Sydney police begin patrols with assault rifles after Bondi Beach attack
First published Mon, Nov 2
Police in Sydney have begun patrolling with assault rifles, the first such deployment in Australia, following the attack at Bondi Beach. The patrols are carried out by an elite new anti-terror unit costing $94 million.1234
Some New South Wales police officers are now armed with military-style rifles, and they could be deployed to protests. The post-Bondi policing operation carries a large cost.56
A Jewish leader backed the new armed patrols after the Bondi massacre, saying "the sight of body bags is far worse."7
2
Australian house prices fall for a seventh time as RBA weighs another rate rise
First published Mon, Nov 2
Australian house prices have fallen for a seventh time, with the downturn described as the largest in 40 years. The Reserve Bank of Australia is preparing another rate rise while it mulls a further hike.123
Homes are losing $9000 a month as the central bank weighs raising interest rates again. The falls have pushed the Sydney housing market to a new low.34
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook's government is under pressure over the downturn, with Carey urging the RBA not to raise interest rates. The plea was carried by The West Australian as the bank considers its next move.5
The slump has deepened across the country, and the central bank's next rate decision is the focus of the debate over how far prices will fall.21
3
Canavan confirms Capricornia lower house bid as Hanson and Ashby rule out challenge
First published Mon, Nov 2
Nationals leader Matt Canavan confirmed he will run in the Queensland seat of Capricornia, moving to the lower house in what coverage described as a major career gamble. Canavan said of the contest: "I may politically die in this endeavour."12
One Nation's James Ashby ruled out standing against Canavan in Capricornia, and Pauline Hanson also ruled out a bid there. Ashby said One Nation can win without him.345
Canavan used the announcement to call out Hanson on climate change.6
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli made his case for re-election against One Nation in the state's regional seats.78
ABC News reported that Canavan's seat switch might backfire and asked whether he had a better option.9
4
Australian polling finds trust in politicians plunging as education divide splits voters
First published Mon, Nov 2
New polling shows trust in politicians plunging, with an education divide splitting Australian voters, according to headlines carried across outlets. The Canberra Times reported that falling faith in politicians has drawn a democracy warning. SBS News framed the findings as growing divides shaping Australians' trust in democracy.123
The Australian reported that broken promises and dishonesty are fuelling Canberra's trust deficit, attributing the assessment to McKinnon. The polling result and the education split were the headline finding carried by SMH.com.au.42
ABC News reported that one in four young men now say violence for a cause can be justified. The figure appeared alongside the trust polling in the day's coverage.5
5
Democrats win control of both US House and Senate in midterm blow to Trump
First published Wed, Nov 4
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Democrats won control of both the US House and the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, a result described as a major setback for President Donald Trump. The sweep gives the party majorities in both chambers of Congress.123
The result was reported as a resounding sweep and a rebuke to Trump, with Democrats ushering in what one account called a new era of control over the House and Senate.456
The White House had mapped a path to govern without Congress if Democrats won, and even with Congress Democrats face one major obstacle, described as "Mr Veto."78
The Senate outcome was close in at least one state: Mississippi came down to 28 votes as Democrats extended their lead.78
Attributed claim: ABC News / The Daily Telegraph: The result was framed as an emphatic defeat for Trump, but one account cautioned that anyone who thinks he is a lame duck does so at their own peril.910
Also this week
Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.
Federal judge halts construction of Trump's 250-foot DC arch after planning panel approvalThe National Capital Planning Commission voted on Thursday to approve plans for President Donald Trump's 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, DC. A federal judge then blocked any construction from starting, temporarily halting building work on the project.
Federal judge halts construction of Trump's 250-foot DC arch after planning panel approval
First published Fri, Nov 6
The National Capital Planning Commission voted on Thursday to approve plans for President Donald Trump's 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, DC. A federal judge then blocked any construction from starting, temporarily halting building work on the project.123
The District of Columbia and Virginia filed suit to block construction on the proposed arch. The case produced multiple deadlines that complicate the project's construction timeline.45
A virtual meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission crashed during public testimony. The session was held as the panel took up the arch plans.6
The halt leaves the arch approved by the planning commission but barred from construction while the legal challenge proceeds. The judge's order set several deadlines in the case.52
Bondi attack survivor Eva Geller dies at 90 nearly a year after shootingEva Geller, a 90-year-old woman shot during the Bondi Beach attack, has died in hospital nearly a year after the assault. Outlets reported the death on Friday, describing her as a survivor of the Bondi shooting who succumbed to her bullet wound.
Bondi attack survivor Eva Geller dies at 90 nearly a year after shooting
First published Fri, Nov 6
Eva Geller, a 90-year-old woman shot during the Bondi Beach attack, has died in hospital nearly a year after the assault. Outlets reported the death on Friday, describing her as a survivor of the Bondi shooting who succumbed to her bullet wound.1234
The Australian reported that Geller had defied predictions before her death, outliving the expectations set after she was shot. The Guardian described the assault she survived as an antisemitic attack at Bondi beach.54
The death came as the legal aftermath of the attack continued. The Bondi Beach gunman sought to suppress his family's identity over safety concerns, and a man was charged over an allegedly false claim of injury in the attack.67
Ahmed Al Ahmed, who was hailed as a hero of the Bondi attack, was awarded the key to the city for bravery, and supporters backed him in a visa fight. "Our heart goes out," one account of the support said.89
High Court agrees to hear Pauline Hanson's appeal against racial discrimination findingThe High Court will hear One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's appeal against a court ruling that found she racially vilified Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi. Hanson is heading to the top court to challenge the finding against her.
High Court agrees to hear Pauline Hanson's appeal against racial discrimination finding
First published Thu, Nov 5
The High Court will hear One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's appeal against a court ruling that found she racially vilified Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi. Hanson is heading to the top court to challenge the finding against her.12
Hanson framed the appeal as a fight she welcomes, with her response reported as "Bring it on." The case pits the One Nation leader against the Greens senator in a dispute over racist hate speech laws.345
The Australian reported that the High Court agreed to hear what it described as Hanson's racism row with the Greens senator. News.com.au called the development a huge update in the case.678
Shell sells 40-year North West Shelf LNG stake to Abu Dhabi's XRG in $2bn dealShell has agreed to sell its stake in Australia's North West Shelf LNG plant to Abu Dhabi's XRG, ending a 40-year presence in the project. The buyer is Abu Dhabi's XRG, the energy group that had previously made a spurned approach for Santos.
Shell sells 40-year North West Shelf LNG stake to Abu Dhabi's XRG in $2bn deal
First published Thu, Nov 5
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Shell has agreed to sell its stake in Australia's North West Shelf LNG plant to Abu Dhabi's XRG, ending a 40-year presence in the project. The buyer is Abu Dhabi's XRG, the energy group that had previously made a spurned approach for Santos.123
Attributed claim: Outlets put the deal's value at different figures. Reuters reported the stake sale at $1.45 billion, Bloomberg at $1.5 billion, and The West Australian and The Australian at about $2 billion, while The Australian Financial Review put the deal at $2.1 billion.45132
The sale removes Shell from a liquefied natural gas venture it has held for four decades and hands the stake to an Abu Dhabi buyer. The Australian described XRG as Santos' spurned suitor, tying the purchase to its earlier failed approach for the Australian gas producer.13
Separately, Woodside's North West Shelf operations face a delay tied to protections for ancient rock art, the Australian Financial Review reported. Shell is also selling its WestWind stake and targeting new opportunities in wind, the same outlet reported.67
Two Australians confirmed dead in high-speed train crash in SpainThe crash was Spain's second high-speed rail disaster this year, and it left a twisted mass of metal at the scene. Spanish authorities said they would work "tirelessly" to restore trust in the trains after the disasters.
Two Australians confirmed dead in high-speed train crash in Spain
First published Thu, Nov 5
The crash was Spain's second high-speed rail disaster this year, and it left a twisted mass of metal at the scene. Spanish authorities said they would work "tirelessly" to restore trust in the trains after the disasters.12
The Australian reported the government's pledge to work "tirelessly" to restore confidence in rail, while ABC News and SMH.com.au led on the confirmation that two Australians were among the dead. News.com.au and Nine.com.au described the victims as Australians killed in the Spanish rail disaster.23451
Australian taskforce charges five over $235 million fraud against four federal agenciesA federal taskforce has charged five people over the alleged rorting of up to $235 million from four Federal Government agencies, including the National Disability Insurance Agency. Investigators executed 26 warrants in the probe, which police have named Operation Inca-Varrakai.
Australian taskforce charges five over $235 million fraud against four federal agencies
First published Wed, Nov 4
A federal taskforce has charged five people over the alleged rorting of up to $235 million from four Federal Government agencies, including the National Disability Insurance Agency. Investigators executed 26 warrants in the probe, which police have named Operation Inca-Varrakai.1234
The alleged fraud targeted Centrelink and NDIS payments, with the National Disability Insurance Scheme among the programs named. Cash and gold were seized in raids in New South Wales.56
One raid took place at a home in a blue-chip suburb, tied to an alleged $1.6 million NDIS rort.7
The five were charged over alleged fraud activity against four Federal Government agencies, and the case covers up to $235 million in alleged losses.28
US strikes Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz on eve of midterm electionsThe United States struck Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said. The strikes appeared limited rather than a full return to hostilities, and came on the eve of crucial American midterm elections.
US strikes Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz on eve of midterm elections
First published Tue, Nov 3
The United States struck Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said. The strikes appeared limited rather than a full return to hostilities, and came on the eve of crucial American midterm elections.1
Accounts placed the strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island. The Guardian reported the strike on Qeshm as Vice President JD Vance voiced optimism about a deal, while Al Jazeera described the US action as "defensive" strikes in the Strait of Hormuz.23
By Thursday, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported the US struck the Iranian island as President Donald Trump downplayed the prospect of renewed conflict. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that the US was said to have struck targets in the strait.45
David Jones misses 2026 accounts deadline as five loss-making stores face closureDavid Jones has missed the deadline for its 2026 accounts, and five loss-making stores are now the focus of scrutiny. The retailer's Westfields locations face closure risk after the missed deadline, with the future of those sites in doubt.
David Jones misses 2026 accounts deadline as five loss-making stores face closure
First published Tue, Nov 3 · Updated Wed, Nov 4
David Jones has missed the deadline for its 2026 accounts, and five loss-making stores are now the focus of scrutiny. The retailer's Westfields locations face closure risk after the missed deadline, with the future of those sites in doubt.123
Brands have frozen deliveries to David Jones as the department store chain stares down collapse, and losses are mounting as store cuts loom. Workers are bracing for job losses as closures approach, described in one account as 'alarming' financial speculation just before Christmas.4567
UPDATES
· New development
David Jones's biggest landlord says the department store is in breach of its rental agreements and has not paid rent since September, leaving it behind on rent to Westfield stores.8
Talks between the retailer and its landlords have failed, and David Jones could appoint administrators by Thursday.9101112
Mater Pathology to cut 400 Queensland jobs, with 100 gone by ChristmasMater Pathology will shed 400 staff in Queensland under a shake-up of the provider, with 100 health workers cut before Christmas and 300 more to follow. The changes affect more than 400 jobs across the pathology service.
Mater Pathology to cut 400 Queensland jobs, with 100 gone by Christmas
First published Tue, Nov 3
Mater Pathology will shed 400 staff in Queensland under a shake-up of the provider, with 100 health workers cut before Christmas and 300 more to follow. The changes affect more than 400 jobs across the pathology service.1234
The cuts were reported across Brisbane outlets, with the Courier Mail describing a "jobs bloodbath" and ABC News putting the number of affected jobs at more than 400. The Age and Brisbane Times reported the same figure of 400 Queensland staff lost in the pathology provider shake-up.1234
Albanese to press UK's Burnham on tightening British backpacker visa rulesPrime Minister Anthony Albanese will discuss tightening the rules for British backpacker visas when he meets UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in the Caribbean this week. The Coalition backs changes to the scheme for British backpackers.
Albanese to press UK's Burnham on tightening British backpacker visa rules
First published Mon, Nov 2
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will discuss tightening the rules for British backpacker visas when he meets UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in the Caribbean this week. The Coalition backs changes to the scheme for British backpackers.12
British backpackers in Australia could face a rural work visa requirement under the changes. The Independent reported the new visa rule could hit British backpackers.34
Attributed claim: ABC News: Albanese ruled out British backpackers being forced to work in regions, rejecting the rural work requirement floated for the scheme.5
