Key events
Australia must respond to Biden’s climate Inflation Reduction Act, Greens say
The Greens are calling on the Labor government to use next week’s mid-year economic forecast to outline a response to the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
A dramatic ramp up in investment in the energy transition is stimulating the US economy, said the leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt, and Senator Penny Allman-Payne, who highlighted that some 170,000 jobs have been created, $110bn in private investment attained, and over 140 new plants built to make solar and battery storage.
They warned that although welcome, the IRA diverts critical funding from Australia’s green energy industry.
Bandt said:
Australia can become a renewable superpower, but if we don’t act soon to transition our industries away from dirty fossil fuels, we risk getting left behind as the rest of the world moves on.
The Inflation Reduction Act shows what’s possible when a country seeks to let loose investment in clean energy. Yet Labor is spending much of its efforts backing gas expansion – a dirty, polluting industry of the past that is fuelling the climate crisis and will leave workers stranded.
Labor must use MYEFO to respond to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act with a plan that not only keeps us competitive with other nations seeking green investment, but that stops using public money to expand coal and gas.
23-degree temperature difference between Sydney and Melbourne
Down in Melbourne, meanwhile, the rain is pouring. The roads are treacherous, according to the Victorian Storm Chasers. Stay safe, everyone – no matter whether you’re in the heat or in the deluge.
Earlier today, my colleague Peter Hannam tweeted that there was a 23-degree temperature difference between Sydney and Melbourne.
Sydney touched 40C, before easing back… forecast looks to be spot on (unless it heats up again). Huge 23C temperature gap with Melbourne, 800km or so, down to the Hume. pic.twitter.com/t3E4TF8d51
— @[email protected] (@p_hannam) December 9, 2023
‘It’s time they brought Julian home’: Assange’s family and supporters lead rally in Marrickville
Supporters of Julian Assange today gathered outside prime minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate office in Marrickville.
The rally was timed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with Assange’s brother, Gabriel Shipton, saying the time Assange had spent behind bars was a “disgrace”.
He said in a statement:
Julian, my brother, has now spent a gut-wrenching 1,700 days behind bars. It’s a scandal and a disgrace, not just to our family, but to all Australians who believe in a fair go.
Julian’s only crime was telling the truth, and for that, he continues to be punished. The American leaker has been free since 2017, and you have to wonder, if Julian wasn’t an Aussie, would he be free too? If being Australian means anything to this government, it’s time they brought Julian home.
Greens senator David Shoebridge joined Assange’s father, John Shipton, and supporters despite the extreme heatwave. He tweeted that the group was “making sure [the PM] feels the heat” when it comes to freeing Assange.
Nick Kyrgios to miss second consecutive Australian Open through injury
Tennis showman Nick Kyrgios has confirmed he will miss a second consecutive Australian Open through injury after failing to overcome a wrist issue.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist wasn’t listed in the main draw entry list released on Thursday and had always appeared unlikely to compete in his home slam, reports AAP.
Kyrgios, 28, officially confirmed his absence on Saturday.
Kyrgios said on the subscription website OnlyFans:
Obviously had a really tough year with injury, had that knee surgery and came back a little bit too soon and set me back a little bit, then obviously had some wrist issues.
So this is a very disappointing time for me, but I won’t be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open … Obviously heartbreaking. I’ve had so many amazing memories there and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right and I need a little more time.
I was so close to winning a grand slam – I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back, so please bear with me.
In Sydney, the only places to be right now are in the shade or in the water.
Bondi beach in the city’s eastern suburbs is providing respite from the extreme heat with thousands taking to the ocean as temperatures in parts of greater Sydney reach 43C.
The famous beach was busy by 8am and has only got busier since.
A cool change is expected later in the afternoon.
Sydney airport reaches 43C at 1pm
Residents in New South Wales are being urged to keep a check on vulnerable friends and neighbours, as temperatures hit above 40C.
The temperature at Sydney airport reached 43C at 1pm.
Badgerys Creek was at 42.6C, Olympics Park recorded 41.4C and Bankstown 41.2C.
Heatwave warnings are current across parts of all mainland states, with high to catastrophic fire danger alerts issued for sections of South Australia, northern Victoria, outback NSW and greater Sydney.
– With AAP
At lunch, there were 71 bushfires burning across NSW, the RFS said:
Heavy rain coming to South Australia a day after extreme heat
From the heat in New South Wales to severe weather warnings of a different kind in South Australia, where the Bureau of Meteorology has just issued a notice about heavy rainfall in parts of the state.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula and parts of west coast and NW pastoral districts.
The change in weather comes after extreme heat in the state – yesterday it was in the grip of what the Country Fire Service said was “one of the most significant fire weather days in several years”.
Sydney festival-goers urged to hydrate and take precautions in heat
Today’s Epik music festival will draw some 20,000 people to Sydney’s Olympic Park.
Organiser, HSU Events, and authorities have urged festival-goers to hydrate and take precautions, with temperatures at the festival site expected to reach above 40C this afternoon.
New South Wales Health’s Dr Darren Roberts earlier warned of the dangers of overheating at festivals.
Overheating during activities in dangerous heat is a huge risk, and people need to take a break from dancing, seek shade, drink water and cool down to reduce the risk of overheating at festivals.
Foo Fighters and 50 Cent will also be performing at Olympic Park, but their evening shows will likely be more comfortable, heat-wise, given the cool change that is forecast later today.
Man ‘swam along’ with shark before being bitten in far north Queensland
An update from far north Queensland, where a man was yesterday bitten by a shark.
Paramedics say the man “swam along” with the shark for a while, reports AAP.
The 21-year-old has been airlifted to hospital with “deep puncture wounds” after the shark suddenly bit him on the arm and shoulder as they swam near Clack Island off Cape York.
Queensland ambulance service said the man came across what he believed was a bull shark while diving for sea cucumbers after 12.30pm on Thursday.
“He swam along with it for a little while before it changed behaviour and attacked him,” the Flight Critical Care paramedic, Valerie Hurlbatt, said.
The man was able to get help, applying a tourniquet to stem the bleeding before being transferred to a larger boat who contacted emergency services.
A rescue helicopter left from Cairns for the long journey north, refuelling at Cooktown and flying another hour before landing at remote Clack Island.
QAS said the man was taken to Cairns hospital in a serious but stable condition with “non-life threatening injuries”.
Sydney’s beaches are packed, with the ocean delivering some cool relief from today’s extreme heat.
It’s not just people who are lapping it up – dogs down at MacKenzies beach in the city’s eastern suburbs are making the most of the ocean, too.
I’m feeling quite envious of them!
A note of interest, MacKenzies is an ephemeral beach and only appears once every few years or so. It’s also one of the area’s only dog beaches.
