In this bulletin, calls to protect whistleblowers as David McBride is freed on parole, revelations drones are flying over restricted Defence Force air space. And in cricket, local boy Jake Weatherfield opens for Australia against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Key Points
- Calls for greater whistleblower protections
- Concerns drones flying over restricted defence space
- Batsman Weatherfield lines up for Bangladesh test
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TRANSCRIPT
Whistleblower David McBride has been released from a Canberra prison after his bid for parole was successful.
His parole was considered and granted this morning.
A spokesperson for attorney-general Michelle Rowland says the government does not provide specific commentary or details about individual parole matters.
The former army lawyer was sentenced to a maximum of five years and eight months in jail in May 2024, after he helped steal secret defense documents about the Afghanistan war which he then leaked to the press.
Speaking outside the court today, McBride said he did not regret his actions.
"I've never been so proud to be an Australian as today. I may have broken the law, but I did not break my oath to the people of Australia."
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Whistleblower advocates have renewed calls for the creation of an authority to protect those who share information to expose wrongdoing.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been lobbying to establish a body with the power to oversee and enforce whistleblower protections, facilitate whistleblower disclosures, and safeguard whistleblowers from inside government or business who expose corruption and wrongdoing.
Following McBride's release on parole this morning, Mr Wilkie says the former lawyer is a hero and should not have been imprisoned.
"The government acted that way, not simply to punish David McBride, but also to send a signal to other potential whistleblowers that hey , don't cause trouble, don't speak out. Because just like we jailed David McBride we will jail you too, so keep your mouth shut and don't speak out."
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Tasmania is working with the Federal Government on a plan to protect its most vulnerable species, after a bird tested positive to H5N1 bird flu on the island's north west coast.
A dead brown skua contracted the disease and there are fears the virus could spread to at-risk animals, including the orange-bellied parrot, Tasmanian devil and Australian and long-nosed fur seals.
Rachael Alderman is the Director of Threatened Species at the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.
She says the virus has spread to a diverse range of animals and experts don't know which species will be infected in Tasmania.
“We are applying for a permit to vaccinate 350 orange bellied parrots, we know that there will be enough vaccine available for us to do that. At the moment, however, that is the only species that we are able to vaccinate, based on the current permit conditions for this vaccine."
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Thousands of workers in and around Australia's largest aluminium smelter will keep their jobs after the state and federal governments agreed to a multibillion-dollar bailout and new plans for cheaper energy.
The Tomago aluminium smelter in the NSW Hunter region faced closure in 2028 due to forecasts of higher energy prices.
It's the single largest electricity user in the nation.
The NSW government and the Commonwealth have agreed to commit $2.5 billion dollars to help it secure long-term energy contracts in 2029.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the deal is designed to support new renewable generation after Tomago said they could no longer rely on coal-fired power and were worried renewable energy would not make up the difference.
"We worked on a very innovative arrangement together with New South Wales, working with our government agencies CEFC and Snowy Hydro to bring on that renewable energy, three gigawatts."
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Israeli troops have clashed with Jewish settlers, while trying to disperse them from a West Bank outpost they set up directly in front of Palestinian homes.
The troops were unable to clear the settlers.
The incident on the outskirts of the Palestinian village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank, marked a rare confrontation between settlers and the military.
In a statement, the Israeli Defence Force described the incident as 'illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable'.
Loui Ridi's family homes are in Qusra and he tells SBS that the family is truly facing seige conditions.
"They're cutting off all supplies - food, and water; They cut off the electricity. The only electricity we have right now, we have a solar system backup temporarily working on the batteries."
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To cricket - and local boy Jake Weatherald is getting a chance to cement his spot in the Australia side after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat against Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin.
However, the Darwin-born opener was out for 23.
Pat Cummins had no hesitation in opting to bat, but the decision suited Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who says he liked the look of the surface as being a good opportunity for bowlers.
Australia was 4 for 82 shortly after lunch.
Travis Head was out for 22, Marnus Labushane for 1 and Cam Green for 13.
