Expert warns bird flu may reach St Kilda little penguins
Ecologist Lana Austin, from conservation group Earthcare St Kilda, said bird flu was likely to arrive at a little penguin colony in Melbourne’s bayside area, which is home to about 1,400 of the birds. Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday, Austin said she was “pretty worried because I don’t want to lose one bird”, and that efforts to protect the colony would require “a whole ecosystem response”.
double quotation markWe need to be concerned at St Kilda, not just for penguins, but for all the other wildlife that hang out in Port Phillip Bay generally.
So, we have dolphins, seals, rakali, which is a native water rat. It’s very likely that they will also be affected. Austin said it was unclear how bad the impact of the virus would be on the colony, due to a lack of data for little penguins, and that authorities had “probably missed the boat” on vaccination efforts.
double quotation markArthur Rylah [Institute] did a great risk assessment early last year where they looked into vaccination possibility … It did have some good effects and birds had some resilience and immunity to the disease. However, it had to be introduced before bird flu arrived.
We have missed the vaccination boat and it’s more just about managing it once it arrives.
The warning comes as conservation groups and authorities continue to assess how bird flu could affect wildlife in Port Phillip Bay and the St Kilda colony in particular.
What happened to Bob Montgomery after his fundraising ride?
Bob Montgomery, a charity cyclist who recently finished a 5,200-kilometre bike ride from Broome to Bowral, died on Monday at the age of 82. His family confirmed his death on social media, saying he had died unexpectedly just a day after completing the cycling feat as a fundraiser for motor neurone disease, alongside his grandson, Tom.
double quotation markThis was Bob’s sixth interstate fundraising ride in support of Motor Neurone Disease NSW, raising vital funds and awareness for a cause that was deeply personal to him. Fittingly, and now poignantly, the ride was named One Last Ride.
At 82 years of age, Bob was still passionately sharing his message only hours before his passing.
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MND NSW shared a tribute saying the body was “deeply saddened” by the sudden passing, calling Montgomery a “cherished friend and tireless supporter of MND NSW”.
The group’s CEO, Liam O’Meara, said in a statement:
double quotation markFor many years, Bob dedicated himself to raising vital funds and awareness for people living with motor neurone disease. His most recent achievement, riding from Broome to Bowral at the age of 82 alongside his 18-year-old grandson, was nothing short of inspirational.
double quotation markBob understood that behind every diagnosis is a person and a family navigating one of life’s most challenging journeys. His fundraising helped ensure that more people could access the care, equipment and support they need, when they need it most.
How are Australian shares trading?
Australia’s share market is trading at a five-month high, led by a strong rally by the major banks and a subdued oil price, AAP reports.
The S&P/ASX200 jumped 114.7 points by midday, up 0.28%, to 9,134.8, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 120.2 points, or 1.31%, to 9,298.6.
The top-200 came within 66 points of its 9,202.9 record peak set in February, as the local bourse tracked a strong Wall Street on hopes the US and Iran would restart diplomatic efforts to solve the Persian Gulf conflict.
The Australian dollar is buying 70.13 US cents, down from 70.27 US cents on Monday at 5pm.
What did the Icac hearing hear about Michael O’Hara and Damien Tudehope?
Icac’s Operation Rosny has heard that hotelier Michael O’Hara, a former business partner of Damien Tudehope from their time as lawyers, met Christian Ellis and Robert Assaf at an event at Tudehope’s home.
Under questioning from counsel assisting, Peggy Dwyer SC, Tudehope has accepted that he introduced the men, and he would not have been surprised that O’Hara would be happy to support their factional work financially.
But like O’Hara, a prohibited political donor because of his involvement in the liquor industry, who appeared before the commission last week, Tudehope has disputed whether payments to the Reformers would count as political donations. He says:
double quotation markIf you think that I would expose a friend of mine to that level of scrutiny that he was exposed to, 83 years of age with stage … four cancer, do you think that I would have done that in circumstances where I knew that he would be a prohibited donor for the purposes of the Electoral Funding Act, not on your life.
What has Damien Tudehope said about the Reformers?
Senior NSW upper house Liberal Damien Tudehope has been giving evidence to the NSW Icac’s Operation Rosny.
Tudehope has described how Reformers Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis worked as staffers in his ministerial office. He says Jean-Claude, who previously worked in his electorate office, had a “real talent” for the annual recruitment and renewal of Liberal party members, which he says is important for parliamentarians looking to keep hold of their seats.
But he said there was an incident in which his chief of staff “blew up” about staffers, who may have included Ellis and Jean-Claude Perrottet, who had spent ministerial working hours on recruitment, against the code of conduct for staffers.
He has admitted to speaking at Reformers recruitment events, defending himself as a “warrior for social issues for the party”. After being shown evidence of a bank transfer and a message in which Jean-Claude Perrottet wrote that “Damien” had paid for a venue for an event, he has conceded he may have made payments to support the Reformers work.
Tudehope has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Why did Isaac Cooper step down from Swimming Australia’s leadership group?
Gold medal-winning swimmer Isaac Cooper has stepped down from Australian swimming’s leadership group after missing the final night of competition at the Commonwealth Games, having instead participated in a drinking session.
The 22-year-old was absent as the swim meet concluded at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and also missed a subsequent team wrap-up meeting. He was seen drinking in Glasgow while teammates were competing, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Isaac did not attend the final night of the swimming competition or final team meeting in Glasgow which is in conflict with team expectations,” a statement from Swimming Australia said. “Isaac has since voluntarily stood down from the team’s athlete leadership group.”
What is the Victorian government saying about AI?
Ben Carroll held a press conference earlier after his major cabinet overhaul. He says his new AI portfolio – held by Anthony Carbines – will be working on “guardrails and regulatory reform” in the sector.
double quotation markArtificial intelligence is the biggest transformation going through society and the economy right now. My government will be focused on workers. Artificial intelligence is a great opportunity, but it also needs guardrails and regulatory reform. So I want a voice at the cabinet table on that.
Asked whether the AI minister would be responsible for approving datacentres, he replied:
double quotation markI’ll have more to say on that later. Except to say, we need guardrails, whether it’s datacentres, whether it’s AI, and it needs to make sure that workers are front and centre … Everything needs to be considered on its merits. Needs to be considered wisely. Its economic impact, its environment impact, its amenity impact, and what is best for that Victorian community.
How many complaints were made about financial products?
Australians lodged nearly 120,000 complaints with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in the most recent financial year, a record number that reflects the intense economic pressures being felt across the community.
That was about 20% more than the previous financial year, according to the preliminary numbers.
Personal transaction accounts, car insurance and credit cards were the most complained about products in 2025-26, AFCA said.
Complaints relating to the way banks dealt with customers in financial difficulty jumped by 17% in the year, and credit reporting complaints by 22%, AFCA said.
But AFCA said the largest growth was driven by major investment failures and rising superannuation disputes, most notably the collapses of the Shield Master Fund and First .
Complaints alleging failure to act in the client’s best interest remain the top issue with a 65 per cent increase on last year, up to 2081.
Deborah Jenkins, AFCA’s chief customer officer, said:
double quotation markWhile most financial advice firms do the right thing, we are seeing a significant number of complaints stem from major financial collapses that have affected thousands of consumers. These matters are complex and can be incredibly stressful for individuals and their families.
Returning to government house, where new Victorian premier Ben Carroll’s cabinet has been sworn in.
Interestingly, there is no minister for transport infrastructure or the Suburban Rail Loop – a costly and controversial project Carroll is considering reviewing.
Gabrielle Williams previously held the transport infrastructure portfolio while Nick Staikos held SRL, as well as housing and building. Staikos will keep the latter two and adds precincts, homelessness and seniors under Carroll’s reshuffle.
Two other portfolios that were only created in April by former premier Jacinta Allan – men and boys and cost of living – also appear to be scrapped. The former was the first time an Australian government had signalled a focus on countering the impact of rightwing influencers and the manosphere.
The corresponding portfolio of women and girls was held by Williams but now under Carroll it has returned to “women and gender equality”.
Ingrid Sitt, meanwhile, has taken on health, ambulance services and retains mental health and special minister for state.
Jaclyn Symes – who lost treasury – takes on the environment and energy, two complex portfolios.
What did the hearing hear about a request for $50,000?
The inquiry hears that Maré told a fellow Liberal about the Reformers request. Counsel assisting, Juliet Curtin, reads out a text message from the friend, in which he says:
double quotation markBy the way, still can’t believe that approach due by Christian Ellis and [Jean-Claude] Perrottet was thinking $50,000 would stack more than Alex Hawke’s seat. I reckon it would actually be to supplement their incomes. I understand Ellis has been buying up property.
Asked if he believed the Reformers he met with were asking for money for personal use, Maré says he thought they were “genuine” at the time.
Maré says he believes the fellow Liberal he had shared the request with then passed on the the details with the ABC. “Shortly thereafter, I had a call from the ABC,” he says.
What did Frits Maré tell Icac about the Mitchell branch-stacking request?
Retired businessman Frits Maré has been telling the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) about a 2020 meeting in which Reformers Jean-Claude Perrottet and Christian Ellis asked him to contribute $50,000 to an operation to unseat the Liberal member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.
On Monday, Reformer Robert Assaf told the commission he was concerned that the Perrottets, including former premier Dominic Perrottet and brothers Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet, had a “vendetta” against Hawke, who had “backstabbed Dom” and become a “kingmaker” in the party.
Neither Hawke nor Dominic Perrottet is accused of any wrongdoing. Jean-Claude and Charles Perrottet have previously denied any wrongdoing.
Maré, a Liberal party member who is not named in any allegations and is not accused of any wrongdoing, described meeting Jean-Claude Perrottet at Young Liberals fundraiser in 2019. After repeated attempts by Jean-Claude Perrottet to set up a meeting, Maré met with him and Ellis at Maré’s office in May 2020.
He says the men asked him for $50,000 to fund a call centre to new members at the party, so that they could “get enough people to challenge Alex Hawke in his seat and then vote him out”.
“I found it strange,” says Maré. “I thought the sitting member was doing a good job in parliament.”
Maré said he asked the men if they had budgeted how they would spend the $50,000. He says Ellis said “he hadn’t done a budget, but he’d go and do one”, but Maré declined their request for a contribution. “For the record, I never paid the money. I never caused it to be paid by anyone else or by a corporation,” he says.
What did gambling companies say about VIP accounts?
Tabcorp and Sportbet are being asked to explain their offerings to so-called VIP customers, under some intense questioning from Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Tabcorp’s Julian Whealing says his company has 800,000 active customers, of which about 400 are classified as VIPs.
Whealing says he does not know exactly how many account managers are employed by the company but estimates it is around 20 people. He stresses they do not receive incentive payments or bonuses based on recruitment of customers or on customer spending.
Jules Norton Selzer, director of corporate affairs for Sportsbet, says his firm has about the same number of account managers.
Hanson-Young asks Norton Selzer if account managers ever ask customers if they want drugs.
“I don’t accept that characterisation,” he says. “We’re a legal, licensed, regulated product.”
He says Sportsbet adheres to dozens of regulatory requirements across federal and state laws.
The inquiry was told yesterday that VIP account managers for unnamed gambling companies had provided drugs, alcohol and access to sex workers to customers, to try to keep them betting. No companies were specifically identified in Monday’s evidence.
