a day ago
Midday News Bulletin 6 July 2025
The Minister for Home Affairs condemns the recent Melbourne attacks
Israeli officials to send a delegation to Qatar today for Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal talks
Fiji warns the Wallabies against treating today's Test match as a warm-up
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The Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke has condemned the recent attacks in Melbourne, saying hatred and anti-semitism have no place in Australia. In a press conference outside the Melbourne synagogue, Minister Burke says the government stands in solidarity with the community. "There were three attacks that night and none of them belonged in Australia, arson attacks, the chanting calls for deaths, other attacks and graffiti, none of them belong in Australia and they were attacks on Australia. So we've come together today to stand in solidarity with the community here." Last night, Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit arrested a 34-year old man from Sydney in Melbourne's CBD over the arson attack on the Melbourne synagogue. Police allege the man, who faces several serious charges, used a flammable liquid to douse the front doors of the building and set it alight. The man is set to appear before the Bail and Remand Court in Melbourne today. Israeli officials say they will be sending a delegation to Qatar today for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office say the changes requested by Hamas to a ceasefire proposal were unacceptable. Meanwhile, a controversial aid operation for Gaza backed by Israel and the US reveal two of its workers have been injured in an attack while giving out relief. The Gaza Humanitarian says two militants threw grenades at the aid centre in Khan Younis, blaming Hamas for the incident. World Health Organisation representative for the Palestinian Territories, Rik Peeperkorn, says Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli attacks near aid sites. "Life is almost like it's worth one bag of flour or something like that. That's the insane thing what is happening and it's a majority of the casualties directly reported to us by the health workers, but also by the families, was all related to the so-called safe non-UN food distribution sites." Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made his first public appearance since the start of Iran's conflict with Israel. State television footage shows him greeting worshippers at a mosque during a ceremony a day before the festival of Ashura. Mr Khamenei's last appearance was in a recorded address during the conflict with Israel, which began on 13 June, during which top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, as well as hundreds of civilians, were killed. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei says his Iran can't allow the UN nuclear watchdog inspectors to visit its nuclear sites while Israel and the US are attacking them. "How are we supposed to be able to guarantee the safety and security of IAEA inspectors, while our peaceful nuclear facilities have been attacked last Monday, just five or six days ago." It comes as US President Donald Trump says he expects Iran to open itself to international inspection, to verify that it isn't restarting its nuclear program. Fiji have warned the Wallabies of the danger of treating their Test match as a warm-up for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series as the Pacific islanders look to make history in Newcastle today. After wrecking Australia's World Cup campaign two years ago in France with their first win over the Wallabies in 69 years, Fiji have set their sights on going back-to-back for the first time, as they compete for the Vuvale Bowl. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Test front-rower, to present the trophy in the one-off Rugby Union Test.
Australia has provided $10 million over seven years for the Fijian Drua women's and men's teams in the Super Rugby Pacific and Australia Super W competitions.
