TRANSCRIPT:
- Tears as Tasmania stadium row approaches a critical vote
- Anti-semitic incidents in Australia remain near record highs
- Matildas' coach says his team is in ready form for the Asian Cup
A Tasmanian Independent who has thrown her support behind the controversial Hobart stadium broke down in parliament on Wednesday as she explained her decision.
Bec Thomas said she is genuinely sorry to those who wanted her to oppose the project, but she decided to support it after the government agreed to a range of new safeguards.
She says this includes a commitment to cap government spending at $875 million for the waterfront stadium, which is a key condition for Tasmania joining the AFL.
The project looks likely to pass as key independents declare their support, but Ms Thomas urged those for and against to act with more grace in the divisive debate.
"We all have a choice here, Mr President, if this should pass through the parliament. Those opposed can blame and shame and further divide Tasmanians, inflicting even greater harm than has already been caused by this sad and sorry stadium saga. Those opposed can continue to stand up for what they believe is right and continue to fight against this every step of the way, because there are so many hurdles to pass through before any shovel hits the ground on this project."
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has released a report that finds anti-Semitic incidents remain at near-record highs despite declining from the previous year.
The peak body says there were 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents in the year to November 2025, down from 2,062 the previous year.
The majority of incidents involved posters, stickers, graffiti and messages, with verbal abuse, vandalism, and 24 physical assaults comprising the rest.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry President Daniel Aghion says figures have more than tripled since October 7 2023 and serious violence is on the rise.
"We identified 18 major incidents, including some of the most serious on record. These include fire bombings and vandalism of Jewish synagogues, businesses and homes, it is a particularly concerning trend."
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The government's ban on social media use is facing critique over the rapid evolution of new digital platforms.
She says data is showing teenagers are already moving to various other platforms, including Discord.
The ban comes into effect on December 10th and will include Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Tik Tok, Snapchat and others.
Ms Wells says the government must adapt to migration across different platforms.
"Commissioner and I have previously referred to the whacka-mole nature. It's a dynamic, evolving industry, tech is constantly evolving, we must also be dynamic and agile as we respond."
**
The race to reach survivors caught up in deadly floods across large parts of Asia continues, with the death toll surpassing thirteen hundred with nearly 1,000 people still missing.
Indonesia has been hardest hit, with 753 dead, followed by Sri Lanka, where 410 people have lost their lives, and Thailand, which has reported 181 deaths.
The full extent of devastation isn't clear yet, and United Nations officials say clean up and recovery costs will be significant.
Outlining the impact on Sri Lanka, UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires says children are among the hardest hit.
"Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on the east coast in Sri Lanka, impacting over 275,000 children, who are amongst the over 1.4 million people affected across Sri Lanka, and with communications down and roads blocked, the true number of children impacted is likely even higher homes have been swept away, entire communities isolated, and the essential services children rely on such as water, health care and schooling, have been severely disrupted."
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Doctors without Borders officials are pleading with countries to welcome the tens of thousands of Palestinians in desperate need of medical evacuation.
The World Health Organisation estimates that more that 8,000 patients have been evacuated from Gaza since 2023 but says more than 16,500 need medical evacuation.
Over 30 countries have taken patients, but only a handful have welcomed large numbers.
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says all crossings into Gaza should be opened to facilitate the flow of medical equipment.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) said that its team led the medical evacuation of 18 patients and 54 companions from Gaza for treatment abroad. WHO said that more than 16,500 patients still need life-saving care outside of the Gaza Strip. We continue to call for the opening of all available border crossings and corridors — including so that patients can seek treatment in the West Bank — and stresses the need for unimpeded access for international emergency medical teams to enter Gaza."
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To sport now and in soccer, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro says the Asian Cup can't come soon enough for a side revitalised by the return of superstar striker Sam Kerr last night.
With a 45-minute appearance, she helped the team to a 2-nil triumph over New Zealand, with goals from Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso.
The Asian Cup kicks off next March, and Montemurro says Kerr's return adds to a buzz that's been building in the Australian team.
