane following the meeting."This will be welcomed by the people engaged in the live lobster industry in places like Geraldton and South Australia and Tasmania and so many parts of, particularly, regional Australia, where this is just one of the elements that produce jobs for Australians, and that is what our priority has been."The resolution was "wonderful news" for the industry, said Seafood Industry Australia chief executive Veronica Papacosta."Combined with the cost of business and the inflationary period we have now, it's been a really tough time," she told AAP. "Some fishermen have just had to stop fishing."While restrictions had been lifted on eastern, southern and western rock lobster, Ms Papacosta said they still await confirmation of a green light for tropical rock lobster.The impact of ending Chinese sanctions on the Australian economy was substantial, Mr Albanese said, with the total value of impediments to exports including barley, coal and wine exceeding $20 billion.(The seafood industry and South Australian premier are among the first to welcome the sanctions' end. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the resumption of lobster trade to its largest export market was welcome news for the state.The federal government said it would save the jobs of 3000 workers in the industry, including 2000 in Western Australia.China initially imposed the trade sanctions in 2020 in retaliation to then-prime minister Scott Morrison calling for an inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic.Beijing has progressively lifted restrictions on Australian imports as relations thawed between the two countries.China dropped sanctions on three Australian beef processors in December 2023 before allowing another five to resume exports earlier in 2024.Live lobsters and two beef processors were the last remaining trade impediments.A spokesperson for the Australian Meat Industry Council said it was hopeful the last two abattoirs would soon have their access restored with technical discussions well progressed.More than $700 million worth of rock lobster, 98 per cent of Australian exports, went to China in 2019.(The PM discussed steps to remove remaining impediments with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in June. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)China had cited biosecurity concerns over Australian lobster, which the industry rejected.Mr Albanese hosted Mr Li in Australia in June, when the pair discussed steps to remove the remaining trade impediments.Senate president Sue Lines will lead a parliamentary delegation to China in the middle of October.By Dominic Giannini and Jacob Shteyman in Canberra

Ischaemic heart disease was still the nation’s leading cause of death in 2023, but was closely followed by dementia-related deaths, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).Lauren Moran, ABS head of mortality statistics, said: “We’ve seen a drop in heart disease mortality and a rise in dementia deaths over time associated with both improvements in medical treatment and health care, and an ageing population. This is changing our leading causes of death.“The latest data shows that there are now less than 250 deaths separating the top two leading causes. Heart diseases were the cause of 9.2 per cent of deaths, while dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease, accounted for 9.1 per cent of deaths in 2023.“Dementia has been the leading cause of death for women since 2016, making up 12.2 per cent of female deaths and 6.4 per cent of male deaths in 2023. Women have longer life expectancies than men and as such are more likely to live to an age when they have a heightened risk of developing dementia.“Dementia is also the leading cause of death in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and, for the first time, New South Wales."The latest year’s data saw mortality rates stabilise overall. The mortality rate was 5.13 deaths per 1,000 people, down from 5.48 in 2022.Deaths from COVID-19 almost halved, dropping from 9,862 in 2022 to 5,001 in 2023, while numbers and rates of death fell for most other leading causes.“Despite these drops, virus-related deaths and mortality rates from all causes were still higher than in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when we saw record low mortality rates,” Ms Moran said.Alcohol continued to be a significant burden on mortality, with 1,667 deaths in 2023. This meant an alcohol-related death rate of 5.6 per 100,000 people, down from 6.2 in 2022, but similar to that recorded in 2021. Between 2018 and 2022, the alcohol-related death rate rose steadily from 4.7 to 6.2.There were 3,214 people who died by suicide in 2023 (a rate of 12.1 per 100,000 people), with men making up around three-quarters of those deaths.The median age at death for people who died by suicide was 45.5, which means suicide was the leading cause of premature death in 2023.If you or someone you know requires assistance or support, please call Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 224 636).

Apprenticeship numbers have plunged and there are growing fears Australia may not be training enough tradies to build much-needed homes.With demand for housing rising and a national construction target in danger of being missed, weak training rates are a pressing concern.Construction apprentice starts have steadily slowed over the past four years.(There are fears Australia may not be training up enough tradies to build much-needed homes. Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)Brett Schimming from BuildSkills Australia, which helps the government and construction sector address workforce challenges, said the 2020 peak was artificially supported by pandemic-era payments."These wage subsidies led to a 50 per cent increase in apprenticeships compared to normal levels," Mr Schimming told AAP."Now the subsidies have been removed, we're seeing a reversion to the trend."Construction apprentices have returned to a long-term average of about 22,000 a year.The latest data showed the downward trend continuing, with commencements sinking almost nine per cent in the year to March.Industry figures are concerned there won't be enough apprentices to meet future needs.Master Builders estimates at least 130,000 more workers will be needed to meet a national target of 1.2 million home over five years."We urgently need governments to look at solutions to increase the number of tradies, increase the number of apprentices, and help Australian builders increase supply so we can come out the other side of this housing crisis," chief executive Denita Wawn said.(Work is underway on a national workforce plan for the construction, property and water industries. Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)Work is underway on a national workforce plan for the construction, property and water industries, which is expected to be released soon.Separately, the federal government is pushing several policies to ease pressure on the housing market, including incentives to spur more build-to-rent homes.It also wants to establish a help-to-buy scheme, which would allow first-home buyers to purchase a property with a lower deposit.However, both proposals remain in limbo, with the coalition opposed and Labor locked in negotiations with the Greens."We could have dealt with this legislation," Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said."Unfortunately, the opposition and the Greens voted to delay it and not allow it to even be debated for two months. "So if they've changed their position, the Greens know our door is always open."The Greens have offered to back the changes in return for a freeze on rents or changes to negative gearing, which Labor has rejected.Greens leader Adam Bandt said he wanted to see the government give some ground, arguing housing changes were sorely needed."This tinkering around the edges while the problem gets worse on a daily basis for people is not the solution," he said.By Poppy Johnston and Andrew Brown in Canberra

Australia's international student sector must be allowed to grow sustainably despite concern about course caps from major universities, a committee has found.A Senate report on the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment was tabled in parliament on Wednesday, aiming to address the federal government's proposed limits on overseas student numbers.It acknowledges concerns raised by larger universities on the limits but says the automatic suspension and cancellation of courses do not align with Australia's skills needs.However, the committee recognises the international education sector must be managed in a way that allows it to grow sustainably. "(This would) delivers the greatest benefit to Australia, and maintains its social license from the Australian people," the report says. From 2025, the number of overseas students able to come to Australia will be limited to 270,000, as part of a bid by the federal government to reduce migration to pre-pandemic levels.The coalition said while it supported the caps in principle, the scheme was "riddled with incompetence, secrecy, uncertainty and unfairness."We hold deep concerns about the lack of adequate safeguards to ensure such caps are allocated appropriately, fairly and in the national interest," the report says."The coalition has consistently raised concerns that the government's student caps scheme is riddled with incompetence, secrecy, uncertainty and unfairness."The $48 billion international education sector supports about 250,000 jobs across Australia, with overseas students having university fees three times higher than domestic students.It comes as Australia's leading universities have tumbled down in world rankings, with some recording their worst result in annual standings.The latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings showed the University of Melbourne was the top institution in Australia, coming in 39th place.While the university retained its position as the leading campus in the country for the 15th straight year, it was the lowest position in the 21-year history of the global rankings.(The University of Melbourne slipped to its lowest position on the global rankings at 39th. James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)The next best Australian university was Monash University, down from 54th to 58th, followed by the University of Sydney, which fell from 60th to 61st.The Australian National University went back from 67th to 73rd, while the University of Queensland rounded out the top five Australian campuses in 77th place, a drop from 70th the year before.The rankings showed 17 Australian universities fall down the scale, with seven having their worst results.Just four institutions - UNSW, Macquarie University, Deakin University and Federation University Australia - increased their position in the latest list.While Australia had 12 universities inside the top 100 in 2021, it now has just 10.Times Higher Education chief global affairs officer Phil Baty said there were serious warning signs in the sector in Australia."Australian universities are losing ground in terms of their global academic reputation (and) funding levels," he said."Perhaps most alarmingly, they are losing ground in areas of great traditional strength: international research collaboration and the attraction of international talent."Mr Baty said the student caps could lead to Australia's international standings in the university sector being reduced."Many in the sector are very worried about forthcoming international student caps, which may further erode income for some top institutions, as well as diminish Australia's world-leading reputation as an open and internationally facing sector," he said.The report said Australia's average score for international students had dropped for the second year in a row, following repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic.The higher education rankings are measured across 18 metrics, such as teaching, research and international students.Oxford University came out on top in the global standings, followed by MIT, Harvard, Princeton and Cambridge.By Andrew Brown and Holly Hales in Canberra

Climate change is fuelling conflict and driving people to extremism as they fight over access to resources such as water, a former Dutch military general warns.Australia has the potential to mitigate its military risk and not depend on other nations for energy due to its geography and resource abundance, the Netherlands' former military chief Tom Middendorp says.Mr Middendorp is using a trip to Australia to call on leaders to recognise climate change as a driver of instability rather than dealing with the symptoms and focusing on the short term as China dominates national security discussions.(Tom Middendorp believes Australia can reduce its energy security risks by harnessing renewables. Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)China was decades ahead of Western nations as its foreign policy and bilateral relationships were driven by access to resources in nations across all continents, he said.Dependencies created by one nation dominated certain resources and supply chains had highlighted how they could be weaponised, including through actions such as economic coercion, Mr Middendorp said."We now start to realise our dependency on resources and how vulnerable that is," the former general told AAP.The effects of climate change such as flooding and extreme drought fuels migration and conflict, which in turn drives people towards extremism, he said."We see it happening in the Middle East, we see it happening in Northern Africa, where extremism is growing very rapidly, using the despair in the population because they cannot make a living anymore," he said.(Harsh droughts can boost extremism, security experts say. Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)Australia could insulate itself against this as its abundance of solar and land puts it in the driver's seat to take advantage of renewable energies and beef up energy security, Mr Middendorp said.Russia's war in Ukraine had shown the world how dependencies - economic, energy or resources - could be weaponised, he said."Australia is uniquely positioned to become less vulnerable to this because you can create your own energy, you can become completely independent on energy supply quicker than most countries in the world," he said."I wish the Netherlands had the option like Australia has, that we can make that shift in one time, that we don't need nuclear."(Australia is perfectly poised to reap the benefits of renewable energy. Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)Renewables were the sensible choice as Australia had no nuclear industry and could quickly roll out technology such as solar and wind, he said."You don't have a history in nuclear power so, if you choose that option, you really have to build up that knowledge, that industrial base behind it, and that takes a very long time," he said.Nuclear was instead an intermediary power source for European nations that already had an industry as they moved away from coal towards renewables to meet emissions reduction targets, Mr Middendorp said.Labor is spruiking a pathway to net-zero emissions through renewable technology, while the coalition has promised to build half a dozen nuclear reactors and will rely on coal and gas over coming decades as a stopgap.(Climate change risks such as bushfires are seen as a major security threat to Australia. James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Other experts also warned climate change, rather than China, was Australia's biggest security threat.Australia had turned a blind eye to the risks of climate change in terms of security and left the nation vulnerable, former Australian Defence Force chief Chris Barrie said.Defence forces and emergency services would face greater pressures from more intense and frequent natural disasters that would stretch resources, he said.By Dominic Giannini in Canberra

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are 11 times more likely to be stopped and searched by Victoria Police than Caucasians, according to new figures.The Centre Against Racial Profiling has released data of four years of police searches, provided under freedom of information laws.In 2023 alone, there were 34,219 police searches.The centre claims the numbers demonstrate police are still targeting people of colour.It says the data, collected over the past four years, suggests that racial profiling is just as much of an issue in Victoria as it is in New York. It's a claim the force strongly denies. The data provided to the centre was incomplete due to officers failing to enter the perceived ethnicity of those they search for almost 40 per cent of cases.Of the entries that did list the ethnicity of those searched by Victoria Police, it shows that in 2023 officers were 11 times more likely to search Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders than someone perceived to be Caucasian. The data also shows that based on the completed entries, police were almost eight times more likely to search a person they perceived to be African. The data only captures searches of individuals and does not include vehicle searches.The Centre Against Racial Profiling said those of Middle Eastern background are five times more likely to be searched.However, the police data grouped both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ethnicity under one umbrella. Victoria Police "continues to practise racial profiling and over-policing of racialised and First Nations people," lead researcher Tamar Hopkins said.Ilo Diaz from the Police Accountability Project said the data showed more needed to be done to stamp out racism within the police force. "It doesn't make sense that First Nations and other racialised communities are experiencing such a disproportionate police response," he said on Tuesday."This systemic racism is allowed to fester in Victoria Police, with little to no consequences. This needs to change."A Victoria Police spokesperson said the organisation had a zero-tolerance policy towards racial profiling. It banned racial profiling in 2015 and, in 2013, released its Equality is not the Same report on tackling equity in policing after settling a Federal Court claim."Our officers are trained to police in response to a person's behaviour, not their background," the spokesperson told AAP. According to police, each search must be justified as both necessary and proportionate, and there are limited circumstances that a person can be searched prior to their arrest. In most other circumstances, the person to be searched must be under lawful arrest.13YARN 13 92 76Lifeline 13 11 14By Melissa Meehan in Melbourne

Palestinian supporters will call for "justice and solidarity" when they take to the streets in Sydney and Melbourne, in controversial events timed to coincide with the anniversary of the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.Monday marks a year since Palestinian militants killed around 1200 Israelis and took 250 hostages in the attack that sparked Israel's incursion into Gaza, which has killed around 41,000, according to local authorities.Vigil organisers from the Palestine Action Group said around 500 were expected at a candlelight vigil planned at Sydney Town Hall.Interfaith prayers would take place "to offer respect and recognition to our martyrs lost during the ongoing bloodshed by 'Israel' in Palestine and Lebanon", the group said. "Jewish, Christian, Muslim and community members of all faiths will unite in solidarity in our call for justice and sovereignty," it said in a Facebook post.Spokeswoman Amal Nasser told AAP the aim was for the event to be peaceful, after largely uneventful protests on Sunday under a heavy police presence.Another pro-Palestine event, said to be backed by an extremist Islamic group, is set to take place at the Lakemba Mosque in the city's southwest suburbs.Earlier, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan advised against an evening vigil at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance."Today is very much a day of profound grief and trauma and deep, deep sadness for Victoria's Jewish community," Ms Allan told reporters. "They are grieving and have been grieving for a year now for the single biggest loss of Jewish life on a single day since the Holocaust.(Jacinta Allan is urging people to "choose love and support" on a day of "profound grief". James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)"Today is certainly not a day to add to that grief and trauma."Organisers of the vigil, which will be followed by an overnight wake, said October 7 marked the first day that "Israel transformed Gaza from an "open air prison" into a "graveyard for children". The vigil was a chance for people to show their "unrelenting resistance to the Israeli occupation, oppression and genocide of the Palestinian people", organisers said.(Pro-Palestine supporters are planning a vigil followed by an overnight wake. James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Those who attend have been urged to wear black and the keffiyeh, which represents the Palestinian liberation movement. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ms Allen will attend a formal commemoration in Melbourne, organised by Zionism Victoria, for the Israeli victims of October 7. Mr Albanese has released a recorded message mourning the loss of innocent life and denouncing anti-Semitism."Jewish Australians have felt the cold shadows of anti-Semitism reaching into the present day and as a nation we say, never again," he said.Israel's military campaign has now spread to Lebanon as it pursues senior figures in Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran and designated a terrorist organisation by Australia.

Gangland barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo maintains she did not know Tony Mokbel was planning to flee in the middle of his drug importation trial.The drug kingpin appeared normal when he left court on a Friday afternoon in March 2006, Ms Gobbo told the Victorian Supreme Court.Mokbel was bailed to return on the following Monday but never turned up, instead absconding to Greece and evading arrest for more than a year.At the time of his 2006 trial, Ms Gobbo was both one of Mokbel's lawyers and a police informer.(Nicola Gobbo says she is embarrassed how willingly she followed instructions of her police handlers. (HANDOUT/ABC)The 51-year-old, known as Lawyer X or Informer 3838, is suing the State of Victoria for damages over claims police acted negligently after they "groomed" her to become a source in late 2005. The state is fighting all the claims in a judge-alone civil trial.During his own Supreme Court hearing in February, Mokbel claimed Ms Gobbo encouraged him to flee to Greece because he was about to be charged with three counts of murder.Ms Gobbo was not asked about Mokbel's allegations, but maintained did not know about his escape plans. "I wasn't aware he was intending to skip bail," Ms Gobbo said in her evidence on Monday.She claims she wanted to disentangle herself from Mokbel and his associates, believing the only way she could do so was by becoming an informer."It was for (police) to take steps to extract me from that situation or extract the people so I wouldn't have to deal with them," Ms Gobbo told the court.Ms Gobbo said she was now embarrassed by how willing she was to follow the instructions of her police handlers."If they said jump, I didn't ask how high - I just did it," she said."I look back now and think what an idiot."Ms Gobbo told the court the handlers were aware she was experiencing increasing paranoia, stress and physical health issues while she was an informer. Her evidence before Justice Melinda Richards continues.