source : the age
Good morning and welcome to our national news live coverage for Wednesday, June 17. Here’s what’s making news today.
Pauline Hanson: One Nation leader Pauline Hanson takes centre stage at the National Press Club in Canberra today for her first formal speech. With recent polls showing a surge in support for her party, Senator Hanson faces growing pressure to clearly explain One Nation’s long-term vision for Australia’s future.
US-Iran peace agreement: US President Donald Trump has criticised Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, suggesting Syria take responsibility for combating the group instead. Despite a US-Iran peace agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep troops in Lebanon. Relations are strained, with reports claiming the US denied Israel access to the agreement.
Politics: One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts called the US “the world’s greatest terrorist organisation” in a 2024 podcast interview, creating pressure on Pauline Hanson as the party gains support. Critics say the remarks raise concerns about One Nation’s suitability for government and potential influence over foreign and defence policy.
Petrol: Oil prices have fallen below US$80 a barrel for the first time since March as hopes of a US-Iran deal eased supply concerns. A decision from the Federal Government is expected next week on whether to continue halving the fuel excise and some road user charges.
Workplace: Seven’s latest redundancy round has disproportionately affected female on-air staff, with nine women and one man publicly identified among newsroom departures in Sydney and Melbourne. The cuts follow Southern Cross Media’s announcement of up to 300 job losses.
Victorian business leaders have warned of a “lawyers’ picnic” over Victorian government plans to legislate a right for employees to work from home two days a week.
Premier Jacinta Allan introduced the laws on Tuesday, framing them as a win for families facing cost-of-living pressures ahead of a state election where Labor faces a challenge from the right. The policy allows full-time, part-time, and casual staff to split their time where practically possible.
However, business groups and legal experts warn the mandate will trigger widespread workplace disputes and overwhelm the already backlogged Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Business leaders criticised the proposal as unnecessary regulation, arguing flexible work arrangements are already common and warning the laws could deter investment. Employment lawyers predicted uncertainty over which jobs can reasonably be performed remotely. Unions welcomed the reforms, describing them as a practical measure that reflects changing workplace expectations. Read more
US Vice President JD Vance appeared on American ABC’s The View to promote his newly released memoir on faith and was put on the spot from the first question, peppered for nearly an hour on Jeffrey Epstein, the economy, immigration and other issues facing the Trump administration.
Vance was questioned at length about the Epstein files, as well as recent reporting from The New York Times that he had been a major advocate for releasing the materials, including during meetings in the White House Situation Room.
“I am, frankly, kind of a conspiracy theorist on the Epstein stuff,” Vance admitted.
The vice president said he did want to defend his boss on the issue, referring to assertions that Trump ejected Epstein from membership in his private club because of a business deal gone wrong and not Epstein’s nefarious sexual proclivities.
US authorities say they foiled an alleged plot to attack a UFC event held on the White House lawn, arresting five people accused of planning a coordinated assault involving explosive drones and sniper fire.
According to court documents, the group intended to strike the north side of the White House with drones carrying explosives, forcing crowds toward an exit where gunmen would target fleeing politicians and attendees. The event, attended by US President Donald Trump and senior Republican figures, proceeded without incident.
Investigators allege the suspects were motivated by anti-government conspiracy theories and anger over the handling of files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. At least three have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, alongside other weapons and conspiracy offences.
The FBI said the alleged plot was uncovered after the mother of a 19-year-old suspect alerted police to concerning behaviour and weapons purchases. Authorities are now investigating whether a broader network helped coordinate or finance the planned attack. Read more.
Australian police are joining counterparts from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance in a push for greater cooperation from technology companies to combat a surge in online crime, including violent extremism, child exploitation and “sextortion”.
At talks in London this week, law enforcement agencies from Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand are seeking commitments from major tech firms to deploy more advanced tools, including artificial intelligence, to identify suspicious behaviour and disrupt criminal networks.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said authorities were particularly concerned by a rise in online groups that encourage self-harm, violence and sadistic abuse, often targeting young women. In some cases, victims are manipulated or blackmailed into harming themselves or others.
Barrett said police were also seeing more young people exposed to extremist material online, leading to rapid radicalisation. The Five Eyes agencies are pressing tech companies to improve detection systems as online offending grows in scale, sophistication and reach. Read more.
Good morning and welcome to our national news live coverage for Wednesday, June 17. Here’s what’s making news today.
Pauline Hanson: One Nation leader Pauline Hanson takes centre stage at the National Press Club in Canberra today for her first formal speech. With recent polls showing a surge in support for her party, Senator Hanson faces growing pressure to clearly explain One Nation’s long-term vision for Australia’s future.
US-Iran peace agreement: US President Donald Trump has criticised Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, suggesting Syria take responsibility for combating the group instead. Despite a US-Iran peace agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep troops in Lebanon. Relations are strained, with reports claiming the US denied Israel access to the agreement.
Politics: One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts called the US “the world’s greatest terrorist organisation” in a 2024 podcast interview, creating pressure on Pauline Hanson as the party gains support. Critics say the remarks raise concerns about One Nation’s suitability for government and potential influence over foreign and defence policy.
Petrol: Oil prices have fallen below US$80 a barrel for the first time since March as hopes of a US-Iran deal eased supply concerns. A decision from the Federal Government is expected next week on whether to continue halving the fuel excise and some road user charges.
Workplace: Seven’s latest redundancy round has disproportionately affected female on-air staff, with nine women and one man publicly identified among newsroom departures in Sydney and Melbourne. The cuts follow Southern Cross Media’s announcement of up to 300 job losses.
