Latest news with #StephenParnis
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: Israel expands Gaza offensive, how to fix childcare, Epstein files to remain sealed
Good morning. Israel's military has announced it is expanding its offensive in Gaza City as Benjamin Netanyahu ordered generals to accelerate 'the defeat of Hamas'. In Australia, a leading doctor and public critic of Israel has stepped down from chairing a medical insurance provider. We look at what Jason Clare has to do to fix childcare at tomorrow's meeting with state ministers, a US judge rules the Epstein files must remain sealed, and how a French live-streamer has died live online. Flood warning | People in New South Wales have been warned to 'stay ready and stay safe' as another bout of intense rainfall hits the state, bringing possible floods. Doctor's call | High-profile emergency physician Dr Stephen Parnis has stepped down as chair of the board of a leading medical insurance provider in an apparent response to concerns about statements he has made on social media opposing the war in Gaza. Childcare crunch | As the education minister, Jason Clare, prepares to meet his state counterparts today to discuss reforms to the childcare sector, Kate Lyons traces how – despite review after review making recommendations to the government – little has been done to create a proper national system of regulation. Netanyahu 'inflammatory' | Australia's peak Jewish group has lambasted Benjamin Netanyahu for his attack on Anthony Albanese as 'inflammatory and provocative', adding that it showed a 'woeful lack of understanding of social and political conditions in Australia'. Emmanuel Macron has described as 'abject' Netanyahu's claims of an antisemitic surge in France. Winter's over | Tasmanian Labor has replaced Dean Winter as parliamentary leader, with Josh Willie elected unopposed to serve as the state's new opposition leader after a failed bid to unseat the premier, Jeremy Rockliff. Epstein ruling | A federal judge in New York who presided over the sex-trafficking case against the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has rejected the government's request to unseal grand jury transcripts. Israel offensive | Israel has announced it is expanding its military operation in Gaza City as Benjamin Netanyahu said the aim was to speed up the timetable 'for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas'. In the UK, a court heard that the terror charge brought against the Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh for flying the Hezbollah flag should be thrown out. Moscow red line | Moscow has said it must be part of any international talks on Ukraine's security as Russia continues to stall on Donald Trump's push for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We're looking at what it all means for the prospects of peace in Ukraine. Online death | French authorities are investigating the death of a man during a live video stream on the Kick platform, where he had regularly been shown enduring violence and humiliation. Lai trial | A lawyer for Jimmy Lai has argued that it is not wrong to support freedom of expression as he began his final argument in the Hong Kong democracy activist and newspaper founder's landmark national security trial. Can the government keep kids safe in childcare? After revelations about abuse at childcare centres, Kate Lyons talks to Reged Ahmad about whether the government can restore faith in the sector. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ Discussion at today's sessions of the government economic roundtable will be dominated by the thorny issue of tax: how much we should be paying, and which form that tax should take. Our economics editor, Patrick Commins, casts his expert eye over the key questions, while economist Nicki Hutley argues that the focus should really have been about creating an economy that's good for everyone. The subject of Luke Buckmaster's critical lens this week is Kangaroo Island, a relationship-centric family drama by first-time feature director Timothy David, starring Rebecca Breeds and set on the eponymous South Australian idyll. The landscape is something of scene-stealer in a 'tonally uneven' film, but just when it seems destined for 'Hallmarkian slosh' it has moments that resonate. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Tennis | On the eve of her final tournament, double Wimbledon champion and Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova explains why she has no regrets about her career. Rugby union | The Wallaroos begin their World Cup campaign against Samoa in Manchester on Saturday night AEST and the young squad is hoping to spring a few surprises. Football | Experts are concerned that local laws are not robust enough to tackle illegal international online gambling on football, especially with the Women's Asian Cup taking place in Australia next year. The Telegraph highlights a 'billion-dollar' spending spree by two cousins that could transform Sydney's Hills district. The Adelaide Crows' case against Izak Rankine's ban has gone into overtime with the hearing delayed 24 hours, the Age reports. Tempers are at boiling point on the Gold Coast over increased parking charges at Burleigh Heads, according to the Bulletin. The Mercury looks at how the Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff, outmanoeuvred Labor 'at every turn'. Business | Full-year earnings from Whitehaven, Domain and Star Entertainment Group. Brisbane | Pre-trial hearing begins for the Australian company charged with bribery over its conduct on Nauru a decade ago. Environment | AGL reveals its climate action plan. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Concern Australian doctor ‘pushed' out as chair of medical insurer board over social media posts on Gaza war
High-profile emergency physician Dr Stephen Parnis has stepped down as chair of the board of a leading medical insurance provider in an apparent response to concerns about statements he has made on social media opposing the war in Gaza. Parnis, a former vice-president of the Australian Medical Association, announced in an email to members of the Medical Insurance Group of Australia (Miga) last Monday that he was giving up his role as chair of the board. 'I have exercised my right as an individual to comment on matters in the public domain based on my own views and conscience,' Parnis said in the email. 'At no time have I purported to represent these interests on behalf of Miga and its members, however, I consider it prudent to step down from my role as Chair of the Board.' Sign up: AU Breaking News email Parnis said he would remain as a director on the board but that Miga would be 'reviewing its Social Media Policy to ensure it reflects good governance and contemporary expectations of everyone who represents our organisation and our members'. Miga is a major indemnity insurance provider for healthcare workers, providing access to legal and financial support to manage medical malpractice claims. It has more than 30,000 members. Parnis, who became a director of Miga in 2019, has been a vocal opponent of Israel's war in Gaza and sympathised with Palestinians. He has also been openly critical of the Trump regime and Robert F Kennedy Jr's anti-vaccination stance, expressed opposition to voluntary assisted dying and voiced his opinion on other matters. In an article for the health website Croakey in October last year, Parnis argued that doctors should take a position on Gaza because they had 'an important role to play in advocating for harm reduction'. He also said he had 'seen the personal attacks, the financial and social persecution of those whose careful assessments have led them to speak out for the reduction of harm and violence in Israel and Palestine'. He paid tribute in the article to the medical professionals in Gaza, where the Palestinian health ministry reports at least 1,581 health workers have been killed since 7 October 2023. Parnis posts regularly to X about human rights issues and has received public threats and abuse on that platform in response to his posts on Gaza. Parnis has also spoken out against instances of alleged antisemitism in the community. A coordinated letter writing campaign in support of Parnis accused Miga of having 'pushed Stephen Parnis out of his board chair position for expressing his personal views on Gaza' and urged Miga members to write to the board, requesting 'clarification on the circumstances surrounding this decision'. Noting that the medical board's code of conduct acknowledged the rights of doctors to express their personal views in line with their ethics, the letter said: 'It raises significant concerns if Dr Parnis has been asked to step down specifically for expressing his views, especially considering his exemplary advocacy during a critical humanitarian crisis. This situation prompts questions about whether … Miga will support its members who are targeted by vexatious complaints.' At the time of writing, 63 emails had been sent as part of that campaign. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion A Melbourne GP, Dr Mariam Tokhi, told Guardian Australia that health workers had been 'quietly struggling' against 'covert silencing of people who speak out against violence or criticise Israel' for the past couple of years. 'That has included a spate of vexatious complaints against health workers who have expressed public concerns about Israel's destruction of Gaza,' Tokhi said. 'Many of us are worried about Miga's move for Dr Parnis to step down as chair, as clinicians rely on the Medical Defence Organisation to support us against vexatious complaints.' In an article for Croakey on Friday, paediatric rehabilitation physician Dr Safiyyah Abbas questioned whether Parnis' demotion was 'the sentinel event for Australian doctors' who spoke publicly about their views on Gaza. 'Miga and other medical indemnity companies must urgently clarify whether they will protect doctors who speak up for Palestine and criticise Israel (or Australia or any other country, for that matter) to allow doctors to make an informed decision, given they must be indemnified to work,' Abbas wrote. Parnis declined to comment to Guardian Australia. Miga declined to comment on the circumstances of Parnis's resignation but said in a statement: 'We support, represent, and advocate for all of our members – regardless of race or culture, religion, age, gender or sexuality – to ensure they can practise safely and confidently, and deliver quality care to the community. As a broad and diverse member organisation, Miga respects the rights of all of our members to hold and express personal and differing views.'Do you know more? Contact:
