Australia's political leaders have commemorated the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, while an aged care provider has begun returning funds to residents following a regulatory review into charging practices.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the 2,977 people killed across New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania, including ten Australians whose lives were "tragically cut short far from home". In a statement marking the anniversary, he reflected on the resilience demonstrated in response to the attacks.
We acknowledge the grief carried by their loved ones. We also honour the courage and selflessness shown in the face of unimaginable horror. First responders ran towards danger to help others. Ordinary people reached for one another. In the worst of circumstances, we saw extraordinary acts of courage, compassion and humanity.
Albanese said the milestone was an opportunity to reflect on "resilience in the face of profound loss", adding that
Australia remembers those whose lives were taken, those who survived, those we've lost since, and all those who continue to carry the weight of that day.
Defence minister reflects on the attacks' lasting impact
Defence Minister Richard Marles spoke about September 11 as a pivotal moment that fundamentally altered global affairs. He described watching the attacks unfold on television that evening, recalling the shock of witnessing the second plane strike the South Tower.
I remember on that night watching West Wing, a number of people I have spoken to in the last few days were doing the same thing. When it finished, it cut into this extraordinary vision of smoke coming out of the North Tower. We weren't really sure what was going on. Then astonishingly it looked as though we were witnessing a plane fly into the South Tower.
Marles highlighted the subsequent military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, noting that more than 40,000 Australians served in those conflicts over the following years, with more than 40 losing their lives. He emphasised that ten Australians died in the September 11 attacks themselves.
Marles condemns One Nation cartoon about Andrew Hastie
The defence minister also addressed a cartoon published by One Nation that labelled Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a "traitor", describing the image as "tasteless" and calling for its removal. His comments came as senior Liberal figures, independent MP Jacqui Lambie and RSL Australia similarly condemned the cartoon.
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast, Marles defended Hastie's character and military service, stating:
Andrew Hastie is definitely not a traitor. I know him well and I've said this publicly. I very much honour the service that Andrew Hastie has given to our country, wearing our nation's uniform. I think to use that word in respect of a veteran is extremely tasteless.
He added that
No one should be using that word in respect of any veteran and in respect of Andrew.
Aged care provider returns funds to residents
Opal Healthcare has refunded approximately $190,000 to almost 350 residents following a comprehensive review into the misuse of aged care charging standards, according to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The refunds address improper charges levied under new standards that took effect in November.
The standards were introduced to give residents greater control over premium services they choose to pay for. While guidelines stipulated that services previously offered at no cost could not be charged, these rules were not enshrined in law. Despite this, aged care providers began wrongfully charging residents for basic amenities including television and wifi services. In some instances, providers removed services entirely if residents declined to pay additional fees.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission launched an investigation after aged care minister Sam Rae alerted the regulator to complaints against Opal Healthcare. Rae previously stated that the removal of services such as air conditioning and televisions was unacceptable. Following the commission's scrutiny, services were restored or made available at no additional cost to residents.
What happens next for aged care funding
The aged care refund issue reflects broader government scrutiny of residential aged-care charging practices and funding arrangements. Residential aged-care funding is scheduled to increase from 1 October 2026, when the AN-ACC price rises from $295.64 to $303.19, signalling the government's continued focus on the sector's financial sustainability and resident protections.
