Australia news live: Penny Wong warns ‘disregard for international humanitarian law is increasing’ as new policy released | Australian politics

The Albanese government will contribute $188m over four years to construct a new Macquarie Wharf 6 in the Port of Hobart, securing the long-term future of the Australian Antarctic Program.

As part of a new agreement between the federal and Tasmanian government, the port will be home to Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, for the next 30 years – with construction to begin next year.

A joint statement said RSV Nuyina is the “main lifeline” to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations, and it is “essential that it’s able to dock in Hobart”.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said in a statement this ensures “Tasmania will remain Australia’s gateway to Antarctica, as it should be”.

The premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said as part of the agreement, the state government would also deliver “appropriate refuelling infrastructure for the Nuyina and other vessels coming into Hobart”.

The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, said the Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1,000 people in Tasmania and contributes more than $183m each year to the Tasmanian economy.

Cait Kelly

Virtually no rentals affordable for essential workers, Anglicare Australia data shows

Only 2.2% of available rentals are affordable for an ambulance worker, and just 0.9% for an early childhood educator or construction worker, according to new data from Anglicare Australia.

The data, released as part of Anti-Poverty Week, provides a snapshot of 45,115 rental listings and found:

• 696 rentals (1.5%) were affordable for an aged care worker

• 629 rentals (1.4%) were affordable for a nurse

• 398 rentals (0.9%) were affordable for an early childhood educator

• 389 rentals (0.9%) were affordable for a construction worker

• 352 rentals (0.8%) were affordable for a hospitality worker.

Anglicare’s executive director, Kasy Chambers, said it “should be a national scandal” that “so few of our essential workers can afford to keep a roof over their head”.

Virtually no part of Australia is affordable for aged care workers, early childhood educators, cleaners, nurses and many other essential workers we rely on. It’s no wonder so many critical industries are facing worker shortages.

It’s been clear for years now that the private rental market is failing people on low incomes. Now it’s clear that it’s also failing our key workers – including those who work full-time.

Anglicare is calling on the government to boost social housing and make it an option for more Australians, she said, as well as tax reform “to put people in need of homes, not investors, at the centre of our system”.

Taxpayers should not be funding investors to push up the cost of homes. Momentum is building to change this system once and for all. These results are dire, but they are also an opportunity for change. It has never been more important for governments to take bold action and ensure everyone has a home.

Good morning

Emily Wind

And happy Tuesday – Emily Wind here, signing on for blogging duties. Thanks to Martin for kicking things off.

If you have any tips, feedback or questions, you can get in touch via X, @emilywindwrites, or you can send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

Let’s get started.

Daniel Hurst

Wong takes aim at Dutton for not backing Middle East ceasefire

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has said the suffering across the Middle East “must end” as she also took aim at the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, for being unable to “bring himself to back a ceasefire”.

In a speech at the University of Tasmania last night where she released Australia’s new humanitarian policy, Wong repeated the government’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

She also reaffirmed “our call for a diplomatic solution, de-escalation and ceasefire in Lebanon” so that civilians on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border could return to their homes.

Sharpening a domestic political message, Wong said Dutton was wrong to accuse the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, of being at odds with Australia’s allies for supporting a ceasefire in Lebanon. She said:

Now Mr Dutton has realised it is he who is at odds with the international community – but he still can’t bring himself to back a ceasefire.

I can’t recall a single time over the past year that Mr Dutton has called for the protection of civilians, or for the upholding of international law.

He never utters a word of concern for innocent Palestinians and Lebanese civilians.

Wong also accused the Greens of being “just as absolutist” in its positions on the conflict.

Last Tuesday, Dutton told parliament the Coalition would not support the government’s motion marking the first anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks, in part because it included calls for de-escalation and ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.

Dutton told parliament that “none of us support the loss of civilian life” but he blamed Hamas for “using people as human shields”.

Penny Wong outline’s government’s new humanitarian policy

Daniel Hurst

Penny Wong has released the government’s new humanitarian policy, accompanied by an announcement of $9m in humanitarian relief to respond to high levels of food insecurity in Yemen.

The foreign affairs minister noted conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and the Middle East and the increase in the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance.

She said the policy outlined “the role Australia will play at a time when need is outstripping the world’s capacity to respond and disregard for international humanitarian law is increasing”. Wong said:

First, we will build readiness and preparedness, anticipating shocks before they occur and working with our partners to lessen their impact.
As part of this priority, I announce Australia is providing $5m to the new Asia-Pacific Regional Humanitarian Fund to pre-position for the next emergency.

Second, we will respond to crises and disasters, delivering support that meets the needs of crisis-affected populations and protects the most vulnerable, both immediately and over the longer term …

And third, we will reinforce the international humanitarian system, working to take practical and actionable steps to strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law…

We act globally, but our focus remains our region. We offer genuine partnerships, based on respect, listening and learning from each other.

Sydney’s Coogee beach closed after ‘mysterious black ball-shaped debris’ washes up

Natasha May

The origins of “mysterious, black, ball-shaped debris” washed up along the length of Sydney’s Coogee beach are being investigated after the unknown material has closed down the popular eastern suburbs beach.

Lifeguards discovered the debris yesterday afternoon. Randwick council said they may be “tar balls” which are formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water, usually as a result of oil spills or seepage.

However, they won’t be able to confirm what they are until tests are complete. The incident has been reported to the Environmental Protection Authority and Beachwatch NSW.

Randwick council posted to social media last night:

Coogee Beach is closed until further notice after council lifeguards this afternoon discovered mysterious, black, ball-shaped debris washed along the length of the beach.

Council is investigating the origin and composition of the material, which has the appearance of dark spheres.

At this stage it is unknown what the material is, however, they may be ‘tar balls’ which are formed when oil comes in to contact with debris and water, typically the result of oil spills or seepage.

Council is currently arranging for the material to be safely removed from Coogee Beach and is inspecting other nearby beaches. At this stage, only Coogee Beach is known to be affected.

Beach goers are advised to avoid Coogee Beach until further notice and not touch the material, while the clean-up and investigations continue.

Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with some of our best overnight stories before Emily Wind joins you.

Our top story this morning is a warning from universities for students not to fall for the “manipulative” recruitment tactics of the Shincheonji church – a Korean religious sect that former members describe as a cult, and which is increasingly active on Australian campuses. Several universities have recently warned students to be wary of the “secretive” and “manipulative” recruitment tactics used by members of the church on campus.

Anthony Albanese and the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, will announce plans today to ban unfair trading practices under Australian consumer law, the latest consumer-focused competition and pricing changes proposed by the government and badged as cost-of-living relief. The “dynamic pricing” of concert tickets will be banned as the federal government cracks down on “dodgy” trading practices and tackles hidden fees and subscription “traps” for online shopping, gym memberships and airline tickets.

Penny Wong has said the suffering across the Middle East “must end” as she also took aim at the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, for being unable to “bring himself to back a ceasefire”. Speaking in Tasmania last night, the foreign affairs minister also reaffirmed “our call for a diplomatic solution, de-escalation and ceasefire in Lebanon” so that civilians on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border could return to their homes. It comes as the government’s new temporary humanitarian visa pathway for Palestinians fleeing the conflict in Gaza were welcomed by advocates but they warned the three-year option to stay is not good enough for those who have no home to return to. More coming up.

People are being urged to avoid an eastern Sydney beach after it became dotted with mysterious ball-shaped debris. Randwick council said lifeguards at Coogee beach found the unexplained globules on Tuesday afternoon and announced the beach would be closed until further notice.