Key events
Andrew Messenger
Queensland limits use of ‘good character’ evidence for convicted sex offenders
Queensland parliament has limited convicted sex offenders from using “good character” evidence to reduce their jail term.
The laws are based on recommendations from Queensland’s sentencing advisory council and make a number of changes to the sentencing process. It also creates a new aggravating factor requiring the court to treat offences against people aged 16 or 17 as more serious, among other reforms.
Historically, rapists, like other convicted criminals, were able to introduce evidence from employers, friends and family to argue that they were otherwise of “good character”, which would be required to taken into account by the judge.
The state attorney general, Deb Frecklington, who introduced the legislation, said “no one wants to hear that a rapist is all-round great person, a trustworthy mate, or that they’re respected in the community – especially not their victim, bravely sitting in court”.
Now such evidence can only be taken into account where it is relevant to the offender’s prospects of rehabilitation or likelihood of reoffending. The legislation passed on the voices, effectively unanimously, last night.
Laneway drops lineup featuring Chappell Roan, Alex G, Lucy Dacus and more
Laneway has just announced its lineup for next year’s festival.
The top of the bill is stacked with pop and indie darlings, including Chappell Roan, Alex G, Geese, Wet Leg and local legends Armlock and Shady Nasty, among many others.
The pre-sale starts next Tuesday, 23 September.
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NSW treasurer says new planning system will stop state ‘tripping over our own red tape’
Daniel Mookhey, the NSW treasurer, said this morning yesterday’s proposal to majorly overhaul the state’s planning system would help speed up housing approvals.
He told RN Breakfast:
We have a tendency in New South Wales to have been tripping over our own red tape. 22 agencies having to be involved in deciding whether or not a home can be built is just too many.
And what we’re wanting to do with this reform is fundamentally modernise how we make planning decisions. But the reason why that’s important is because we do need to build more homes and we do need to build them fast than we have been in recent times. And so we do think that these reforms are a big, big step up on the existing status quo.
Shoebridge says Australia has obligation to act after UN commission report
Shoebridge went on to say Australia had an obligation to apply sanctions on Israel akin to those applied to Russia, but said the Albanese government “can’t even acknowledge that a genocide is happening”. He told RN:
We haven’t had that clear acknowledgment from the Albanese government, and that means we’re not taking the action we’re obliged to, both legally and morally. …
The evidence, the overwhelming evidence that it’s not just a fear, but a reality of a genocide, means we have an obligation to act. And I cannot understand why we continue to provide material support to the Israeli military, why we continue to give diplomatic cover to the Netanyahu.
Greens accuse opposition of engaging ‘in genocide denial and climate denial’
The Greens’ foreign affairs spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said Cash’s remarks reflected an opposition engaging in “genocide denial”, adding her comments were “incredible”. Shoebridge told RN Breakfast:
We have a so-called opposition in Australia that’s engaged in genocide denial and climate denial. They’re not a serious political party. They’re not engaging with the reality of what’s happening on the ground.
That’s a war against the people of Gaza, an obscene war against the people of Gaza that is killing children, using mass starvation as a tool of war. It is incredible that. Somebody who wants to be a senior player in Australian politics is engaged in genocide denial right now.
Michaelia Cash disputes UN body findings and says genocide not ‘simply about loss of life in war’
Michaelia Cash, the shadow foreign affairs minister, has discounted findings from a UN commission this week that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, saying genocide was not “simply about loss of life in war”.
Cash spoke to RN Breakfast this morning after the independent UN body, which does not speak on behalf of the UN, found that “genocide is occurring in Gaza and continuing to occur”.
Cash said this morning:
Well, genocide, Sally, as you know, and I’m a lawyer, has a very specific meaning in international law.
It’s not simply about loss of life in war, however, tragic. It requires a deliberate intent to destroy a people in whole or in part. Now, Israel has made it very clear that its actions are about defending its citizens from Hamas terrorism, not about destroying the Palestinian people. …
Hamas does not seek peace or coexistence. It seeks to wipe Israel off the map and that is why Israel is acting to defend its citizens.
Cash also said the Coalition maintained emissions needed to be reduced, but not “at any cost”, claiming Labor was “hiding” the costs of their policies and any emissions targets.
Ley says her economic roadmap is about ‘fairness’
Ley said her economic roadmap announced yesterday, which would rein in some welfare payments and undertake an audit of government spending where “every dollar would be tested”, is based on fairness.
She told ABC News:
This is about fairness. But importantly, it’s about guaranteeing essential services for Australians. Because if we don’t manage the budget properly, then those essential services, including the safety net for Australians, who need help and who should expect help, are at risk. …
If universal childcare means that someone with a billion-dollar income receives the same amount of support from the government, as someone who is struggling in the suburbs, and only just holding it together, well that’s not fair.
Ley ‘deeply sceptical’ about Labor’s upcoming emissions reduction targets
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said she is “deeply sceptical” about the Albanese government’s upcoming announcement on emissions reduction targets.
Ley told ABC News:
I’m deeply sceptical about what the government may announce today with respect to these targets. And they need to demonstrate what is the cost and most particularly, and relevant to your question, where’s the credibility? Because we know that the cost to consumers and households has escalated under this government. And the promises for the future therefore really don’t hold water …
We need to make sure our energy policy delivers a stable reliable grid that brings affordable energy for households and businesses. And yes, we do need to play our part in reducing emissions.
Ley refused to name the Coalition’s own target.
Shadow treasurer says Jim Chalmers has ‘no rules’ on government spending
Ted O’Brien, the shadow treasurer, said the Albanese government was spending as if there were no rules guarding the government purse strings, saying Sussan Ley’s economic roadmap she unveiled in a speech yesterday would do things far differently.
O’Brien spoke to RN Breakfast this morning after Ley said the Coalition would move to ramp up means-testing of welfare payments and rein in government spending. He said:
Growing the economic pie is absolutely critical but the other part is the government has to stop the spending spree. And this is probably the biggest criticism I have of the Albanese government’s economic management. They have increased spending. …
This is the problem because ever since the Hawke government, every treasurer has had to abide by rules. This treasurer Jim Chalmers has no rules, which is why spending just keeps on going.
Read more:
Unemployment expected to rise as ABS releases latest data
Australia’s jobs market is forecast to remain in good health, despite an expected rise in the unemployment rate, Australian Associated Press reports.
Labour force figures to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics later this morning could show the jobless rate ticked up to 4.3% in August, retracing a 0.1% drop to 4.2% the month before.
That would be in line with the Reserve Bank’s forecasts for the unemployment rate, meaning it would have little impact on the central bank’s cash rate considerations, economists at JP Morgan said.
“That said, at these levels there is little scope for any further deterioration without a dovish shift in the bank’s tone/forecast,” said Ben Jarman, Tom Kennedy and Tom Ryan in a research note.
With jobs growth trending in line with overall population growth, recent data paints a picture of a labour market in balance.
“Indicators of labour demand generally have steadied over the past year or so at healthy levels,” economists at NAB said.
While strong employment growth in 2023 and 2024 was driven primarily by a rapid expansion in the health and care economy workforce, jobs growth in those sectors has flatlined since the start of 2025, they said.
In the US, the Federal Reserve cut rates for the first time since December. Read more here:
Good morning, Nick Visser here to take over for Martin Farrer. Let’s see what Thursday holds.
TV presenter Roger Climpson dies at 93
The former TV presenter Roger Climpson, who was the face of This is Your Life and Seven News in Sydney, has died aged 93.
Climpson, who was also chair of Hope Media for 20 years, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday. He was best known for hosting This Is Your Life between 1977 and 1980, and hosting Australia’s Most Wanted between 1997 and 1999.
He also hosted Sydney’s 2GB radio afternoon show from 1977, and was the anchor of Sydney’s Seven News between 1989 and 1994. Phillip Randal, the Hope Media chief executive said yesterday:
Roger left a legacy of love, faith and vision at Hope Media. So much so, it’s virtually impossible to sum it all up in a few words.
During his term as chairman, Roger oversaw a time of great change for the ministry, enabling it to engage with a wider audience and meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Abu Dhabi drops its planned $30bn bid for Santos
An Abu Dhabi-based consortium has withdrawn its planned $30bn takeover bid for offer for the Australian oil and gas producer Santos.
The consortium led by investment company XRG – a vehicle for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company – blamed a “combination of factors” for its change of heart.
It said that there had been a comprehensive evaluation but it had decided not to proceed after due diligence “impacted the consortium’s assessment of its indicative offer”.
XRG said:
The consortium was prepared to undertake new long-term commitments to Australian energy production that would deliver meaningful benefits to domestic gas consumers and enhance regional energy security.
As a strategic long-term investor, XRG remains dedicated to pursuing opportunities across gas & LNG, chemicals, and energy solutions, and has a rich and deep pipeline of investment opportunities
Adelaide-based Santos has operations in Australia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the United States, and is a major supplier of liquefied natural gas in Australia and Asia.
Murder charge over 2002 death after bones found in back yard
Police have charged a man with murder, hours after bones were found during a search for the remains of a woman who vanished more than 20 years ago, Australian Associated Press reports.
The breakthrough in the cold case was made late on Wednesday following the discovery of suspected human remains, believed to be those of Susan Goodwin, 39, buried in the back yard of a house in Port Lincoln, South Australia.
Detectives arrested and charged a 64-year-old Port Lincoln man with the murder of Goodwin, who was reported missing in July 2002.
He will appear in Port Lincoln magistrates court today.
An anthropologist from Forensic Science SA has travelled to the town to confirm if the bones are human remains and continue excavations.
Police had been using specialised radar equipment to scan a property in Pamir Court, which adjoins Moonta Crescent, where Goodwin had lived.
On Tuesday, Det Insp Andrew Macrae said it was “a tragedy that Susan’s family have spent the last 23 years without answers”.
Goodwin was last seen about lunchtime on 19 July, 2002 after shopping at Coles and Woolworths in Port Lincoln.
In 2017, police said a public appeal for information had led to seven persons of interest being cleared by the investigation.
A reward of up to $200,000 is offered for information leading to the conviction of Goodwin’s killer and/or information that leads to the recovery of her remains.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the stories making the headlines first thing, before I pass the baton on to Nick Visser.
The big news today is expected to be the Albanese government announcing its carbon emissions target for the next decade. But before we get that, there’s plenty of other news around.
Australia’s jobs market is forecast to remain in good health, despite the prospect that the latest figures due out this morning will show a rise in the unemployment rate. Economists don’t think it will affect interest rates, although there could be a knock-on from the US Fed’s decision overnight to cut rates for the first time since December. More coming up.
Police in South Australia have charged a man with murder, hours after bones were found during a search for the remains of a woman who vanished more than 20 years ago. More coming up on that too.
And a $30bn takeover bid for Australian gas giant Santos has been withdrawn at the last minute after a consortium led by the UAE’s state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reconsidered its offer.
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