The Australian Federal Police have released images of children's clothing - including a dinosaur puffer jacket, patterned shorts, an animal-print T-shirt, and a two-tone shirt - in hopes that someone might recognize them. The items were allegedly found on electronic devices seized during an investigation into a former Sydney childcare worker, 35, who has been charged with 329 child abuse offences committed between 2009 and 2025. Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias acknowledged the news has been 'tough' and urged anyone with information to call 02 9765 1000. Because nothing says 'help us find justice' like a dinosaur jacket.
Meanwhile, the former private secretary of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson, Annalouise Spence, 51, has been hit with 16 additional fraud charges, bringing the total to 144 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception. Police allege she used Neilson's credit cards to rack up over $1.7 million in unauthorized purchases, including flights, concert tickets, luxury clothing, and jewelry. Spence, who is currently at a mental health facility, hasn't entered a plea yet. Her husband reportedly repaid $840,708 at the time of her arrest. No word on whether that covered the concert tickets.
In bird flu news, Australia has now detected 15 cases of deadly H5 bird flu in wild birds since late June. The latest was a petrel found at Hawks Nest, New South Wales. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Beth Cookson assures us there are no mass mortality events or detections in poultry, and the risk to humans remains low. Meanwhile, New Zealand just got its first confirmed case in a brown skua, sparking fears that vulnerable native birds could be wiped out. Because apparently, even the birds can't catch a break.
Fuel prices are racing upward after US strikes on Iran resumed and the Strait of Hormuz closed again. Brent crude hit US$85 a barrel, up from US$76 last week. In Australia, diesel prices have jumped over 10 cents a litre in a week, hitting over $2 in Melbourne and Brisbane. Unleaded is also rising, with a 16-cent excise relief expiry set for August 2. So, fill up now or start getting used to walking.
Queensland Olympics Minister Tim Mander is back on the front bench after an AFP investigation cleared him of lying about his residence on electoral rolls. The Australian Electoral Commission had referred him over allegations he was enrolled at a staffer's home after divorcing his wife. The AFP found 'no offence,' and Mander refused to answer questions about his personal life, saying, 'All you need to be concerned about is the outcome.' Which is, presumably, that he's still the Olympics minister.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said he's 'never supported any quotas at all' for gender representation in the Liberal Party, preferring to focus on getting 'more great people' from 'all sorts of backgrounds' - just not through quotas. Meanwhile, Shadow Minister Andrew Hastie called quotas 'poisonous to cohesion' and argued they 'kill the very idea of merit.' Because nothing says merit like an all-boys club.
At the ANU, Acting Provost Joan Leach told the royal commission into antisemitism that the university did not 'lose control' of its campus during a pro-Palestine encampment, despite an internal safety review rating the psychosocial risk as 'high.' She also explained that an alleged Nazi salute at a student union meeting was investigated but deemed not a violation, because other students said the person wouldn't do that. So, case closed?
Finally, Treasurer Jim Chalmers released new statements of expectations for financial regulators APRA and ASIC, emphasizing a 'pro-growth' agenda and reducing regulatory burden. The documents don't seem to change much, but they do mention 'efficiency' a lot. Which is nice.