TRANSCRIPT
- Bondi stabbing victim Jade Young farewelled at a memorial service...
- Plans for a second safe injection room in Melbourne abandoned...
- Wally Lewis has made an impassioned plea for further funding into concussion and traumatic brain injuries research
Hundreds have gathered at Sydney's Botanic Gardens to honour one of the six people killed in the Bondi stabbing attack.
47-year-old architect Jade Young has been remembered as "dearly loved and irreplaceable" mother-of-two.
Her mother, Elizabeth, told those gathered for the memorial that she is angry and exhausted, although she thanked well-wishers from around Australia for their condolences.
And earlier today a group of 100 paddleboarders and surfers gathered at Bondi beach, forming a heart in the ocean, to honour those killed in the Bondi stabbing attack.
Participant Brenda Miley says it is has been healing to come together in solidarity and mateship.
"With the Bondi community, we're connected by the ocean. So it was really powerful to paddle out and be part of the paddle out to recognise people who lost their lives in this terrible event. We were honouring people who lost their lives and people who had been heroes. And we were connected as a community of ocean-loving people."
The New South Wales Premier says he is considering introducing new powers for police to conduct non-invasive knife searches in public, following the stabbings at Westfield Bondi and a Sydney church.
The so-called wanding powers have been hailed as a success story in Queensland where they allow police to use hand-held metal detectors without warrants in night precincts and around transit hubs.
The Police Association of NSW, Public Service Association of NSW, Health Services Union and SDA Union say they see a clear case for the powers to be adopted in the state.
Premier Chris Minns says he is willing to look at the proposal.
"Look, we are contemplating a law change. And I think that is a reasonable thing to do when you see shocking violent crime in the state - that has many in the community concerned. So we're looking at laws, particularly laws interstate in other jurisdictions. I am not going to rush those laws though. It is really important that we're able to speak with the stakeholders in New South Wales - and that the public understands the implications of a law change."
A new supervised drug injecting room will not be built in Melbourne, despite a $270,000 government-commissioned report pushing for a new facility in the CBD.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledged the government had previously backed a second injecting centre in the CBD.
She says the government had spent "a lot of time" trying to find a site - and couldn't find one that struck the right balance between helping users and support from the local community.
Ms Allan says instead of a new facility, more medical supports around Victoria will be provided.
"This is about taking action now to save lives. It is about making sure that we are building on the foundations that we are already in supporting a health-led, harm minimisation approach when it comes to alcohol and drug policy settings. And that includes... And we are proud to have a safe injecting room in North Richmond. We're proud to have driven the establishment of that service. And today with the announcement and the release of the details, we're going to strengthen that service."
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie appears to have deleted her social media account on X, after criticising the platform's owner Elon Musk.
The tech billionaire has challenged legal orders issued by Australia's eSafety Commissioner on the removal of violent footage related to a Sydney church stabbing.
An initial court hearing has ruled in favour of the eSafety Commissioner, giving X until tomorrow 5pm to hide posts, including graphic material, relating to the Wakeley church stabbing.
Ms Lambie says she is standing up to Elon Musk.
"Well, first of all Elon Musk is just putting his ideology out there on a platform because he is a billionaire. So let's be honest here, he is nothing but a social media knob. All right, let's be honest here. And he is harmful - and what he is doing to kids out here and what he is doing to adults. And the crap that he puts over that X. I tell you what: it's gone far enough."
In sports, rugby league legend Wally Lewis has made an impassioned plea for further funding into concussion and traumatic brain injuries research ahead of the federal budget.
The Queensland great used his address at the National Press Club to open up about his experience with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
He says the emerging research shows the condition is preventable.
"As a footy player, I took to the field every week determined to succeed and willing to take on the toughest opponent in every game, with no consideration of failure. Now, although I face an opponent I know little about, I remain determined. I do not seek sympathy at all, just understanding. One thing we do know is that this is the only form of dementia that is preventable. And we only get one brain."
Ahead of the May federal budget, the Concussion and CTE Coalition - made up of advocacy bodies such as Dementia Australia - have called for $18 million in funding from the government.
The alliance says the funds would allow for the launch of a pilot program to help support people living with CTE and their families, along with community awareness and prevention programs.
