News live: Anthony Albanese says Australia ‘concerned about regional escalation’ but Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death ‘will not be mourned’
PM says ‘we are concerned about regional escalation’ but supports ‘action’ against IranAnthony Albanese has reiterated Australia’s support for the US and Israeli actions in Iran.He says Australia’s priority is the safety of Australians in the region.
double quotation markWe have long recognised that Iran, Iran’s nuclear [program] is a threat to global peace and security.We have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens. Sadly [these calls have] gone unheeded and action has now been taken.We support the states acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing threaten international peace and security.We are concerned about regional escalation and urge the protection of civilians for those on the ground.
ShareUpdated at 01.57 CETKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature‘She’s in the sky’: K’gari tragedy teen farewelledMourners from across the world have farewelled a teenager who died alone on an Australian beach surrounded by a pack of dingoes, AAP reports.Close friends and family gathered in the Campbell River Baptist Church in the Canadian province of British Columbia to remember Piper James, the 19-year-old backpacker whose life was cut short on the Queensland island K’gari on January 19.Her Australian friends joined the service in spirit, watching online on Sunday morning to farewell the brave teenager who ran toward danger, who loved deeply and was filled with joy.Piper James and her best friend Taylor Stricker were on the Down Under trip of a lifetime when World Heritage-listed K’gari, formerly Fraser Island, captured their hearts.The pair landed a job on the island working at a hostel before Ms James took a dawn walk on the beach from which she never returned.View image in fullscreenPiper James, whose body was found near a pack of dingoes Photograph: Todd James/PR IMAGEShareIranian government is ‘murderous regime’: Executive Council of Australian JewryThe Executive Council of Australian Jewry says it welcomes military strikes in Iran, while “regretting the necessity for military action and the risks it poses to the people of Israel and Iran”.In a statement, the peak body for Australia’s Jewish community says such action was “unavoidable and inevitable”. President Daniel Aghion said the Iranian government was “a murderous regime”.”It has attacked synagogues and Jewish targets in Australia and around the world. It funds terrorist groups Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. It massacres its own civilians.“Western nations, led by Israel and the US, must curtail the nuclear aspirations of the Iranian government, disrupt its international terrorism network, and protect the Iranian people from their own leadership.“At this time, our thoughts are with the people of Israel and Iran.”ShareUpdated at 02.18 CETAlbanese says Australians should leave Middle East and Gulf countries ‘if it is safe to do so’The prime minister says there is limited consular assistance available to Australians who might be in Iran, after the decision to close the embassy in Tehran last year.”We have travel advice for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar United Arab Emirates travel. Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so,” Albanese says. ”The closure of transport hubs in the Middle East will likely lead to flight disruptions.”ShareUpdated at 02.11 CETLegality of attack is a question for US and others involved, Albanese saysAlbanese is asked whether he believes the attacks were legal under international law.He says such judgments were for the United States and others involved in the attack.”What I would say is that the threat to international peace and of the Iranian regime is real,” Albanese said.”The fact that they orchestrated attacks here, from the other side of the world, underlines the threat that this regime presented to the rule of law and to international norms of behaviour.”ShareUpdated at 02.03 CETPM says ‘we are concerned about regional escalation’ but supports ‘action’ against IranAnthony Albanese has reiterated Australia’s support for the US and Israeli actions in Iran.He says Australia’s priority is the safety of Australians in the region.
double quotation markWe have long recognised that Iran, Iran’s nuclear [program] is a threat to global peace and security.We have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens. Sadly [these calls have] gone unheeded and action has now been taken.We support the states acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing threaten international peace and security.We are concerned about regional escalation and urge the protection of civilians for those on the ground.
ShareUpdated at 01.57 CETAyatollah Khamenei ‘will not be mourned’: AlbaneseThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is believed dead in US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran, “will not be mourned”.
double quotation markAustralia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against what is oppressive regime. Ayatollah Khameini was responsible for the regime’s nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal violence and its own people. This claimed countless lives in Iran, but also internationally. He was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. He will not be mourned.
ShareUpdated at 01.54 CETThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is due to address reporters in Sydney in a few minutes.ShareUpdated at 01.45 CETQueensland ‘adult time, adult crime’ laws to be expanded to more offencesThe Queensland government has said it will expand its signature “adult crime, adult time” laws to 45 offences including a number of domestic and sexual violence offences.Children as young as 10 face potential life sentences under the Queensland LNP’s youth crime regime, which it concedes is contrary to state and international human rights law, is discriminatory and will disproportionately affect First Nations people.The premier, David Crisafulli, says the laws will be expanded to include 12 new offences, in addition to more than 30 already subject to the “adult time” rules, which mean children can face punishment on par with adults.The new offences include assault occasioning bodily harm, stalking, conspiracy to murder, and riot.They also include indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16, domestic violence choking, aiding suicide, and administering poison with intent to harm.The government says it is following the recommendations of its hand-picked expert panel.ShareUpdated at 01.27 CETTravellers in limbo after flights between Australia and Middle East cancelledInternational flights between Australia and major hubs in the Middle East have been cancelled, leaving travellers in limbo.Virgin Australia says four Qatar Airways flights headed from Australia to Doha have been turned around.Emirates and Etihad flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Dubai and Abu Dhabi – common stops on long-haul flights to Europe via Gulf carriers – were cancelled on Sunday morning.Emirates says it has “temporarily suspended” all flights in and out of Dubai, until at least 10pm AEDT on Sunday.“We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements,” the airline said in a message to passengers.“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”Etihad has issued an update to passengers saying it had suspended arrivals and departures until 9pm AEDT. Any flight scheduled to arrive beforehand has been cancelled, but services due to arrive after were still “expected to operate, subject to operational conditions”.The airline says it is dealing with a high volume of calls.“Affected guests are being contacted directly and are being supported with rebooking options and hotel accommodation where necessary.“Situation remains fluid and further adjustments may be required.”View image in fullscreenEmirates says it has ‘temporarily suspended’ all flights in and out of Dubai, until at least 10pm AEDT on Sunday. Photograph: Mark Evans/Getty ImagesShareUpdated at 01.53 CETActivists say trans woman with Palestinian flag was ‘violently restrained’ by police at Mardi GrasThe activist group Pride in Protest says a trans woman holding a Palestinian flag was “violently restrained” by police at the Sydney Mardi Gras on Saturday night.The NSW police released a statement on Sunday commending the crowd for its behaviour. It said there were no charges laid but that four people – who were part of a group that had been prevented from marching – were arrested for a breach of the peace.Pride in Protest had been blocked from participating in the parade due to social media posts criticising Jewish group Dayenu.“[The people who were arrested] were removed from the parade ground and were issued with move on directions, which they complied with. No charges were laid as a result of the incident,” a police statement said.Pride in Protest said police were seen “assaulting a trans woman attendee of the parade, yanking a Palestinian flag out of her hand”.“As [a] float entered the road to prepare to march, NSW police officers with the riot squad grabbed a Palestine flag away from a trans woman participant and violently restrained her, with four officers grabbing her,” a statement issued by the group said.”The woman was heard crying out ‘help me’ and other participants called for the police to let her go.”ShareUpdated at 00.49 CETTravel advice updated for Middle Eastern countries: WongPenny Wong has confirmed travel advice has been updated for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.She says Australia is engaged with international partners and consular staff around the world.“We have activated our crisis centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region and this morning we are opening our registration portal in Iran and Israel.”ShareUpdated at 00.30 CETWong dodges question on legal basis for US-Israel attacks on IranPenny Wong has been asked about the legal basis for the bombings under international law.“I will leave it for the United States and Israel to speak of the legal basis for the attacks.“What I would say to Australians is that Iran has been a destabilising force in the region for decades. It has orchestrated attacks on Australia and I think we all understand this issue did not start yesterday.”Asked about assistance for Australians seeking to come home, Wong says the government does anticipate a difficult period ahead but won’t be drawn on repatriation flights.“In this situation, the airspace is closed.”ShareUpdated at 00.29 CET
