Turnbull says Coalition consumed by ‘fact-free, reality-free’ climate culture war – as it happened

6.24am GMT What we learned, Monday 17 November And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. Before we go, let’s recap the big headlines: New analysis by Climate Energy Finance showed taxpayers will need to pay up to $2bn in additional subsidies if the federal and South Australian governments support an “entirely uneconomic” gas-backed plan to rescue the ailing Whyalla steelworks. The ACT has closed 71 public schools amid concerns that more children’s coloured play sand may contain asbestos. 26 public schools in Canberra will remain closed on Tuesday. Sussan Ley said immigration numbers “need to be lower”, saying Australians are facing issues in their communities, including difficulties finding “the right commute to work”. Later, she batted away concerns that she could face a leadership challenge from the likes of Andrew Hastie. Malcolm Turnbull said that he felt sorry for Ley as she attempted to lead a Coalition consumed by a “fact-free, reality-free” climate culture war. The NSW Nationals leader, Dugald Saunders, has stepped down as leader ahead of Tuesday’s party room meeting, citing family reasons. Life Saving Victoria urged Victorians to stay safe in the water after recording 12 drownings in spring alone, the highest number for the season since 2001. The Sydney lord mayor, Clover Moore, called on the NSW premier, Chris Minns, to urgently step up rental protections after key stakeholders identified failings in state legislation. Home affairs minister, Tony Burke, cancelled the visa of South African man Matthew Gruter after a recent neo-Nazi publicity stunt outside the New South Wales state parliament. And there were late reports that the Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, could face a leadership challenge as early as Tuesday. Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We will be with you tomorrow to do it all again. Updated at 6.32am GMT 6.12am GMT Man who lit Melbourne synagogue fire was having schizophrenic hallucinations, court told A man who admitted setting the doors of a synagogue on fire was having hallucinations about zombies, a court has been told. Angelo Loras, 35, on Monday pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering members of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation by setting fire to their synagogue on 5 July. Loras was arrested the next day and told police he believed the building was a home rather than a place of worship. Magistrate Malcolm Thomas on Monday accepted Loras had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and he did not intentionally target the synagogue. The magistrate noted Loras’s schizophrenia symptoms had significantly improved in the past four months as he was receiving medication and treatment while on remand. – AAP Updated at 6.16am GMT 6.06am GMT Victorian Liberals to spill leadership: reports There are reports that the Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, will face a leadership challenge as early as tomorrow. We are trying to confirm details now and will bring you more as it comes. Updated at 6.10am GMT 5.45am GMT South African man's visa cancelled after neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, has cancelled the visa of Matthew Gruter after a recent neo-Nazi publicity stunt outside the New South Wales state parliament. A South African national, Gruter, who has been living in Australia with his wife, was part of the group who posed with an anti-Jewish lobby banner and posted content to social media earlier this month. Officials in the home affairs department were preparing advice for Burke at the weekend, developments first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. “If you are on a visa you are a guest. If you’re a citizen you’re a full member of the Australian family,” Burke said on Monday. Like with any household, if a guest turns up to show hatred and wreck the household, they can be told it’s time to go home. His visa was cancelled on Monday. Last week’s demonstration – which lasted less than 20 minutes in total – was observed by NSW police. The protest was authorised: the group had filled out a “form 1”, a notice of intention to hold a public assembly, which had not been opposed by police. More than 60 members of the group carried a large banner that read “Abolish the Jewish Lobby” earlier this month. Demonstrators wore black uniforms, some with insignia stitched on to their jackets. Some obscured their faces with hats and sunglasses, but many appeared unworried about being filmed and identified. Updated at 6.13am GMT 5.21am GMT Daniel says she is still deciding whether to run for Goldstein again Asked by host Patricia Karvelas if she will run for Goldstein at the next election, Zoe Daniel said: There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and the next election. My phone’s been ringing hot with people saying, ‘for God’s sake, please get back in there’. That is something for me to decide over time. Updated at 5.32am GMT 5.20am GMT Former teal MP Zoe Daniel says Tim Wilson’s frontbench position ‘untenable’ On Afternoon Briefing, former independent member for Goldstein Zoe Daniel has been asked if her predecessor turned successor in the last election, Liberal MP Tim Wilson, should quit the frontbench over net zero. She says he should, because he has failed the electorate on climate change. I think his position is untenable in a party that doesn’t have a substantive climate policy, in a seat that’s the second most marginal in the country, where we know people really care about effective climate and energy policy and environment policy. Not only for the sake of the environment but for the sake of the economy and for business certainty. There are a lot of people in Goldstein invested in the renewable sector, this is important for businesses and companies. Updated at 5.30am GMT 5.14am GMT Coalition should be pursuing ‘cheaper and cheaper renewable electricity’, Turnbull says Asked if he agreed energy prices would be cheaper under Sussan Ley’s energy plan, Malcolm Turnbull said: Absolutely not. It is very clear that the right thing for us to do – and I mean both in terms of affordability and environmental responsibility – is to continue the transition to a system where the bulk of our primary generation is from solar and wind, backed up by batteries and pumped hydro, and keep some gas in reserve for peaking, but that is the best solution. We now have cheaper and cheaper renewable electricity. That’s our advantage in Australia. We have a lot of land and sunshine and we can take advantage. Updated at 5.18am GMT 5.10am GMT Coalition consumed by ‘fact-free, reality-free culture war’ over climate, Malcolm Turnbull says Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been speaking on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing about the Liberals scrapping their policy of net zero emissions by 2050. He said: What you have is a fact-free, reality-free culture war, and it is designed to gratify the rightwing media ecosystem dominated by Sky News, and that is basically what is in charge of the Coalition. That’s why I say I feel sorry for Sussan Ley. Turnbull said the MPs had the “memory of goldfish and the dining habits of piranhas”. Updated at 5.19am GMT 4.45am GMT Man charged in WA after campfire allegedly sparks bushfire Western Australia police have charged a 25-year-old in relation to a bushfire in Perth’s southern suburbs. Officers with the police arson squad allege the man set up a temporary campsite in the Port Kennedy Scientific Park and started a campfire. The flames quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation due to strong winds, police said, prompting an emergency response in the area. The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a bushfire warning yesterday, saying while the blaze didn’t threaten any lives or homes, it was causing a lot of smoke in the area. The man has been charged with one count of breach of duty and is due to appear before Perth magistrates court today. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Parts of WA, around greater Geraldton, are under a total fire ban due to dangerous conditions. Updated at 5.01am GMT 4.14am GMT Reactions mixed over proposal to shift kids with some developmental delays or autism from NDIS Autism advocacy community groups have delivered a mixed response to the federal government’s proposal to shift kids with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism from the NDIS from mid next year. A parliamentary inquiry today is hearing from a wide range of groups on their consideration of the Thriving Kids initiative, first announced in August, and the impacts it could have on the communities or interests they represent. The chair of Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand (ASAN ANZ), Cheryl Koch, told the inquiry: Thriving Kids is a pivotal opportunity to reshape Australia’s disability ecosystem, but it cannot be successful if it doesn’t garner the trust of the autistic community and the … neurodivergent community across Australia. Heidi La Paglia, a board member for Regional Autistic Engagement Network, said there was “deep fear” within the community around how the changes could impact existing NDIS participants. Under the proposal, the federal government will provide $2bn to states and territories to initiate the Thriving Kids program to offer support for children with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism in places such as early learning groups and school, rather than through the NDIS. Updated at 4.24am GMT 4.05am GMT That’s all from me. Cait Kelly will be your guide for the rest of the day. Take care! 3.49am GMT Moore wants reform on boarding houses, affordability and renters’ rights Continued from previous post: Clover Moore held a roundtable in late October with 40 representatives from housing providers, community and peak organisations, NSW government agencies, renters and members of the council’s housing advisory panel. Moore is urging reforms in three areas: boarding houses, affordable housing and greater rights for renters. She said the outdated state environmental planning policy generally failed to preserve boarding houses or generate monetary contributions to compensate for their loss. Moore also wants changes to ensure affordable housing is truly affordable and not just discounted. Under the government’s current policy, the obligation to offer extra flats at a discount usually lasts only 15 years, which means it could evaporate in the future. The groups recommended changes to make it permanently affordable. On rental rights, the round table suggested further changes on unfair evictions, rent increases and repairs and maintenance. Updated at 3.51am GMT 3.40am GMT Sydney mayor urges premier to step up rental protections The City of Sydney lord mayor, Clover Moore, is calling on the NSW premier, Chris Minns, to urgently step up rental protections, after key stakeholders identified failings in state legislation. Moore warned that addressing housing supply without changes to secure the rights of renters would not solve Sydney’s affordability crisis. Renters account for more than half of all households in the City of Sydney council area. More than 20,000 households are paying more than 30% of their income on housing costs, placing them in housing stress. Moore will present a plan to the council on Monday night, calling for better protections for renters and people living in boarding houses, aimed at providing greater security of tenure. She said: Landlords can increase rents, or redevelop properties, causing renters to have to find new homes. This is a particular risk in the inner city, where land values are so high. Many of those living in rental accommodation are in dire straits and action is urgently needed to fix this ongoing problem – housing supply alone will not make housing affordable. Moore said previous reforms on no-fault evictions were inadequate. Updated at 4.17am GMT 3.21am GMT Paige Greco, Australian Paralympic gold medallist, dies at 28 Australian Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco has been remembered for her humility, generosity, and the joy she brought to her teammates after her shock death on Sunday at the age of 28. The cyclist passed away in her Adelaide home after experiencing a sudden medical episode, according to South Australian authorities, and her family has asked for privacy. Paige’s mother, Natalie Greco, said her daughter “meant everything” to her family: Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day. She brought so much joy and pride into our lives, and the pain of her passing is something we will carry forever. While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she was and the way she represented Australia. Greco won Australia’s first gold at the Tokyo Paralympics in the women’s C1-3 3,000m individual pursuit, and was a consistent podium finisher at international level. Read more here: Related: Paige Greco, Australian Paralympic gold medallist, dies aged 28 Updated at 3.30am GMT 2.51am GMT Meet the whistleblowers who exposed Queensland’s domestic violence failures A former senior Queensland detective has accused police of covering up their own failures in cases where vulnerable women died after seeking police protection, and alleges she was ordered to “protect the organisation’s reputation at all costs”. And a whistleblower from within the Queensland coronial system who reported alleged systemic failures in domestic and family violence-linked deaths claims she was warned she would be “pulverised” if she ever spoke out. Both women decided to speak to Guardian Australia because they believe the family members of some domestic violence victims have not been told the whole truth about what happened to their loved ones. Their courage in breaking ranks laid the foundation for our two-year investigation into the police and coronial handling of domestic violence deaths. Read more here: Related: Meet the whistleblowers who exposed Queensland’s domestic violence failures: ‘I was warned they would pulverise me’ 2.30am GMT Victoria police have confiscated more than 15,000 knives so far this year Victoria police have confiscated more than 15,000 knives, machetes and “zombie knives” (blades with serrated edges) in Victoria in 2025, an average of 47 per day, AAP reports. Most were seized in searches related to known offenders, while officers also targeted youth gang members, Victoria police said. An additional 6,000 knives were surrendered through a machete amnesty. The Victoria police chief commissioner, Mike Bush, said 21,000 weapons taken off the streets highlighted the scale of the state’s knife crime “problem”, adding: I am acutely aware of how much concern knife crime generates in the Victorian community, with multiple recent incidents striking at the heart of how safe people are and how safe people feel. A standalone knife crime offence that could land criminals in jail for up to three extra years has been put forward by the Victorian government. Updated at 2.34am GMT 2.10am GMT Victoria records most springtime drownings since 2001 Life Saving Victoria is urging Victorians to stay safe in the water after recording 12 drownings in spring alone, the highest number for the season since 2001. Many of those drowning incidents were linked to “unintentional entry” into the water, including slips, trips and falls. Cath Greaves, the CEO of Life Saving Victoria, said: Water safety is everyone’s responsibility, and I ask you all to do what you can to stay safe when visiting a beach, pool, river, lake or dam. … Please also take particular care to avoid unintentional entry incidents. Be aware of slippery or unstable surfaces, be careful around areas like coastal rock platforms and riverbanks, read safety signs and keep a safe distance. Last summer lifesavers performed 1,011 rescues in Victoria, the highest number in 20 years. Updated at 3.36am GMT 1.53am GMT Climate group calls on National Press club to cancel talk by coal lobbyist Comms Declare, a climate advocacy group representing the marketing industries, has called on the National Press Club to cancel a speech tomorrow by the chief executive of a coal lobbying group. Michelle Manook is set to speak at the NPC in Canberra on Tuesday on behalf of FutureCoal where she will discuss “the myths and future of coal and what she believes will be the path forward”. FutureCoal was formerly called the World Coal Association and is an industry body for the “entire coal value chain”. Belinda Noble, the founder of Comms Declare, said in a statement: The Walkley Awards and National Press Gallery Mid-Winter Ball have cut ties with fossil fuel sponsors. But the NPC lags behind public sentiment and science by giving their stage to coal lobbyists and keeping sponsors like Woodside. Fossil fuel lobbying is one of the reasons we don’t have the strong climate action that most Australians want and need, and giving the coal lobby the NPC stage legitimises that obstruction. The group said the NPC has responded to the request saying the journalists in the room would “pose difficult questions for the speaker and that it should not be presumed that the NPC board is supportive of Future Coal’s positions”. Updated at 1.59am GMT 1.23am GMT NSW premier confirms expanded hate speech laws will be introduced this week The NSW premier, Chris Minns, says expanded hate speech laws he claims are needed “to deal with fascists on the streets of Sydney” following a rally by neo-Nazis outside parliament will be introduced this week. Minns told reporters today the laws, which include expanding a ban on Nazi symbols to include slogans and chants, have yet to go through cabinet. He said they were “not an easy piece of legislation”, but the government’s intention remains that they will be introduced this week. I think everyone would appreciate we’d be in a worse position today if we moved a bill that was eventually defeated, and I want to make sure that there’s a clear message from civic society, the NSW police and political leaders that Nazis aren’t welcome. Advocates and cross bench MPs have warned against a kneejerk reaction to the rally, saying further legislation risks further eroding the right to protest in the state and that police already had the powers to move on the protest under hate speech laws which came into effect in August. Some have called for a holistic approach to dealing with neo-Nazis in Australia. This week is the final sitting week of the NSW parliament before the summer break, although the government has the option to use a reserve week next week. Minns said he wants to see the changes debated before the end of the year. “From there, we’ll see, I’m not sure,” he said. Updated at 1.26am GMT 1.03am GMT NSW Nationals leader steps down, citing family reasons The NSW Nationals leader, Dugald Saunders, has stepped down as leader ahead of Tuesday’s party room meeting, citing family reasons. It comes as the NSW Coalition faces similar turmoil to the federal Coalition over climate policy. The NSW Nationals voted last week to abandon a net zero target by 2050. The Liberals are expected to consider the issue on Tuesday. There have also been ongoing tensions within the Coalition on a range of issues, including controls on wild horse populations in national parks and the great koala national park. Paul Toole, MP for Bathurst and the leader prior to the last election, is expected to run but others may also emerge. Saunders said: For the past two and a half years, I have had the privilege of leading the NSW Nationals. Today I am stepping down from that position. It’s been an honour to lead the parliamentary team during a challenging time in NSW opposition, and I’ve always done my best to represent regional NSW. It’s a difficult decision but it is the right time for me to take a step back and focus more on my family and myself. It’s also the right time to allow a new leader to take up the fight ahead of the next election. I thank my family, my staff, my team and the party, for all of their support. I will continue to serve the people of the Dubbo electorate as their local member. Opposition leader Mark Speakman is expected to comment shortly. More to come … Updated at 1.15am GMT 1.00am GMT Ley says a Coalition government would cut emissions by ‘encouraging’ emitters to reduce their carbon footprint And it is back-to-back pressers. We are now jumping to New South Wales, where Sussan Ley is also talking about net zero. She is asked how emissions will drop under Liberal policies: Our plan is to reduce emissions year-on-year in line with comparable countries and as far and as fast as technology will allow. We will have a voluntary mechanism, the accountability and baseline credit scheme, that will not punish people if they emit carbon but will encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint and, hence, reduce emissions. Updated at 1.04am GMT 12.57am GMT Ley's supporters reject rumours moderates may back Hastie challenge Supporters of opposition leader Sussan Ley have rejected suggestions Liberal moderates could be preparing to withdraw support for her struggling leadership, amid growing chatter the party’s net zero backdown could spark a challenge. Key moderates Anne Ruston and Maria Kovacic issued a statement on Monday, rejecting reports moderates could be preparing to back West Australian conservative Andrew Hastie in a challenge against Ley. Pressure on Ley comes after the Liberal party last week ditched support for net zero emissions reductions by 2050, a vote in which the conservative Liberal bloc easily defeated moderates. The new energy policy is in line with the junior Coalition partner, the Nationals. “Media reports this morning about the moderates are incorrect,” Ruston and Kovacic said in a joint statement on Monday. “We, along with an overwhelming majority of our moderate colleagues, continue to strongly support Sussan’s leadership. “This matter was resolved in the party room six months ago and Sussan will lead us strongly to the next election.” Updated at 12.59am GMT 12.53am GMT Albanese on Liberal emissions policy: ‘They say they want to stay in Paris, but Paris is about the road to net zero’ The PM was also asked about the Liberal party dumping the net zero target: This is a rolling ... A word comes to mind, but ... The PM said the Liberals had 23 policy announcements on energy and did not implement a single one. And now we’ve had multiple different announcements over the last week. They say that they want to stay in Paris, but Paris is about the road to net zero. It is a nonsensical policy. Updated at 12.57am GMT 12.48am GMT Jacinta Allan defends crime reforms that could affect children Speaking before the PM, Allan was defending the new reforms: My perspective as premier of Victoria is from listening to victims of crime and understanding that they have said very clearly there is not enough consequences for, yes, children engaging in this brazen, violent offending. There has been a bit of commentary that a 14-year-old in Victoria soon will not be able to watch YouTube but will be able to go to prison. Allan said crime is a key reason why the federal government’s social media ban is so important: It’s about getting kids to be connected again to their families and their communities, to be focused on their schoolwork, to have the opportunity to come and enjoy in any number of great sporting activities. Updated at 12.51am GMT 12.41am GMT PM on Victoria’s ‘adult time for violent crime’ laws : ‘People have a right to be safe’ The PM has been speaking in Melbourne with Victoria premier Jacinta Allan about her government’s new “adult time for violent crime” law reforms, which could see children as young as 14 jailed for life. Asked if it was appropriate that children who were 14 could be locked up for life, the PM said: The premier is taking action, I support the premier taking action to keep Victorians safe and to make sure that message is sent when it comes to violence in the community. People have a right to be safe. State governments are responsible for law and order issues. There are different issues in six jurisdictions, and I will allow them to do their job, and we will do our job. Updated at 12.50am GMT 12.30am GMT ‘Loud, smelly and poo a lot’: Queensland council considers housing buyback due to bat colony A Queensland council is considering a property buyback scheme for residents plagued by growing numbers of “loud and smelly” flying foxes. Gympie council, in south-east Queensland, about 170km north of Brisbane, has endorsed a long-term plan to better manage the bats, with a large colony encroaching on a residential area. The plan offers solutions from vegetation management and dispersal to a potential scheme to buyback properties adversely affected by the bats. The plan recommended that council advocate to state and federal government for the buyback scheme and request funding to cover expenses associated with vegetation management and dispersal. Commissioners gully in Gympie is home to a nationally significant roost of flying foxes, which are protected under state and federal law. The mayor of Gympie Regional Council, Glen Hartwig, told Guardian Australia the buyback plan would involve “20 or more” affected properties, and is reliant on state and federal government funding. He said council’s attempts to manage the bats were “limited by legislation”. Read more here: Related: ‘Loud, smelly and poo a lot’: Queensland council considers housing buyback due to bat colony 12.12am GMT Total fire ban in parts of NSW and fire danger period for parts of Victoria A total fire ban is now in force in the greater Hunter and north-western areas of NSW amid dry, windy conditions. The NSW Rural Fire Service says the threat of fire is now “high” or “extreme” in the regions, as well as other parts of the state. A total fire ban means no fires are allowed out in the open, nor is any activity in the open that causes or is likely to cause a fire. General purpose hot works like welding, grinding or gas cutting are also banned in the open. A Total Fire Ban is now in force for the Greater Hunter and North Western areas. Dry and windy conditions are forecast today across parts of the state, increasing the fire danger. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000). https://t.co/R9tDns8ts6 pic.twitter.com/bSlQLKSXN9— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 16, 2025 In Victoria, a fire danger period is also in effect for a large list of municipalities. Rules limit certain activities like barbecuing, building a campfire and driving vehicles in certain areas. The Fire Danger Period will begin 1:00am tomorrow Monday 17 November 2025 for the pictured municipalitiesMake sure you know what you can and can't do during the Fire Danger Period. For more info and a full list of municipalities, visit https://t.co/BThxxV4Cz5. pic.twitter.com/Q72Yb3r5NU— cfa_updates (@CFA_Updates) November 16, 2025 Updated at 12.16am GMT 11.52pm GMT Ley says she’s been ‘underestimated a lot’ in her life, deflecting from leadership questions Opposition leader Sussan Ley has batted away concerns that she could face a leadership challenge from the likes of Andrew Hastie. Ley spoke to 2GB earlier today, where host Ben Fordham confronted her with a list of callers who said they’d prefer the Coalition be led by Hastie instead of her. The opposition leader said she wasn’t guided by her “ego”, but rather a need to represent hardworking Australians. She added: I’ve been underestimated a lot of my life. I remember when a lot of blokes told me I couldn’t fly an airplane, and did a lot to keep me out of the front seat, and I flew an airplane. I flew a mustering plane in very small circles, very close to the ground, and that was pretty tough at the time. And I did many things, and I have done many things. But once again, it’s actually not about me, it’s about the Australian people, and they’re what motivates me every day. Ley went on to say that “everyone” in the Coalition had a role to play in opposition. We’re all in opposition. We all agree on this energy policy because we all signed it off just yesterday and we’re all out there fighting the fight that actually matters. The fight for Australians, for their values and for our values which are about down so that Australians can actually deal with the cost of living. Updated at 12.10am GMT 11.35pm GMT Are Australians really paying more for electricity than other countries? “Everybody knows Australians are paying way more for electricity than they were a few years ago. We used to have the cheapest energy in the world but we have squandered this advantage. And the push to renewable energy is to blame.” Many of us believe these things are all true. But are they? The answer, as they say, may surprise you. Strap yourself in, this is about to get technical. Related: Are Australians really paying more for electricity than other countries? Updated at 11.37pm GMT 11.14pm GMT Littleproud says Coalition focused on business and families after dumping net zero targets David Littleproud, the leader of the Nationals, has said the Coalition is focused on businesses and families, when it comes to its abandonment of the net zero targets. Littleproud and Sussan Ley have both been speaking this morning about their plan to craft a “cheaper, better, fairer” way to address energy, with general swipes at the Labor party and Albanese’s leadership. Littleproud said the opposition would be “technology agnostic” if in power, but brushed off claims that industry may be spooked by the backtrack from net zero targets. He told RN Breakfast earlier this morning: This government is putting us on a trajectory that we can’t afford and we can’t handle. And industry is the living experience of that, but so too are households. When you look at there’s people tonight that won’t be able to afford to put dinner on the table. That’s an indictment on our country, as rich as what we are. Updated at 11.21pm GMT 10.50pm GMT No schools in NSW closed after play sand recall The NSW Department of Education has confirmed that there are currently no school closures in the state following the recall of children’s sand products amid fears they contain asbestos. A spokesperson said the department issued a safety alert in Friday as a precaution to all NSW public schools “to immediately and safely remove these sand products if they have them”. The health, safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the school community is the department’s highest priority. As we reported earlier, the ACT has closed 71 public schools today, amid concerns about the children’s coloured play sand sold at Kmart and Target. You can see up-to-date closure statuses for NSW public and independent schools here. Updated at 10.54pm GMT 10.40pm GMT Factchecking five Coalition claims about net zero, from power prices to the $9tn cost As Liberals join Nationals in abandoning a 2050 emissions target, we unpick some of the opposition’s talking points. Will the net zero emissions target cost taxpayers $9tn? Has the net zero target caused electricity price rises since 2022? Could Australia stay in the Paris agreement if it abandoned emissions targets? We’re here to help: Related: Factchecking five Coalition claims about net zero, from power prices to the $9tn cost 10.25pm GMT NSW police operation targeting domestic violence offenders results in 752 arrests NSW police charged 752 people in a four-day domestic violence crackdown, as the agency continues to grapple with curbing violence against women, AAP reports. Officials laid 1,629 charges, conducted 1,464 bail checks and made 13,369 apprehended domestic violence order checks across the operation that concluded on Sunday, police said in a statement on Monday. Authorities said 395 breaches of court orders were identified in the blitz. Police said they also conducted 120 firearms prohibition order searches, seizing 87 firearms and 30 weapons. One in four women in Australia has experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15, according to official data, with the social and economic cost estimated to be $26bn annually. NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, said Operation Amarok sent “a powerful message to every victim-survivor that you are not alone and police are working every day to protect you”. With more than 150,000 calls for help every single year, police understand the urgency and the heartbreak of this crisis. Updated at 10.26pm GMT 9.56pm GMT Government to pay for removal of gas from 20 student residential buildings The federal government will pay to remove gas from 20 student residential buildings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, part of what is being dubbed Australia’s largest apartment electrification project. The assistant minister for climate change and energy, Josh Wilson, has announced the $50m project, set to be delivered with accommodation owner Scape Australia and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and designed to reduce energy usage for more than 17,000 students. The plan is also expected to boost efficiency measures including improved insulation in new student accommodation and an energy metering pilot to better manage buildings’ energy use, providing students with more comfortable homes. Wilson said: Electrifying residential accommodation is essential to the task of reducing emissions and future-proofing Australian homes; it also makes them cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in. As Australia’s renewable, reliable and sustainable energy transition picks up speed, it’s great to get behind a project that will benefit today’s students as they complete their education while living in these newly electrified residential buildings. In advancing the decarbonisation of Australian apartments, the Albanese government is delivering on its promise to act on climate change, which is what Australians, and especially young people, expect us to do. 9.41pm GMT Albanese to call trade a ‘bulwark against conflict’ Prime minister Anthony Albanese will talk up the economic opportunities of Australia’s trade relationships around the world, days after the US president, Donald Trump, signed an executive order winding back his tariffs on food imports including beef, coffee and bananas. Under pressure over consumer prices, Trump conceded at the weekend that “current domestic demand for certain products” and capacity to produce certain products had influenced the decision. In a speech at the Apec Study Centre in Melbourne on Monday, Albanese will say a quarter of Australian jobs are in industries that are reliant on overseas trade. He calls trade a “bulwark against conflict”: It can incentivise de-escalation – even at the highest levels. Because trade doesn’t happen in isolation. For the economic benefits to flow at home, you need to be able to trust partners overseas. That reliance on trust and mutual benefit encourages nations to work out their differences with dialogue. To work it out rather than to have it out. Albanese is getting ready to head to the G20 in South Africa later this week, after making a stop in Western Australia, likely to include a cabinet meeting and events with the WA premier, Roger Cook. Updated at 10.23pm GMT 9.26pm GMT Sussan Ley maintains immigration numbers ‘need to be lower’ Sussan Ley told RN Breakfast earlier that immigration numbers “need to be lower”, saying Australians are facing issues in their communities including difficulties finding “the right commute to work” and challenges at schools, hospitals and on public transport. She told RN: If you look at all of the remarks that I’ve ever made on this subject, you will find that I’ve always said this is not the fault of any migrant or migrant community. [I’ve] consistently said that it’s the failings of governments, often state governments, to build the infrastructure to support the population. Ley was questioned if she was concerned some groups would be “put offside” by her remarks, which did not play well during the May election. I addressed that at the time and I’ve addressed it since by always reminding our wonderful migrant communities of the value that they add to this country. I have my own migrant story. I deeply appreciate communities and individuals who’ve made the choice to come to Australia, to build their homes. To build their families, to build their future, to work hard, to take risks and to give back. Updated at 9.29pm GMT 9.11pm GMT New concerns over play sand in ACT, with 71 public schools closed today The ACT has closed 71 public schools today amid concerns more children’s coloured play sand may contain asbestos. The ACCC said yesterday Kmart and Target had issued a voluntary recall notice for four additional brands of the sand, saying the dangerous material had been detected in some samples after laboratory testing. It said respirable asbestos had not been detected, adding the risk of the asbestos found to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation is low. Still, the ACT said out of its regulatory obligations and “ in the interest of the safety of our students, staff and community” it would close some schools to allow for assessment, clean-up and remediation. The closures follow others last week after a range of colourful sand products imported from China were recalled amid similar concerns. Read more here: Related: Colourful children’s sand sold by Officeworks recalled amid asbestos fears Updated at 9.26pm GMT 9.00pm GMT Gas-backed rescue of Whyalla steelworks ‘entirely uneconomic’, thinktank warns Taxpayers will need to pay up to $2bn in additional subsidies if the federal and South Australian governments support an “entirely uneconomic” gas-backed plan to rescue the ailing Whyalla steelworks, according to new analysis by Climate Energy Finance. The warning comes ahead of a decision by administrators over the future of the steelworks, one of only two major integrated steel projects in Australia and the only local manufacturer of rail. The decision is seen as a defining choice for Australia between reverting to manufacturing powered by gas, and developing renewables-based industrial capacity. Climate Energy Finance calculated that it would cost between $1.7bn and $2bn over a decade in gas supply subsidies and hundreds of millions in pipeline infrastructure to help a gas-based plant compete with overseas manufacturers. It says: The SA and Australian governments have a time-critical opportunity to deploy targeted, national interest public capital to strategically invest in pivoting the steelworks to Australia’s first-of-a-kind green iron and steel production hub powered by large-scale firmed renewables. A consortium including manufacturer BlueScope is seen as the leading bidder to take over Whyalla. Earlier in 2025, the steelworks received a $2.4bn state and federal government bailout package to help keep it afloat and save jobs. There are concerns that billions of dollars of public money may be used to prop up power-hungry manufacturing operations around Australia that prove to be unsustainable. Updated at 10.35pm GMT 8.48pm GMT Ley defends abandoning net zero by 2050 target and says renewables too expensive Opposition leader Sussan Ley spoke with RN Breakfast this morning to stress she cares about the climate, but “when energy is unaffordable, everything is unaffordable”. Her comments come after the Liberal party dumped its net zero emissions targets last week. Related: Factchecking five Coalition claims about net zero, from power prices to the $9tn cost Ley was asked repeatedly how the Coalition could assure voters it took climate change seriously after the move, and how she responded to findings that renewable energy remains the lowest cost new build electricity generation in Australia. She said: I want to reassure people listening who care about the climate that I do too, which is why we have dedicated emissions reduction goals in our plan. And I want to make this clear: emissions will be reduced on average year on year for every five-year period under our nationally determined contribution. And we’ll do our fair share. … There will always be renewables under our plan. But in rushing the transition, what we’re doing is pushing prices up. The CSIRO said in July renewables are the cheapest option for new-build electricity generation. Updated at 9.41pm GMT 8.39pm GMT Government funds $200m in weather resilience projects The federal government has announced $200m in new funding for projects to help communities in every state and territory become more resilient to severe weather events. Ahead of the summer bushfire season, the minister for emergency management, Kristy McBain, said 96 projects will receive new support from the government’s $1b Disaster Ready Fund. “Australians are no stranger to the floods, bushfires and cyclones that impact us year-on-year,” she said. Examples of the new funding including: NT: $594,000 for an Emergency Coordination Facility that will be developed for the Alice Springs Town Council, enhancing local disaster response capabilities. NSW: $14,174,095 for the Narrandera Urban Stormwater Upgrade to mitigate the impacts of 1 in 100-year flood events. WA: $895,114 for increasing Karajarri Ranger Capacity to mitigate extreme wildfire risks. VIC: $6,454,104 for the Numurkah Flood Mitigation – construction of two ring levees. QLD: $14,620,000 for the Palm Island Cyclone Shelter – an 800-person cyclone shelter and evacuation centre. SA: $1,600,634 for the Building Wakefield’s Flood Resilience – an infrastructure project to protect Townsvale Estate, Balaklava. TAS: $540,000 for the Launceston Flood Mitigation Plan. ACT: $421,240 for the Flash Flood Warning System – using flood data and modelling to provide timely, location specific, relevant warnings to the community. Updated at 8.41pm GMT 8.32pm GMT Good morning Good morning, and welcome to Monday. Nick Visser here to dive into the week’s news. Here’s what’s on deck: 71 public schools will be closed in the ACT today after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said more children’s sand products may contain asbestos. The sand, sold at Kmart and Target, is now subject to a voluntary recall. The ACT said “in the interest of the safety of our students, staff and community we have decided to close some schools that have this product to allow for assessment clean-up and remediation to occur”. NSW police arrested and charged 752 people with domestic violence offences during a four-day operation across the state. Officials said the effort, Operation Amarok, “sends a powerful message to every victim-survivor that you are not alone and police are working every day to protect you”. Stick with us.