Australian News

In short:

Three of the four protesters who pleaded guilty to trespassing on Commonwealth property as part of a pro-Gaza protest at Parliament House in June have escaped criminal convictions.

The fourth was given a 12-month good-behaviour bond after the group scaled the roof of the building and unfurled protest signs.

A full review of Parliament House security was ordered after the actions of the protesters, who the Prime Minister said at the time should "feel the full force of the law".

In short:

Former CFMEU leaders have launched a legal challenge to laws forcing the union into administration.

The federal government says a High Court challenge was expected and it will defend the matter.

What's next?

The former union leaders have launched a crowdfunding effort to support the challenge.

In short:

Anthony Albanese has backed down on a decision not to add a question on sexuality to the next census.

The federal government intended to omit a new question out of fear it could create "divisive" debate.

What's next?

The next census will be held in 2026.

former Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar – who’s been dismissed together with almost all other officials – said he would launch a challenge against the legislation passed last week to put the union into administration.

• In short: The CLP will form government in the Northern Territory, ABC Chief Election Analyst Antony Green predicts.
• Double-digit swings towards the CLP are being seen across the Northern Territory.
• What's next: The CLP are on track to win at least 14 seats, according to the ABC's predictions.

(CLP = Country Liberal Party)

• In short ABC managing director David Anderson has announced his intention to resign after almost six years at the helm of the national broadcaster.

• Mr Anderson's announcement comes just a year into his second term, but he says he is comfortable with his decision and feels the time is right.

• What's next? Mr Anderson says he will remain in the role at the request of ABC chair Kim Williams until a new managing director is appointed, likely early next year.

In short:

Pianist Jayson Gillham says he chose to play Witness at a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concert to "remind people" about the war in Gaza.

The MSO cancelled his next performance as a result of his comments, leading its musicians to pass a vote of no confidence in management on Friday.

What's next?

The MSO intend to reschedule Gillham's performance, with Gillham saying he hopes "to find a way forward".

Pretty scuffed. Cliff notes:

• patient presents to hospital reporting agony in tummy
• doctor finds out he uses cannabis
• diagnoses with cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (some people after heavy use suddenly develop persistent nausea, recently identified, rare and is a diagnosis of exclusion)
• patient is sent home
• patient dies due to severe stomach ulcers

Seems pretty concerning to me.

• In short: Australia's national research body, the CSIRO, will cut up to 500 jobs as part of a broader organisational restructure.

• Non-research staff are affected, with some research roles already earmarked for cuts earlier this year.

• What's next? The CSIRO staff union has called on the government for more funding to ensure it can continue to carry out world-class research.

In short:

Sharon Hall, 66, was charged after assaulting a pro-Palestinian protester at a Deborah Conway concert in Hobart in May.

Hall smashed a wine glass on the stage and held the "jagged" stem inches away from the protester — an incident witnessed by hundreds of people and captured on video.

What's next?

Hall has been sentenced to a community corrections order with 49 hours of community work.

In the words of bill hicks "just planting seeds"

This is the written article of the latest Four Corners episode.

• In short: Australia's largest mortgage lender [CBA] is no longer offering money to fossil fuel companies that are not aligned with the Paris Agreement.
• The bank announced the new direction in its latest climate report, published on the same day it posted close to $10 billion in full-year net profit.

• What's next? The spotlight is now on the other big banks with a finance deal of about $750 million for oil and gas giant Santos on the table.

• In short: The ANU has announced it will no longer invest in certain weapons companies in the long-term, following months of pressure from pro-Palestinian student groups.

• The university said its council had decided that its "long term investment pool [would] not invest in controversial weapons manufacturers and civilian small arms manufacturers".

• What's next? Pro-Palestinian students on campus say their protest action will continue until further demands are met by the university.

Not sure whether this belongs more here or in [email protected]

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has cancelled a performance by an acclaimed pianist over comments he made while introducing a new piece of music dedicated to journalists killed in Gaza.

Canonical URL: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/orchestra-cancels-acclaimed-pianist-who-acknowledged-journalists-killed-in-gaza-20240813-p5k1we.html

• In short: Special legislation to force the CFMEU to accept an administrator will be introduced to parliament "as a matter of urgency".
• The workplace relations minister said the CFMEU had acted too slowly on an application before the courts to appoint an administrator.
• What's next? The legislation will be introduced when parliament resumes next week, which the government hopes can be passed without review.