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TRANSCRIPT
- The PM blasts an alleged attempt to bomb Perth's Invasion Day rally
- India clinches a trade deal with the EU after two decades of talks
- Novak Djokovic will resume his quest for an astonishing 11th Australian Open
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says authorities in West Australia should "throw the book" at the man who allegedly tossed a home-made bomb into the crowd at an Invasion Day rally.
Police allege the device contained a mixture of volatile and potentially explosive chemicals, with nails and metal ball bearings attached to its exterior.
A subsequent search of the 31-year-old's home allegedly revealed more materials consistent with making bombs, and he was refused bail.
He was due to appear in court on Tuesday and Mr Albanese says if he is found guilty he should face the full force of the law.
"They should throw the book at him. This was an incident that is quite shocking, and he's been charged with two serious offences, and I look forward to him being prosecuted to the full force of the law. As always, the Australian Federal Police remain available for reporting their state-based colleagues."
Homes have been destroyed and fresh evacuation orders issued for dozens of small towns in Victoria's Otway Ranges where a large bushfire is burning in severe heatwave conditions.
Authorities have warned residents near the Carlisle River fire that emergency services may not be able to help anyone who chooses to stay, and that it's too late for some to leave.
At least three homes have been lost and over 94,000 households lost power on Tuesday.
There were several significant bushfires burning across parts of Victoria, but the Carlisle River fire was of most concern.
Chief Fire Officer at Forest Fire Manager Victoria Chris Hardman gave an update late Tuesday.
"That fire has challenged firefighters since it breached around 3pm on Saturday. That fire has more than doubled in size. It's in excess of 10,000 hectares now, and firefighters did an incredible amount of work to try and contain that fire overnight last night, but as the warmer weather and the inversion broke some gusty winds came down onto that fire ground today, and that fire ground has spotted outside of its original containment lines."
The Northern Territory's children's commissioner has raised the alarm amid rapid changes to law and policies impacting young people's rights in Australia's Top End.
The Commissioner’s latest annual report says the majority of complaints came from youth detention, with one child reportedly held in a cell for 84 hours without food, medication or sunlight.
The commissioner, Larrakia woman Shahleena Musk, says these impacts have followed rapid reforms in the NT, including lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 years old; and changes that make it harder for young people to get bail.
"The vast majority are there on remand, that is awaiting the resolution of their charges or trial. So what we're seeing is the overuse of custody in contrast of alternatives that could be based in the community with family; and with services that are going to address the underlying needs. And we're seeing more and more children with unmet disability, mental health and trauma needs. Children being criminalised because of their unmet needs."
The NT government is yet to respond to the report - or requests for comment from SBS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India has finalised a massive trade deal with the European Union as the two sides seek to hedge against protectionist policies emanating from the US.
After nearly two decades of intermittent talks, the deal could pave the way for India to open up its vast and guarded market to the EU, which is the country's largest trading partner.
It has been dubbed "the mother of all deals" by both sides and Mr Modi say India and the EU represent 25 per cent of global GDP and one third of global trade.
India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal hopes to have the deal running before the end of this year.
"This is a wonderful agreement. It will be taken up for a legal scrubbing on a fast track basis, as we discussed today, and will be translated into 24 languages simultaneously. We do hope that we should be able to celebrate the agreement's entry into force within calendar 2026 itself."
A well-rested Novak Djokovic will resume his quest for an astonishing 11th Australian Open title today as Melbourne turns the corner on a summer heatwave.
The Serb's tantalising showdown with world No.5 Lorenzo Musetti headlines quarter-final action at Melbourne Park this afternoon.
In a welcome relief for players and spectators, Melbourne is headed for a forecast top of 24C after play was suspended on all outside courts on Tuesday as the mercury rose to nearly 43 degrees Celsius.
History suggests 38-year-old Djokovic will have little trouble with the Italian rising star, having won nine of their 10 previous encounters.
