That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Here are the main stories of the day:
Northern Territory police have confirmed they have declined to charge the two off-duty officers involved in an arrest over the death of 24-year-old Kumanjayi White, a Warlpiri man who lived with cognitive disabilities.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, has been challenged over Labor’s support for the government of Israel, with one MP using a closed-door caucus meeting today to raise concerns about the treatment of flotilla protesters in recent days.
The independent senator David Pocock says leaked BHP documents show that the mining giant is “laughing” at Australia’s key climate policy while pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars through a generous diesel tax break.
Two men have been arrested in connection to Porepunkah shooter Dezi Freeman’s months on the run after he killed two police officers.
Jewish Australians have reported a dramatic increase in harassment and intimidation online after giving evidence at the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion.
Victorian buildings will be lit blue tonight in honour of the AFL great Neale Daniher, who died yesterday, 13 years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Outgoing Nacc chief says staff ‘terrified of making any mistake’
The National Anti-Corruption Commission chief, Paul Brereton, is continuing to explain his early exit from the job in a tense Senate estimates hearing in Canberra.
Asked by the Liberal senator Sarah Henderson if an upcoming report by the Nacc inspector general will make adverse findings against him, Brereton says it would be “totally inappropriate” to speculate.
Brereton has been pointed in his responses to questions so far in the hearing, including when asked why he is leaving his role two years early.
He says three years into the Nacc’s operations, he decided the continued distraction of investigations was not in his or the institution’s best interests.
“So the fact of having been under investigation and being distracted from doing the job that I wanted to do as commissioner by the need to defend myself and by the Nacc needing to defend myself, that’s why I decided to resign,” he said.
“We now have a commission in which staff are terrified of making any mistake of fact or law, because they fear they will be visited with a finding of officer misconduct.”
The government has criticised the opposition and Greens alliance with Latham to suspend Sharpe, including since a court ordered Latham to pay $100,000 in compensation to Alex Greenwich after finding he had vilified and sexually harassed the independent MP for Sydney. Latham has said he intends to appeal against the decision.
The opposition and Greens voted against a government motion to suspend Latham earlier this month after the finding. The Greens argued that the case was the subject of an ongoing appeal. Speaking out against the move to suspend her in a debate today, Sharpe said:
We’ve got a member of parliament sitting in this chamber who has been found to vilify and sexually harass a member of parliament, but we are not able to, nor would we proceed to suspend him.
But the Greens MLC Sue Higginson, said there was “more than doubt” about the crown solicitor’s advice, which was “prepared urgently” for the government. She said:
We are actually dealing with the substance matter that relates to a woman [Jones] who is out there in the community who would like to see this matter pursued to the fullest extent possible, and the document produced and provided.
Sharpe was suspended twice in March, first for less than an hour and then for three days. She was suspended for seven days earlier this month. More than 20 government bills are now stalled in the chamber amid the dispute over the call for papers, and after a court case in favour of the premier’s chief of staff, James Cullen, removed the power for the upper house to compel witnesses to appear before parliamentary inquiries.
NSW upper house leader suspended from parliament for fourth time this year
The NSW government’s leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, has been suspended from parliament for the fourth time this year over the government’s decision not to provide documents relating to a historical sexual assault allegation.
Following a vote in NSW’s legislative council supported by the opposition and the Greens, Sharpe has been suspended from parliament for 14 days, bringing the total days she has been suspended this year to 24.
Sharpe’s suspensions have followed the government’s refusal to release documents which relate to a 2015 sexual assault allegation against former NSW Labor secretary, Jamie Clements, who is a friend of the premier, Chris Minns, after a parliamentary call for papers by Mark Latham MLC.
Clements was accused of intimidating and trying to kiss a female Labor staffer, Stefanie Jones, but denied the allegations and was never charged. An apprehended violence order (AVO) against him was applied for in 2016 but the application was withdrawn after Clements agreed to stay away from her for 12 months.
Today Sharpe tabled advice from the crown solicitor which said the government did not need to release the documents, including a police statement given by Minns and the transcript of a police interview by Clements. The advice said because the statement given by Minns, made after AVO proceedings had begun, “went to the central issue” of and had a “strong relationship” with the AVO, it concerned the “administration of justice” and not was not covered by the call for papers.
Nacc chief faces Senate estimates after announcing early exit
Sarah Basford Canales
The head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Paul Brereton, says he would like to check his resignation letter with the attorney general for personal details before he releases it publicly.
Many eyes are on the Nacc chief’s appearance at Senate estimates this evening, given the abrupt nature of ending his term three years into a five-year term.
Brereton said he wrote to the governor general and the attorney general to resign, in addition to the public media statement that was released yesterday.
His statement on Monday said he was stepping down because the “ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally” were “drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose of strengthening integrity”.
Brereton said this evening:
The press attention is focused on me and my interests. That is, the need [for the Nacc chief executive] to defend that has become a distraction, and that is basically why I have decided that it is in the interests of the organisation that I remove that distraction.
The Greens senator David Shoebridge asked whether he accepted any responsibility for the attention to his actions.
Brereton responded: “I think everyone contributes to their own downfall, if you like, in some ways, and I’m sure I have contributed to this in some ways.”
Labor MP challenges Marles over Israeli government support
Tom McIlroy
The defence minister, Richard Marles, was challenged over Labor’s support for the government of Israel on Tuesday, with one MP using a closed-door caucus meeting to raise concerns about the treatment of flotilla protesters in recent days.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, is overseas and was not present at the meeting at Parliament House, so a Labor MP asked Marles to explain what circumstances would be required for Labor to “ramp up” sanctions on the Netanyahu government.
They raised treatment of the flotilla protesters, including Australian citizens, violence against settlers, the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and deaths caused by Israel’s bombing in southern Lebanon.
Marles told the meeting Wong had been “forward leaning”, including condemning Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for taunting detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla in custody. Wong called in Israel’s ambassador to Australia and called the actions “completely unacceptable”.
Marles was also asked about Australia’s participation in the international F-35 fighter jet program, including Australian-made parts being shipped to Israel for the aircraft.
Labor has insisted the government has not exported weapons or military parts to Israel since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
The MP told the meeting “if any other nation was conducting themselves this way, we would have a different approach”.
Marles said the F35 capability was “at the heart” of the Australian air force’s operations and restricting the trade in parts with Israel would be challenging due to existing treaty obligations.
No women returning to Sydney from Syria will be arrested, NSW police confirm
Caitlin Cassidy
There will be no arrests made in relation of the return of Islamic State-linked family members to Sydney, a spokesperson for NSW police has confirmed.
Briefing the media at Sydney international airport on Tuesday evening ahead of their expected arrival from Doha at 5.30pm, the spokesperson said the women and children would be offered assistance from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) when they land.
If they choose to take the assistance, which is voluntary, the DCJ will transport them out of the airport.
Police at Sydney airport this afternoon. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian
The spokesperson could not confirm how many women and children were expected to land in Sydney. There is a strong AFP presence at the arrivals terminal, with multiple roving police, at least one carrying an automatic weapon.
The Sydney group is expected to include Nesrine, Sumaya and Aminah Zahab and Hyam Raad, along with their children.
In Melbourne, the plane carrying the detainees has landed. There is a small police presence in the arrivals hall.
NT coroner confirms upcoming hearing in Kumanjayi White case
Just following up on the news from earlier that Northern Territory police will not charge two off-duty officers over the death of a Warlpiri man who lived with cognitive disabilities: the inquest into the death is set to start next month.
A spokesperson for NT courts confirmed there would be a directions hearing into the death of 24-year-old Kumanjayi White in Alice Springs on 15 June.
Coronial matters are generally paused when a criminal investigation or charges are outstanding, but the conclusion of the NT police investigation means the inquest process can start.
The hearing is likely to set a course for a block of inquest evidence to be heard at a later date.
Queensland mother charged with murder of four-year-old daughter
A mother has been charged with murder after her four-year-old daughter was found dead at a home west of Brisbane, AAP reports.
The girl was discovered by emergency services when they were called to a Lowood residence about 11.10pm on Monday, police said.
Two other children were inside the property at the time but were not injured, police allege.
All three children were known to the 31-year-old woman, police said.
Police said on Tuesday that the woman had been charged with one count of murder.
She was due to appear in Ipswich magistrates court on Tuesday afternoon.
Det Insp Michael Manago said the woman had been identified as the child’s mother.
“This is an incredibly tragic situation, even more tragic given the presence of the other children at the dwelling at the time,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
The other two children were in the care of family members, he said.
“Their wellbeing remains a priority for all involved,” Manago said.
Israeli embassy says Gaza flotilla participants were not physically and sexually abused, did not act for humanitarian reasons
The Israeli embassy in Canberra says it rejects claims that Gaza flotilla participants suffered physical mistreatment and sexual abuse, and accused activists of only participating to provoke Israel, and not for humanitarian reasons.
It said in a statement:
The return of the Gaza flotilla participants has attracted significant international attention and prompted a range of serious allegations against Israel, including claims of physical mistreatment and sexual abuse.
Israel categorically rejects these allegations and maintains that serious claims of this nature must be backed by credible evidence and grounded in fact.
It is also important to recognise that this is the fourth flotilla organised for provocation rather than humanitarian concern. The flotillas have not been driven by legitimate humanitarian objectives, but by an orchestrated political campaign that serves the interests of Hamas. Some governments, including Australia, advised against participation.
NT police confirm no charges to be laid over Kumanjayi White's death in custody
Sarah Collard
Northern Territory police have confirmed they have declined to charge the two off-duty officers involved in an arrest over the death of 24-year-old Kumanjayi White, a Warlpiri man who lived with cognitive disabilities.
White died on 27 May last year during a confrontation with police in a Coles supermarket. His death sparked nationwide rallies and outrage, with calls for accountability and an independent probe.
The Northern Territory police commissioner, Martin Dole, said the Director of Public Prosecutions and territory police had conducted a fair and thorough investigation over the past 12 months.
“A brief of evidence was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for their opinion. Following consideration of all available evidence, including the independent expert report, the DPP formed the view that there was no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution,” Dole said.
The commissioner acknowledged the ongoing distress, anger and grief of White’s family and the Northern Territory Aboriginal community.
“While the decision not to proceed with charges was made based on the evidence and applicable legal thresholds, we recognise this outcome may be difficult for Kumanjayi White’s family – a man lost his life.”
Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of White’s death.
Protesters gather in Melbourne for a rally for Kumanjayi White as part of a national week of action in June. Photograph: James Ross/AAP
A big thank you for joining me on the blog today. I’ll leave you with the wonderful Nino Bucci for the afternoon. There’s plenty more to come – including evidence at Senate estimates from the national anti-corruption commissioner, Paul Brereton, after he yesterday announced he would leave the role.
The opposition tried to corner the government on capital gains tax carve-outs, and say whether small businesses would be excluded from the changes. There were multiple attempts with tighter wording each time but Anthony Albanesewouldn’t bite.
The independent MP Andrew Wilkie asked the government if a defence and veterans workshop could keep running at a barrack in Hobart slated for sale – the government confirmed it would continue in the space.
The Nationals MP Kevin Hogan tried to ask if the return of Australian women and children from Syria was part of Labor’s “plan”, but the PM said he had “nothing but contempt” for the cohort.
Two Coalition MPs were booted today – Nationals MP Alison Penfold and Liberal Henry Pike, but at the very end of QT the opposition welcomed back Liberal Phil Thompson, who was suspended from the chamber 24 hours earlier.
Anthony Albanese during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP
Victorian buildings to be lit up in blue for Neale Daniher
Benita Kolovos
The Victorian government has announced buildings across the state will be lit up in blue to honour Neale Daniher from 5.30pm. They include:
Flinders Street station
Royal Exhibition Building
National Gallery of Victoria
Arts Centre Melbourne spire
Geelong Arts Centre
GMHBA Stadium
Bolte Bridge
CityLink Sound Tunnel
Old Treasury Building
AAMI Park
Rod Laver Arena
John Cain Arena
Margaret Court Arena
Kia Arena
Parliament House
Shrine of Remembrance
Daniher, a former AFL footballer and coach died on Monday, 13 years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
After his MND diagnosis, Daniher became a prominent campaigner for medical research into the disease. He co-founded the charity FightMND, which among other initiatives spearheads the Big Freeze, an annual fundraising and awareness campaign that has raised more than $100m for research projects.
Last year he was named Australian of the Year for his advocacy work.
Neale Daniher at the MCG in 2024. Photograph: James Ross/AAP
Shadow NDIS minister offers 'no guarantees' Coalition will pass bill
Sarah Basford Canales
The shadow NDIS minister, Melissa McIntosh, says the opposition offers “no guarantees” it will rubber stamp Labor’s NDIS overhaul ahead of a final committee report next month.
At a presser shortly before question time, the western Sydney Liberal MP said the NDIS budget was a “runaway train” but it was important to balance that with the scheme’s importance for the 760,000 or so participants who use it.
MPs, I imagine Labor’s as well, [are] receiving so many inquiries [from] genuinely concerned Australians, and they’re not faking their anxiety, it’s really heightened right now. So I think we’ve got an obligation as lawmakers to get the law right for these people [on the NDIS], but it is definitely very much a balancing act to have compassion for people but to have the reality that the budget is just blowing out.
McIntosh said the opposition would await the inquiry’s final report in mid-June to see whether it would propose amendments to the bill.
It is understood the opposition and the Greens are in talks over whether the inquiry could be extended as part of a deal. At the moment, there will only be three days of hearings before the report is due to be tabled.
Melissa McIntosh speaks to reporters at Parliament House. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
