Australia news LIVE: Airport refuellers on strike, mystery Australian ...

Authorities are continuing to monitor a baby humpback whale tangled in fishing tackle in Sydney Harbour this morning after efforts to free it before darkness fell on Thursday evening.

Police and Maritime services boats are tracking the animal around Bradleys Head in Mosman, as it dragged a line with three buoys attached.

Police, National Parks and Maritime Services are enforcing an exclusion zone around the animal, which continues to drag a line with buoys attached, breaching every few minutes. Authorities attached a tracking device to the whale on Thursday, which became dislodged overnight.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has issued a warning that the Reserve Bank of Australia’s independence will have to be maintained as the opposition weighs its response to the government’s compromise on reform plans.

On Thursday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers wrote to his opposition counterpart Angus Taylor agreeing to meet most of the Coalition’s terms to overhaul the central bank’s board.

Joyce said Taylor would scrutinise the plan. The shadow treasurer needs the support of backbenchers such as Joyce to agree to the government’s terms.

“[We will be] making sure that that independence of the Reserve Bank is maintained, and the board that oversees it is one that will enforce and be strong enough to stand by that independence and back up the Governor of the Reserve Bank,” Joyce said on Sky.

The government’s proposal now maintains an existing rule allowing the treasurer to overrule the bank in exceptional circumstances. That provision has never been used.

Joyce warned it could be deployed by a government in the lead up to an election to reduce rates.

Tabcorp will have to pay a $4.6 million fine in Victoria over repeated breaches of laws meant to curb gambling harm between 2020 and 2023.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission unveiled its investigation and revealed Tabcorp had on one occasion sent marketing to one customer who had opted-out from contact on six occasions. It also found Tabcorp had inadequately trained its staff on how to responsibly deliver its products and services and also failed to provide appropriate support to a customer exhibiting signs of gambling harm.

Tabcorp fined $4.6 million.Credit: Will Willitts

The bulk of the alleged conduct occurred between 2020 and 2021.

The regulator’s chair, Fran Thorn, said Tabcorp had a systemic issue which warranted a record fine.

“Tabcorp’s breaches reflect systemic operational deficiencies and non-compliance with the conditions of its licence, the consequences of which have included significant harm to a customer,” Thorn said.

In one instance, a Tabcorp account manager called a customer whose betting patterns had been flagged as potentially concerning by Tabcorp’s monitoring systems. The call allegedly ended with the Tabcorp account manager communicating that a deposit match promotion of $2000 would be allocated to the customer’s account.

“The recorded call provides evidence of a lack of commitment to responsible gambling policies and demonstrates a lack of concern for the customer’s wellbeing. Instead of offering support or making suggestions to help the customer manage their gambling, the call was used as an opportunity to encourage them to continue gambling,” Thorn said.

She said Tabcorp had cooperated with the investigation and had introduced steps to address its failings. A Tabcorp spokesperson has been contacted for comment.

Tabcorp demerged from The Lottery Corporation in 2022 and was helmed by then chief executive Adam Rytenskild until March when he was suddenly dismissed following an investigation which found he’d spoken in a sexually inappropriate way about an executive at the commission. Tabcorp then appointed ex AFL boss Gillon McLachlan to succeed Adam Rytenskild earlier this year. Rytenskild launched proceedings against Tabcorp for unfair dismissal last month.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has batted away allegations of racism by independent teal MP Zali Steggall echoed by the Greens, saying he made no apologies for cancelling the visas of criminals but had never discriminated against people from overseas.

“I cancelled the visas of 6300 people,” Dutton said on the Today show.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during question time on Thursday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

“But [they were] people who have committed sexual offences, rape, people who had peddled in drugs and committed serious acts of domestic violence. At the same time, I brought in 12,000 people from Syria. We conducted the uplift from Kabul.

“I’ve never discriminated against anybody on any basis except if there’s somebody who I believe poses a threat to our country, that’s our responsibility. So look, the green teals can try and grab all the publicity that they want and it is a publicity stunt.”

Dutton said the Liberals could retake teal seats, telling voters that the independents were Green MPs in disguise.

More than 50 Sydney Airport refuellers are striking today after the Transport Workers Union and Ampol Aviation failed to reach an agreement on wages.

Workers walked off the job from 1am to 5am and will also strike from 7am to 11am, and from 6pm to 10pm. The union is demanding higher wages, more full-time positions and better leave entitlements.

Refuellers are going on strike at Sydney Airport today. Credit: Kate Geraghty

“These workers are dedicated professionals who deserve better. Ampol’s refusal to address their reasonable requests has left them with no choice but to take action. In an industry where profits are soaring, it’s unacceptable that those who keep it running are treated so poorly,” TWU NSW state secretary Richard Olsen said.

“The aviation industry is facing a crisis driven by the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of workers. We urgently need a safe and secure skies commission to establish fair standards and ensure that every role, from the baggage room to the cockpit, is valued and secure.”

Ampol Aviation services 16 airlines, including Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar.

A Queensland Powerball player has 100 million reasons to check their ticket to see if they are one of the biggest lottery winners in Australian history.

The Lott is waiting to hear from the mystery entrant who bought an unregistered winning ticket for Thursday night’s jackpot at an outlet on Brisbane’s north side.

One mystery winner is $100 million richer.

The Lott is urging all Brisbane residents and visitors to check their tickets and make contact to claim their $100 million prize.

“Someone has become an overnight multimillionaire but possibly doesn’t know it yet. We can’t wait for them to discover this winning news,” spokeswoman Anna Hobdell said.

The person who claims division one of draw 1475 has become the equal third-biggest lottery winner in Australian history.

The winning numbers were 16, 24, 11, 4, 10, 18 and 23, with Powerball number 6.

There were also 3,389,212 wins across divisions two to nine who collectively took home $67,789,677.20, along with 10 division two winners who each scored $188,606.60.

The Lott expected up to half of the Australian adult population to enter the draw for Powerball’s biggest win of 2024.

Thursday’s winner is only the sixth in Australia to know what it’s like to win a lottery prize of $100 million or more.

The odds of getting all seven numbers and the Powerball correct is one in 134,490,400, according to Gambler’s Help and The Lott.

AAP