Major shipping lines abandon movements in Red Sea, raising concerns about cost of goods in Australia
Two major international shipping lines (Maersk and Hapag Lloyd) have suspended its movements through the Bab-al Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
This comes after a number of vessels in the Red Sea have “come under attack” from “shore-based installations” in Yemen since Friday, according to a statement from the Freight and Trade Alliance.
FTA director Paul Zalai compared this to when the mega-vessel “Ever Given” ran aground in the Suez Canal in March 2021, and said the impact of this waterway closure for six days “threw vessel schedules internationally into disarray”.
We are likely to know more in coming days – should marine insurers withdraw policies for ships passing through the area or declare the Red Sea a ‘war zone’, shipping lines will be commercially left with little option but to abandon this key waterway.
Zalai said the withdrawal of vessels from this route, and a diversion via the Cape of Good Hope, will add ten days to transit time.
Any prolonged closure would add to the cost of goods in Australia, already under pressure from the effects of inflation, he added.
The timing could not be worse as vessel scheduling due to industrial action is already chaotic to and from Australia – the latest global events will further compound the complexity of international trade leaving exporters and importers with a lack of reliable access to and from markets well into the New Year.
You can read more on this below:
Key events
Pro-Palestine protests are continuing across capital cities this weekend.
The Palestine Action Group Sydney, and Free Palestine Melbourne, have both indicated that protests will continue over the Christmas and New Year period.
Today’s Sydney protest will begin at 1pm in Hyde Park. Meanwhile, Melbourne pro-Palestine protestors will meet at the State Library from 12pm.
You can follow our Israel-Gaza war live blog below:
Protests are continuing right across the world, as a growing number of people demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Nearly 19,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in the last two months. A study published by an Israeli newspaper found the aerial bombing campaign by Israel in Gaza is the most indiscriminate in terms of civilian casualties in recent years.
Sydney rally held for victims of alleged sexual violence during 7 October attacks by Hamas
Earlier this morning a rally kicked off in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park, bringing awareness to alleged sexual violence against women during the 7 October attacks by Hamas.
Organised by United With Israel, the organisation said:
There’s been silence in the face of violence against Israeli women and it’s unacceptable. This rally’s purpose is to stand up for the Israeli women who were killed, raped, abused and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
This is off the back of what UN critics called a ‘shameful silence’ amid mounting proof, including videos, eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence, of sexual violence that Hamas terrorists carried out for hours on Oct 7.
Speakers at the Sydney rally today will include Liberal senator Hollie Hughes, and Woollahra deputy mayor Sarah Swan.
Staff negotiate with two detainees who escaped on to roof at Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre
Prison guards at Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre were negotiating with two detainees who escaped on to the roof and were refusing to come down, according to The West Australian.
According to the West, a Department of Justice spokesperson said yesterday:
Staff at Banksia Hill are managing a behavioural issue with two young people at the centre.
Staff are negotiating with the pair and all other young people are safe inside.
The negotiations aren’t rushed, staff take their time to bring about a safe resolution.
We have contacted the Department of Justice for the latest update on this situation.
Up to 49 tonnes of illicit drugs prevented from reaching Australia during past financial year
The Australian federal police and its international law enforcement partners have prevented up to 49 tonnes of illicit drugs from reaching Australia throughout the past financial year.
In a statement the AFP said about 29 tonnes of illicit drugs seized were recorded as being directly linked to an Australian crime group, or likely to be sent to Australia.
AFP commander of international engagement, Andrew Smith, said the AFP had prevented up to 49 tonnes of harmful illicit drugs from reaching Australia.
He added that with more than 29 tonnes of methamphetamine seized during the 2022-23 financial year, the drug remained a major concern to Australian law enforcement:
The AFP cannot overstate the amount of harm that 29 tonnes of methamphetamine could have caused to the community if it had not been intercepted by law enforcement.
On average, close to 12,000 Australians are hospitalised from methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin use every 12 months.
The AFP will not rest in our efforts, domestically and offshore, to detect and disrupt criminal syndicates causing Australians immeasurable harm through the vile drug trade.
Queensland girl hit by lightning fighting for life
A 10-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being struck by lightning on the Sunshine Coast as more wild weather has descended on Queensland, AAP reports.
It happened at a private property in Beerwah at 2.30pm on Saturday amid severe thunderstorms due to ex-Cyclone Jasper.
The girl was taken to Sunshine Coast university hospital and then flown to Queensland Children’s hospital in a critical condition, Queensland police confirmed.
Major shipping lines abandon movements in Red Sea, raising concerns about cost of goods in Australia
Two major international shipping lines (Maersk and Hapag Lloyd) have suspended its movements through the Bab-al Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
This comes after a number of vessels in the Red Sea have “come under attack” from “shore-based installations” in Yemen since Friday, according to a statement from the Freight and Trade Alliance.
FTA director Paul Zalai compared this to when the mega-vessel “Ever Given” ran aground in the Suez Canal in March 2021, and said the impact of this waterway closure for six days “threw vessel schedules internationally into disarray”.
We are likely to know more in coming days – should marine insurers withdraw policies for ships passing through the area or declare the Red Sea a ‘war zone’, shipping lines will be commercially left with little option but to abandon this key waterway.
Zalai said the withdrawal of vessels from this route, and a diversion via the Cape of Good Hope, will add ten days to transit time.
Any prolonged closure would add to the cost of goods in Australia, already under pressure from the effects of inflation, he added.
The timing could not be worse as vessel scheduling due to industrial action is already chaotic to and from Australia – the latest global events will further compound the complexity of international trade leaving exporters and importers with a lack of reliable access to and from markets well into the New Year.
You can read more on this below:
‘Any inconvenience is regretted’: Fiji Airways website issues travel alert
The latest travel alert on Fiji Airways website was issued yesterday and said all domestic flights in Tuvalu between Suva or Nadi and Funafuti had been “suspended until further notice”.
The alert reads:
The airline has had to take this step in light of runway damage at Funafuti International Airport … We will continue to monitor the situation and are seeking information from the Tuvalu authorities on the effectiveness of the repairs currently underway.
Whilst unfortunate, Fiji Airways has had to make this decision for the safety and security of our customers and staff … Any inconvenience caused is regretted.
Cancelled flights in and out of Tuvalu leaves Australians stranded
A number of Australians have been stranded in Tuvalu, after Fiji Airways cancelled all flights to and from the Pacific Island nation due to damage to the airport’s runway.
Craig Bradbrook is just one Australian currently stranded in Tuvalu. He told ABC News Breakfast just earlier that there is “no information on flights coming in and out at all”.
He said there have been two cancelled flights so far, and that around 140 people are waiting to leave:
As each day goes by and flights are cancelled – there’s usually three per week – that just increases the number of people waiting to get out of here.
Bradbrook said 8-10 hours of heavy rain on Wednesday had damaged the airport’s runway, and that locals “hadn’t experienced that amount of rain before”.
He claimed that Fiji Airways hasn’t responded to emails from customers. Bradbrook also said there is a lack of ATMs, and that he has met fellow passengers who are running out of money and medication.
At this stage we’re all in limbo … and Christmas is around the corner.
We have contacted Fiji Airways for further information, and will bring you this as soon as we can.
Flood watches for far north Queensland
Here is some more detail on the flood watches current through far north Queensland:
Dangerous localised flooding is occurring at Mossman River, which has seen 300mm since 9am yesterday. With more heavy rain forecast residents closest to the river are being urged to stay in their place of shelter, or if this is not safe, to leave immediately. The hall of Mossman State high school has been established as an evacuation point.
Nearby, major flooding is continuing at Daintree Village, which is currently at 10.15m and steady. The Bureau of Meteorology said further level rises are possible due to the forecast rain. Since 9am yesterday, 350mm has been recorded over the Daintree River.
Since 9am Tuesday, totals of up to 1,100mm have been recorded over the Mulgrave River and up to 980mm over the Russell River catchment. The Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge is currently at 8.9m, and at Gordonvale the river is at 16.10m.
Totals of 300-900mm have been recorded across the Johnstone River catchment since 9am Wednesday. McAvoy Bridge is currently at 7.3m and rising, and is expected to peak at 7.5m this morning. Mourilyan Mill is likely to stay above the major flood level of 10m this morning.
The Herbert River at Abergowrie Bridge is currently at 12.10m and rising. At Ingham pump station it is 11.04m and rising, likely to reach the major flood level of 12m this morning. At Halifax, the river is above the major flood level at 5.22m and rising.
Severe weather warning for far north Queensland in aftermath of ex-Cyclone Jasper
As we flagged just earlier, there is a severe weather warning for parts of far north Queensland in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, with nearly 500mm of rainfall since 9am yesterday.
The ex-cyclone is currently located over the northern Gulf Country district and is expected to move into the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria tonight, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
This, plus a separate coastal trough moving across the north tropical coast, is bringing increased rainfall to the area.
The BoM said this increased rainfall could bring “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”, with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 200mm possible.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
⚠️🌧️Intense rain is exacerbating ongoing Major Flooding across #FNQ this morning. Nearly 500mm has fallen since 9am yesterday. Numerous flood warnings are current, including the Herbert, Murray, Daintree, Mulgrave and Johnston Rivers. Warnings: https://t.co/FBmpsInT9o pic.twitter.com/annXr8qp42
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 16, 2023
Major flood warnings are currently in place for the Daintree, Mossman, Mulgrave, Russell, Johnstone and Herbert rivers.
Significant rainfalls since 9am local time on Saturday include:
Sarah Basford Canales
Former ACT disability minister accuses government of being more concerned with NDIS costs than people
Staying with the NDIS: A former ACT disability minister has accused the federal government of being more concerned with costs than people with disabilities, after giving states and territories just one month to review a landmark report into the NDIS.
The ACT Greens MLA Emma Davidson, who was the territory’s disability minister until a cabinet reshuffle on Monday, said she agreed with decisions made by national cabinet this month but said they weren’t for the “right reasons” in a lengthy letter published on Friday.
Leaders met for a national cabinet meeting in early December where the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, agreed to extend the GST “no worse off” guarantee for a further three years, estimated to cost $10.5bn, in exchange for a joint funding agreement for additional disability services to complement the NDIS.
The states and territories will also be expected to front up more of the scheme’s escalating costs, lifting from the existing 4% ceiling a year to 8% from 1 July 2028. The commonwealth will continue to pay any additional escalating costs beyond the new cap.
The decisions follow the completion of the independent NDIS review, which was first handed to disability ministers at the end of October with a further 1,200 pages of supporting documentation provided to them at the end of November.
You can continue reading this below:
‘Wedding tax’ crackdown on inflated NDIS prices
A crackdown’s been launched on dodgy NDIS suppliers jacking up prices, with a new taskforce charged with stamping out inflated costs for the disability support scheme, AAP reports.
Some providers are accused of increasing prices just because their customers are connected to the scheme, which NDIS minister Bill Shorten likened to the so-called “wedding tax” that sees some suppliers increase costs for weddings.
Changes are being made to strengthen the NDIS Act and NDIS rules so the scheme’s commissioner can ban providers and have greater action on compliance.
Shorten said unscrupulous providers who exploit participants would be stopped.
We are cracking down on unreasonable pricing practices to ensure every possible dollar in the NDIS is being used to support people with disability.
Labor is committed to getting the NDIS back on track, which includes addressing dodgy pricing to protect participants and safeguard the longevity of the scheme.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the National Disability Insurance Agency are involved in the $6.7 million taskforce.
Shorten encouraged participants to report providers charging unreasonable price differences as they should not be paying more for equipment and services than those who are not connected to the scheme.
– from AAP
Good morning
Welcome back to another Sunday on the Australia news live blog. I’m Emily Wind, and I’ll bring you our rolling coverage today.
Making news today: intense rainfall is exacerbating major flooding across far north Queensland, in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Nearly 500mm has fallen since 9am yesterday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and numerous flood warnings are current, including for the Herbert, Murray, Daintree, Mulgrave and Johnston rivers.
As AAP reports, a crackdown’s been launched on dodgy NDIS suppliers jacking up prices, with a new taskforce charged with stamping out inflated costs for the disability support scheme. But, as we’ve reported today, the federal government is also under the spotlight itself as a former disability minister accuses it of being more concerned with costs than people.
And a number of Australians have been stranded in Tuvalu, after Fiji Airways cancelled all flights to and from the Pacific Island nation due to damage to the airport’s runway.
We will bring you more on all these stories shortly.
If you see something that needs attention on the blog, you can get in touch via X/Twitter @emilywindwrites or send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.
With that, let’s get started.