Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has firmly rejected calls for a federal royal commission into the Bondi Junction terror attack, urging national unity and criticising attempts to politicise the tragedy.
Political Tensions Rise Over Attack Response
The Prime Minister's stance comes amid heightened political friction. Energy Minister Chris Bowen labelled Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's conduct as "disgusting", asserting she was "not the arbiter of grief". This followed Ley's criticism of Foreign Minister Penny Wong's response to the incident. Ley offered "no apology for my passion" regarding her comments.
Meanwhile, the ABC has publicly defended two of its prominent journalists, Laura Tingle and Sarah Ferguson, over their coverage of the Bondi attack and its aftermath.
Constitutional Challenge for NSW Protest Ban
In a significant legal development, the Minns government's new laws to ban protests for up to three months following a terror incident will face a constitutional challenge. Three groups that regularly organise protests in Sydney are mounting the challenge.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has expressed confidence that the laws will withstand any legal test. However, constitutional expert Professor Anne Twomey has warned that anti-protest laws rushed through parliament "often have an unhappy ending in the courts".
Other Key Developments from Australia
In other news, the federal government will wind back travel entitlements for MPs' families on the advice of the independent expenses watchdog. Victoria is set to build its first publicly owned windfarm, a 33-turbine project in the Latrobe Valley.
In a lighter note, a Victorian fisherman, Cody Stylianou, made an unusual sighting in Gippsland waterways – a rare pink platypus. Initially mistaken for a large trout, the uniquely coloured monotreme was seen skimming below the water's surface.
In sport, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series, with the team making two changes for the MCG Test. The England team defended their mid-series beach break but stated they would look into reports alleging excessive drinking.
The entertainment world mourns the death of rock and blues singer-songwriter Chris Rea, aged 74.
