Politics Now: Hero cop Amy Scott, Anthony Albanese among crowd as Bondi honours Westfield stabbing victims

Anthony Albanese, Chris Minns lead a candlelight vigil at Bondi Beach for victims of the Westfield attack, with Amy Scott seen hugging colleagues in the crowd.

Inspector Amy Scott pictured at the Candlelight Vigil for Bondi Junction victims at Bondi Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

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6:23 pm April 21, 2024 Highlight

Hero cop among crowd at Bondi vigil

Staff writers

Police officers attend a community candlelight vigil for the victims of the Bondi Junction tragedy. Picture: Getty Images

Family, friends, and hundreds of locals have gathered at Bondi Beach with candles to pay their respects and remember those who lost their lives in the Bondi Junction attack.

Among the crowd was New South Wales police inspector Amy Scott, the brave officer who put herself in harm's way to confront and shoot Joel Cauchi dead.

Following New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke to an emotional crowd.

“We gather here in Bondi to grieve for all that has been stolen from us. All the possibility and potential. All the kindness and humanity. All the love and laughter of the six lives snatched away on that hardest of Saturday afternoons,” Mr Albanese said.

“We keep this vigil for them to honour all they were, to pay respect for all they meant. We mourn for all the years of joy they should have known. All the memories they should have had the chance to make.

“The new life they would have lived here in their new country, the success they would have achieved in whatever career they embraced. The happiness they would have created, the care they would have shown.

“The beautiful children they would have raised with such love. We gather here to remember them. Our candles held against the darkness. And we offer the condolences of this community, our city, our state and our entire nation to all who loved them the most. As we keep this vigil for the six souls we have lost, we keep a place in our hearts for everyone affected.

“All those who were injured, all those caring for them. The people still in hospital and those taking the first steps on the hard road to recovery. Survivors carry the invisible stars of trauma and of fear.

“We think of Inspector Amy Scott who ran towards danger, the security guards who made the same courageous choice, the first responders who acted with such speed and skill, and the everyday people who would never have imagined they would face such a moment and yet when that sternest test arrived, their first instinct was to help others at risk for themselves, people they did not know.

“We think of everyone still trying to come to terms with the hole in their life, where a loved one should be.

“To the families and friends who are here with us and to all who are with us in spirit – please know this – that every Australian is thinking of you. We are with you as a community, as a country. Today, tomorrow and always. May those who we have lost rest in eternal peace, forever in our hearts.”

Following Mr Albanese's speech a minute of silence was held to honour the victims.

— Isabella Pesch

5:38 pm April 21, 2024

Crowds gather for Bondi vigil

Staff writers

Thousands have come together for a candlelight vigil on Bondi Beach for the six victims of the Bondi Junction knife attack on Sunday evening.

Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane told Sky News that people are arriving for the vigil, which begins at 5.30pm AEST, with “really heavy hearts”.

“People have told me how important it is for us as a community to be coming together, to be honouring the people who've lost their lives, to be showing our respects to their families, but also remembering those that are still in hospital and have injuries and the broader community that's really been suffering alongside as well,” Ms Sloane said.

“I think people are still pretty shaken up to be truthful. I mean, every day we're having new conversations with friends and people are still telling their stories, still talking about the absolute disbelief that something like this could happen in our community.

“You know, nights like tonight are really special and they remind us what binds us together, that we're not going to be defined by the actions of that terrible incident last week.

“We all hope that we will leave a tiny bit lighter, but not forgetting the people that have lost their lives.”

Ms Sloane said it was wonderful to see so many police officials arrive for the vigil.

“(Members of the police have been) really touched by the outreach from the community. Members of our community have been dropping off notes and gifts to the police stations,” Ms Sloane said.

“I think they feel very supported. And it's wonderful to see so many of them here tonight. Not just to keep guard, to keep watch but to be part of this because, you know, we need to remember they're impacted by this too.”

Just hours before, Bondi Junction victim Ashlee Good's nine-month-old baby had been discharged from Sydney Children's Hospital.

— Isabella Pesch

4:21 pm April 21, 2024

Captured shark bites 16yo boy in fishing boat

Staff writers

A 16-year-old boy has been bitten by a shark in Adelaide while fishing on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to the West Beach boat ramp after the teenage boy was bitten on the leg around 3pm.

It is understood the boy had caught a small shark and brought it on to his fishing boat.

When he went to unhook the shark from the fishing line, he was bitten.

The boy was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital and remains in a stable condition.

– Isabella Pesch

4:19 pm April 21, 2024

US aid deal passed but AUKUS 'still precarious'

Staff writers

US Congress has passed a foreign aid bill which is set to benefit the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.

The foreign aid package includes $3.3bn to match what Australia is putting in to help expand submarine construction in the United States.

But military lawyer and defence academic Glenn Kolomeitz warns it is still a "precarious situation" for Australia regardless of the United States' funding commitment.

"The US has a clause in the AUKUS arrangement that if they can't meet their own … capability needs they don't need to support ours," Dr Kolomeitz explained.

"So if they can maintain that two Virginia-class (submarine) production, up until the time we are to get one in the 2030s, that may well take place, but if they can't then the chances of us seeing even one Virginia-class submarine in the 2030s is increasingly unlikely.

"But then we need to look at the AUKUS class submarines and, you know, the chances of us seeing any of those in the 2040s is a bit of a long shot."

Dr Kolomeitz told Sky's Weekend Live the Australian Government's strategy to spend $50bn on defence over the next 10 years is "misleading".

"We don't have this 10-year threat window that (this) national defence strategy appears … to cater to. We have less than that so, on the government's own admission, they have to bring forward that defence spending," Dr Kolomeitz said.

"(The government) is talking about this 2.4 per cent increase in the rate of defence spending. That's below the inflation rate of 4.2 per cent.

"So defence is not really, in real terms, receiving additional money and we don't even hit that 2.4 per cent of GDP until 2034 which is the end of that 10-year window. So it is misleading to me, the short answer is."

Dr Kolomeitz said the government's strategy to provide an extra $1.1bn into drones across 10 years isn't "what we expected".

"The autonomous weapons systems are … the way of the future. We're seeing that in this conventional warfare space in Ukraine … we're seeing it in every conflict. It's a cheap way to project force. So …the spending on drones isn't what we expected.

"(The government) cut back on another drone program we were looking at, but more importantly … they're investing a little bit of money in research into counter-drone technology.

"But as we've seen in Ukraine, counter-drone technology is as critical as the drone capability itself. So you know, not a lot of forethought there, I would suggest."

– Isabella Pesch

4:09 pm April 21, 2024 Highlight

Baby leaves hospital hours before Bondi vigil

Staff writers

The nine-month-old baby daughter of Ashlee Good has been released from hospital to her family after recovering from her injuries, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has announced.

The news comes hours before a candlelight vigil due to be held at Bondi Beach on Sunday night, to commemorate the victims of the Westfield Bondi Junction attack one week on from the tragedy.

“In a positive development, I can confirm the child who has been receiving care at Sydney Children’s Hospital following last weekend’s tragic events at Bondi Junction has been discharged home,” Mr Park said.

“She continues to receive care from the expert clinicians at Sydney Children’s Hospital.”

The nine-month-old was stabbed during the attack alongside her mother, Ms Good, 38, who later died in hospital from her injuries and will be honoured tonight by family, friends and the community.

– Elizabeth Pike

3:02 pm April 21, 2024 Highlight

AI expert backs social media crackdown

'There's so much data being given out on us personally, on our families, and our children. It needs to be regulated,' says Kelly Slessor.

E-commerce coach Kelly Slessor has backed the need for tougher laws and regulations around social media and artificial intelligence use in Australia.

"I think the use of these social media tools and the AI that is now basically siphoning and using our data … we need to regulate that," Ms Slessor told Sky's Weekend Live.

"There's so much data being given out on us personally, on our families, and our children. It needs to be regulated.

"I don't think (social media platforms) need banning, but regulation. They need controls in place because they're addictive platforms."

Ms Slessor said while artificial intelligence can be harmful, it can also be used to benefit businesses and can have a positive impact.

"AI is giving everyone tools to be able to do bad stuff. It's also giving people tools to do great stuff as well.

"I know (the United States is) looking at banning TikTok at the moment, but … we're seeing increased usage of TikTok, which is why it's a key target, and it's creating jobs. There's a lot of positive stuff coming out of TikTok.

"So there's a big fight of power and control going on social media platforms at the moment. But I think we've got to think about the mental health of people."

It comes as a new AI called Meta AI was launched on all Meta platforms just days ago.

"It's across WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger … it's going to be really powerful for businesses." Ms Slessor said.

– Isabella Pesch

1:56 pm April 21, 2024

Steggall urges domestic violence law review

Staff writers

Warringah Independent MP Zali Steggall has spoken about her role in asking the government to review its national plan to curb domestic violence in Australia.

Speaking on Sky’s Weekend Live Ms Steggall said she had approached both the Attorney General and the Prime Minister.

“I said to them we need to review this plan,” she said. “It’s intended to operate over a decade and my concern is that it’s too slow, too long and too many women will lose their lives.

“The statistics are more than one woman a week loses her life, and for children it's one every fortnight that loses their life to domestic violence.

“That is unacceptable, there should be a national crisis cabinet called to accelerate the actions. We need greater information, where is the ad campaign to call it out?

“But more importantly, I am calling on the Attorney-General and the government to do a sentencing review, to make sure that our current laws are working.”

Ms Steggall said that after two one-punch deaths in Sydney in the past the government moved quickly to make changes and questioned why the same urgency hadn’t been shown here.

“In New South Wales, two one-punch attack deaths shut down a city and we saw massive changes to sentencing laws and mandatory sentencing,” she said.

“We have not seen anything like that when it comes to male violence and the murders of women. It needs to change.”

– Jordan McCarthy

1:15 pm April 21, 2024

Musk a 'narcissistic billionaire', says Watt

Staff writers

Cabinet minister Murray Watt has labelled Elon Musk a “narcissistic billionaire” after the social media mogul challenged orders from the eSafety commissioner to remove graphic content from his platform following two recent attacks in Sydney.

Senator Watt told Sky News on Sunday morning the government should “go after” social media companies who consider themselves “above the law” and called for platforms to accept responsibility for the content they distribute.

“Yeah, look, I saw his comments and it’s exactly what you’d expect from Elon Musk. He doesn’t think he seems to owe any obligation to any member of the public,” Senator Watt said.

"Quite frankly, I think the public has had a gutful of these narcissistic billionaires who think they are above the law.

"They have a social responsibility to do the right thing by their consumers (and) they’re not doing it. They do think they are above the law. They’re thumbing their nose at the laws that we have in place and I think it’s entirely fair that we go after them.

"They have a responsibility as producers and disseminators of information to do the right thing by the public.

They make a lot of money off the public, billions of dollars a year, and I think they owe us all a responsibility and they should comply with the laws like everyone else does," he said.

Musk re-posted a discussion between Sky News host Rita Panahi and Institute of Public Affairs director Daniel Wild to his X account on Saturday with the caption “exactly”.

In the clip from April 17, the pair discuss eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant's decision to force the tech platform to remove a post allegedly harmful to an Australian transgender activist before the billionaire threatened to hit back with legal action.

“The problem that you’ve got here with this eSafety commissioner is she is an activist, she will continue to expand her role to police the Internet and to censor debate in a way that is consistent with her own ideological views,” Mr Wild said.

“You have these unelected bureaucrats that have vague powers and they will fill it with their views.

“She has a track record of censorship and it only ever targets one side and unfortunately we are seeing that happen again," Mr Wild said at the time.

Musk has now threatened to file two legal challenges against the Australian government within the space of a few weeks in the name of defending “free speech” and “open Internet” on his platform.

The latest challenge comes in the wake of the Westfield Bondi Junction attack and the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.

– Elizabeth Pike

1:06 pm April 21, 2024 Highlight

Dutton responds to Higgins' olive branch

Staff writers

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has welcomed Brittany Higgins’ expression that she was “sorry” for hurt caused to Senator Linda Reynolds and has called for further examination of the government’s handling of the former political staffer’s $2.4m compensation payout.

In a landmark judgment in the Federal Court last week, Justice Michael Lee found that Ms Higgins was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann.

As he dismissed Lehrmann’s defamation suit against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson, Justice Lee found, on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann had sexually assaulted Ms Higgins inside the office of their then-boss Senator Reynolds in Parliament House in March 2019.

Ms Higgins, in speaking for the first time about the judgment, released a statement via social media on Saturday night.

She thanked Justice Lee for taking into a “trauma-informed approach” in his judgment and said she hoped to move on with her life.

She also offered an olive branch to Senator Reynolds, who is currently pursuing defamation action against Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz.

On Sunday, Mr Dutton told ABC’s Insiders that Ms Higgins’ statement was “gracious”.
“I don’t believe any workplace should be unsafe for women, or for men for that matter, and there are a lot of changes that have taken place at Parliament House which is a good thing,” Mr Dutton said.

He added that he thought Senator Reynolds should be offered a full apology, though he noted: “That’s a party for the court and for the parties”.

Read more here.

– NCA Newswire/Steve Zemek

10:36 am April 21, 2024

X to fight 'unlawful, dangerous' order to remove posts

Staff writers

Social media platform, X (Twitter) has announced plans to challenge an order from the Australian eSafety commissioner to remove posts related to the alleged stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Wakeley on Monday.

The social media giant took down the posts after claiming it was threatened with fines of up to $785,000 a day.

On Tuesday, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said X and Facebook parent company Meta would be issued a notice of removal.

The notice relates to content depicting “gratuitous or offensive violence with a high degree of impact or detail” following the alleged stabbing.

X's global government affairs team claimed the eSafety order “was not within the scope of Australian law” and “we complied with the directive pending a legal challenge”.

“This was a tragic event and we do not allow people to praise it or call for further violence,” the post read.

“There is a public conversation happening about the event, on X and across Australia, as is often the case when events of major public concern occur.

“While X respects the right of a country to enforce its laws within its jurisdiction, the eSafety commissioner does not have the authority to dictate what content X’s users can see globally. We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court.

“Global takedown orders go against the very principles of a free and open internet and threaten free speech everywhere.”

– Jordan McCarthy