dailynewsnblog
Key events
NSW man charged after Nazi symbols allegedly displayed on bin
A NSW man has been charged after allegedly displaying Nazi symbols in the state’s Hunter region.
NSW police began an investigation on 31 January, following reports Nazi symbols were allegedly displayed on a council issued bin in Cessnock.
Following inquiries, a 44-year-old man was issued a notice to appear at court, for the charge of knowingly displaying by public act a Nazi symbol without excuse.
He is due to face Cessnock local court on 19 March.
Minister says everyone needs to be ‘vigilant’ about social cohesion after alleged bombing attempt in Perth
Malarndirri McCarthy, the minister for Indigenous Australians, said First Nations people have felt “very scared”, “angry” and a “bit confused” after an alleged attempted bombing at an Invasion Day protest in Perth.
Police charged a 31-year-old man with terrorism on Thursday over the alleged attempted bombing, accusing the man of accessing “pro-white” material online and claiming the actions were motivated by “hate and racism”.
McCarthy spoke to RN Breakfast, saying the whole country had work to do when it came to social cohesion, adding the episode could have received “far more attention” from the media and political leaders from other parties. She said:
Each and every one of us need to be vigilant about what we can do. … Every single one of us needs to be vigilant and also report what needs to be reported to authorities.
We are very conscious of the different views in Australia, but that’s what makes Australia a beautiful place. We can have different views, but we should show them respectfully and have those debates respectfully.
RBA governor to face questions from MPs after latest cash rate rise
The Reserve Bank governor will face renewed questioning over the role the federal government played in driving up inflation and forcing the central bank to lift mortgage rates for the first time in more than two years, AAP reports.
Michele Bullock, her deputy, Andrew Hauser, and other senior central bank officials will report to Parliament House in Canberra on Friday for their regular grilling by a committee of Labor, Liberal and crossbench MPs.
Since the Reserve Bank lifted the benchmark borrowing rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, opposition MPs have bombarded the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, with accusations rising government spending is at fault for the resurgence in inflation.
Health minister says surge in ebikes a ‘real emergency’
The health minister, Mark Butler, says the spate of dangerous ebike riding is a “real emergency” after a group of riders swarmed the Sydney Harbour Bridge during peak-hour traffic.
NSW police are investigating after about 40 people travelled along the bridge’s main deck, where cycling is prohibited, before turning around and riding through the Sydney CBD. No arrests or charges have been laid by police.
Butler spoke to Channel Seven’s Sunrise program this morning, saying:
This is a real emergency … This has got to be the subject of strong action by all governments. It’s one of those problems that really sort of creeped up during Covid and has just exploded.
People are talking to me about it all the time, it’s driving them absolutely to distraction.
He said having different laws in different states surrounding ebikes was a “real menace”, saying it was time to get “sensible” about this stuff.
Albanese set to sign ‘watershed’ security treaty with Indonesia during visit to Jakarta
Anthony Albanese has flown to Jakarta where he will meet with the Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, to sign a “watershed” security treaty, AAP reports.
The details of the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security, announced last November, have remained largely hidden. Penny Wong is joining Albanese and will meet with her Indonesian counterpart, Sugiono, during the visit.
Albanese’s trip will be his fifth as prime minister, and second since his re-election in 2025, opting to make Indonesia the first country he visited after retaining office.
“This treaty is a proud moment in the shared history of Australia and Indonesia,” the prime minister told parliament before his departure on Thursday.
It will ensure that we work together to shape a better future, securing our shared place in the world, so that we can secure the best outcome for those we serve here at home.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Gatra Priyandita said the agreement could be seen as a positive step in the context of the broader bilateral relationship.
Good morning
Good morning, and happy Friday. Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news.
Australia will soon sign a “watershed” security pact with Indonesia, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, in Jakarta to meet with his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto. Indonesia has long upheld a foreign policy of non-alignment to avoid being entangled in conflicts.
The Reserve Bank governor, Michelle Bullock, and her deputy will report to Parliament House today for their regular grilling from MPs. Bullock will face renewed questions over the role the federal government plays in inflation. The cash rate currently sits at 3.85% after a hike of .25 basis points.
A man was charged after allegedly displaying Nazi symbols in the Hunter region of NSW. Police officials said they began an investigation last month after reports the symbols were allegedly displayed on a council-issued bin in the area.
We’ll bring you developments throughout the day. Stick with us.
