Gaza Coverage on ABC and SBS ‘Overemphasised Relative to Other Global Conflicts’, Jillian Segal Tells Royal Commission
Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism, was the first witness to appear before the antisemitism royal commission this morning, preceding testimonies from senior executives of the ABC and SBS later today.
The discussion has centered on a recommendation from Segal’s plan released exactly one year ago, which proposed government monitoring of ABC and SBS reporting.
In her statement to the royal commission, Segal noted a “pervasive perception among the Australian Jewish community” that the public broadcasters’ coverage was “lacking balance” and that the conflict in Gaza was “overemphasised relative to other global conflicts,” disproportionately amplifying anti-Israel perspectives. She stated this exacerbated antisemitism in Australia and conflated Jewish identity with the state of Israel.
“There is a very strongly held perception from the Jewish community that the way in which the Gaza conflict, in particular, and the activities that are going on in the Middle East are reported have created an impression of great negativity about Israel.
It’s a very serious perception that a community under attack here in Australia feels that the trusted national broadcaster is not presenting the situation in the Middle East in a way that they think is not biased and accurate.
My contention is that that whole system is not working to assure all of us that the reporting is as per required, and that’s why I make the suggestion of an oversight exercise, a standing committee.”
Segal clarified she was not suggesting that public broadcasters should avoid covering important issues, but emphasized that “there are also lots of important issues around the world.”
“There are major famines, there are other wars that we don’t hear about at all in Africa.”
The ABC has stood by its coverage as previously reported.
Segal Proposes ‘Independent Group’ to Review ABC’s Coverage
During her testimony, Segal advocated for establishing an “independent group of people” to review ABC’s reporting on Israel and Palestine.
“They can give it a huge tick or they can give it guidance as to the fact that it needs to understand this particular hatred we are focused on better.”
Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster asked Segal whether she accepted that the ABC seeks to ensure a wide variety of relevant perspectives in its coverage.
Segal responded that she had not assessed this herself and that was the purpose of the proposed oversight committee.
“In fact, it might give them an extra verification, an extra boost that what they are doing is absolutely fine. It’s just that it may not be fine.”
Segal referenced the UK’s Ofcom, which enforces broadcasting codes, as a model for such oversight.
Segal: ABC and SBS Lack Full Understanding of Antisemitism per IHRA Definition
Continuing her evidence, Segal discussed her recommendation that the government monitor ABC and SBS reporting, particularly regarding the application of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
When asked how applying the IHRA definition would affect ABC’s coverage of the Gaza hostilities, Segal said it would not change the extent of reporting but would help reporters better understand the conflation of Jewish identity with the state of Israel.
“The reporting, I think, has to be an understanding just of that type of antisemitism. I just don’t believe that they have a full understanding of that.”
The inquiry announced in February that it would apply the IHRA working definition, which defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
This definition has faced criticism from some Jewish and Palestinian groups for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Melbourne this morning.
Trains Resume on Regional NSW Lines
Following yesterday’s outage, trains have resumed on two regional New South Wales lines.
At just after 10am, the NSW transport management centre reported that trains were running between Campbelltown, Moss Vale, and Goulburn on the Southern Highlands line, as well as between Newcastle Interchange, Maitland/Telarah, Scone, and Dungog on the Hunter line.
“Buses may continue to supplement some trains,” the update noted.
Telstra Reports Progress on Triple Zero Issues, Advises Immediate Retry
Telstra issued an update urging people experiencing difficulties connecting to triple zero to “immediately retry your call.”
“Overnight, our team have made good progress reducing the occurrence of the subsequent Triple Zero calling error by approx. 90%. and will continuing work to eliminate this issue entirely.
If you experience any issues calling Triple Zero, please immediately retry your call. We have seen good success of calls connecting on retry.
Our welfare checks process remains in place where a call does not connect successfully.”
South Australia Police Update on Triple Zero Issues
South Australia police stated that Telstra advised a small number of triple zero calls were failing to connect, but no welfare checks related to the outage had been escalated to police.
“Telstra advise that in these cases, when you call Triple Zero you will receive an error message and your phone will try to connect to an alternative mobile network which can take up to 90 seconds. …
We remain in regular contact with Telstra and will respond swiftly should any information or requests be received.”
Regional NSW Trains Still Affected by Outage; Services to Resume Progressively
Trains on two regional NSW lines remain affected by yesterday’s outage.
Buses continue to replace trains between Campbelltown and Moss Vale/Goulburn on the Southern Highlands line and between Newcastle Interchange and Maitland/Telarah, Scone, and Dungog on the Hunter Line.
The outage affected the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) network, which includes interstate services such as The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin) and XPT services connecting Sydney to the ACT, Melbourne, and Queensland.
ARTC stated that rail services are “progressively returning to operation across affected networks following confirmation that safety-critical communications can be reliably established.”
Australia understands some NSW services could resume as early as this morning.
V/Line Services May Resume This Afternoon Following Backup Communications Issue
William Tieppo, chief executive of V/Line, indicated that regional Victorian rail services could potentially resume before the afternoon peak but did not specify a time.
Despite resolving initial outage issues mid-morning yesterday, commuter disruptions have continued.
Tieppo explained that Telstra’s 4G network was interfering with backup satellite phones used on trains when the mobile network is unavailable.
“Overnight, Telstra were able to undertake some repair programming to stabilise the network, and that involved making sure that the 4G train radio system was talking correctly and integrated correctly with the satellite phones, which are our backup system in the train.
He said V/Line needed to have confidence that the repair has worked, and 33 tests had been conducted. He said the testing will be done in the next couple of hours, but could not commit to when services will resume.
“We’re hoping to get afternoon peak up and running. And we’ll just wait and see and we’ll provide updates as we get confirmation from Telstra and ARTC [Australian Rail Track Corporation] that we’re right to go.”
ARTC stated on Thursday morning that the Telstra outage disrupted the national train communications system, which allows train drivers to communicate directly with the network control centre over Telstra’s 4G network.
Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson Defends Triple Zero Test Calls
Sarah Henderson, shadow minister for communications, defended her test calls to the triple zero network during a 2GB interview this morning.
She emphasized the importance of her role in ensuring the “health and wellbeing of Australians” and stated her calls were to assess system functionality.
“I was simply, as the shadow minister for communications, making those initial calls to work out whether the … system was actually operating.
I was doing my job, and there is a provision in the criminal code that if you make hoax or vexatious calls, that can be in breach. …
I accept the criticism, but what I will say is that I am in a unique position, holding this government to account. Australians have very little trust in our telecommunications carriers.”
SBS Highlights Media’s Role in Social Cohesion Ahead of Royal Commission
Ahead of its executives’ appearance at the royal commission, SBS unequivocally condemned antisemitism and emphasized the “vital role trusted, independent public service media plays in strengthening social cohesion.”
The commission has received complaints regarding ABC and SBS coverage of the Middle East conflict; both broadcasters have defended their reporting.
In a statement, SBS said:
“SBS has invested significantly in reporting and programming that helps Australians better understand antisemitism and its impacts, with content available in more than 60 languages. Across all our platforms and services, we represent Jewish Australian stories and perspectives in a way that is respectful, accurate and inclusive.”
Committee of Medical Experts to Meet Over NDIS Changes
A federal government-appointed group of medical and clinical assessment experts will hold its first meeting today to develop an evidence-based assessment framework for functional capacity under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), set to be introduced from 2028.
The technical advisory group includes experts from disability research, psychiatry, health statistics, law, and paediatrics.
The group will advise on assessment tools, evidence requirements, and validate the chosen approach.
NDIS and health minister Mark Butler and ACT disability minister Suzanne Orr will co-convene the meetings, led by co-chairs Professor Christine Imms and health department deputy secretary Mary Wood.
“This is about getting access reform right – technical expertise going hand-in-hand with the lived experience of people with disability, to secure the future of the NDIS for generations to come.”
Angus Taylor to Outline Coalition’s Economic Plan
Opposition leader Angus Taylor is scheduled to deliver a major economic address in Sydney tonight, criticizing the Labor government’s record and proposing an alternative economic strategy.
His speech at the Sydney Institute will include new analysis on productivity, living standards, and the cost-of-living pressures faced by Australian households.
“Under Labor, government has gotten bigger and Australians have gotten poorer, that is the brutal truth. More spending, more bureaucracy and more public sector workers have not delivered better services or higher living standards.
Instead the prime minister has delivered the biggest fall in living standards in the developed world.”
Taylor asserts the Coalition’s plan will improve living standards by controlling government spending to reduce inflationary pressures, capping migration below housing supply, removing what he calls “toxic taxes,” and delivering automatic annual tax cuts indexed to inflation.
Sydney Median House Rents Reach Record $850 per Week
According to Domain data, house rents in Sydney have surged to a record median of $850 per week over the past three months, reflecting rising housing costs nationwide.
During the June quarter, Sydney house rents increased by 6.3%, while unit rents rose 4% to $780.
The steepest rental increases were observed in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, and Darwin, whereas Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart saw more moderate rises despite low vacancy rates.
Melbourne’s house rents increased by only 0.8% to $600, making it the most affordable state or territory capital.
Domain’s report noted that national rent increases were “stronger than seasonal norms and relatively abrupt in some cities,” with houses experiencing the largest rises compared to units.
Domain suggested landlords may have acted swiftly to raise asking rents following government changes to investor tax settings announced in the May budget.
Shadow Minister Defends Opposition’s Triple Zero Test Calls
Anne Webster, shadow minister for regional communications, spoke on RN defending Senator Sarah Henderson’s test calls to the triple zero network.
Webster did not comment on whether the calls were reasonable but stated Henderson was “doing my job” and would not apologize.
“I mean, she’s the shadow minister. She needs to know whether it works or doesn’t work. … I would have thought that it was reasonable.
But I would also suggest to you … that if people are worried, if they have an ongoing health issue, for example, or they’ve had issues trying to get through to triple zero in the past, that they want to know that that is going to be accessible.”
She added that people are “a curious set of beings” who want to know if triple zero services are operational.
Full Investigation to Follow Telstra Outage, Minister Says
Tim Ayres, federal minister for industry and innovation, told RN Breakfast that a “full investigation” into the Telstra outages will be conducted.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges in the Telstra network, particularly affecting passenger rail services in Victoria and New South Wales and triple zero calls.
“Obviously we’re very concerned about passenger rail services in Victoria and New South Wales and monitoring the situation very closely in relation to triple zero calls in particular. There’s been some progress made. But Telstra’s obviously scrambling to fix all of these issues.
There’ll be a full investigation in due course by the proper authority, ACMA. But right now the communications minister is on deck dealing with these challenges.”
Ayres said the investigation will determine any penalties for Telstra, but the immediate focus is on recovery.
“I mean, it goes without saying, communications and digital infrastructure is part of the lifeblood of the economy. Each of these operators has responsibilities here. The framework is there to manage those, to make sure we’ve got a transparent investigative framework and to apply penalties where it’s necessary.”
Communications Minister Reports No Adverse Outcomes from Triple Zero Issues
Anika Wells, communications minister, told RN Breakfast she has not received reports of “adverse outcomes” linked to Telstra customers failing to connect to triple zero.
Wells emphasized that Telstra must explain “how and why” the outage occurred, as Australians expect triple zero as a baseline service.
She noted that while most calls connected successfully, some failures prompted welfare checks.
“There are instances where the triple zero custodian has observed they have not been working, where Telstra has observed they have not been working, and that’s where welfare checks are taking place and continue to take place.”
Wells dismissed speculation about a cyber-attack as “irresponsible” without evidence.
