Social cohesion the focus of the ninth and final block of hearings at the royal commission; Debate over superannuation and early access; Australian swimmer Lani Pallister makes his.ory at the Pan Pacific Championships
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TRANSCRIPT
- Social cohesion the focus of the ninth and final block of hearings at the royal commission.
- Debate over superannuation and early access.
- Australian swimmer Lani Pallister makes history at the Pan Pacific Championships.
Social cohesion is the focus of the final round of hearings at the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, beginning today.
Commissioner Virginia Bell says she does not intend to seek an extension to the inquiry's December reporting deadline, one year after the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Counsel assisting Zelie Heger says the next fortnight of hearings will examine how social cohesion can be measured and strengthened.
"Recent studies suggest that Australia's social cohesion index remains broadly stable, but there have been recent pressures. Among other pressures, the most recent report from 2025 indicates that prejudice and discrimination towards immigrant and cultural groups remains common. That trust in government in Australia democracy is sharply divided along party political lines. And a sense of belonging among younger generations has declined substantially."
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One Nation is being accused of wanting to dismantle Australia's superannuation system, after Pauline Hanson called the compulsory retirement scheme "broken".
The One Nation leader says Australians should be able to access their super early to help with mortgage repayments and living expenses.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the proposal would threaten workers' retirement incomes and economic security.
Liberal National MP Colin Boyce says allowing some access to super for housing should be considered.
"Absolutely, and that is why I suggested maybe not all of it should be available, but I think at the end of the day, superannuation that money belongs to the people who have put it in there. Now, there are circumstances where it would be a better outcome for people to use their superannuation for housing, for a house loan, for example. And I can't see why that can't be explored."
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Around 250,000 Australians who deliver food and groceries are set to receive a legal minimum wage for the first time.
New rules approved by the Fair Work Commission come into effect today, following a joint proposal from the Transport Workers' Union, Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Workers will be paid a minimum rate of $31.30 an hour for engaged time , from when they accept a job until the delivery is completed.
Companies will also be required to provide a reasonable minimum level of personal accident insurance.
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Alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara is being treated in hospital for life-threatening injuries, after being shot in Melbourne's inner west.
The 48-year-old was shot while sitting in a car in the driveway of a home on Marigold Avenue in Altona North just before 8pm on Sunday.
Victoria Police say the incident is believed to be targeted.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
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Recovery efforts are underway after Hurricane Lala rolled past Hawaii's Big Island, without making landfall.
Lala was downgraded to a tropical storm overnight, with officials warning dangers remain during the clean-up period as people work to repair downed power lines.
200,000 residents in Hawaii have lost power and Big Island has received 81 centimetres of rain, damaging houses and cars.
Resident Shelly Brown says she is still assessing the extent of the damage.
"We haven't had electricity all night so I just wanted to get out here and kind of assess for myself what's going on. It's been a pretty challenging experience just trying to all these trees are down with on top of wires so we're just hoping emergency crews get to us and help us out a little bit."
Hawaii governor Josh Green says officials are still investigating whether there have been any deaths related to the storm.
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Australian swimmer Lani Pallister has made history, becoming the first person to beat American Katie Ledecky in the 800 metres freestyle at a major international meet.
Pallister won the event at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California with a time of 8 minutes and 6.10 seconds.
The 24-year-old says it's an incredible feeling.
"I think today's emotion is the most I have ever felt in my entire life. If I was warming up and I had my teammates and stuff. We were having a chat to see if they could brighten my mood. But I think I was just so locked in - and I am just really focused on what I want. And the 800 is my favourite event. It is one that I have grown up loving. It is the first kind of distance that I accidentally got into when I accidentally entered the wrong event all those years ago now."
