As it happened: Narendra Modi lands in Australia to meet with PM; Qantas expects to post record profits

Thanks for joining us today.

Here are today’s top stories - just in case you missed something:

• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Australia and was welcomed by 20,000 supporters at Qudos Bank Arena for a welcoming ceremony.
• Australia’s deputy prime minister said the treatment of Indigenous journalist and former Q+A host Stan Grant caused him “enormous heartache”.
• Australian Border Force commissioner Michael Outram revealed authorities are monitoring 100 “deeply concerning” companies that are suspected of facilitating the trafficking of illegal drugs into Australia.
• Qantas revealed it expects to record an estimated underlying profit before tax of up to $2.48 billion this financial year.
• The lead investigator in the abandoned Lehrmann case said in a statement that his officers believed the ACT’s Victims of Crime Commissioner was speaking for Brittany Higgins in the sexual assault investigation.
• A NSW police officer who Tasered a 95-year-old grandmother at a nursing home has been suspended with pay.
• Victorians are expected to face new tax measures and infrastructure delays as the state treasurer tries to stem skyrocketing debt in the state budget, which was handed down today.
• Overseas, Portuguese confirmed they will launch a new search for missing British girl Madeleine McCann.

That’s all, folks. Sarah Keoghan, signing off.

NSW Police have also been out at Qudos Bank Arena tonight after around 60 protesters with yellow “Khalistan” flags showed up outside the stadium.

The group supports a proposed independent Sikh state in India’s north - which has been dubbed “Khalistan” - and said they were protesting Indian government policies.

“The NSW Police Force has a highly visible presence at Sydney Olympic Park this evening,” a statement from NSW Police said.

“Officers are monitoring protest activity to ensure it remains lawful and does not interfere with the event nor those attending.”

Our reporter Matt Wade was down at the event tonight. Here’s what he wrote:

Sydney’s Indian diaspora were out in force at the Qudos Bank Arena, many in traditional dress.

Before the event the crowd was entertained by Bollywood-style dancing and drummers. There were frequent chants of: ‘Modi, Modi, Modi’.

You can read his full take on the event here. 

Modi was welcomed by tens of thousands of supporters on Tuesday night. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns for their hospitality on stage, calling Australians “big-hearted”.

Modi thanked Albanese for making time for his visit and said Australia had always accepted the diversity brought in by Indian-Australians.

“Thank you my friend Anthony,” Modi said.

“Despite having a very busy schedule, you have taken time out for us this show your affection towards us Indians.”

Modi and Albanese hug on stage on Tuesday evening. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the welcoming event of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage Indian-Australians to vote yes to the Voice.

Speaking at Qudos Bank Arena on Tuesday evening, Albanese said he was “proud” to lead a government that would give those in the audience the opportunity to recognise first nations’ people later this year.

“And I am proud to lead a government that will give all of you, all Australians, the chance to vote in a referendum to recognise our First Peoples in our nation’s Constitution later this year,” he said.

“I urge my Indian-Australian friends; vote yes.”

Nahendra Modi with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney.Credit: James Brickwood

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with multiple Australian figures before the Olympic Park reception this evening.

In a series of tweets, Modi expressed his delight at meeting with the group, which along with Sebastian included Nobel Laureate Brian Paul Schmidt, artist Danielle Mate, and celebrity chef Sarah Todd.

“Guy Sebastian is a remarkable singer and has unparalleled passion towards music,” his Twitter page stated.

“In addition, he is passionate about social service as well. I was glad to have interacted with him today.”

Interviewed after the meeting, Sebastian described the meeting as “an incredible honour”.

“We talked about a whole bunch of things,” he said.

“He was so warm and kind.”

Sydney Morning Herald photographer James Brickwood has done an amazing job today capturing the colour and movement of the Sydney reception for India Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is in Sydney tonight with Modi. They will both be speaking at the Indian diaspora event.

Members of Australia’s Indian community from Melbourne chartered a flight to Sydney this morning for the Modi reception.Credit: James Brickwood

Australia’s Indian community celebrates the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sydney today.Credit: James Brickwood

The Indian community celebrate the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Sydney.Credit: James Brickwood

The reception for Narendra Modi at Olympic Park highlights the growing size and influence of the India diaspora in Australia.

The 2021 census found more than 670,000 people in Australia are Indian-born and the diaspora is forecast to number well over 1 million by 2035. But the biggest audience for the rally will be in India.

The country’s major news organisations are covering Modi’s tour and that means millions of viewers in India will see images and reports of the Sydney event.

Modi’s appearance at Sydney Olympic park is a sequel to a similar event in the same stadium in 2014 when big crowd gathered to hear him speak. Modi has been the star attraction at rallies in other western countries.

In 2019, about 50,000 turned out to see Modi appear alongside Donald Trump at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The event was dubbed “Howdy Modi.”

The noise and colour of an Indian political rally came to Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday afternoon ahead of a reception to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Australia.

Sydney’s Indian diaspora are out in force hours before the event at Qudos Bank Arena where about 22,000 people are expected including Modi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“We love Mr Modi a lot,” said Rutvija Baxi, who was eagerly awaiting Modi’s arrival. “He has brought India to the highest level.”

All the members of her family, who are from Oran Park in Sydney’s west, were wearing Indian-style saffron hats to mark the occasion.

Jay and Rutvija Baxi with their children Rishabh and Meghna from Oran Park. Credit: James Brickwood

The big crowd was entertained by Bollywood-style dancing and drummers. There were frequent chants of: “Modi, Modi, Modi.“

Earlier in the day Modi met with business leaders including billionaires Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recommended the following changes to his ministry:

Patrick Gorman MP will be appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Public Service, known as Assistant Minister for the Public Service. This is in addition to his current role of Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.

Dr Andrew Leigh MP will be appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, known as Assistant Minister for Employment. This is in addition to his current role of Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury. Dr Leigh will be appointed to administer the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations in addition to the Department of the Treasury.

Senator Anthony Chisholm will continue as Assistant Minister for Regional Development; however, his appointment will change from Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Senator Chisholm’s appointment as Assistant Minister for Education will not change.