David Shoebridge, a Greens senator, has criticized the United States for what he describes as interference in Australia's domestic politics. This follows a submission by the Trump administration opposing Australia's proposed opt-in algorithm reforms, which the US claims could lead to 'viewpoint-based censorship'. Shoebridge expressed his concerns during an appearance on ABC's Afternoon Briefing, highlighting the unusual nature of a foreign government attempting to influence Australian legislative decisions.
Shoebridge emphasized that the Australian parliament should be the one to decide on such domestic legislation, not Washington. He described the US embassy's actions as an overt attempt to dissuade Australia from implementing measures aimed at protecting its citizens. He further stated that the US should be held accountable by the international community as discussions on artificial intelligence safeguards and the influence of major tech companies continue globally.
Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese, Australia's Prime Minister, has refuted claims that the proposed digital duty of care laws are about government control.
In other news, Georgie Dent, CEO of Parenthood, addressed the National Press Club in Canberra. She presented new research indicating that the cost of raising two or more children in Australia has surged to at least $36,500 annually. This revelation comes amid broader discussions on the financial pressures facing Australian families.
The royal commission into alleged corruption on Victorian government construction sites has commenced. Commissioner Chris Kourakis initiated the proceedings by having his associate, Peter Tantalos, read the letters patent that formally established the inquiry in August.
In Sydney, Randwick council has announced plans to ban smartglasses across eastern suburbs beaches. Similarly, Sydney's inner west council is moving to prohibit smartglasses and other wearable recording devices in its facilities, such as pools and childcare centers. Inner west councillor Kerrie Fergusson noted the privacy concerns associated with these devices, which can discreetly record high-definition video and live-stream. She stressed the importance of ensuring AI technology serves the community without compromising privacy or civil liberties.
On the aviation front, Sydney airport experienced delays and cancellations due to a fog that blanketed the city. In a related development, Qantas has announced plans to launch 18-hour direct flights between Sydney and New York by mid-2028, aiming to reduce travel time by three hours.
In a separate incident, the National Australia Bank (NAB) faced an outage affecting its online services. Reports of the disruption began around 1pm, peaking at over 2,000 by 3:30pm. The bank acknowledged the issue, which also impacted phone services, and assured customers that ATMs remained operational. Most services have since been restored, though some business customers continue to experience login difficulties.
Finally, an inquest into a tragic jumping castle accident at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania has begun. The incident, which occurred on December 16, 2021, resulted in the deaths of six students after a wind gust lifted the castle into the air. Tasmania Police constable Dean Wotherspoon described the scene as 'organized chaos' with first responders doing their utmost to save the children. The inquest will examine the circumstances of the tragedy and any potential departmental deficiencies.
