Warning ahead of Sydney, Melbourne protests
Returned Australian activists claim mistreatment after being apprehended by Israeli soldiers
Wallabies' last-minute shuffle with key players sidelined for game against Britain and Ireland New South Wales police estimate around 40,000 vehicles may be affected, if the Supreme Court greenlights the pro-Palestinian protest on Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday. Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell says the police will assess how many officers will need to be deployed, after the Supreme Court ruling. He expects there will be around six hours of blocked access to some of Sydney's key infrastructure and transport connections. "So if the Sydney Harbour Bridge is cut off, that means there will be in excess of 40,000 vehicles stopped over a significant period of time, and it will be in excess of six hours, because, as it's been well said, we can't just close the vehicles, we don't just walk out in front of the cars and say 'everybody, stop here' like there's a fatal accident somewhere. There's a complete operation required, a multi-agency response, including Transport for New South Wales."
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has urged protesters to work with police, while civil rights groups have condemned Mr Minns for trying to stop the protest.
Australian activists detained by Israel troops while attempting to sail aid to Gaza, allege they were strip-searched, handcuffed and had their belongings stolen. Activist Robert Martin and journalist Tan safi have touched down in Sydney, after returning from aboard a boat owned by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The boat had attempted to deliver supplies to Gaza before it was intercepted and detained by Israeli troops last Sunday. Mr Martin told SBS News that while Australian diplomats in Israel were supportive, he claimed the Israeli authorities still denied his access to medication. "They were very helpful; we would have struggled without them. But even though they also asked as a representative of the Australian government to demand that I have my medication, I still did not get that. The Australian government demanded that I will be to make phone calls to my loved ones, they did not allow me to do that either."
SBS News has reached out Israeli embassy in Canberra for comment.
Queensland has begun a 12-month inquiry into allegations against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union - also known as the CFMEU, after the union was accused of deploying intimidation tactics against women and children. The inquiry will be led by experienced industrial relations lawyer Stuart Wood KC.
The CFMEU was placed into administration nationwide last August, following claims bikie and organised crime figures had infiltrated the organisation.
Education Minister Jason Clare says the Albanese government will roll out strategies to support training of local teachers in the Northern Territory. Speaking at an education session at the Garma Festival, Mr Clare says when he attended the event last year, he learned about the challenges of recruiting teachers for schools in the Northern Territory. He says many teaching students are trained in other states. "And we gotta change the way that we provide that education and support, so that you can get the (teaching) qualification here closer to home, and there's some good stuff happening there, there's more that I hope to see there over the course of next 12 months as we develop an Indigenous teacher strategy." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will join the Garma festival tomorrow. Garma is held in north-east Arnhem land.
It brings together Yolŋu leaders, families, cultural custodians and guests from across Australia for four days of learning, ceremony and exchange.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has warned public servants over security risks linked with their personal social media. Mike Burgess, head of ASIO, the national spy agency, revealed defence employees are being targeted by foreign spies. Mr Burke says while the number of people publicly declaring they have a security clearance has fallen by 85 per cent, it still remains a problem. He says he expects public servants to be cautious with their social media use, including not posting about their position.
"You are in a job where you have access to secrets that are significant to Australia. Don't put it on your social media profile, show that you are worthy of being able to keep those secrets."
Now in sport, Rugby star Brendon Paenga-Amosa has rushed to join the Wallabies on Thursday, after hooker David Porecki was ruled out on the final Test against the British and Irish Lions due to leg injury. The late reshuffle comes after Allan ALaalatoa and Rob Valetini were also ruled out of one of the Wallabies' most significant Tests ever. Despite the short notice of the reshuffle, teammate Harry Wilson told channel Seven that he has strong confidence in Mr Paenga-Amosa.
"Yeah, Brandon joined us yesterday afternoon, obviously after a bit of a tough training session, obviously gather to lose a few great great players in like Porecki, but we have lots of confidence in BPA, he's been around in this group for quite a long time over the last year, here and half, he's obviously first in line for three times, I believe, so I have lots of confidence in his coming to the group, he's fit in very quickly."
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