Key events
Wilson leads Daniel by 292 votes in Goldstein with 717 votes to be counted
An update on the narrowing race in electorates yet to be called.
Liberal Tim Wilson continues with a tight lead of 292 over independent Zoe Daniel in Goldstein. There are 717 votes still to be counted.
And in Bradfield, Liberal Gisele Kapterian leads independent Nicolette Boele by just 43 votes, with 303 left to be counted.
Today is the last day for postals to be received, so there may be a handful still to come.
We will keep you posted.
Greens leader Larissa Waters was asked whether she could bring independent senator Lidia Thorpe “back into the fold” on ABC News Breakfast a short while ago.
Waters said:
Look, I’m not sure that’s what Lydia is after. There was a bit of a media circus about that yesterday … Lydia is a really strong person and I respect the work she does. But I don’t think there’s any truth to the suggestion she wants back in.
She’s doing strong work in the way she’s doing it now.
Larissa Waters decries poll campaign’s ‘tokenistic’ treatment of violence against women
Greens leader Larissa Waters is “dismayed” that violence against women was addressed as “an afterthought” in recent election campaigns.
She is speaking on ABC News Breakfast. Asked about whether there will be a focus on preventing violence against women under her leadership, Waters says:
I was really dismayed that it didn’t get a look-in, until, as you say, the last week of the campaign with what felt to me like some fairly tokenistic announcements. They were really small financial commitments and it just felt like a bit of an afterthought. It’s not an afterthought to ordinary people. It’s not an afterthought to the vast legions of women who are facing violence.
We need to make sure there’s no women’s refuge that doesn’t have the funding that it needs to help everyone that needs help. We need to make sure those women’s legal services are fully funded, we got to work on prevention, we got to change the attitudes that’s leading to this crisis. That’s a job for all of us. But government funding has a lot to do there.
Larissa Waters says climate and nature at core of Greens
New Greens leader Larissa Waters is speaking on ABC News Breakfast this morning.
Asked if the party will “return to its roots” under her leadership after its campaign made “more noise about renters, about dental” in the recent election, Waters says:
We have always had a broad policy platform … We have always had a number of priorities. Climate and nature is at our core.
My personal priorities have always been acting on the climate crisis and protecting biodiversity. That’s why I was an environmental lawyer, that’s what drives me personally. I’m a strong feminist and gender equality and ending gender violence against women. But making sure that everyone can have the things they need. And have good healthcare, have good-funded schools, and you know make sure we’re just a bit of a kinder and a less unified … community that’s not struggling so much.
Rafqa Touma
Thanks to Martin Farrer for kicking off the blog. I’ll be keeping you posted from here – let’s go.
A young woman has been injured in an alleged unprovoked chemical attack in Sydney’s north, New South Wales police have said.
In a statement yesterday afternoon, police said an unknown woman had approached a 27-year-old woman at the intersection of Norfolk Road and Callistemon Close in North Epping about 6.15pm on Wednesday.
The stranger allegedly splashed an unknown liquid from inside a cup she was holding at the 27-year-old, which landed on her face, clothing and headphones, police said.
Police said the 27-year-old contacted them and then attended Ryde Hospital where she was treated for a chemical burn.
Police said they established a crime scene and patrolled the area but were unable to find the alleged attacker.
As part of their inquiries, police have said they would like to speak to a woman who may be able to assist.
Police have described the woman as being of Asian appearance and said she was seen wearing a light-coloured cap, a N95 white face mask, black jumper and dark long pants.
She was holding a silver, metal cup in her hand, police said.
Cait Kelly
In Victoria, the Essential Services Commission is expected to propose a suite of reforms today aimed at easing energy hardship.
The proposed changes will include obligations for retailers to move customers receiving assistance under the Payment Difficulty Framework onto their cheapest plan, and address the ‘loyalty penalty’ where consumers on expensive contracts more than four years old must be switched to a reasonable price.
In response, Consumer Action Law Centre said it strongly supports the draft decision, which will help the increasing number of Victorians struggling with energy costs and growing debt.
Consumer Action senior policy officer, Eirene Tsolidis Noyce said:
People who call the National Debt Helpline tell us they often forego other expenses in order to meet their electricity costs – one of the proposals is that people experiencing energy poverty are identified and supported to find a more competitive offer and prevented from accruing larger debts.
The ESC’s draft decision estimates Victorians could save up to $730 per year on electricity, and up to $1,890 per year on gas bills by requiring retailers to automatically switch consumers in payment difficulty to their best offer. For those stuck on bad deals, the dollar amount is likely to be much higher.
These reforms will address some longstanding issues in the energy market, making it easier for Victorians to access an affordable energy price.
Welcome
Martin Farrer
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then my colleague Rafqa Touma will take over.
Our top story this morning concerns the meeting yesterday between the new Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, and her Nationals counterpart, David Littleproud. Ley said progress on a new cooperation agreement with the Nationals would take time, but the problem areas promise to be a Nationals push to ditch net zero policies and even end the longstanding coalition with the Liberals. More coming up.
It’s a huge day in the courts for disgraced special forces veteran Ben Roberts-Smith, who will learn today whether he has cleared his name of war crime allegations. The ruling by three justices is expected in Sydney this morning and we’ll have their verdict as soon as it’s out.
