Malarndirri McCarthy calls for calm after Jefferson Lewis’s arrest
Malarndirri McCarthy, the minister for Indigenous Australians, addressed ABC RN this morning amid grief and anger following the arrest of a man linked to the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby.
She announced that meetings with community elders and Northern Territory officials are scheduled for this morning and confirmed that Jefferson Lewis, the arrested individual, was transported to Darwin overnight.
"There needs to be calm and there needs to be a proper process now in terms of this criminal investigation. And it must not be jeopardised by foolishness in terms of the work that has to be done for police and by police to get this investigation done appropriately.
The police have done a tremendous job here with the Alice Springs community and families, and I totally understand the deep grief that people are experiencing. But, you know, we do now have Mr Lewis in custody and he has been taken to Darwin."
ANZ warns that Iran fallout ‘remains ahead of us’
ANZ reported a strong half-year cash profit increase to $3.78 billion, supported by a profitable lending business, but cautioned that the economic impact of the oil crisis is still forthcoming.
ANZ’s chief executive, Nuno Matos, stated the bank has not yet observed a significant rise in customers experiencing hardship or a major effect on its financial position.
"Much of the potential impact of this crisis remains ahead of us, but the longer the flow of oil is constrained, the greater the chance the crisis shifts from being primarily an inflation challenge to much more a supply and growth challenge."
ANZ’s cash profit rose by 5.9% over six months, with an interim dividend of 83 cents per share declared, matching expectations.
The bank highlighted that the Middle East conflict is increasing economic uncertainty, with expectations of lower growth, higher inflation, and interest rates likely to challenge some customers.
Consumer prices have risen, and financial markets anticipate the Reserve Bank will raise interest rates for a third consecutive meeting next week.
Australia engaged on strait of Hormuz planning: Wong
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong continues Australia’s regional fuel diplomacy in South Korea and confirmed Australia’s active involvement in diplomatic discussions regarding US President Donald Trump’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway, closed amid the Iran conflict, is a critical chokepoint for up to 20% of global fuel shipments. The White House has urged countries to form an international coalition post-conflict.
The proposed Maritime Freedom Construct could resemble the coalition of 40 nations recently engaged in talks led by France and the UK, focusing on information sharing, sanctions enforcement, and monitoring.
While in Seoul, Wong stated Australia is collaborating with the US on the plan:
"We are working with all of our partners, the United Kingdom, France and the United States.
We are engaging on options, noting that we have already provided defensive and diplomatic support to the region."
NT Police Association president expresses condolences for Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family
Nathan Finn, president of the Northern Territory Police Association, spoke on ABC RN about the unrest in Alice Springs following the arrest related to Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death.
He reported that two police vehicles were set on fire, officers sustained injuries, and urged the community to allow police to perform their duties without interference.
"It’s been a very, very tumultuous week. But the actions we saw come out of Alice Springs last night were nothing short of disgraceful.
I encourage all our members to use whatever force they need to do to protect themselves and protect the community as well. And they’ll have our support in doing their police job that they need to do."
Later on ABC TV, NT police commissioner Martin Dole said the violence had been quelled and a sense of calm prevailed across Alice Springs.
Martin Dole says Jefferson Lewis not yet charged
Commissioner Dole confirmed on multiple media outlets that Jefferson Lewis has not yet been charged but is expected to be later today or tomorrow.
He detailed the injuries and damage to emergency services personnel and equipment:
"We had a police vehicle burnt to the ground. Four of the five St John’s ambulances in Alice Springs were taken out of action by being damaged, rendering no ambulance availability in Alice Springs. We had police officers injured, we had a fire officer injured, we had two ambulance officers injured, and it’s just unacceptable that those frontline emergency services personnel who are trying to serve the community were targeted in this way."
Approximately 400 people were involved in the disturbance, forcing police to use teargas and non-lethal munitions such as beanbag rounds.
"The calm was restored last night through the police response. There is no further disturbances currently in Alice Springs but this is going to require strong community leadership. And what’s even more disappointing is that that’s what we’ve seen in the last five days. We’ve seen support for the police. We’ve seen extraordinary community strength, compassion, and cooperation. And for it to devolve into that last night is extremely disappointing."
NT police commissioner says Alice Springs violence ‘unacceptable’
Dole emphasized that the violent incidents do not represent the true character of the Alice Springs community:
"This does not reflect the Alice Springs community or what we’ve seen over the last four days, where we’ve seen extraordinary strength, compassion and cooperation, and that just is marred by these actions last night that are completely unacceptable."
NT police commissioner ‘doesn’t accept’ that police contributed to sparking Alice Springs violence
Commissioner Dole rejected allegations that police actions contributed to the violence, calling such claims "totally unacceptable." He told ABC Alice Springs that police responded to reports around 9:30 pm that Jefferson Lewis had presented himself to a town camp and was being violently assaulted. Police were attacked when intervening.
Diesel theft in South Sydney
A man allegedly stole nearly $3,000 worth of diesel in jerry cans and drums from a South Sydney service station.
Police reported that a driver of a white ute filled large drums and jerry cans with 915 litres of diesel, valued at over $2,870, without payment on 11 April at approximately 7:15 pm.
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Goulburn on Thursday and issued a court attendance notice for "dishonestly obtain property by deception." He was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre local court on 15 June.
NSW man, 45, charged over alleged online death threats to MPs
A 45-year-old man has been charged with posting death threats toward politicians online.
Five offensive posts were made on social media in March 2026, including alleged death threats against two members of parliament, according to the Australian Federal Police.
AFP investigators linked the posts to the man. Police searched a property in Bellingen, NSW, on Wednesday and seized an electronic device.
The man faces multiple charges, including four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence; one count of threatening harm to a Commonwealth public official; and one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill.
He was granted bail on Thursday after appearing before the NSW bail division court.
Coalition tells Labor to get on with gun reforms after Bondi report
The Coalition has indicated it will no longer oppose Labor’s gun reforms following the Bondi royal commission’s interim report, which recommended a gun buyback and law reforms be implemented.
Previously, the opposition had criticized the government for focusing on gun access instead of antisemitism.
Coalition frontbencher Jonno Duniam urged the government to proceed with the reforms, stating on ABC’s 730:
"I’d urge my counterpart, Tony Burke and the prime minister, to get on and do what they promised they would, what they’ve passed laws to enable. The ball is in their court.
Yes, they’re working with state and territory governments. I’m not going to give them gratuitous advice. I will call on the [federal] government to do what they said they would, what is recommended in this interim report. We’re not going to stand in the way of that."
Queensland has rejected key recommendations from the Bondi royal commission’s interim report, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of a national gun buyback in preventing weapons from reaching terrorists and criminals.
McCarthy calls for community unity after death of Kumanjayi Little Baby
McCarthy reiterated calls for the Alice Springs community to support each other as the investigation continues alongside sorry business.
"When we were searching for our beautiful little girl here, the whole of Alice Springs came together. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people walked the Todd River. They walked and scoured the bushland and scrub to look for this beautiful girl. And that coming together of this community is what I am going to keep calling for.
We need to stay together as a community, even through this and come out the other side of this. We have a mother still grieving, wanting to bury her child, and let’s be there for her."
Stephanie Convery will continue live news coverage until mid-afternoon today.
Australia and South Korea issue joint energy statement
Australia and South Korea have agreed to collaborate to strengthen energy supply chain resilience and maintain stable, safe, and reliable energy resource supplies, including diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to foreign affairs minister Penny Wong after talks in Seoul.
The two nations released a joint statement on energy resource security, committing to "preemptively" cooperate to ensure energy security resilience.
Wong, who has also visited Japan and China on her current trip, noted the disproportionate impact of the Middle East crisis and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on the Asian region.
South Korea is a key energy partner for Australia, being the largest supplier of diesel and the third-largest source of jet fuel. Australia is South Korea’s largest source of LNG.
"We depend on you, and you depend on us," Wong said, emphasizing the need for close coordination and Australia’s commitment as a reliable supplier of food, energy, and other commodities to South Korea.
Rent hikes speed up, adding to RBA inflation worries
While house prices may be slowing, rents are rising at their fastest rate since October 2024, increasing inflation pressure ahead of the Reserve Bank’s interest rate decision next Tuesday.
Data from Cotality shows advertised prices for new rental listings increased 5.7% over the year, including a 0.6% rise (approximately $38) in April alone.
Rent increases for houses had been accelerating in every major city except Adelaide until recently. Adelaide’s advertised house rents rose 4.2% in the year to April, while Perth and Hobart saw increases of 7%, and Darwin’s house rents rose 8.8%.
The rental market remains tight, with vacancy rates below 1.8% in every capital city, significantly lower than the 2010s average of 3.3% vacancy.
Rents were among the largest non-fuel contributors to inflation in the year to March, rising 3.7% across existing and new tenancies. The Reserve Bank will consider whether inflation is accelerating too quickly as it evaluates another interest rate hike next week.
House price growth slows as buyers stick to cheaper homes
Australia’s housing market is experiencing its slowest growth in nearly 18 months as buyers focus on more affordable properties and show less interest in high-end homes.
Cotality data indicates Melbourne and Sydney house prices fell 0.6% in April. Melbourne’s home values have declined 1.9% since November, and Sydney’s have dropped 1%.
Prices continue to rise at the lower end of the market but at a slower pace in both cities. The bottom quarter of the market increased by 0.1%, while the top quarter decreased by 1.2% in April.
Canberra prices remained flat over the month, and Hobart’s rose slightly by 0.2%, with the top quarters of both cities experiencing price declines.
Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Darwin continue to see steady price increases, but a two-speed market is evident: every capital city is witnessing faster price growth in the bottom quarter of homes compared to the top quarter.
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories, followed by Stephanie Convery with the main updates.
Australia’s housing market is at its slowest pace in nearly 18 months as buyers favor cheaper properties, while rents rise at their fastest rate since October 2024.
Australia has committed to working with South Korea to enhance energy supply chain resilience and ensure secure energy resource supplies, foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said after talks in Seoul last night.
