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TRANSCRIPT
- Politicians unite to denounce anti-migration rallies
- Hamas spokesman Abu Ubayda killed in Israeli strike on Gaza
- And in F1 Racing, Oscar Piastri takes F1 title lead with a Dutch Grand Prix win
Politicians from across the spectrum have condemned Sunday's ((31 Aug)) nationwide anti-migration rallies, stressing violence and racism have no place in Australia.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says nothing could be less Australian.
The Opposition's Home Affairs spokesman, James Patterson, says while he understands many Australians hold sincere view on migration, he's concerned about the targeting of multicultural communities, labeling it shameful and wrong.
He spoke to Sky News before the rallies began on Sunday.
"I'm concerned about some of the materials that organisers have posted, which targets Indian Australians, in a way I think is shameful and wrong, and I'm also concerned that there will be neo-Nazi presence at the rally today, they will seek to use it as an opportunity to recruit. I'm sure there will also be Australians who are not neo-Nazi there today who has sincere concerns, but I would encourage Australians to avoid protests where there is likely that neo-Nazi is gonna be present. I don't think that marching alongside neo-Nazi conduce to social cohesion in this country."
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New South Wales police estimate 15,000 people turned out to attend an anti-immigration rally in Sydney on Sunday (31 Aug).
They say a pro-Palestine counter rally drew between 2,000 and 3,000 people, while another counter-protest centred on live music attracted 200 to 300.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Tanner says hundreds of police were deployed.
"As a result of all the activities and all the events that have unfolded today, only one person was arrested for a breach of the peace, which was in Hyde Park late this afternoon. That person is currently at Day Street police station where they're being spoken to and processed. Police are very happy with the behaviour of the crowd today. Everyone followed the instructions of the organisers and the police on the ground, and very proud of the efforts of the New South Wales Police."
He says police will allege the woman arrested was yelling abuse at pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Acting Commissioner Tanner also says there were about 30 members of the National Socialist Network attending the rally.
They were escorted away from the park under police observation.
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While the nationwide anti-immigration rallies remained mostly peaceful, in Melbourne and Adelaide, protesters have clashed with police, leading to several arrests and the deployment of riot squads.
In Melbourne, anti-immigration protesters clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Swanston Street.
A group of police had to be deployed to separate the two groups.
In Adelaide, three people were arrested, including a man for assaulting police and two men for wearing articles of disguise and failing to provide personal details.
Neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network was seen at a gathering in Adelaide.
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Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz says its forces have killed a Hamas spokesman in a strike on Gaza a day ago.
This marks the latest fatality in the group's senior ranks in the past two years of fighting.
Earlier Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was unsure if Abu Ubeida was killed, but noted he had been targeted in a strike.
Hebrew then translated to English "In another joint operation, the Shin Bet and the IDF attacked the Hamas spokesman, the spokesman for the murderous evil organisation, Abu Ubeida. We still don't know the final result. I hope he is no longer with us, but I notice that there is no one to address this question on the Hamas side. So hours and days will surely tell what they will say."
Israel seeks to eradicate Hamas from the Gaza Strip and has said it will return hostages seized by Palestinian militants in their October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war's escalation.
Hamas has not yet confirmed the death.
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Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto says his country's political parties have agreed to revoke a number of privileges that parliamentarians enjoyed.
The announcement comes after nationwide protests erupted in Indonesia in the past week, following the revelation that parliamentarians receive housing allowances that are 20 times higher than wages in the country's poorest areas.
Mr Subianto says the House of Representative leaders have repealed several policies.
Bahasa Indonesia to English "The House of Representatives leaders announced that they would repeal several Parliament policies, including the amount of Parliament member allowances and the moratorium on overseas working visits."
Mr Subianto also says he's instructed police and National Armed Forces to take what he calls the strongest possible action against those who damage public and private properties.
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Oscar Piastri has seized control of the Formula One drivers’ championship, winning the Dutch Grand Prix after McLaren teammate and closest rival Lando Norris retired with seven laps remaining.
Norris, running second and set for a McLaren 1-2, was forced out by a power unit failure, handing Piastri his seventh win of the season and ninth overall.
The Australian dominated from start to finish, staying composed through light rain and three safety car restarts, fending off both Norris and defending champion Max Verstappen.
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