Brisbane news live: SEQ electricity prices to rise by up to 3.7 per cent
SEQ electricity prices to rise by up to 3.7 per cent
By
Households will be hit with higher power bills from July 1 after the market regulator handed down its latest round of annual price setting.
Price caps will rise for customers by between 0.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent in south-east Queensland, under a determination from the Australian Energy Regulator.
South-east Queensland provider Energex is in the middle of the pack when it comes to annual bills.
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The price spikes have been driven by higher costs in the electricity grid over the past year, which in turn were due to breakdowns at coal-fired power plants, elevated fossil fuel prices and rising costs for network infrastructure.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is doubling down on his ambitious renewable energy plans, declaring it the cheapest new source of power, while the federal Coalition brawls over emissions targets and its commitment to build nuclear energy instead of wind and solar farms.
Queensland's LNP government has put renewable energy projects under closer scrutiny, recently approving two wind farms but blocking another.
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7.22am
Queensland Heritage Council responds to LNP's Olympic override
By Sean Parnell
The Queensland Heritage Council has urged the Crisafulli government to tread carefully in its plans for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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The government has moved to override heritage and other planning restrictions to deliver Games venues, including in Victoria Park where the environment department recently recommended a heritage listing be expanded.
In a submission to a parliamentary committee inquiry into the planned override, Queensland Heritage Council chair Stuart Lummis urged the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority engage experts.
'Delivering a world-class legacy from the Games does not have to occur through diminished heritage outcomes,' Lummis wrote.
'There are numerous examples in Queensland and elsewhere of large-scale development that has respectfully retained and integrated heritage places through design excellence and sensitive adaptation, while conserving their significance.
7.15am
SEQ electricity prices to rise by up to 3.7 per cent
By Mike Foley
Households will be hit with higher power bills from July 1 after the market regulator handed down its latest round of annual price setting.
Price caps will rise for customers by between 0.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent in south-east Queensland, under a determination from the Australian Energy Regulator.
South-east Queensland provider Energex is in the middle of the pack when it comes to annual bills.
Loading
The price spikes have been driven by higher costs in the electricity grid over the past year, which in turn were due to breakdowns at coal-fired power plants, elevated fossil fuel prices and rising costs for network infrastructure.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is doubling down on his ambitious renewable energy plans, declaring it the cheapest new source of power, while the federal Coalition brawls over emissions targets and its commitment to build nuclear energy instead of wind and solar farms.
Queensland's LNP government has put renewable energy projects under closer scrutiny, recently approving two wind farms but blocking another.
7.07am
The weather this week
In what feels like unseasonal weather, the mercury is expected to reach almost 30 degrees in Brisbane today, on a cloudy Tuesday.
From tomorrow, however, temperatures for the rest of the week will plunge back down into more typical late-Autumn territory.
Here's a look at today's weather, and the seven days to come.
7.04am
While you were sleeping
Here's what's making news further afield this morning:
Health Minister Mark Butler wants significant attention paid to discovering why the rate of informal votes has almost tripled in hospitals and aged care centres as it potentially affects the results of closely contested electorates.
Australian oil and gas giant Woodside Energy has pointed to crippling blackouts that left millions without electricity across Europe last month as a 'forceful reminder' for the Albanese government to prioritise energy security alongside goals to switch to cleaner sources of power.
Donald Trump has inflicted deep damage to three of the unique sources of American superpower, writes Peter Hartcher. 'And he's on the very brink of shattering a fourth.'
A car has ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a parade celebrating their side's Premier League soccer title, and police arrested a 53-year-old British man.
They were just play fighting. That was French President Emmanuel Macron's explanation for video images that showed his wife, Brigitte, pushing her husband away with both hands on his face before they disembarked from their plane.
American surfer Griffin Colapinto has described a ride which included a spectacular aerial and earned a perfect 10 score at Margaret River as one of the 'most incredible moments of my life'.
6.31am
The top stories this morning
Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Tuesday, May 27. Today we can expect a partly cloudy day and a top temperature of 29 degrees.
In this morning's local headlines:
The Morningside School of Arts building has been brought back from the brink of ruin, but its trustees say it needs a large injection of funds if it's to survive past its 100th birthday in 2026.
A Queensland-born businessman has been identified as the Australian accused of accepting a 1.7 kilogram haul of cocaine in Bali for a promised reward of just $4700.
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ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
Albanese embraced by NZ Prime Minister Chris Luxon as two countries flag increased defence cooperation
China's presence in the Pacific and a push for peace in the Middle East were at the centre of talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon on Saturday. Both prime ministers were keen to present a united front on global uncertainty as they stood side by side in chilly Queenstown for annual talks. After both countries signed a joint statement condemning Israel's plan to further expand its military operations in the Gaza Strip by taking over Gaza City, the leaders expressed their concern during their joint press conference. Mr Albanese reiterated Australia's desire to see a ceasefire, as well as more aid flowing into the besieged Palestinian territory and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.. Despite the United Kingdom, France and Canada all proposing to recognise a Palestinian state in September at a major United Nations meeting, Australia and New Zealand have not put a timeline on when they will look to do so. Before formal discussions began, Mr Albanese was welcomed to New Zealand with a traditional Māori pōwhiri ceremony, and was embraced by Mr Luxon. It's the seventh time the two leaders have met as prime ministers, but they've known each other since long before that, when Mr Luxon was the head of Air New Zealand and Mr Albanese was Australia's transport minister. The official sit-down went for about an hour, after which the pair took a strictly limited six questions from the Australian and New Zealand press pack. The leaders confirmed they had discussed China and security in the Indo-Pacific, while also noting they had both recently visited China — a significant trading partner to both nations. They also made sure to emphasise their commitment to the Pacific family and its security. On the home front, both leaders signalled a desire to deepen defence ties between the two countries, with Mr Luxon saying he wanted Australia and New Zealand's militaries to operate as one ANZAC force. Despite a consistent push from the Trump administration for countries to boost their defence spending, both Mr Albanese and Mr Luxon stood by their current commitments to lift their spending to about 2 per cent of GDP. However, Mr Luxon did signal that he hoped to raise that figure, if possible. Mr Albanese's trip to New Zealand is only brief, lasting about 24 hours. While it's his third visit since becoming prime minister in 2022, he has not travelled to Queenstown since he was a young backpacker. He'll get a very different experience of the sites this time around — Mr Luxon and his wife are expected to spend Sunday morning showing Mr Albanese and his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, the city's stunning surrounds. Mr Albanese and Mr Luxon are both keen to promote tourism between their two countries, given Australia and New Zealand are each other's biggest tourism markets.
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Human catastrophe': PM condemns Israel's plan for Gaza
Anthony Albanese is urging his Israeli counterpart to rethink a decision to re-invade and take control of Gaza City "before it is too late". The prime minister joined a chorus of global leaders condemning the plan and warning it would worsen a humanitarian crisis in the devastated enclave. After a meeting in Queenstown on Saturday, Mr Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a joint statement calling on Israel to comply with international law. "Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip," they said. "We urge the Israeli government to reconsider before it is too late. "Any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned." Foreign Minister Penny Wong separately warned the looming military operation risked putting the lives of hostages and civilians in more danger. Senator Wong joined Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to "strongly reject" Israel's decision to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza. The foreign ministers said the plans would aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages and further risk the mass displacement of civilians. "We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire," they said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went against the advice of his military leaders to declare he intended to take military control of all of Gaza. "We intend to," Mr Netanyahu told Fox News when asked if Israel would take over the entire territory. Israel would eventually hand over the territory to Arab forces, which would govern it, he said. "We don't want to keep it," Mr Netanyahu said. "We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body." The move could displace an estimated one million Palestinians and has sparked international outrage. Germany has suspended arms sales to Israel, concerned the weapons could be used in Gaza and marking a major shift in its foreign policy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a conservative whose support for Israel was a foundation of his election campaign, said he would not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza "until further notice". The UN secretary general António Guterres described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also urged Israel to reconsider. Going a step further, Amnesty International's secretary general Agnès Callamard described Israel's latest actions as "utterly outrageous and revolting". Ms Callamard called on the international community to suspend arms transfers, adopt targeted sanctions and terminate engagement with Israeli entities rather than "professing empty platitudes and condemnations". "These would merely constitute another smokescreen, while allowing the horrors of Israel's genocide to unfold," she said. The Israeli government is pursuing "total victory" in its war with Hamas, which attacked the nation's south in October 2023, killing approximately 1200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assaults have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Some 200 people, almost half of them children, have reportedly died of starvation. The worsening humanitarian situation has driven plans from the UK, France and Canada to call for the recognition of Palestine at a UN meeting in September, pending conditions such as Hamas returning the remaining hostages. Australian government ministers have said the nation's recognition of Palestinian statehood is a matter of "when, not if". Anthony Albanese is urging his Israeli counterpart to rethink a decision to re-invade and take control of Gaza City "before it is too late". The prime minister joined a chorus of global leaders condemning the plan and warning it would worsen a humanitarian crisis in the devastated enclave. After a meeting in Queenstown on Saturday, Mr Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a joint statement calling on Israel to comply with international law. "Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip," they said. "We urge the Israeli government to reconsider before it is too late. "Any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned." Foreign Minister Penny Wong separately warned the looming military operation risked putting the lives of hostages and civilians in more danger. Senator Wong joined Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to "strongly reject" Israel's decision to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza. The foreign ministers said the plans would aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages and further risk the mass displacement of civilians. "We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire," they said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went against the advice of his military leaders to declare he intended to take military control of all of Gaza. "We intend to," Mr Netanyahu told Fox News when asked if Israel would take over the entire territory. Israel would eventually hand over the territory to Arab forces, which would govern it, he said. "We don't want to keep it," Mr Netanyahu said. "We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body." The move could displace an estimated one million Palestinians and has sparked international outrage. Germany has suspended arms sales to Israel, concerned the weapons could be used in Gaza and marking a major shift in its foreign policy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a conservative whose support for Israel was a foundation of his election campaign, said he would not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza "until further notice". The UN secretary general António Guterres described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also urged Israel to reconsider. Going a step further, Amnesty International's secretary general Agnès Callamard described Israel's latest actions as "utterly outrageous and revolting". Ms Callamard called on the international community to suspend arms transfers, adopt targeted sanctions and terminate engagement with Israeli entities rather than "professing empty platitudes and condemnations". "These would merely constitute another smokescreen, while allowing the horrors of Israel's genocide to unfold," she said. The Israeli government is pursuing "total victory" in its war with Hamas, which attacked the nation's south in October 2023, killing approximately 1200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assaults have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Some 200 people, almost half of them children, have reportedly died of starvation. The worsening humanitarian situation has driven plans from the UK, France and Canada to call for the recognition of Palestine at a UN meeting in September, pending conditions such as Hamas returning the remaining hostages. Australian government ministers have said the nation's recognition of Palestinian statehood is a matter of "when, not if". Anthony Albanese is urging his Israeli counterpart to rethink a decision to re-invade and take control of Gaza City "before it is too late". The prime minister joined a chorus of global leaders condemning the plan and warning it would worsen a humanitarian crisis in the devastated enclave. After a meeting in Queenstown on Saturday, Mr Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a joint statement calling on Israel to comply with international law. "Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip," they said. "We urge the Israeli government to reconsider before it is too late. "Any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned." Foreign Minister Penny Wong separately warned the looming military operation risked putting the lives of hostages and civilians in more danger. Senator Wong joined Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to "strongly reject" Israel's decision to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza. The foreign ministers said the plans would aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages and further risk the mass displacement of civilians. "We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire," they said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went against the advice of his military leaders to declare he intended to take military control of all of Gaza. "We intend to," Mr Netanyahu told Fox News when asked if Israel would take over the entire territory. Israel would eventually hand over the territory to Arab forces, which would govern it, he said. "We don't want to keep it," Mr Netanyahu said. "We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body." The move could displace an estimated one million Palestinians and has sparked international outrage. Germany has suspended arms sales to Israel, concerned the weapons could be used in Gaza and marking a major shift in its foreign policy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a conservative whose support for Israel was a foundation of his election campaign, said he would not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza "until further notice". The UN secretary general António Guterres described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also urged Israel to reconsider. Going a step further, Amnesty International's secretary general Agnès Callamard described Israel's latest actions as "utterly outrageous and revolting". Ms Callamard called on the international community to suspend arms transfers, adopt targeted sanctions and terminate engagement with Israeli entities rather than "professing empty platitudes and condemnations". "These would merely constitute another smokescreen, while allowing the horrors of Israel's genocide to unfold," she said. The Israeli government is pursuing "total victory" in its war with Hamas, which attacked the nation's south in October 2023, killing approximately 1200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assaults have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Some 200 people, almost half of them children, have reportedly died of starvation. The worsening humanitarian situation has driven plans from the UK, France and Canada to call for the recognition of Palestine at a UN meeting in September, pending conditions such as Hamas returning the remaining hostages. Australian government ministers have said the nation's recognition of Palestinian statehood is a matter of "when, not if". Anthony Albanese is urging his Israeli counterpart to rethink a decision to re-invade and take control of Gaza City "before it is too late". The prime minister joined a chorus of global leaders condemning the plan and warning it would worsen a humanitarian crisis in the devastated enclave. After a meeting in Queenstown on Saturday, Mr Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a joint statement calling on Israel to comply with international law. "Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip," they said. "We urge the Israeli government to reconsider before it is too late. "Any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned." Foreign Minister Penny Wong separately warned the looming military operation risked putting the lives of hostages and civilians in more danger. Senator Wong joined Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to "strongly reject" Israel's decision to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza. The foreign ministers said the plans would aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages and further risk the mass displacement of civilians. "We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire," they said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went against the advice of his military leaders to declare he intended to take military control of all of Gaza. "We intend to," Mr Netanyahu told Fox News when asked if Israel would take over the entire territory. Israel would eventually hand over the territory to Arab forces, which would govern it, he said. "We don't want to keep it," Mr Netanyahu said. "We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body." The move could displace an estimated one million Palestinians and has sparked international outrage. Germany has suspended arms sales to Israel, concerned the weapons could be used in Gaza and marking a major shift in its foreign policy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a conservative whose support for Israel was a foundation of his election campaign, said he would not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza "until further notice". The UN secretary general António Guterres described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also urged Israel to reconsider. Going a step further, Amnesty International's secretary general Agnès Callamard described Israel's latest actions as "utterly outrageous and revolting". Ms Callamard called on the international community to suspend arms transfers, adopt targeted sanctions and terminate engagement with Israeli entities rather than "professing empty platitudes and condemnations". "These would merely constitute another smokescreen, while allowing the horrors of Israel's genocide to unfold," she said. The Israeli government is pursuing "total victory" in its war with Hamas, which attacked the nation's south in October 2023, killing approximately 1200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assaults have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Some 200 people, almost half of them children, have reportedly died of starvation. The worsening humanitarian situation has driven plans from the UK, France and Canada to call for the recognition of Palestine at a UN meeting in September, pending conditions such as Hamas returning the remaining hostages. Australian government ministers have said the nation's recognition of Palestinian statehood is a matter of "when, not if".
SBS Australia
10 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Evening News Bulletin 9 August 2025
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . TRANSCRIPT The Gaza conflict on the agenda as Anthony Albanese meets his New Zealand counterpart for annual talks UN officials call Israel's Gaza City plan a dangerous escalation The Matildas to face Wales in an upcoming friendly in October Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been welcomed in New Zealand where he is visiting Christopher Luxon for bilateral talks. Defence and trade are on the agenda, as well as international issues like the conflict in Gaza. The foreign ministers of Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the UK and Italy have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's plans to control more of Gaza, warning it puts the lives of people in further danger; and risks breaching international law. In Queenstown, Mr Albanese says he looks forward to the discussions that will take place today and tomorrow. "We are neighbours. We're friends and we're members of the Pacific family. And as you say, we do live very much in uncertain times. There is much that we have to discuss. Increasingly, we have strong defence ties as well. We'll discuss the seamless economic activity that we have. " German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Germany will suspend all exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza. This move marks a drastic change of course for Germany, with the country's one of Israel's staunchest international allies. UN spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci says Israel's plan to take over the entire Gaza Strip is a dangerous escalation of the dire humanitarian situation in the enclave. "Any decision to expand Israel's military operations in Gaza is deeply alarming. And obviously, it is clear that this would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. It has to be really clear. We really stand firmly against any escalation of the conflict." Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned a neo-Nazi march that took place in Melbourne's CBD. Victoria Police say around 100 people dressed in black and wearing face masks marched through the city centre at around 12:40am on Saturday. They held banners stating "White man fight back". Some protesters held the the Australian flag; while others the flag for the racist violent extremist group, calling themselves the National Socialist Network. Police say there were no arrests made, with officers maintaining a presence to ensure community safety. In a statement, Premier Jacinta Allan thanked police for maintaining public order - and she says the government will soon introduce powers for police to unmask protesters. She added that criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month - and are aimed at stopping racist and hate-based behaviour. Soldiers in Ukraine say they have little hope for a diplomatic solution to the war, after US President Donald Trump announced he will be meeting with the Russian President in Alaska soon. Mr Trump says he will meet Vladimir Putin for talks in Alaska on August 15, after the Russian leader failed to meet Trump's Friday deadline on a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia has once again ignored an opportunity for peace. "We are keeping up our talks with partners to find a common position for a solid peace for Ukraine. A real peace. And if everyone can see the opportunities and threats the same way, then we'll be able to get to a lasting peace. There is already a lot of support, and this support is (based) in the new circumstances, when a deadline has been set for Russia for a ceasefire. We see that the Russians are ignoring this, at least for now. Today there were more killings, today there were more Russian strikes. More than a hundred combat drones were launched against us, against Ukraine, during the night." In football, the Matildas will play against Wales in a friendly scheduled for October 25 in Cardiff. The match against Wales - currently ranked 32nd in the world - is the first between the two nations in women's football. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says the game will provide a perfect opportunity to finetune the squad's preparations ahead of their Asian Cup campaign against the Philippines in Perth on March 1.
