Australian news and politics live updates: Police commander ‘didn’t read’ Bondi threat assessment, RC hears

The NSW Police commander who was charged with looking after the Hanukkah by the Sea event that was targeted in the Bondi Beach terror attack has revealed he did not read a security threat alert email properly, until after the deadly event.

On Monday, the Royal Commission into antisemitism heard that the Community Security Group, a Jewish-run organisation that operates mostly in Sydney and Melbourne, emailed police warning of the security threat level for Jewish Australians.

“Please be advised of the following upcoming Jewish communal events in your police area command. We kindly request your assistance with any policing measures that your command may deem appropriate,” the alert sent to NSW Police said.

“The current security alert level for the NSW Jewish community is … high. A terrorist attack against the NSW Jewish community is likely, and there is a high level of antisemitic vilification.”

Shockingly, the police commander who was in charge admitted they did not read the email fully, including sections where high-risk events were specifically detailed.

“I don’t know that I got that far into the email. I’ve certainly read it since December 14. I couldn’t confidently say I’d read it prior,” the commander, referred to as ABQ for legal purposes, told the commission on Tuesday.

“Whilst I didn’t read it, I don’t say that anything in it would have changed my thoughts.”

A pro-Palestine protest briefly disrupted activity inside Parliament House, with demonstrators staging a sit-in inside the building’s front foyer and forcing the closure of the main public entrance.

The group, estimated to number about 50 people and including activists linked to the global Sumud flotilla, recreated the “stress position” they say activists were subjected to by the Israeli authorities, kneeling with their arms behind their backs as security moved quickly to clear the area.

The demonstration caused delays at the entrance, leaving tourists and a school group waiting outside as security responded.

Several protesters were escorted from the building, with one woman calling “free Palestine” and “sanction Israel” as she was led away.

Parliament’s front doors remained closed for a period, while some visitors and staff were redirected through basement access points. Guardian Australia understands some demonstrators may face banning orders from Parliament House.

The Coalition has escalated its attack on Labor’s tax reform package, with opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan accusing the government of prioritising politics over policy as parliament prepares to debate the legislation this week.

The political fight centres on Labor’s decision to tie its proposed capital gains tax and negative gearing changes to the $250 Working Australian Tax Offset, leaving the opposition facing an all-or-nothing vote despite backing the offset itself.

“So obviously there’s been discussions on what is, let’s put it this way, blatant wedge legislation by the government,” Mr Tehan said.

“They are increasing the overall tax increase in this nation (and) they haven’t even finalised how they’re going to do it. I mean, who are they going to carve out?

“Are they going to carve out hairdressers? Are they going to carve out carpenters? Are they going to carve out plumbers? We don’t even know that yet.

“What has Anthony Albanese been thinking about? The politics, how can he wedge?

“So we’ll obviously respond to his petty politics at the appropriate moment but the Australian people can see through it, let’s be frank, the Prime Minister lied, and he said yesterday in the parliament it’s time to be honest.”

Military missiles could be manufactured in Western Australia under an ambitious push by the Premier, Roger Cook, to establish an advanced weapons manufacturing hub in the state.

On Tuesday, the Premier is announcing that WA is seeking formal expressions of interest from global defence giants to set up a large-scale facility, which is expected to be in the coal-mining town of Collie.

The missile factory idea is being unveiled as the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference and Exhibition formally returns to Perth this week.

The proposed factory would help support the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO) to supply locally made munitions for the Australian Defence Force.

Read more.

The Coalition is standing firm against Labor’s tax reform package, with Opposition frontbencher Andrew Hastie accusing the government of using the $250 Working Australians Tax Offset to force support for broader and more contentious tax changes.

The Albanese Government has bundled the worker tax relief with reforms to capital gains tax and negative gearing, setting up a political showdown when the legislation reaches parliament on Thursday.

“Labor’s trying to put a poison pill in this bill, the working Australians tax offset, which we support. But nonetheless, the Australian people did not vote for an increase in their taxes, and this is exactly what Labor is going to do, and this is ultimately a vote for more taxes, which is why we will oppose it,” Mr Hastie told Sky News.

“This is classic wedge politics, and people can see through it.”

Despite backing the offset itself, the Coalition says it will oppose the package in its current form, arguing Labor is trying to pressure the opposition into supporting tax measures it fundamentally rejects.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says new strikes have been launched against Iran, an escalation coming moments after Donald Trump issued a nuclear demand.

The fresh strikes, which reportedly targeted sections of southern Iran, have been labelled “self defence” by the US.

“US forces conducted self-defence today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson said, as reported by CNN and Fox News in the US.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire”.

The fresh wave of strikes closely followed the US President demanding that Iran send all its enriched uranium to the US to be destroyed, or agree to it being destroyed elsewhere.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

As part of his sought-after deal, he wants Iran to stop its nuclear program, specifically uranium enrichment, something Tehran claims it does to pursue nuclear energy. Enriched uranium is also the key ingredient to a nuclear weapon.

Read more.

Chris Bowen has pushed back against growing scepticism over Labor’s 82 per cent renewables target, insisting Australia’s energy transition remains achievable but warning success is far from guaranteed.

The Energy Minister pointed to renewable generation climbing from roughly a third of the grid when Labor entered office to almost half today, framing the shift as meaningful progress rather than mission accomplished.

“I don’t accept that it’s not achievable. I also don’t think it’s inevitable,” Mr Bowen said.

“I think we’ve gotta keep our foot on the accelerator.”

Mr Bowen said he expected Australia to reach an average of 50 per cent renewables “quite soon” and argued the real game changer was not daytime solar generation but the growing ability to store renewable power and reduce reliance on coal and gas overnight.

Chris Bowen has refused to let major emitters off the hook amid questions over BHP and delayed emissions reduction projects, making clear the government still expects Australia’s biggest polluters to cut carbon output on site.

While stopping short of directly criticising the mining giant, Mr Bowen signalled companies remained under scrutiny as Labor prepares a broader review of safeguard rules.

“I let my expectations be crystal clear publicly and privately,” Mr Bowen said, noting BHP remained covered by safeguard mechanism laws.

“I want to see all large emitters reducing emissions on site.”

While acknowledging some industries faced technological and commercial hurdles, Mr Bowen said the coming safeguards review would be genuine and open to submissions before any future changes were considered.

Chris Bowen has seized on fresh energy price data to argue Labor’s transition is beginning to deliver results, pointing to reductions across several states and framing cheaper power as proof the renewable rollout is gaining traction.

The Energy Minister acknowledged households were still under pressure but said batteries and renewable generation were helping reduce dependence on expensive coal and gas, particularly during evening demand peaks.

“It’s no coincidence,” Mr Bowen said, linking lower prices to rising renewable penetration and more than 414,000 home batteries installed under the government’s scheme.

“One of the biggest impacts on energy prices is those nighttime peaks.”

He argued storing solar power for evening use was helping “flatten out that nighttime peak and reduce prices” and declared: “That is, the system working.”

Mr Bowen conceded “there’s a long way to go” but said the government’s energy strategy was “showing dividends for the Australian people.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has released a statement confirming seven women and 12 children with links to Islamic State fighters have made plans to travel to Australia.

Mr Burke confirmed that the Australian Government did not provide any assistance to this group and that any members of the ISIS-linked group who had committed crimes could expect to face the full force of the law.

“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation,” he said.

“Our world-class law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been preparing for their return since 2014 and have long-standing plans in place to manage and monitor them.

“The priority of the government, as always, is the safety of the Australian community.”

Read more