Up to 6,000 tradies will be getting free qualifications under a $78m federal scheme designed to tackle construction skills shortages. Because who needs formal recognition when you've been doing the job for years, right? Well, now you'll get it.
Workers with at least three years' experience will have their prior learning recognised, and then receive 'gap training' to reach their qualification, fast-tracking the process. Skills and training minister Andrew Giles said the program would 'back in workers who have the right skills for the job, but need that extra help to get the formal qualification they need'. Which is a nice way of saying, 'We finally noticed you exist.'
'This program recognises the expertise they've already developed and helps them gain nationally recognised qualifications faster,' Giles added, in a statement that sounds suspiciously like common sense. Industry and skills stakeholders have been calling for this kind of thing for ages - because apparently, it took a government scheme to realize that experience should count for something.
In other news, the Albanese government is planning a crackdown on big tech companies to stop them delivering problematic or illegal content to vulnerable users. Angus Taylor is 'deeply sceptical', while Zoe Daniel says an algorithm switch isn't enough. The Coalition wants new criminal offences for burning the Australian flag, but Labor has criticised the push as having an 'element of desperation'. And big tobacco is back in the spotlight amid talks of cuts to excise tax.
Queensland's triple zero system had a 'minor hiccup' last week, according to health minister Tim Nicholls. The system was forced to switch to a manual backup after a bug emerged during a system update to a new computer aided dispatch system. Staff had to radio crews directly and write down information manually - which sounds like a throwback to the 1980s, but apparently no calls were missed and there were no adverse patient events. A patch was implemented on Friday, fixing the problem. So, no harm done, unless you count the collective anxiety of anyone who needed an ambulance.
The Coalition's plan to criminalise flag burning and defacing historical monuments, and to enshrine 26 January as Australia Day, is not about trying to out-Pauline Pauline, leader Angus Taylor says. 'It's time to stand up for Australia, our heritage, our history,' he declared, with a straight face. Labor's Matt Thistlethwaite called it an 'element of desperation', which is probably the politest way to say 'vote pandering'.
Queensland's government has signed off on a plan for 2,200 homes in Brisbane's north, on a site earmarked for an Olympics athletes' village. The deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, announced five companies won bids to build the riverfront development at Northshore Hamilton. The area has a high likelihood of flooding and storm tide flooding, according to Brisbane city council's flood mapping. When asked about the flood risk, Bleijie said, 'That all gets taken into consideration as it does with anyone building along the river.' Because what's a little flooding between friends? Taxpayers will pay $154m to prepare the site, and it will not include any affordable housing - under Labor's plan, about 5% of dwellings were mandated to be let below market rate. The development will also include about 21,600 sq m of shops, dining and services.
The government's plan to 'censor' the internet, according to the opposition, is expected to see draft legislation released this week. A car chase in Bondi ended with a 21-year-old driver charged with offences including driving recklessly and hindering police. The man allegedly behaved aggressively on Gould St at Bondi Beach, then jumped in his car and took off when police approached. The chase continued through O'Donnell St in North Bondi before the car stopped and the man was arrested. He was granted conditional bail and will face Waverley local court on 22 September.
Passengers on a Qantas flight diverted from Sydney to Christchurch will be flown home today. The flight, QF122, had a 'suspected engine issue' after take-off from Queenstown, with reports of loud noises and flames from one engine. Both engines were working, and there was no emergency landing, but Qantas understood it 'would have been a distressing experience for passengers'. No kidding.
In South Australia, native birds including curlews and royal spoonbills are being vaccinated against H5 bird flu at Cleland Wildlife Park. Up to 100 birds across 30 species, including threatened species, will get two jabs. Environment minister Emily Bourke said it was about giving them 'the best chance possible'. The lethal strain has killed thousands of wild birds, at least 100 penguins, and a dolphin, and has infected fur seals.
The Coalition's flag-burning legislation would create a federal criminal offence for serious public desecration of the Australian flag, where a person is reckless or where their actions would incite hatred or violence, threaten public order or cause a public disturbance. It would also create an offence for deliberately damaging war memorials and other significant memorials. Angus Taylor says it's about 'standing up for the national pride that we should all feel for our great country.' Matt Thistlethwaite says it's about chasing One Nation - 'I think that there's a bit of an element of desperation there.' The parliament has generally rejected such proposals before, citing freedom of speech and political expression.
Assistant foreign minister Matt Thistlethwaite told News24 that 36 Australians remain unaccounted for in Nepal as of Sunday morning. 'We haven't got any confirmed deaths yet. We're hopeful that we'll be able to relocate and locate as many of those as we possibly can,' he said. Two people were rescued from hydroelectric tunnels in the disaster area. Australia has sent 47 personnel to assist, including seven disaster victim identification specialists and a psychologist, with a further seven to come. More than 5,000 people are still missing, and there have been 1,332 confirmed deaths.
A manhunt is underway in Victoria after an alleged axe attack left three people seriously injured. Natasha Stott Despoja will lead an independent inquiry into sexual violence in the military, following a royal commission into defence and veteran suicide that found a 'systemic issue'. Stott Despoja noted the issue is underreported, possibly by more than 60%, and the inquiry will likely report by the end of next year. 'I'll make sure that we do this in a way that is trauma informed, victim-centric, and people will have the wellbeing and the legal supports that they need,' she said.
Angus Taylor said the Coalition supports compulsory superannuation at the 12% rate, and has an 'open mind' on allowing first homebuyers to access more retirement savings for a home deposit. He was responding to Pauline Hanson's calls for people in financial distress to access their savings. Taylor also said the Coalition had an 'open mind' on revisiting its policy, which was put to voters at the 2025 election. On tobacco donations to the Nationals, Taylor said it's a decision for the party. The Nationals received $225,500 from tobacco companies in 2024-25, making them the only major party still accepting such money.