Victoria police issue hundreds of fines to food delivery drivers
Police in Victoria have issued nearly 300 fines to riders of e-bikes, scooters and bikes working for food delivery companies as they crack down on dangerous rider behaviour in Melbourne.
Officials said an operation since the start of June has seen 289 fines issued, including 37 in just a few hours on this Tuesday alone. Riders were fined for allegedly travelling on footpaths, riding through red lights and using mobile phones while travelling.
Police said the operation began amid reports of dangerous behaviour during peak times for food delivery. Some of those fines can be hefty: those found riding on a footpath face a fine of $198, driving on the road can lead to a fine of $395 and using a phone while riding can reach $593 in fines.
Key events
Leader of NSW Legislative Assembly says Ward saga has been a ‘pretty shameful exercise’
Ron Hoenig, the leader of the NSW Legislative Assembly, just spoke after Gareth Ward’s resignation.
Hoenig said:
Not in 107 years has this House been required to expel a member. And the fact that we were about to make such a determination is a pretty shameful exercise and should have been done following the verdict by the jury.
Because the failure of the former member for Kiama to respect the verdict of the jury, who convicted him for serious sexual offences, demonstrated not only lack of respect to the jury of his peers, this House and the traditions of this House, but to the people of Kiama, who had entrusted them to be able to properly represent them.
Convicted rapist Gareth Ward resigns from NSW parliament
Anne Davies
The member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, who was convicted of rape and three counts of indecent assault involving two young men in 2013 and 2015 has resigned just before the New South Wales parliament was due to expel him.
The resignation automatically vacates his south coast seat and a byelection will be held. The seat was held by Ward for the Liberal party since 2011 until he was expelled from the party and ran as an independent in 2023.
Ward is appealing his criminal convictions. He is due to be sentenced next month.
Read more here:
Lisa Cox
Murray Watt disappointed by US memo urging rejection of plastic treaty goals
The environment minister, Murray Watt, has expressed disappointment this morning after receiving a memo from the United States urging Australia to reject the goal of a global plastics treaty that aims to limit plastic production and ban certain chemicals in plastics.
Speaking to the RN Breakfast on Friday, Watt confirmed Australia was among a handful of countries to receive the memo, first reported by Reuters.
Watt said Australia and nearly 100 other countries had a different position to the US, which was among major plastics producing nations attempting to hinder efforts to reach an ambitious agreement:
It’s obviously disappointing that there are some countries in the world who are opposing this action.
As I say … what brings those countries together is the fact that they are the major plastic producers and I guess they’ve got less of an interest in making the kind of changes that so much of the world wants to see.
But it won’t stop us continuing to push for a strong treaty and working with the majority of countries in the world who want to see that because we are seeing too much harm created by too much plastic in our environment.
Nino Bucci
Video record of Erin Patterson’s interview with police will be published, judge says
The judge in Erin Patterson’s case will allow the publication of her video record of interview with police and of material from pre-trial hearings, the Victorian supreme court just heard.
Patterson, 50, appeared via video link on Friday morning.
Justice Beale said that a plea hearing in her case – when the prosecution and defence make submissions about her sentence – would be held over two days starting 25 August.
When he asked Jane Warren, for the DPP, how many victim impact statements were expected, she responded “all I can say is a lot, your honour”.
Beale then made rulings about the material which could be published, including an edited video of the interview she did with police in August 2023, a week after the lunch.
Other material was heard in pre-trial hearings but excluded from evidence put before the jury as it was ruled unfairly prejudicial to Patterson.
Patterson did not speak during the brief hearing, other than to confirm shortly before it started that she could see and hear the court.
Her lawyers are required to file their submissions regarding her sentence by 18 August, with prosecution submissions – including victim impact statements – due four days later.
Five pro-Palestine protesters arrested in Melbourne
Adeshola Ore
Five pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested in Melbourne’s CBD during a sit-in calling for sanctions against Israel and the end of suffering in Gaza.
Across the country on Thursday, hundreds of Australian university and school students joined pro-Palestine protests.
Video of the arrests in Melbourne shows protesters sitting on the ground before being carried away by multiple police officers.
Bella Beiraghi, a Melbourne University student and co-convener of Students for Palestine, said protesters were “sitting down, peacefully protesting, when armed police ripped us off the ground and carried us away”.
Police said about 300 protesters gathered at the State Library, with the group then marching to Flinders Street and blocking the intersection.
A spokesperson for Victoria police said five protesters were arrested for obstructing the roadway and one male was moved on for breaching the peace.
On Thursday evening, the spokesperson said the five protesters arrested were expected to be charged on summons.
Tom McIlroy
PM to meet with New Zealand counterpart this weekend
Anthony Albanese will meet with his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, during a flying visit across the Tasman this weekend.
The two prime ministers will hold their annual bilateral talks on Saturday, following their last meeting in Canberra in August last year.
The two leaders are expected to talk about opportunities to further develop the single economic market, ways to strengthen defence and security cooperation, environmental protection and enhance joint efforts across the Pacific. Albanese said Friday:
As neighbours, friends and family, the bonds between our countries, our economies and our communities are unmatched.
I look forward to discussing how we can work together to build on our single economic market, modernise the rules-based trading system, deepen our alliance and back our Pacific partners.
NSW parliament to vote on expulsion of Gareth Ward
Anne Davies
The NSW parliament will vote at 10.30am to expel the member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, who was convicted of rape and assault with indecent acts a fortnight ago.
The motion is expected to pass and will trigger a byelection in the south coast seat.
Here’s the motion the MPs in the legislative assembly will vote on. It will be moved by the leader of the house:
Mr RON HOENIG: I move:
That standing and sessional orders be suspended to permit:
(1) The giving of a notice of a motion forthwith regarding the expulsion of the member for Kiama and the declaration of the seat vacant.
(2) The routine of business on Friday 8 August be interrupted at 10.30 a.m. to permit the moving and debate of the motion to expel the member for Kiama.
(3) That standing and sessional orders be suspended during the debate to allow the moving of the motion for the expulsion of the member for Kiama, who is in custody and unable to be present for debate on the motion.
Nino Bucci
Erin Patterson’s court hearing in Melbourne has started.
Patterson can be seen, dressed in black, looking out the window in the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre’s Gordon unit.
Nino Bucci
Triple murderer Erin Patterson back in court
Erin Patterson, 50, is back in the Victorian supreme court on Friday, where she will learn more about the timeline for her sentencing.
Patterson will appear via video link in the supreme court in Melbourne – not Morwell, where the trial was held.
The short hearing before Justice Christopher Beale is set to start about 9.30am and will determine a date for a plea hearing.
A plea hearing is designed for the prosecution and defence to make submissions about the sentence Patterson should receive.
Patterson was found guilty of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth with a deadly beef wellington lunch laced with death cap mushrooms on 7 July.
She was found guilty of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, the parents of her estranged husband, Simon Paterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson. The 12-person jury also found Patterson guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending weeks in hospital.
NSW Labor MP says party is gagging debate on Gaza during fiery speech in parliament – video
Anne Davies
Dissent against Chris Minns spills into NSW parliament as Labor MP accuses party of gagging debate on Gaza
Simmering tensions within New South Wales Labor over the premier’s handling of last weekend’s protest over the killing in Gaza have erupted into the public domain, with a member of the left faction delivering a fiery speech in parliament accusing his own party of trying to shut down debate on the Middle East.
Anthony D’Adam, a former trade unionist, convener of Labor Friends of Palestine and a member of the upper house, used an adjournment debate on Thursday night to accuse Chris Minns and the caucus of “stultifying the internal culture of the party”.
D’Adam said MPs’ fear of losing their seats was behind a “risk-averse culture” in NSW Labor.
Read more here:
Victoria police issue hundreds of fines to food delivery drivers
Police in Victoria have issued nearly 300 fines to riders of e-bikes, scooters and bikes working for food delivery companies as they crack down on dangerous rider behaviour in Melbourne.
Officials said an operation since the start of June has seen 289 fines issued, including 37 in just a few hours on this Tuesday alone. Riders were fined for allegedly travelling on footpaths, riding through red lights and using mobile phones while travelling.
Police said the operation began amid reports of dangerous behaviour during peak times for food delivery. Some of those fines can be hefty: those found riding on a footpath face a fine of $198, driving on the road can lead to a fine of $395 and using a phone while riding can reach $593 in fines.
Opposition maintains Israel has right to defend itself, despite Netanyahu’s plans
Alex Hawke, the shadow minister for industry and innovation, told RN Breakfast earlier the opposition maintains Israel’s right to defend itself amid Netanyahu’s plans.
Hawke laid blame on Hamas for refusing to end the conflict by releasing any remaining hostages, describing the freedom of the people of Gaza as a “long-term problem”. He told RN:
The biggest problem is Hamas, who had become the government of Gaza and other parts of Palestine, and that’s the issue. We have a terrorist group running a civilian population. … I think until Hamas is removed it’ll be very difficult for there to be a legitimate government in a place like Gaza.
Hawke was also asked if Israel’s military response in Gaza was proportionate and justified. He replied:
It’s a difficult question because all conflict is bad. We condemn the loss of life and the emerging humanitarian issues that have been there for some time now, and the ongoing loss of life is terrible to all civilised countries. However, that is war and that is what is happening. A war is happening there between a terrorist organisation and a state.
Greens senator horrified by Netanyahu’s plans to control Gaza
Greens senator Barbara Pocock said she woke up deeply concerned by the news Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, intends to take military control of all of Gaza. Pocock said the move reflected the urgent need for Australia to take greater action to sanction Netanyahu and his government.
She told Radio National:
It’s horrific to wake up to, Sally, and I’m sure many Australians are feeling exactly like me. What is going on? The time now is for action, not for words.
We need to open those borders. And we need to sanction Netanyahu and his regime. We are watching a horrific crisis unfold: genocide and now starvation. These are war crimes and they need to be dealt with. And it is just beyond words to hear Netanyahu’s bid to take over Gaza. It’s a horrific prospect, and I’m sure many Australians will feel as horrified by it as I feel this morning.
Andrew Messenger
Queensland nurses’ union to pause industrial action
Queensland’s nurses’ union will pause stage-two industrial action, as negotiations for a new pay deal continue.
The news came just days after the state’s teachers walked off the job for the first time since 2009. The union is currently conducting conciliation in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
It made the decision to pause all protected industrial action for three weeks, the remaining period of conciliation, until 2 September, as a show of good faith.
In a message sent to members yesterday, union secretary Sarah Beaman said the union was “closer than ever to securing an in-principle agreement”.
In the message to members the union says preparations for full strike action continue, in case a deal isn’t done.
Housing minister defends government’s plans for 1.2m homes, says crisis ‘very hard problem to solve’
The housing minister, Clare O’Neil, is speaking about the government’s pledge to build 1.2m new homes in Australia by 2029. She said 2,000 social and affordable homes have been built of a five-year target of 55,000, noting an additional 28,000 are in construction or planning. But she defended questions on Radio National if the government would meet those targets, saying they were part of a “national aspiration” worth pushing towards.
O’Neil said it remained “too hard” to build a home in Australia, but said the upcoming economic roundtable would hopefully address some of those concerns:
Our housing crisis has been cooking for 40 years because it is a very hard problem to solve.
I’m doing every single thing that I can as housing minister federally to make sure that we meet the target or get as close to it as we can. The target will depend on lots of different things … It will depend on what state governments do. It will depend on what interest rates look like.
I can tell you is that having a big, difficult target is exactly the kind of thinking that is going to need to snap us out of what is a 40-year-old problem confronting our country.
Erin Patterson due back before court today, with more dates to be set
Erin Patterson is due back before court today for a mention hearing, AAP reports.
The 50-year-old mother is scheduled to appear remotely via video at the supreme court in Melbourne. Dates for her pre-sentence hearing, known as a plea, are expected to be set during her court appearance.
Plea hearings allow victims and their families to deliver statements to the court about how the crime has affected them. They also allow defence lawyers and prosecutors to argue matters for the judge to take into account in deciding Patterson’s sentence.
Patterson faces up to life in prison after being convicted of three murders and one attempted murder over a toxic beef wellington meal she served in July 2023.
Graham Readfearn
Federal government to spend $2.8m protecting captive birds from bird flu arrival
Australia is the only continent in the world to have so far escaped the arrival of the virulent bird flu strain H5N1 that has caused mass deaths among wild birds and marine mammals around the globe.
Since the disease was discovered in Europe in 2021, there have been fears an arrival here could have devastating consequences for wildlife – in particular our native and threatened birds.
The environment minister, Murray Watt, is announcing a $2.8m package today to help 23 programs that are breeding threatened birds in captivity to protect those birds if the strain arrives. And many scientists think it is a case of when, not if.
Watt will be at Taronga Zoo in Sydney later today, where funding will be used to introduce extra efforts such as building barriers and deploying PPE for staff working with two threatened bird breeding programs – the Regent honeyeater and the Plains wanderer. Watt said:
Captive breeding programs are a vital safety net for our most threatened species. They help boost populations, maintain genetic diversity, protect biodiversity and give our unique wildlife a fighting chance for the future.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome. Nick Visser here to take you through the start of today’s news.
Erin Patterson is due back in court a month after she was convicted of killing three members of her estranged husband’s family after serving a death cap mushroom-laced lunch. She has a mention hearing scheduled today, where dates for her pre-sentence hearing, known as a plea, are expected to be set.
Victoria police have issued hundreds of fines to riders on e-bikes, scooters and bikes working for food delivery services, part of a crackdown on dangerous riding in Melbourne. Thirty-seven fines were issued on Tuesday alone after many riders were allegedly found travelling on the footpath, riding through red lights and using their phones while riding.
We will also be following updates on the effort to expel MP Gareth Ward from New South Wales parliament, which could happen later today.
Stick with us.
