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All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Goulburn man held the first prize-winning entry in Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw 10971
I just finished night shift," he said when The Lott called
and I thought it could be something important
"I don't mind being woken up to be told that I've won $100,000
The elated winner said he'd be putting his prize towards a fresh set of wheels to get him around town
"The rest will sit in a bank account and provide some of peace of mind."
His winning entry of two random numbers was purchased on The Lott website
there had been eight major lottery wins in the Illawarra and Southeast NSW region that had collectively taken home more than $2.96 million in prizemoney
The Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot prize is now $5.8 million for draw 1702, while the Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot prize is now $17.14 million for draw 10972
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Photo: Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOSAdelaide captain Jordan Dawson is braced for a strong response from Port Adelaide in the next instalment of one of the AFL's greatest rivalries
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Power were dealt a 90-point humiliation by the Western Bulldogs in round eight
ending their three-match winning streak in brutal fashion
It followed a 91-point thrashing from Collingwood in round one - the two heaviest defeats of coach Ken Hinkley's 13-year tenure
But Port have made a habit of bouncing back from heavy losses in recent times and will be geared up for a huge Showdown in front of their home fans at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night
the Power have responded to all four of their defeats by more than 40 points with a win the following week
"We were in a similar position this time last week after the Freo game," Dawson said of Adelaide's 18-point loss in Perth
which the Crows followed with a 60-point burial of Carlton on Saturday
"We respect them highly and we look forward to the battle this weekend."
Last August's Showdown was a fierce battle
(Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)Showdown 57 is the first meeting between the sides since last August's fiery encounter
which reached a flashpoint when then-Power star Dan Houston laid out Adelaide's Izak Rankine with a brutal high bump
ruling him out of Port's 2024 finals campaign and the opening round of this season
Adelaide's Josh Rachele and Darcy Fogarty stoked the fire with public comments about Port and their supporters
Rachele notably took a swipe at Power fans by saying they have "no teeth" in a radio interview
Dawson and Port captain Connor Rozee played the straightest of bats when they fronted South Australian media
Asked how they feel about their arch-rivals
both skippers said they "respect" the opposing side
"They always have a bit of fire," Dawson said of the Adelaide derby
"We might leave the build-up for (the media) but for us it's just about playing footy
"No matter where the teams are on the ladder
it's always a good contest and we all love playing in them as well."
Adelaide sit fifth and Port 12th but they're separated by just four points
(Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)Rozee conceded not much went right for Port against the Bulldogs in Ballarat
where they conceded 18 goals to three after quarter-time
"We've shown in the past that when we have a bad loss we're able to respond," Rozee said
"That's because we stay tight as a group and listen to what Kenny says and what we need to do the following week
"That will be the same approach this week."
Port's 22-point win over the Crows last August snapped a three-match losing streak against their arch-rivals and squared the all-time ledger at 28 wins apiece
Photo: AP PHOTOTen people are dead after "sudden strong winds" capsized four boats carrying tourists in southwest China
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe last missing person was found about noon on Monday local time but showed no vital signs
The Xinhua News Agency said 74 people had been rescued in the accident which occurred on Sunday in Guizhou province
The vessels carrying tourists capsized on a river in Guizhou province on Sunday
(AP PHOTO)Authorities sent 70 people to hospital to be treated for "non-life-threatening conditions"
Nearly 500 rescue workers were mobilised to deal with the accident as Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed provincial authorities to "do everything possible"
Xi also said authorities should enhance safety measures to curb the growing number of accidents at tourist attractions and major public places
Photo: Ethan James/AAP PHOTOSTasmania's footy DNA will prove a massive lever in attracting talent to the fledgling club
according to an AFL premiership-winning recruiting guru who has joined the Devils
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDerek Hine
regarded as one of the most accomplished recruitment managers
was on Monday announced as Tasmania's inaugural head of recruiting
Hine spent more than two decades at Collingwood and helped build teams that won flags in 2010 and 2023
He has also helped oversee the establishment of expansion clubs Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney
Tasmania is in ongoing discussions with the AFL around what draft picks and list concessions will be provided to the new franchise ahead of its debut season in 2028
Hine said he understood it would include the No.1 pick
but it was also important to ensure draft success in the medium and long term
Being able to build something from scratch was a key motivator in Hine's desire to link with the Devils
after departing Collingwood at the end of 2024
Hine said he would make the same pitch to prospective players
which I don't think is going to be that hard a sell," he said
Jack Crisp proudly shows the trophy to fans after Collingwood's 2023 AFL premiership
(James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)"There is a fundamental difference
as opposed to a state that has the DNA of AFL footy
The energy within the state is incredible."
Hine's signing was part of a two-pronged Devils coup that also included Melbourne's Todd Patterson
who has joined as the club's first head of list management and strategy
Patterson has been in charge of the Demons' AFLW list
The pair will oversee the establishment of Tasmania's AFL
AFLW and VFLW rosters - a Devils VFL team is on track to enter the state league in 2026
The Tasmania Devils are on track to join the VFL in 2026
(Loic Le Guilly/AAP PHOTOS) Patterson said they wanted to strike a balance between bringing island state players home and ensuring the team would be competitive from day one
"I think Tasmanians want to see Tasmanians wearing the jumper
Tasmanians also want the best team possible," he said
"Naturally given draft concessions are the cornerstone of a new team
but we need to get the experience right through the team."
Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale said Hine brought a wealth of experience
Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale is delighted by the two-pronged appointment
(Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)"He has a proven track record
and his passion for talent identification and team building aligns perfectly with our vision," Gale said
"To attract someone of Derek's calibre at this formative stage speaks volumes about what we're creating."
The Devils' AFL licence is contingent on the construction of a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart
The state Liberal government on Monday announced it was moving away from a plan to seek private investment to cover a funding shortfall
also supported by the state's Labor opposition
must be voted through state parliament to get the green light
One of the concept designs for Hobart's proposed AFL stadium at Macquarie Point
(HANDOUT/TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT)The state government had pledged to cap its spend at $375 million
while the federal government is chipping in $240 million and the AFL $15 million
Gale said it wasn't his position to judge how the stadium would be funded
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueUPDATED 05/05/2025 5:00pm:After announcing pricing for the entry-level Pro variant on February 28
Volkswagen Australia has now confirmed pricing for the all-wheel drive ID.4 GTX flagship
Volkswagen launched the ID.4 overseas in December 2020
with first Australian deliveries initially due in late 2023
then March 2025 and now finally "around mid-2025"
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 price and specsIn that time
Australia's electric vehicle (EV) market has gone through a significant period of growth but has now slowed down
despite more affordable models being introduced to local buyers
The ID.4 will arrive priced from $59,990 before on-road costs
That sees it undercut the upcoming, updated Tesla Model Y Launch Series by about $3400
with Volkswagen's EV boasting a better driving range to the tune of about 80km
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 price and specsThe ID.4 Pro is also $1000 more affordable than the related Cupra Tavascan Endurance
which has identical outputs but a slightly shorter driving range and lower DC fast-charging rate
the Cupra is produced in China while the ID.4 comes from Germany
priced exactly $10,000 higher than the base Pro but bringing more power and AWD
There's just one variant available at launch
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 price and specsDimensions2025 Volkswagen ID.4 price and specsWarranty and ServicingThe Volkswagen ID.4 is backed by a five-year
Service intervals and pricing are yet to be announced
The Volkswagen ID.4 has not yet been issued an Australian safety rating by ANCAP
however it achieved a five-star result in New Zealand and Europe after testing conducted in 2021 by Euro NCAP
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 price and specsStandard safety equipment includes:
The local Volkswagen ID.4 lineup will consist of two variants
2025 Volkswagen ID.4 price and specsThe ID.4 Pro features:
An Exterior Style package is available on the Pro for an extra $900
Volkswagen hasn't yet detailed the exterior paint colour choices for the ID.4 Pro
it's confirmed metallic paint will be a $1000 option while premium metallic finishes will cost $1300 on the GTX
MORE: Everything Volkswagen ID.4
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
It is to be done by way of a rebate is based on a battery's usable storage capacity and excludes installation costs
It offers roughly $370 per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
equating to about 30% off the battery's base price
priced at around $11,900 (plus installation)
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueWhen COVID hit
It's been reliable - even sent a text before a cyclone saying it was charging from the grid in case of a blackout
Consider a typical day in a household with solar and a battery
It starts with the battery at minimum and no solar power
As the sun rises-if it does-solar begins to offset grid use
solar output exceeds usage and the battery charges
the house draws from both the battery and the grid
the battery ends the day nearly empty-especially in winter when the sun sets early
To see how the numbers work let's pretend it's been a perfect day
And note that solar batteries are required to hold back around 15% of their capacity as a reserve in case of blackout - to keep essential systems like gates and lighting running during a power failure
That reserve isn't available for day-to-day household use
reducing the battery's effective capacity even further
and by sunset your battery is full - charged entirely from your own solar panels at zero cost
Keep in mind this is also the time most people return from work
just as power generation fades and demand surges
We're currently paying around 30 cents per kilowatt-hour
which means a fully charged battery holds just $3.60 worth of electricity
It's great to be using free power from your battery
And solar generation varies greatly depending on where you live
let's assume you manage to fully charge and use your battery on 200 days of the year
That means the total annual saving amounts to just $720 - not nothing
but hardly the game-changer it's claimed to be
Given Labor's proposal offers a $5,000 discount on a battery like a Tesla Powerwall
the homeowner is still left with the balance - around $12,000 - once installation is included and the total cost climbs to about $17,000
it would take 16 years to recover the cost - which
is also the estimated lifespan of the Tesla Powerwall battery
Another major drawback is its basic unfairness
The people most likely to be cash-strapped are renters
and they cannot install solar and batteries on a rental property because they'll never get their money back
There's an argument that savvy landlords might install the wiring
solar panels and battery to increase rents
but we're heading for an unholy alliance of Labor and the Greens
It is Greens policy to freeze all rents - so what landlord would go to the expense of installing a solar system when there's every chance their rents would be frozen
Government's solar rebate plan not what it's cut out to beASK NOELQuestion: I am 71
with a superannuation pension account balance of just over $1.7 million and an accumulation account exceeding $100,000
I currently withdraw only the minimum required amount from my pension account
is there any advantage to keeping the accumulation account
Answer: Your accumulation account is taxed at a flat rate of 15 per cent
which is marginally lower than the 16 per cent marginal tax rate (plus 2 per cent Medicare levy) on your $40,000 income
It may be beneficial to keep the funds in accumulation until you stop earning an income
Question You have written previously about bring-forward non-concessional superan?nuation contributions which this year has a cap of $360,000 for eligible contributors
Does the contribution need to be a single payment or can it be staged through the year
Is there a form or notification that I must provide to the ATO or my superannuation fund that I am using the bring-forward arrangement
Answer: Mindy Ding of the Entireti Technical team tells me there is no notification that is required to advise your super fund
After the contributions are reported to the ATO by the super fund
the ATO will automatically reconcile the amount(s) against your non-concessional contribution cap under the bring forward rule where eligible
Question: Why does the current government require Clearance Certificates for Capital Gains Tax from every property seller in Australia
I understand the need to identify foreign property owners for CGT
but why apply it to everyday Australians who own and reside in just one property
I don't want to downsize because my one-acre block brings me joy through flower and vegetable gardening in my retirement
The issue is that many people might miss this requirement and risk losing a significant percentage of their home's sale price
Answer: Mark Molesworth Tax partner of BDO tells me the tax law in relation to withholding tax on sales of Australian real estate has been extended from 1 January 2025
For contracts entered after that date all sellers must either obtain a residency clearance certificate (if they are a resident of course) or suffer the buyer withholding 15 per cent of the market value of the property
These rules have progressively been extended by governments of all persuasions since they were first introduced in 2016
Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOSMelbourne captain Max Gawn has dismissed the latest trade speculation around Clayton Oliver and expects the star midfielder will to return to the AFL club imminently
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueOliver missed the Demons' win over West Coast last round due to personal reasons
granted temporary leave after what the club described as "a difficult week personally"
Gawn expects the 27-year-old to re-join his teammates when Melbourne resume training on Tuesday in preparation for the clash with Hawthorn at the MCG in round nine
Max Gawn says it was a mature decision for Oliver to take a break for personal reasons
(James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)"There is going to be stories about him until we're done," Gawn said on Triple M on Monday
"He's an elite player who's on a good pay packet
and those guys are always going to have stories written about them
"He made a very mature decision to spend the week off this week
It's been a big first eight weeks (of the season) for him
"He came to the club and they organised a good situation
He felt like he was getting a bit overwhelmed and just wanted a week off from the club
"He'll be in tomorrow and I actually really applaud the mature decision from both the club and Clayton."
Oliver had a desire to be traded to Geelong at the end of last year
but Melbourne held firm on their contracted four-time best-and-fairest winner
A Nine report on Sunday night claimed Oliver will again seek an early release from the multi-million dollar deal
"I am literally week-to-week with both the footy club and with Clayton
so all I care about is him getting up for Hawthorn and him doing it with a smile on his face
Oliver has been the subject of more trade speculation but skipper Gawn dismisses it
(Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)Gawn said the latest Oliver trade speculation won't be an issue for Melbourne this week as they seek to extend a three-match winning streak
"I've lived with so many of these stories ..
"It's all a beat-up in May because anything can happen in May
"Let's say I have made a decision that I want to go next year and to somewhere else
I'm going to pretend it hasn't even been written - nothing to see here - and continue my relationship with Clayton."
After last Saturday night's win over West Coast
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said he hopes Oliver will be in the mix to play against Hawthorn
But Goodwin stressed Oliver's wellbeing is "the biggest thing for us" and said the club won't put any pressure on him to play
Photo: AP PHOTORwanda is in the early stages of talks to receive immigrants deported from the United States
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueRwanda has in recent years positioned itself as a destination country for migrants that Western countries would like to remove
despite concerns by rights groups it does not respect some of the most fundamental human rights
Rwandan authorities signed an agreement with Britain in 2022 to take in thousands of asylum seekers from the UK before the deal was scrapped in 2024 by then newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer
"We are in discussions with the United States," Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said in an interview with the state broadcaster Rwanda TV on Sunday local time
"It has not yet reached a stage where we can say exactly how things will proceed
US President Donald Trump launched a sweeping crackdown on immigration and attempted to freeze the US refugee resettlement program after the start of his second term in January
His administration has pushed aggressively to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally and other non-citizens
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) warned there was a risk some migrants sent to Rwanda could be returned to countries from which they had fled
Kigali denied the allegations and accused the UNHCR of lying
the US deported to Rwanda a resettled Iraqi refugee whom it had long tried to extradite in response to Iraqi government claims that he worked for the Islamic State
according to a US official and an internal email
The Supreme Court in April temporarily blocked Trump's administration - which has invoked a rarely used wartime law - from deporting a group of Venezuelan migrants it accused of being gang members
Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOSTwo young boys have been found dead at a home in a small regional town
with police arresting a woman believed to be their grandmother
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueOfficers visited the property at Coonabarabran
following reports of a concern for their welfare
was taken to hospital for further assessment where she remains under police guard
The deaths are being investigated under Strike Force Darnum
assisted by detectives from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad
Premier Chris Minns described the discovery of the boys' bodies as heartbreaking
"What has occurred is terrible and as a state we share in the community of Coonabarabran's grief at the loss of two young boys who had their entire futures ahead of them," he said."I can not begin to imagine the heartbreak their loved ones are currently feeling
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe man held the first prize-winning entry in Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw 10971
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDuring a visit to the city on Friday
Mr Minns confirmed that the service's provider had advised that it couldn't continue operating
He was responding to Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman's claims that the facility would close its doors on June 30
"We have real pressures when it comes to the urgent care service at Goulburn and (Eden-Monaro MP) Kristy McBain has been absolutely clear with the state government and me particularly that (it) needs to remain open," Mr Minns said
"We know funding is an issue regarding the service's ongoing operation
They've said they can't continue to operate but we have time on the clock to see that the service isn't disrupted and to ensure it's available to the community."
The Premier said the state government would look for another operator
but there was time "to make sure it was done right."
Health Minister Ryan Park wouldn't confirm the closure but said his department was working closely with the (southeastern) primary health network to maintain the service's continuity
"The NSW government remains committed to urgent care services in Goulburn," he said
"Workforce shortages continue to represent a challenge to our health system
particularly in regional and rural areas."
Mrs Tuckerman said a "very reliable source," which she could not disclose
Several people at election pre-polling had also mentioned it to her
"We knew there had been some concerns about staffing and that they had to close on some days (as a result)," Ms Tuckerman said
On Friday, May 2, a note on the urgent care service's door stated that the clinic was closed "due to unforeseen circumstances". It advised people to call triple zero or go to Goulburn Base Hospital for any emergencies
In a statement, Mrs Tuckerman said the service, at the rear of Marima Medical Clinic in Auburn Street
had to close on June 30 not due to a lack of community need but because NSW Health had "failed to secure a contract that allows the service to be run sustainably"
"The very model promoted by Labor to take pressure off hospitals' emergency departments has driven up the demand for doctors
This means that providers can't meet their pay requirements
and makes it impossible to staff these services," she said
Goulburn's urgent care service was closed on Friday
May 2 "due to unforeseen circumstances." Picture by Louise Thrower.Mrs Tuckerman said when she tried to clarify the situation with the service
it became clear staff had been gagged "until after the federal election."
said she was unable to comment and referred the masthead to the health ministry
This was despite authorisation to speak publicly when the service opened
It's understood from previous comments that the urgent care facility was seeing up to 30 patients a day
It operated from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 7pm Saturdays and Sundays
registered nurse and reception staff at all times
It was designed to treat a range of non-life threatening illnesses and injuries
suspected broken bones and skin infections
Mr Park spruiked the services as "a way to bridge the gap between primary and emergency care and ensure patients had fast access to the attention they required"
The initiative is supported by the state and federal governments
Marima delivers the service in conjunction with Coordinare - southeastern primary care network
The Post understands doctors can only be drawn from a specific pool
sometimes driving up operational costs for the individual services
Ms Tuckerman said other urgent care services
were experiencing similar staffing and cost pressures
"I'll be asking questions of the health ministry," she said
"I know from talking to the community that people utilise it and it takes pressure off the hospital's emergency department...I want to see it keep going because it's a vital service."
Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman says she'll be asking questions of the health minister about the reported June 30 closure of Goulburn's urgent care service
Picture by Louise Thrower.Mr Park's office wouldn't say whether the minister would intervene to address doctor shortages and costs and to keep the doors open
"The NSW government is working through these (contractual) issues," a spokesperson said
"It is not appropriate to comment any further on matters relating to a commercial contract."
"...The Minns Labor Government is continuing to build and foster a supported regional health workforce through investments in key worker accommodation; doubling rural health incentives; providing study subsidies for regional health workers; boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model; and recruiting more paramedics to the bush."
Mr Minns said he was "absolutely committed to doing what he (could) to keep the service open," but it had to be negotiated on a commercial basis
Asked whether the funding model required change
the Premier would only say primary health care remained a "big challenge," especially if there was a shortage of regional GPs
But Ms Tuckerman said the 'closure' sent "a clear message" that regional communities like Goulburn weren't a priority for Labor once the election was over
She took a swipe at Eden-Monaro Labor MP Kristy McBain
who promoted the service as a party achievement "on a glossy brochure" ahead of the federal election
Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain had some help at pre-poll on Friday from Premier Chris Minns ahead of Saturday's federal election
Picture by Oliver Rodden"The service was heavily promoted by Labor and the urgent care facilities have been a key pillar of the Albanese election campaign," Mrs Tuckerman said
"Ms McBain appeared in social media videos and distributed printed materials boasting that she had delivered urgent care to the Goulburn region
Ms McBain said she'd spoken to Mr Park and the government remained committed to a Goulburn urgent care service
"I will continue my work and advocacy to support this service if re-elected on Saturday
It's disappointing the Liberals are playing politics with this important service," he said
drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678
Oliver RoddenJournalistOliver Rodden is a journalist for The Goulburn Post. He reports on the local community, politics, environment, culture, and crime. Above all, he is passionate about engaging with the community and telling stories that matter.
Oliver Rodden is a journalist for The Goulburn Post. He reports on the local community, politics, environment, culture, and crime. Above all, he is passionate about engaging with the community and telling stories that matter.
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIt's hard to describe the satisfaction that comes from performing your duty as a citizen
then biting into a succulent sausage sandwich when it's all over
If you feel like a democracy sausage when you're voting in Goulburn Mulwaree on Saturday
you can find them at four locations across the region
Year 12 students from GHS will be going the extra mile for this election
offering up a selection of cakes and soft drinks alongside the customary sausage sizzle
The students are raising money for the end-of Year-12 gift to the school
Goulburn West Public School - 106 Combermere St
Goulburn West Public School P&C Democracy Sausage and Bake Stall returns for another election
serving up an impressive range of brekkie burgers
Proceeds will go to the GWPS P&C to fund school and student activities
Ben Williams busy at the BBQ at the last election day
Picture suppliedBradfordville Public School - 10 Hampden St
The BBQ & Cake Stall at Bradfordville Public School will be run by the P&C with the help of the community to raise funds for the school and students
A sausage sizzle and cake stall will also be open at Tarago Town Hall
If you're not feeling hungry on election day
you can cast your vote at the following polling places in Goulburn Mulwaree:
Polling places are open from 8am to 6pm across Australia
Democracy sausages may be available at other locations
Contact the polling places listed above for more information
one of San Francisco's most popular tourist destinations
Photo: AP PHOTOUS President Donald Trump says he is directing the Bureau of Prisons to reopen the infamous Alcatraz prison to "house America's most ruthless and violent offenders"
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue"REBUILD
AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!" he posted on the Truth Social platform
we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals
and keep them far away from anyone they could harm."
The closure of the federal prison in 1963 was attributed to crumbling infrastructure and the high costs of repairing and supplying the island facility
because everything from fuel to food had to be brought by boat
It is now one of San Francisco's most popular tourist destinations
The prison — infamously inescapable due to the strong ocean currents and cold Pacific waters that surround it — was known as the "The Rock" and housed some of the nation's most notorious criminals
including gangster Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly
It has long been part of the cultural imagination and has been the subject of numerous movies
including The Rock starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage
Nearly all were caught or didn't survive the attempt
The Alcatraz prison once housed gangster Al Capone and has been the subject of numerous movies
(AP PHOTO)Trump said he'd come up with the idea to reopen Alcatraz because of frustrations with "radicalised judges" who have insisted those being deported receive due process
A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement the agency "will comply with all Presidential Orders"
a California Democrat whose district includes the island
questioned the feasibility of reopening the prison after so many years
"It is now a very popular national park and major tourist attraction
The President's proposal is not a serious one," she wrote on social media platform X
The order to reopen Alcatraz comes as Trump has been clashing with the courts as he tries to send accused gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador
Trump has also talked about wanting to send American citizens there and to other foreign prisons
Trump has also directed the opening of a detention centre at Guantanamo Bay
to hold up to 30,000 of what he has labelled the "worst criminal aliens"
Picture suppliedLeanne Tremble says she has a very straightforward approach to her work
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue"I never tell people what to do," the psychic/medium/empath said
She encourages sceptics to keep an open mind about spirituality before writing it off
"But how can they know if they've never tried it?"
On Sunday, May 4, she will host the Mugworts Mind Body and Soul Expo at the Goulburn Workers Club
Ms Tremble says the previous expo got a decent turnout
as did a medieval-themed market event she organised
The markets included medieval knight duels, dancers, psychics, healers, mediations, face painting, and braiding, as well as stalls selling crystals, jewellery, artworks, candles and soaps.
the Mugworts Medieval Psychic Markets were a hit last year
Picture suppliedShe says the events always draw a broad range of people
"People want to contact family or friends who have passed."
A sense of closure is one of the major reasons people attend the events
She says she has convinced sceptics of her abilities by communicating with their deceased grandparents
relaying information that no one outside their family has been told
As well as connecting with lost loved ones at the expo
Ms Tremble says attendees can have their palms
and gain insights into their past lives with the help of different mediums
A guest speaker will give a talk on the subject of 'The Modern Witch'
and "witchy stuff" will also be part of the event
Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for pensioners
Children under 15 years can enter for free
The Mugworts Mind Body and Soul Expo will be held in the Function Room of the Workers Club
This is probably not the page you’re looking for
Photo: AP PHOTOJapan and China have accused each other of violating the airspace around the Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe latest territorial flap came as both appeared to have warmer ties while seeking to mitigate damages from the US tariff war
Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it lodged a "very severe protest" with Beijing after a Chinese helicopter took off from one of China's four coast guard boats
which had entered Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku islands
The ministry said the helicopter violated Japanese airspace for about 15 minutes on Saturday
The statement called the incident an: "intrusion ..
into Japan's territorial airspace" and urged the Chinese government to ensure preventive measures
Japan's Self-Defence Force scrambled fighter jets in response
China also protested to Tokyo over a Japanese civilian aircraft violating its airspace around the islands
saying it was "strongly dissatisfied" about Japan's "severe violation of China's sovereignty," according to a statement by the Chinese embassy in Japan late Saturday
China Coast Guard said it "immediately took necessary control measures against it in accordance with the law" and dispatched a ship-borne helicopter to warn and drive away the Japanese aircraft
Japanese officials are investigating a possible connection between the Chinese coast guard helicopter's airspace intrusion and the small Japanese civilian aircraft flying in the area around the same time
The intrusion was the first by China since a Chinese aircraft violated Japanese airspace in August
(AP PHOTO)China routinely sends coast guard vessels and aircraft into waters and airspace surrounding the islands
forcing Japan to quickly mobilise its jets
Saturday's intrusion was the first by China since a Chinese reconnaissance aircraft violated the Japanese airspace off the southern prefecture of Nagasaki in August
Chinese aircraft have also violated the Japanese airspace around the Senkaku twice in the past
handing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese an increased majority in parliament
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAfter a fairly sedate five-week campaign in which the major parties focused heavily on voters' hip pockets, the great democracy sausage is over
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat - the first opposition leader ever to do so - and the Liberal party has bled support
Enough voters in marginal electorates in Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania sided with Labor to hand it victory
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during breakfast TV interviews at the MCG on May 3 federal election day
Picture AAP/Lukas CochIn an overwhelmingly positive victory speech
Albo!" that the Australian people have voted for "Australian values
"In this time of global uncertainty
Australians have chosen optimism and determination
Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way
looking after each other and building for the future," he said
"A majority Labor government promised and delivered!"
He paid tribute to the many voters he said had voted Labor for the first time, and said he would not take their vote for granted.
"We take up this task with new hope and new confidence
with no one held back and no one left behind," he said
Roughly 18 million voters cast their ballot in the 2025 election - about half of them before polling day
more than one-third were Gen Z or Millennials
Despite a declining primary vote for the major parties over the past two decades Labor will form a majority government and increase its presence from the notional 78 seats it held in parliament's lower house before the election
Mr Dutton called Mr Albanese and then publicly conceded defeat
"We didn't do very well and I accept full responsibility for that," he said
"I said to the prime minister that his mum should be very proud and he should be very proud."
it was already looking good for Labor and independent candidates
the former up 2.6 per cent from 2022 and the latter up 1.8 per cent
While the Nationals were down very marginally
down almost three per cent across the country
Mr Dutton will lose his seat of Dickson in outer suburban Brisbane to Labor's Ali France
he was trailing 41 per cent to 59 per cent on a two party preferred basis
the Liberals will not win a single Tasmanian lower house seat this election
Liberal MP Bridget Archer will lose to Labor's Jess Teesdale in Bass
Labor's Anne Urquhart will take back the safe Liberal seat of Braddon from the Coalition
In Wannon in south-west Victoria it was looking less likely Climate 200-backed independent Alex Dyson would boot out Liberal MP Dan Tehan
but the independent in Bradfield on Sydney's north shore is set to take the seat from the Liberals
Cowper on the NSW mid north coast was expected on pre-election polling numbers to be picked up by Caz Heise
with sitting Nationals MP Pat Conaghan leading
ex-Nationals-turned independent MP Andrew Gee looked set to retain the seat
despite a concerted campaign from the the Nationals and independent Kate Hook
entered parliament as the member for the inner-Sydney seat of Grayndler in 1996
"It's my local booth; if we don't win this booth we're in real trouble," Mr Albanese said
Mr Albanese has been prime minister since 2022 when Labor returned to power after nine years in opposition on the back of Scott Morrison's deep unpopularity
That election also ushered in a surge in independent so-called "teals" and an increased vote for the Greens
the Labor government has navigated its way through a cost of living and housing affordability crisis
and a war in Gaza with global and local ramifications
Labor legislated a net zero emissions target and doggedly pursued renewable energy while extending the life of some coal mines
More recently, it joined with the opposition to controversially ban social media for children under 16
Since President Donald Trump came to power
the government has also contended with fluctuating US trade and tariff policies with the potential to affect Australian steel
The biggest failure in Mr Albanese's first term as prime minister was marked by Australians voting against a Voice to Parliament for Indigenous people in a referendum
He also came under fire when he bought a $4.3 million cliff top holiday home in Copacabana in 2024 while many Australians struggled to pay their rent or mortgage
Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon plan to marry in this term of parliament
after he and former NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt divorced in 2019
Labor has promised an $8.5 billion package to expand bulk billing and a free, nationwide 24/7 health advice line backed by Medicare
It's pledged to build more Medicare urgent care clinics
and cap most Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-listed medicines
it plans to allow five per cent deposits and to use a $10 billion fund to build up to 100,000 homes for them
This government says it will extend $150 energy rebates for all households until the end of 2025
and roll out modest tax cuts in the coming two years
It also wants to offer $4000 off the cost of household batteries and is pledging to get the electricity grid to 82 per cent renewable by 2030
Saffron is a journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years experience covering news. Get in touch: saffron.howden@austcommunitymedia.com.au
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAn initial early swing to Labor continued throughout the night with networks calling the result for Labor just before 8.30pm
The result outperformed the polls up to election date as Labor picked up seats across the country
Taking to the stage at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL
a visibly emotional Mr Albanese declared Australia had voted for "Australian values"
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers his victory speech
Picture Getty ImagesIn a rebuke of some of the more vitriolic elements of the campaign
Mr Albanese acknowledged the traditional owners and said Australians had chosen a future "the Australian way"
seize these opportunities and build that better and stronger future Australians have chosen a majority Labor government."
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will anxiously await the final count of votes after a hard-fought campaign
David BellamyThere were some exceptions to the overwhelming swing to Labor
Early numbers show that David Smith was in trouble
with independent challenger Jessie Price ahead
with 52 per cent of the votes after preferences
Just under a third of voters in the southern suburbs of Canberra had put a 1 next to Ms Price's name
meaning with preferences from the Liberal candidate David Lamerton she would pull ahead of Mr Smith
who has held the seat since it was created in 2019
In the other ACT seats of Canberra and Fenner
Labor was expected to retain both with a swing towards the incumbents
Independent challenger in Bean Jessie Price was ahead of the Labor incumbent David Smith late on Saturday night
Picture by Keegan CarrollCanberrans swung against the Coalition
with Liberal candidates suffering an eight per cent negative swing after the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton slammed the capital
indicating the Coalition would cut jobs in the capital and saying he would prefer to live at Kirribilli House
The election result came after a five-week campaign in which Mr Albanese was able to turn around dire polling earlier in the year that indicated the Coalition could be on track for minority government and had an outside chance of a majority
Such was the swing against the Coalition that Mr Dutton lost his marginal seat of Dickson
Appearing on stage to concede just after 9.30pm
saying he had called the Prime Minister to acknowledge the "historic" win for the Labor party
Mr Dutton said he took full responsibility saying the Liberal campaign "didn't do well enough"
Peter Dutton lost his seat of Dickson in one of the worst results for the Coalition in recent memory
Picture by Eve WoodhouseMr Dutton said the highlight of his career was being Defence Minister and handed over to his challenger in Dickson
saying she would "do a good job" as a local member
Former defence minister Christopher Pyne said the Coalition was on track to suffer its "worst result" and that the party needed to come back to the centre
who has been in campaign mode since the beginning of the year
used an unexpected budget after Cyclone Alfred delayed the start of the election campaign to position Labor as the party best placed to deal with the cost of living which dominated the contest
The Coalition responded with a cut to the fuel excise
estimated to save motorists $14 a tank of petrol
and by bringing back a one-off tax offset to save taxpayers $1200
However, the Coalition was distracted by other issues during the election campaign
including an about-face on its plans to force public servants to work from home
continued questions over its nuclear energy policy and comparisons to the Trump administration in the United States
The 47th president of the United States cast a large shadow over the election campaign
with Labor attempting to align Mr Dutton with Donald Trump
while the Opposition Leader sought to distance himself from Mr Trump
with NT senator Jacinta Nampijimpa Price borrowing the Trump campaign slogan
pledging to "make Australia great again" during a press conference with the Opposition Leader in Western Australia
In his final pitch to voters earlier on Saturday
Mr Albanese said Labor was aiming for "back-to-back wins" and pledged to do more on climate change and health
including building additional urgent care clinics
if we are optimistic about Australia's future
including acting on climate change and the opportunity it represents
then we can be incredibly successful as a nation."
Mr Albanese returned to his home ground of Grayndler in Sydney's inner west to cast his vote with fiancee Jodie Haydon and son Nathan at a primary school in Marrickville
Mr Dutton played to the Coalition's traditional strengths as being perceived as the better economic managers
"I want to help get our economy back on track
I want to reduce inflation so we can bring the interest rates down and bring cost of living down by half
restore the dream of home ownership and get this great country back on track."
Both leaders were in Melbourne on the morning of the final day of campaigning
with each party hoping to gain seats in the southern capital tonight
But only Labor was able to pick up seats in the southern capital
sweeping a number of Melbourne suburban seats held by the Coalition
pushing the Liberals to the fringes of the city
Mr Dutton later headed back to his hometown north of Brisbane
where he cast his vote with children Rebecca
Tom and Harry and wife Kirilly at Albany Creek State School
The two men vying to be Prime Minister were
out of step with more than half the electorate
with 8.5 million voting before election day
With this trend showing no signs of turning around, this could upend future campaigns, particularly the Coalition's preference this time to release major policies and their costings late in the campaign.
While polling day expectations were that Labor could potentially govern in its own right, an expanded crossbench could also play a greater role in the next Parliament.
Most of the current independents were expected to retain their sets, amid heavy Coalition challenges in Kooyong in Victoria and Curtin in Western Australia, and they could have been joined by Caz Heise in the northern NSW electorate of Cowper, Peter George in the southern Tasmanian seat of Franklin and Nicolette Boele in the Sydney seat of Bradfield, left vacant by retiring moderate Liberal Paul Fletcher.
Peter Dutton may not be the only party leader to lose their seat. Greens Leader Adam Bandt is close to losing his seat of Melbourne. The Greens faced a challenging evening, losing two seats in Brisbane but looking to retain Ryan, held by Elizabeth Watson-Brown. The party could pick up the inner Melbourne seat of Willis and the northern NSW seat of Richmond, but both are still close.
The Coalition doubled down on its outer-suburban strategy in 2025, and there will be extensive soul searching within the party as to whether it can return to power without making some inroads into its traditional blue-ribbon seats where the independent Teals have consolidated their grip on inner urban and harbourside seats.
The party retains no lower-house seats in Tasmania and has been effectively kicked out of Melbourne.
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFresh from a thumping local election victory in his electorate of New England in rural NSW
Mr Joyce is set to have the operation in Tamworth on Monday
said he's expected to make a full recovery after detecting the cancer early
A file photo of New England Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce
Picture by Gareth Gardner"I'm having surgery ..
I'll take a break to recover before getting back to work," he told ACM
Mr Joyce said he was under strict instructions from family to rest after the surgery
"My wife [Vikki Campion] has told me I'm not allowed to go into the paddock
no ducking out to the paddock to do a bit of cattle work," he said
"I didn't want to announce it during the campaign as I didn't want it to be a distraction."
Mr Joyce urged men to get their prostates checked to pick up any problems as early as possible
A simple blood test for the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein can detect elevated levels which may be a sign of cancer or some benign conditions
Mr Joyce said he received an early diagnosis after doing a PSA test then MRI
The cancer had not spread beyond his prostate
According to the Cancer Council, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia
More than 26,000 cases were recorded in 2024 alone
Mr Joyce increased his primary vote by nearly two per cent in New England at the May 3 federal poll despite a wipeout for the Coalition
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton lost his Queensland seat of Dickson as Labor romped home to a stunning majority win
Photo: Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOSFour-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson returned to the fold as Hawthorn celebrated their AFL/VFL centenary in style with a 65-point drubbing of Richmond
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueClarkson was one of the dozens of club greats among the 62,321 spectators on hand to see fan favourite Jack Gunston kick his 500th career goal in the Hawks' 16.13 (109) to 6.8 (44) triumph at the MCG on Sunday
Clarkson figured prominently in the pre-match ceremony
back in brown-and-gold for the day after being estranged from the club since his 2021 exit
The 57-year-old joined retired greats Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis
to present the spoils of last decade's three-peat when the Hawks' 13 premiership cups were paraded for the crowd
Alastair Clarkson (centre) was back in Hawks colours as the club celebrated 100 years
(Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)Hawks coach Sam Mitchell
who took the reins from Clarkson in a messy handover
admitted it had been daunting to have so many greats around the club during the build-up
"He's a four-time premiership coach of the club and hasn't been around for a while
so it's great that he was able to go out and spend some time with the guys that he coached from Hawthorn," Mitchell said
"Then on the other side he's coaching an opposition team
so there's always going to be some complexities around that side of things."
Sunday's scrappy win won't be remembered as fondly as any of those grand final triumphs
but was another box ticked on the path to a possible 14th flag
The Hawks are 6-2 ahead of a clash with Melbourne in round nine
while Richmond (2-6) will look to bounce back against winless West Coast
Hawthorn's superior class and dominance at the contest meant they proved far too strong for the Tigers
pulling away after halftime to post their biggest win of the season to date
tempers flared in the second term when James Sicily caught Maurice Rioli holding the ball and threw the Tiger to the ground
Tim Taranto flew the flag for Rioli - gifting Sicily a 50-metre penalty and goal by shoving him over - while most players were involved in the ensuing melee
Sicily's goal helped Hawthorn to a 34-point lead before Richmond kicked their first major through Seth Campbell after more than 52 minutes of action
Gunston reached his milestone in the third quarter
snapping his second goal for the day as the margin grew to 49 by the final change
It blew out when Hawthorn finished full of running
kicking five goals to two in the last quarter
Noah Balta rose above recent off-field controversies to take this mark for the Tigers
(Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)Gunston and Hawks cult hero Nick Watson were the best of the goalkickers with three each and Jack Ginnivan added two from 14 disposals
"Five hundred goals for Jack is phenomenal," Mitchell said
five) were Richmond's busiest on a tough day
The Tigers were beaten 117-84 in contested possession and kicked their lowest score of the season
but it was just our polish (that let us down)," Richmond coach Adem Yze said
Tigers defender Noah Balta returned to the sound of boos from Hawthorn fans after a week on the sidelines because of his court-imposed curfew
It was Balta's first match since being sentenced last month for assaulting another man on December 30 last year
and he limped off in the final few minutes after appearing to roll his right ankle
Photo: AP PHOTOBochum and Heidenheim are both staring relegation in the face after the struggling teams fought out a scoreless draw in a tense Bundesliga encounter
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueA defeat on Friday (Saturday AEST) would have condemned bottom club Bochum to the drop in Germany
but a point means they survive at least one more week
The Ruhr side remained last in the Bundesliga standings
The result was equally frustrating for Heidenheim
Heidenheim lost goalkeeper Kevin Muller to injury in the 50th minute
when he was taken off on a stretcher after a goalmouth clash with Ibrahima Sissoko
There is way too much pressure for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and I am tired of what glorious Chris Wallace describes as the "sunny indifference" of Anthony Albanese
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIt could only have been pressure which got to Peter Dutton when, out of the blue, he starts trumpeting about "hate media"
Of all the things you might want to be doing when there's less than a week to go in a tough election
I wouldn't have thought mucking out culture wars trenches was how you'd want to be spending your time
I have no doubt the Opposition Leader was utterly freaked out about the series of stories about his financial dealings published
The Opposition Leader appears not to be good at disclosing his financial dealings
One would have to ask him - but he refused to speak to Milligan
The "hate media" comments were presumably designed to defuse the impact of this story
He's calling it hate media because he hates what they are doing
But he's in the wrong job if he doesn't want scrutiny
he needs to be squeakier than squeaky clean
I love that Jane Hume, who's been used and abused by her party this year
is the one trotted out to walk back the comments
And how telling that she's the one who's been on the ABC endlessly while her boss (not for long) is hiding in his cubby
I'm no fan of her ideological positions on anything but
What's hateful is partnering with hoons and lunatics wanting to disrupt Anzac Day and all emboldened by the Daily Telegraph and the Courier Mail
What's hateful is the Daily Mail writing zillions of stories about Lisa Wilkinson
So what's Dutton doing with a shovel in a ditch
He might win votes on the fringes - but all it does is mess with the middle
It may be productive in enjoining Nazis to join the Liberal Party but I can't believe anyone normal would respond to this
a professor at QUT researching polarisation
"He must know that by alienating people in the centre
is ignoring it or has lost the plot and is just angry because opinion polls are telling him he's going to lose
I could only remember one similar event in the lead-up to a federal election
And that was Mark Latham swaggering up to a handshake with John Howard
University of Canberra professor of political history
has a beautiful set of descriptors for how politicians behave when they are under accountability pressure: prickly pushback
visible perspiration and sunny indifference
We can all observe Dutton's prickly pushbacks, rather than nasty put downs (I mean, he's doing his best to be as unMAGA like as possible because he's seen how that plays out with voters)
And Albanese has a "high level of sunny indifference" only spoiled very occasionally with the odd prickly pushback
"[The Prime Minister] doesn't like journalistic accountability probing any more than Dutton but is way better this campaign at masking it," she says
smart politicians know the optics really matter
"Sailing through journalists' tough questions benignly is best - whatever your words are
voters see a leader who is calm and untroubled
modelling innocence whether it's true or not
And Dutton publicly despising a media organisation that real Australia embraces is utterly crazy
the sweetest result of all these shenanigans - and I'm sure it's not one that Peter Dutton expected or wanted - is more support for the "hate media"
took Dutton on in a newsletter to supporters
"There are precedents for politicians to delegitimise the work of the press and discredit media organisations that hold them to account." I hope the money is pouring into The Guardian's coffers (and, if you're going there, please come here too)
I'd kill to be dubbed "hate media" by political charlatans
but I'd have to sign up to be the newest cadet for an investigations team
Jenna Price is a Canberra Times columnist and a visiting fellow at the Australian National University.
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe importance of certain markers has been obvious in the moment; the significance of others became clear in retrospect. Here is a recap of a few of those that have shaped this campaign and its battle for votes.
Why start here? Because this was the Prime Minister jumping out of the blocks at the start of January, with multiple announcements over the summer. Albanese laid down policy groundwork in these weeks, giving voters time to absorb the initiatives.
In contrast, Peter Dutton, although he had a "soft" launch on January 12, was running slowly, believing voters weren't yet paying attention.
January 21 unleashed a tsunami; its waves would wash over the coming months, and profoundly affect the election. At first, the Coalition thought - wrongly - that the election of Trump would favour it, but Labor became the beneficiary. Many Australians (including Dutton) were appalled at the way Trump and Vice President JD Vance treated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Later, Trump's tariffs hit Australia (although not as hard as many countries).
Dutton argued he'd be better able than Albanese to handle the capricious president, but it became a spurious debate. Labor painted Dutton as Trump-lite and some of his decisions played into its hands, notably appointing in late January Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to a Musk-like role to pursue efficiencies in government. She later made the comparison even more obvious by saying the Coalition would "make Australia great again".
But the central factor was this: suddenly, the world had become more uncertain and many voters would think it wasn't the time to change.
The amount was modest, 25 basis points, but the psychology was the thing. The cut reinforced Treasurer Jim Chalmers' argument that the worst was over and the outlook was positive. In the campaign's final week, just at the right time for the government, inflation figures pointed to another expected cut in May.
Albanese appeared set to call an April 12 poll, when the approaching winds blew the plan off course. The Prime Minister was able to put himself at the middle of the response to the cyclone, projecting himself as a national leader as distinct from a partisan one; he appeared with Queensland LNP Premier David Crisafulli, and at the Canberra National Situation Room.
The election delay meant Labor had to bring down the March 25 budget. Many in the government had wanted to avoid a budget, because of its deficits into the distance. But the budget became a useful frame for the start of the formal campaign, with Albanese going to Government House at the end of budget week.
The Opposition Leader's reply contained his proposal to cut petrol excise but did not include tax cuts. The opposition had already voted against the government's budget tax cut package, and committed to repealing it.
The excise move was popular - Dutton would visit countless service stations over coming weeks - but the government was able to say a Coalition government would raise taxes.
It's been an eventful five weeks. Pictures AAP, ShutterstockAt his campaign launch subsequently, Dutton promised a $1200 tax offset, despite earlier flagging he would not be able to announce any income tax relief during the campaign. The tax offset was an attempt to rectify what had been the mistake of thinking that the Coalition - traditionally committed to lower taxes - could go to the election on the wrong side of the tax argument.
The opposition policy to get public servants back into the office all week was a disaster-in-the-making from the start. Workers in the private sector would, rightly, see it as sending a signal to non-government employers.
Women hated the policy, and it would further alienate the female vote. Dutton had to ditch the idea and apologise. Finance spokeswoman Jane Hume didn't help the retreat by saying it was a good policy that hadn't found its appropriate time.
The story appeared on the respected military site Janes, and Dutton rushed to pick it up, but went off half-cocked, declaring wrongly that the Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto had announced the Russian request. It was symptomatic of Dutton being under-prepared. He had to make another admission of error.
This led to Dutton launching into "culture wars" in the final days of the campaign. In criticising the disruption, he at first said, "We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today".
Subsequently he said most veterans didn't want the welcome to country as part of the Anzac Day ceremonies, although it was a matter for the organisers. In general, he believed welcome to country ceremonies were used too frequently.
Dutton segued the controversy back to criticism of the Voice, and seized on confusing remarks by Foreign Minister Penny Wong to claim Labor was still committed to bringing in a Voice, something Albanese flatly denied.
In the last of the four debates neither leader could specify the cost of a dozen eggs. Dutton was way out ($4.20); Albanese rather closer ("$7, if you can find them.". It was a small moment but sent the message that even in a cost-of-living election, the leaders do live in bubbles.
Almost at the road's end, the Opposition Leader appealed to voters to overlook a flawed campaign. "This election really is a referendum not about the election campaign but about the last three years."
Asked if there was anything he could have done differently, he said "we should have called out Labor's lies earlier on".
It was as though he was speaking to a postmortem, while praying for a miracle.
Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOSDropped Gold Coast back-rower David Fifita will return to his home city of Ipswich to play in the Queensland Cup and is ready to run 250m
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFifita will play for the Ipswich Jets against Northern Pride on Sunday after Titans coach Des Hasler dropped him for the NRL clash with Canterbury after the 50-18 capitulation to North Queensland
He will be player No.700 to line up for the famous Jets in what will be a homecoming after he grew up in Ipswich
Fifita got through the team's captain's run at North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday
Jets chairman Steve Johnson said the Maroons star was itching to carve up and do the jersey proud in the home Ipswich clash
Queensland State of Origin star David Fifita will be looking to shine for the Ipswich Jets
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)"David is an Ipswich lad," Johnson told AAP
"He played junior football at Redbank Bears in under-13s and in rep sides before the Broncos moved him to Souths Acacia Ridge
and he never got to play for Ipswich after that."This will be his (fifth) game in Cup
His second game in 2018 was for Souths-Logan against us and he tore us apart as an 18-year-old kid
and then a few weeks later Wayne Bennett put him straight into the Broncos side in the NRL
and when he rang yesterday he was excited to get back."
The Jets have also set Fifita a task of sorts while playing him in his favourite position
"I have challenged him to run 250m tomorrow
and we jokingly told the other back-rowers to make 60 tackles each so Dave can run the ball
He just needs to clear his head and enjoy it," Johnson said
whereas Des has been playing him on the right
Current Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt was famously dropped by Bennett in 2017 and went back to the Jets and played a starring role in a 44-24 win over Norths
Former coaches Ben and Shane Walker told him to go out and gave fun and play his natural game
He was selected in the Maroons side weeks later and won back his Broncos jersey
"One of the common facts of rugby league is that two players to go from Queensland Cup to State of Origin are Ipswich Jets halfbacks - Allan Langer in 1987 and Ben Hunt in 2017," Johnson said
"Ben played great for us and then played Origin
and that has been our conversation with David
He is excited to be wearing the jersey and to be Ipswich Jet number 700."
Photo: AP PHOTOA 28-year-old man has deliberately ploughed his car into a group of primary school children in the Japanese city of Osaka
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue"I was fed up with everything
I tried to run down the children and to kill them," the Kyodo news agency reported the man as saying
The children were aged between seven and eight
Television footage showed ambulances parked on a narrow back street with medics giving first aid to the children
Police detained the driver on a charge of attempted murder
All of the children were conscious on being taken to hospital
They had just left their school when the man attacked them
Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOSWhen Geelong coach Chris Scott looks at Collingwood - and he examines them intensely - he can't find flaws
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueScott is renowned as a master tactician but has trouble picking apart the Pies ahead of their mouth-watering Saturday night clash at the MCG
"The teams that are towards the top end of the ladder these days
you can't have too many flaws," Scott told reporters on Friday
"So it's easy to highlight their strengths
but I can think of a few teams who are really strong in one area that maybe because of their evolution in their list build
they are quite weak in another - that makes them really vulnerable
good system - that is more the way I look at Collingwood
their experienced players are playing well."
Master tactician Chris Scott is talking up Collingwood ahead of Geelong's MCG clash with them
(Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Scott added: "When you try and assess where the competition is
Collingwood are going through a patch where things are going well for them
"I wouldn't isolate it just to (Nick) Daicos going well in the middle or (Scott) Pendlebury and (Steele) Sidebottom at the peak of their powers in their mid 30s
Craig McRae's ladder-leading Magpies boast a six-one record entering the blockbuster against the seventh-placed Cats (4-3)
And imposing Geelong defender Tom Stewart will miss the encounter after aggravating a knee injury in last week's 18-point loss to Carlton
"He had a slight injury where he missed a week about a month ago and he fell on that same knee early again in the Carlton game," Scott said
"Our medical staff say there's no serious structural damage
it was just one where he was going to be limited."
Mitch Duncan is back for his first game of the season for the Cats
(Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Veteran Mitch Duncan has been summoned for his first AFL game this season
"It was in the back of our minds that this was a possibility," Scott said
"The Stewart thing probably helped it a little bit
but I suspect that we would have done it anyway."
Collingwood have been strengthened by the returns of captain Darcy Moore
Stalwart Jeremy Howe has been managed while Dan McStay (knee) and Lachie Sullivan (omitted) will also miss
Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOSMany supporters never believed Anthony Albanese's victory would come so easily
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBut as the prime minister toured his home turf in the afterglow of the landslide win on Sunday morning
inner-west Sydney locals were keen to share in his joy
who owns music store Crosstalk Records in Mr Albanese's electorate
gifted him a vinyl of Easy by Australian rock band The Easybeats as he made the morning rounds
Joshua Gibbs marked the prime minister's 'Alban-easy' win with an Easybeats vinyl record
(Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)"Nobody thought it was going to be easy
but looks like it was Alban-easy," he said
He told AAP the prime minister has visited his store before and often receives a rockstar reception in the area
with Mr Gibbs feeling somewhat giddy himself after Mr Albanese thanked him
the prime minister's first stop on Sunday was for coffee at a local institution in his seat of Grayndler
Mr Albanese soaked in the rays at Bar Italia's leafy courtyard with his fiancee Jodie Haydon
Bennelong MP Jerome Laxale and a few members of the party faithful
Mr Albanese's first stop after his election win was to a coffee shop he visited with his mum
(Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)"I used to visit this coffee shop with my mum," he told reporters
and I did certainly think of her last night as well - she would be very proud."
He offered a "grazie mille" to wait staff and thanked supporters before giving back by scooping gelato for locals and members of his media pack
Mr Albanese also took a moment to offer his sympathies to Peter Dutton
who lost both his seat and the election in a brutal double whammy for the coalition
"I feel for Peter Dutton," Mr Albanese said
and it would have been a tough night for Peter."
His successor in the north Brisbane electorate of Dickson
became the first person ever to unseat a federal opposition leader
and I couldn't be happier about that," Ms France told reporters
Ali France has faced challenges to become the first person to unseat a federal opposition leader
(Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)Labor is on track to more than double its lower house caucus in Queensland
Ms France will be one of the most celebrated members of the new Queensland caucus
and not just because of her history-making feat
The former journalist has campaigned for seven years against Mr Dutton
overcoming the amputation of one her legs in a car accident 13 years ago and the loss of her 19-year-old son to leukaemia in 2024
and we knew we'd have a big fight to keep him here with us," Ms France recounted tearfully
'don't make me the excuse for not doing important things'
"At times it's felt just so incredibly hard but I've just always thought of his courage and determination and happiness in the face of just insurmountable pain."
each nervously hoped an exhausting five weeks of interviews
doorstops and worksite visits would pay dividends at the ballot box
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFailure would probably mean the end of a long political career - 29 years for the PM and 23 for the Liberal leader
But only one man could look in the mirror and genuinely say to himself
"I ran a good campaign and did all I could to maximise our vote"
A welter of late opinion surveys and some less scientific exit polls suggested it was Dutton who faced the chill winds of rejection from voters
The Queenslander had led insisted on a suburban strategy after getting a dream inside run to the leadership after Scott Morrison's disastrous 2022 ouster
Morrison's defeat was so comprehensive it saw six blue-ribbon Liberal strongholds fall to "teal" community independents among 19 seats to go overall
Dutton placed little importance on regaining them
regarding the affluent inner-urban seats as best left to the teal
One of those losses removed then treasurer Josh Frydenberg from the parliament - a more moderate figure who would have given Dutton a run for his money in any leadership contest
Liberals were already grumbling as the election neared about Dutton's bungled campaign which was widely panned as too little too late
One frustrated party loyalist called the Dutton campaign "embarrassing" and described a "betrayal of thousands of hardworking Liberals" who were left on doorsteps and polling places defending daily backflips
Attention was already turning to what to do now amid a widely expected challenge by the NSW-based MP and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor who has long been touted as a future Liberal leader
Taylor is well-regarded but also has plenty of detractors
Also mentioned has been a possible leadership ticket featuring the WA-based defence spokesperson Andrew Hastie and current deputy Sussan Ley - a pairing that might attract support for its east-west
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton should have stayed on track with cost of living messaging. Picture Getty ImagesAnother expected contender is the regional Victorian MP, Dan Tehan who first has to survive a spirited challenge by an independent in his electorate of Wannon
Knives were being sharpened for Dutton even before the final result was knowable after he left key policy decisions too late to make a difference and made several tactical blunders
These included opposing Labor's tax cuts, backing (before dropping) a ban on working from home
Privately, Liberals also criticised Dutton's culture war forays on the school curriculum and welcome-to-country ceremonies instead of sticking rigidly to cost-of-living pressures
Mark Kenny is The Canberra Times' political analyst and a professor at the ANU's Australian Studies Institute. He hosts the Democracy Sausage podcast. He writes a column every Sunday.
Photo: AP PHOTONottingham Forest's Champions League dream has suffered a huge blow after they were beaten 2-0 by Brentford at the City Ground
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueNuno Espirito Santo's side have looked a strong bet to qualify for Europe's premier club competition after a brilliant season and they could have moved up to third in the Premier League with a win on Thursday
they faltered as goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa inflicted a damaging defeat
Brentford's Kevin Schade grabbed their other goal in the 2-0 win
(AP PHOTO)Coming four days after an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City
there is a real sense that Forest's season is faltering at the worst possible time as this was their third league defeat in four games
There are sure to be more twists and turns in the race for the top-five over the remaining four games
but Forest have now lost control of their own destiny on what could be a pivotal night
Brentford are four games unbeaten and still have European ambitions of their own
which could be enough to secure Europa Conference League action
While Forest suffered Wembley heartbreak on Sunday
they came up against a side who had not been in action for 12 days
having an early sight of goal as Sepp van den Berg sprung the offside trap from a free-kick but he put his free header too close to Matz Sels
they were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch in the 21st minute as Keane Lewis-Potter survived appeals for a second yellow card when he bodychecked Ola Aina
That sparked Forest into life but disaster befell them on the stroke of half-time as Aina made a mess of Nathan Collins' long ball down the middle
allowing it to bounce and then slipping over
the Reds poured forward in search of a leveller
Anthony Elanga came as close as they had all night when he raced on to Morgan Gibbs-White's ball and cut inside
It was becoming increasingly frantic as the hosts continued to probe and Chris Wood flashed a header just wide
But Forest were killed off in the 70th minute as they were undone by another long ball
Flekken's goal kick was again allowed to bounce
with Wissa racing clear of Nikola Milenkovic and dinking over Sels in classy fashion
Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOSJason Ryles has joked he'd need to take out a loan from Parramatta captain Mitch Moses to give his honest opinion about the officiating in the Magic Round loss to Cronulla
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBut the rookie Eels mentor has pledged not to become the kind of coach who vents about referees following defeat
The match officials were restrained in their use of the sin bin on Friday night
but Eels players were still visibly frustrated with a handful of calls in the 28-18 loss
Josh Addo-Carr was called for failing to use his foot in the play-the-ball
coughing up possession ahead of the Sharks' first try
Jason Ryles would not be drawn into criticising the refereeing in Parramatta's loss to Cronulla
(Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Eels second-rower Kitione Kautoga was penalised for a high shot on Sam Stonestreet that replays showed did not connect with the winger's neck or head
Parramatta's Bailey Simonsson was later pinged for a mid-air tackle when his arm slipped down onto Ronaldo Mulitalo as the two were competing for a kick
That call from the bunker left a miffed Moses seeking an explanation from referee Peter Gough
There was no shortage of tries for the Sharks
but this one from Ronaldo Mulitalo was disallowed
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo emailed coaches in March to warn the League would take an especially dim view of referee criticism this season
Ryles duly resisted the urge to scrutinise the officiating at full-time
I don't have the runs on the board and two I don't have enough money to give you my honest opinion," he said
The loss leaves the 16th-placed Eels vulnerable to falling into last place on the ladder if Penrith upset Brisbane on Sunday
But Ryles hinted that a long apprenticeship under legendary Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy had taught him not to take his frustrations out on match officials
"I've worked for a coach and watched other people spend lots of time on that and I just think it's a waste of time," he said
you need to get your own backyard right and what we can control
"We need to take it out of their hands (by playing better)
"Unfortunately the decisions didn't go our way tonight but we keep doing what we're doing in regards to our fight and our effort and it'll turn."
with huge resources being thrown into independent campaigns and a voter trend away from the major parties
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAt least three regional electorates in NSW and Victoria could be picked up by independents - two of them supported by Climate 200 and the Regional Voices Fund
This would swell the number of so-called "teals" in parliament - and potentially force Labor or the Coalition to negotiate a way to governing with a minority
Independent candidates in the 2025 federal election
Pictures Climate 200So how do hung parliaments work
What might Australia's 48th parliament look like
Labor in effect holds 78 seats in the House of Representatives where government is formed
and Queensland's LNP the Coalition in effect has 57 seats
A party needs at least 76 seats to govern in its own right
and Bob Katter's single-MP party and the Centre Alliance have one each
While the major parties are scrambling to pick up one another's marginal seats in Sydney and Melbourne - and hack away at support for Greens' and independent MPs in the cities - other political forces are capitalising on voter dissatisfaction with Australia's long-standing two party system
The primary vote for major parties has been dropping steadily for well over a decade and this has accelerated in recent years
In 2007 a little over 85 per cent of the Australian electorate voted for either Labor or the Coalition first
That had declined to just 68 per cent by 2022
one in three voters was putting number "1" in the box for someone other than a major party
the Greens vote nationally has risen from 7.8 per cent to 12.3 per cent
and support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation has grown to nearly five per cent of first preferences
The teal movement has also gained traction - and heavy financial backing
mainly through fundraising vehicle Climate 200
convened by businessman and philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court
In the wake of Cathy McGowan's success (she wrested the Victorian regional electorate of Indi from the Liberals back in 2013) the independent trickle became a gush
Rebekha Sharkie won South Australia's rural seat of Mayo in 2016 through Nick Xenophon's party
Dr Kerryn Phelps briefly held former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's eastern suburbs Sydney seat after a by-election in 2018
Zali Steggall ousted another former prime minister
from Warringah in Sydney the next year and Dr Helen Haines was elected in Indi after Ms McGowan retired
By the 2022 election the Liberal party had been booted from Mackellar and Wentworth (again) in Sydney
David Pocock was elected to the Senate for the ACT the same year
the Greens increased their lower house numbers to four
remains in parliament for the electorate of Clark on a 20.8 per cent margin
In the three years since voters last went to the federal polls
Climate 200 got organised and attracted even more serious money
according to the Australian Electoral Commission
This election it's helping fund 35 candidates across the country
The Regional Voices Fund has been established to help bankroll specifically regional and rural independents and it's supporting 17 of those
most of whom are also backed by Climate 200
Now there's the women candidate-focused Vida Fund which is funnelling money to 12 independents
these candidates now have the resources of a major party behind them without being tied to a party line
With funding they've been able to run big billboard advertisements
consult communications and political experts
The "teals" in the existing parliament have generally worked together
drawn by shared goals of science-based action on climate change
Most of the well-funded independent candidates are unlikely to win the seats they're contesting in the 2025 election
Dr Monique Ryan in Melbourne's affluent Kooyong holds her seat by just 2.2 per cent
Kate Chaney in Perth's Curtin has an even slimmer margin of 1.3 per cent and the Liberals have been flat out trying to win back former foreign minister Julie Bishop's seat
Dr Sophie Scamps in Mackellar (NSW) and Zoe Daniel in Goldstein (Victoria) are both working on margins of 3.3 per cent
Out in central west NSW Kate Hook is again vying for the 32,600 square kilometre electorate of Calare
where she picked up 20.4 per cent of the primary vote in 2022
Pre-election YouGov polling gives this seat to Nationals-turned independent in Andrew Gee
who quit the party over its opposition to the Voice to Parliament
He and Ms Hook are up against The Nationals' Sam Farraway
Mount Canobolas and vineyard near Orange in NSW
one of the main towns in the federal electorate of Calare
Picture by Carla FreedmanEnergy is a hot topic here
where the Coalition promises to house one of its seven controversial nuclear reactors if it wins the election and there are pockets of fierce opposition to wind farms
YouGov polling puts Alex Dyson in the winning position in Wannon in south-west Victoria
a seat Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan has held for 15 years
picked up nearly 20 per cent of the primary vote in 2022 when he ran
while Mr Tehan's support slipped by 6.6 per cent
The other distinct win for the independents could be in Cowper which stretches along the NSW mid north coast from Coffs Harbour in the north to Port Macquarie in the south
Sitting Nationals MP Pat Conaghan holds the seat on a 2.4 per cent margin and last election 26 per cent of Cowper voters gave Climate 200-backed independent Caz Heise their first preference
YouGov polling in the final week of the campaign had the nurse and health administrator winning the seat
If some city Labor seats fall to the Coalition in the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney where the Liberal party and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have been campaigning hard
both the major parties could end up with fewer than the magic 76 seats to form government
For 17 days after the election three rural
former Nationals independents - Rob Oakeshott
Tony Windsor and Bob Katter - negotiated with Labor leader Julia Gillard and Liberal leader Tony Abbott to determine which party would govern
It was the first hung parliament in Australia since World War II - and the first time the lower house had a Greens MP in the form of Adam Bandt
Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott joined with Mr Wilkie and sided with Labor
Ms Gillard oversaw a huge number of laws passed - 570 bills
In a hung parliament there is no handy guidebook. Australia's Constitution provides no rules and it is instead determined by convention
constitutional law expert Anne Twomey said
they will resign quickly to avoid reputational damage
"Where there's a hung parliament then there is a choice as to what the prime minister does," the University of Sydney professor emerita said
"Normally the prime minister will stay in office in a caretaker capacity [to] keep the show running."
Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott meet for the first time at Parliament House on August 24
the crossbenchers would negotiate with both major parties to get commitments for their policy priorities in return for guaranteeing supply and confidence
If it became clear the prime minister did not have the support of the crossbenchers and
One thing is that the prime minister can just stay on and face parliament if there are doubts as to how people are going to vote - because maybe a group is going to fall apart
and you want to leave it to parliament to decide on the floor," she said
the parliament could technically decide it had no confidence in the prime minister and opt to support the opposition leader and party
"The prime minister then has to resign and
there's very good grounds for the Governor-General to sack them
Internal Labor polling reported by news.com.au suggests the party is planning for as few as 72 seats and as many as 78
But the party is expecting some electorates to change hands on both sides
could be in a very powerful position to help decide what Australia looks like for the next three years and in the future
Picture by Josie Seaman.Goulburn Post Office has been closed following detection of lead in a room
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueStaff and customers were stranded outside the Auburn Street building on Thursday morning
An Australia Post spokesperson said safety experts recommended the post office be temporarily closed after they detected surface-level lead contaminants in a back room during routine testing
The closure is to allow cleaning and remediation
The Goulburn Post understands this will involve paint scraping
"No contaminants have been found in the main Post Office retail area accessed by customers," the spokesperson said
"Australia Post apologises for any inconvenience caused by the sudden nature of this closure
This decision reflects our commitment to the health and safety of our team members."
Lead was widely used in building materials
The Post Office closed at 5pm on Wednesday
The Goulburn Post understands some staff were briefed on Wednesday evening about the lead discovery
All employees will be offered blood tests to check lead levels
It's understood they will be redeployed to help with sorting and delivery or mail and parcels
A note on the Post Office door advised of the temporary closure and alternative arrangements
Picture by Josie Seaman.From Friday 14 February
customers will be able to collect parcels and Post Office Box mail from the front counter of the Goulburn Delivery Centre at 16 Copford Road
This service will be available from 9am t,o 5pm Monday to Friday
A full range of postal services are also available from the Goulburn North Post Office on Union Street
Australia Post couldn't provide a timeframe for the Auburn Street post office's re-opening
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIt's a common theme among the party faithful gathered at the Coalition election night party in Brisbane
where the outgoing Opposition Leader has conceded defeat
Mr Dutton arrived at 9.30pm shortly after the result was called
accepting defeat after phoning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ali France
"Ali and I have been combatants for a number of elections but she was successful in Dickson tonight
and she will do a good job as a local member," he told the gathered crowd of supporters who had cheered him onto the stage
Ousted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton flanked by family giving his concession speech
Picture Getty Images"We didn't do well enough during this campaign
and I accept full responsibility for that."
encircled by wife Kirilly and children Harry
Tom and Rebecca as he wished Ms France "all the very best"
Mr Dutton revealed he had told Mr Albanese "that his mum would be incredibly proud of his achievement tonight."
It was a gracious speech and one that aligned with what those close to Mr Dutton say about his character
painting a picture at odds with his public image
"No one knows the real Peter Dutton," Liberal Party member Sharyn Merrin told The Canberra Times
Ms Merrin, who lives in the Dickson electorate and campaigned for Mr Dutton dressed in a Wonderwoman-inspired outfit
said he had been subjected to an unfair campaign and praised him for his election commitment to tackle domestic violence
which few expected despite Mr Dutton's seat being the most marginal in Queensland
took time to sink in for the party faithful on Saturday night
As the ABC and then Sky News and others called the result
declaring that Mr Dutton had lost the election
attendees initially remained upbeat - even as the news filtered through that he had also been ejected from the Parliament
But when the Labor victory lap began and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's triumphant voice boomed from television screens mounted overhead
Mr Dutton spent the last few days of his campaign projecting confidence
declaring that the Coalition would win this election in a 2019-style upset and brushing aside suggestions he could lose his seat - despite Mr Albanese talking up Labor's prospects
when asked what he would do if the Coalition lost the election
he said he had "a burning passion for this country" and wanted to contribute to make it "even better."
"I've just worked really hard over the last three years," he told Nine
Former prime minister Tony Abbott at the Liberals' 2025 election function
Picture Getty ImagesAfter Mr Dutton had left the Coalition election party
former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott addressed reporters
saying the Opposition Leader had been marred by voters' unwillingness to ditch a first-term government
"He's entitled to be extremely proud of his public service to our nation
but it seems the Australian people weren't ready to break the century-old habit of giving first-term governments a second chance."
The comments echoed those made by Coalition spokesperson James Paterson earlier in the evening
Senator Paterson said the Coalition was "up against history"
with no government having lost after one term in more than 100 years - a comment that seemed designed to manage expectations
With the 2025 result now inscribed in the history books
"If the Coalition can create a clear contest and a strong contrast over the next term
we certainly can be competitive and give Australia the best possible government."
Dana Daniel is Senior Political Reporter for The Canberra Times. She investigates and writes about federal politics and government from the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. Dana was previously a Federal Health Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age and has also been a Media Reporter at The Australian and Finance Editor at news.com.au. Contact her on dana.daniel@canberratimes.com.au
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s continued dedication to reconciliation with First Nations peoples has resulted in the completion of its third Reconciliation Action Plan
Chief executive Carl Walters said the CMA had a long-standing commitment to reconciliation and partnering with Traditional Owners and First Nations communities to help heal culture and Country across land
“This commitment involves our continuing work with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Land and Waters Council to build and nurture relationships,” Mr Walters said
“We strive to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and increase our collective understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures and self-determination aspirations
“In this third edition of the CMA’s Reconciliation Action Plan
we have identified ways to stretch ourselves to lead and act and on our commitment to reconciliation.”
Planned actions include the CMA’s ongoing procurement of services from First Nations businesses
planning and support for improved employment outcomes of First Nations peoples and partnering with landholders and other agencies to protect cultural heritage
Goulburn Broken CMA board member and Yorta Yorta woman Leanne Miller was a member of the RAP working group that developed the plan
“The Goulburn Broken CMA Reconciliation Plan builds on strong local partnerships,” Ms Miller said
“This document recognises the role we all have to play in engaging in courageous conversations and actions that challenge the status quo.”
A painting by Yorta Yorta woman Tammy-Lee Atkinson
which depicts the Goulburn Broken catchment
features of the front cover of the RAP document and was recently hung in the CMA’s Shepparton office
View the plan, which is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, at tinyurl.com/bd8dzssw and tinyurl.com/5n92jyxa
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueEmergency services were called to a Towrang Avenue home at 7.30pm following reports of what police said were concerns for a person's welfare
Residents told The Post that three ambulances
general duties police and Police Rescue responded
Paramedics found a 32-year-old man unconscious
Neighbours said a man was placed on a stretcher and paramedics applied breathing equipment on him, before transporting him to Goulburn Base Hospital.
Police said he was in a critical condition and couldn't be revived
Police are investigating a man's death at a Towrang Avenue residence in Goulburn
Picture by Louise Thrower.They declined comment on whether an assault occurred at the premises
Residents said they heard yelling at the house after a man visited the home
Police established a crime scene and remained in the street late into the night
Detectives returned on the morning of Friday
Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Goulburn Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000