Penny Wong announces suspension of Tehran embassy
Josh Butler
Australia’s embassy in Tehran has suspended operations and the government is ordering officials to leave Iran, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has said, over concerns about “the deteriorating security environment”.
As alarm grows about the conflict between Iran and Israel, Wong said the Australian ambassador to Iran would “remain in the region to support the Australian government’s response to this crisis”, while consular staff are being deployed to neighbouring Azerbaijan, “including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran”.
The government is trying to assist Australians to leave Iran but Wong said options were limited.
“The Australian government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at our embassy in Tehran, based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran,” Wong said this morning.
We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe. Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place.
Wong said the government was “continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran” – but at this stage “our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed.”
“Dfat will also continue to provide support through the 24-hour consular emergency centre, direct contact with Australian citizens who have registered on our crisis portal and updates to travel advice,” she said.
The suspension of embassy operations is consistent with steps taken by other countries, including New Zealand and Switzerland.
Australians in Iran seeking consular assistance should call the Australian government’s 24-hour consular emergency centre on +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia and 1300 555 135 in Australia, Wong said.
Key events
Ben Doherty
Program has helped more than 650 refugees settle in Australia
Launched in 2022, Crisp has helped more than 650 refugees from all around the world settle in Australia so far, under a model which has seen more than 1,000 Australians form some 140 groups to support a refugee family for a year.
The community sponsorship program is delivered by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA), with funding from the federal government. People first must be officially accepted as refugees by the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, qualifying them for resettlement under Australia’s humanitarian program.
In February, the federal government announced CRISP would become a permanent feature of Australia’s overall humanitarian program.
Lisa Button of the CRSA said:
As we mark World Refugee Day this week, we applaud the work of Australians who are laying out the welcome mat and preparing to do all they can to welcome and support the settlement of refugee newcomers.
In the face of feeling helpless at a time of global uncertainty, conflict and unrest, everyday Australians have told us this program helps them feel empowered. They can do something direct and meaningful and help people in need.
Ben Doherty
Refugee families set to come to Australia among those trapped in Middle East
About a dozen refugee households who were set to arrive in Australia within weeks under a community refugee sponsorship program are among those trapped across the Middle East, trying to find flights to Australia.
The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has shut down most air travel out of the region, and refugees on the verge of resettlement are among those left stranded.
Friday 20 June is World Refugee Day: the UN’s refugee agency estimates more than 122 million people across the world have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. That represents more than one in every 67 people on Earth.
Among that number were nearly 42.7 million refugees.
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The refugee households set to come to Australia were due to be welcomed by local community groups across the country as part of the community refugee integration and settlement pilot (Crisp), under which informal groups of everyday Australians are matched up with a refugee household to assist them on arrival and during their first 12 months in the country.
Lisa Button, chief executive of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, said several anxious Australian community groups had been preparing for the imminent arrival of refugee households of various nationalities currently residing across the Middle East.
We know this conflict is exacting a terrible toll on people in the region and that the Australian government is doing all that it can to support Australians and permanent residents on the ground.
In addition to those with family in the Middle East, there are also many Australians who have no family links in the region but who are deeply invested in seeing people brought to safety because of their involvement in the Crisp.
NSW Health issues measles alert for Sydney
NSW Health issued an alert for Sydneysiders to be on alert for signs and symptoms of measles after a confirmed case travelled through Sydney international airport on Monday.
Officials said the case recently returned from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.
Anyone onboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN773, which arrived in Sydney around 8am Monday 16 June, or in the international arrivals and baggage area between 8am and 9.30am that day, should monitor for symptoms.
Dr Mitchell Smith, acting director of public health for the south-western Sydney local health district, said there was no ongoing risk in those locations, but cautioned those who may have been exposed to watch for signs.
Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body…
We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough. This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
The vaccine is safe and effective, and given for free to children at 12 and 18 months of age. Anyone in NSW born after 1965 who hasn’t had two doses can also get the vaccine free.
Josh Butler
Coalition urges Labor to confirm plans for under-16s social media ban: ‘Time is ticking’
The Coalition has called on the Labor government to confirm its plans for the under-16s social media ban, saying Australians need clarity on how the ban will be enforced and what verification tools all users will need to endure to get online.
Some brief preliminary results of the age assurance trial were published today, with a short document saying the trial was progressing with some promising result. But the results flagged issues with the accuracy of some of the tools, as well as some platforms seeking to gather more private data than needed.
Shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh says the government needs to say more about how the system will work. She said in a statement:
The social media age limit is set to commence in December this year, yet the Albanese Labor government has still not confirmed what technology or verification tools will be required to protect kids and young people online.
McIntosh noted that some experts “are already raising concerns about the accuracy of potential verification processes”, adding:
The data is reflective of increasing harms with kids’ social media use, and this is why the parliament has passed legislation for a social media age limit. But time is ticking for the government to make this happen.
Australia needs confidence in the government’s choice of technology and verification tools. We are six months away from the age limit commencing and social media companies need clarity now around what requirements must be put in place to protect our children.
The consequences of Israel-Iran conflict – podcast
As Penny Wong foreshadows high-level diplomatic talks with the US over Israel and Iran’s latest conflict, the world hangs on Donald Trump’s every word, waiting to see how he plans to intervene.
In our Full Story podcast Newsroom edition, Bridie Jabour talks to international editor Bonnie Malkin and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about how the Israel-Iran conflict erupted and what could happen next. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts:
Andrew Messenger
Queensland to repeal diversity quotas for Brisbane Olympics board
The Queensland government plans to repeal a requirement that half the board overseeing the organising of the Brisbane Olympics be women and at least one member Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The change to the organising committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) board is contained in an obscure clause in broad-ranging legislation sponsored by the deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, in May. It is not mentioned in either its explanatory speech or explanatory notes.
According to a written briefing by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, made during consideration by a parliamentary committee, the bill would “enhance efficiency and effectiveness” by “removing certain requirements for the appointment of OCOG board directors”.
That includes “that 50% of nominated directors be women” and “that at least one of the independent directors is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander”. The bill has yet to pass parliament but is certain to do so if all government members vote for it.
Read more here:
Sydney’s Downing Centre courts shut after water damage
Stephanie Convery
The busy Downing Centre court complex in central Sydney will be closed for at least a month after a burst water main on Castlereagh Street on Tuesday flooded the building and caused extensive damage.
Assessment of the damage was still under way, a Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) spokesperson said, but by Thursday it had already become clear that key infrastructure of the building, “including electricity, IT systems and other equipment”, had been damaged and “extensive repairs will be required, which will take a lengthy period of time.”
The chief judge of the district court had notified the NSW Bar Association that it was likely some part-heard trials would be aborted as a result of the closure, according to reports. The DCJ did not comment on this possibility.
People with matters scheduled in the Downing Centre local court or Sydney district court were advised to check the online court registry or local court website for updates, or contact the registry for further information. Those with matters scheduled in the drug court were advised to contact the court registry or their community corrections officer.
Currently empanelled jurors in criminal trials could expect to be contacted by the NSW Sheriff’s Office. The department spokesperson said:
The Department of Communities and Justice will issue further updates over the coming weeks as work is carried out to repair the damaged systems and to ensure the building is safe and fully operational prior to its reopening.
Judicial officers and court staff are making every effort to ensure matters are able to proceed wherever possible.
SpaceX rocket explodes during test
One of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets has exploded during a routine test in Texas. The Starship 36 suffered “catastrophic failure and exploded” at the Starbase launch facility, according to the Cameron County authorities.
Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, is central to Musk’s long-term vision of colonising Mars.
Watch below:
Sarah Basford Canales
Wong vows to work ‘closely’ with Washington in Iran-Israel talks
Penny Wong committed to working “closely” with the US in achieving peace between Iran and Israel as part of talks with the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, overnight.
A US embassy spokesperson confirmed the discussions related to agreed efforts to find a “path of peace” and to ensure “that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon”.
Donald Trump has been considering whether the US will support Israel in its strikes on Iran, including whether to target the Fordow uranium enrichment site. On Wednesday, the US president said he had “ideas” about the US’s involvement in Israel’s campaign against Iran but hadn’t made a final decision. Trump said:
I may do it, I may not do it. The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week.
On Thursday US time, Trump confirmed via his press secretary that he would be making his decision within “two weeks”.
Read more:
Sarah Basford Canales
Hundreds more Australians register overnight to leave Iran
The number of Australians registered as needing help to leave Iran has risen by 500 overnight as the latest escalation of conflict with Israel continues. As of Friday morning, more than 2,000 Australians in Iran have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs’ crisis portal, up from 1,500 on Thursday.
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, described the situation in Iran as “very complicated” and “very risky” yesterday, noting there were fewer avenues to safely evacuate Australians from the country.
Meanwhile in Israel, about 1,200 Australian passport holders, permanent residents and immediate family of Australians have requested the government’s assistance in fleeing. The Australian government arranged for a busload of registered Australians to depart from Tel Aviv across the border to Jordan’s capital, Amman, on Wednesday.
A second bus was planned yesterday and we’re awaiting confirmation on whether it was able to go ahead. The government is looking at other options for assisted departures, which could include routes through Egypt.
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance can contact the consular emergency centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (if overseas) and 1300 555 135 (in Australia).
Coalition urges PM to visit Nato summit
James Paterson, the shadow finance minister, said Anthony Albanese should make a last-minute trip to next week’s Nato summit.
The prime minister said earlier this week he may make a snap visit to The Hague after his planned meeting with US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 was cancelled.
Paterson told Channel 7 Albanese should go to the Nato meeting even if he isn’t able to lock-in a rescheduled chat with Trump, as he could speak with his European counterparts about the war in Ukraine and the growing conflict in the Middle East:
If he meets with President Trump on the sidelines, that would be a bonus. But frankly, I think his approach of now waiting seven months to go and see the president and not going to see him in Washington DC, relying on a chance meeting on the sidelines of international forum, is a very risky strategy, as we saw at the G7.
‘Suspicious’ fire at multimillion-dollar Melbourne mansion
Victoria police are investigating a “suspicious” house fire in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak early this morning.
Emergency officials responded to a large property on St Georges Road just before 12.30am to find the property in flames. The house was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire.
No one was inside the house, and investigations will continue into the exact cause of the blaze, “which is believed to be suspicious at this stage”, police said.
An arson chemist will travel to the scene later this morning.
Guardian Australia investigation found 57 inmates died using known hanging points
Guardian Australia revealed earlier this month a staggering 57 Australians have killed themselves in the past two decades using hanging points in prisons that authorities knew about but failed to remove.
In a five-month review of 248 hanging deaths in Australian jails, Guardian Australia identified 19 correctional facilities where inmates died after governments and authorities failed to remove known ligature points within cells.
In many cases, this was despite repeated and urgent warnings from coroners to do so. Warning: the story below contains descriptions of self-harm and some readers might find it distressing.
Attorney general Michell Rowland said this week the death toll linked to hanging points was “unacceptable”, telling state and territory governments to “review their practices”.
McCarthy says Australians need to ‘see action’ on Indigenous deaths in custody
Malarndirri McCarthy, the minister for Indigenous Australians, said the federal government, as well as all states and territories, needed to push to end deaths in custody after two men died in recent weeks in police custody in the Northern Territory.
McCarthy spoke to RN Breakfast shortly before a meeting of the joint council on Closing the Gap. She said:
The gathering today of first nations Indigenous affairs ministers … is testament to the fact that this is an incredibly important issue. And Australians need to see action, and this is what we’re doing.
Host Sally Sara asked about how the government would work to address hanging points in prisons, and if those points would be dealt with by the end of the year. McCarthy said the issue had been raised and taken “quite seriously”, but that states and territories needed to take full responsibility for the prisons they ran. She added:
I certainly have raised it directly with my colleagues. We are very serious, not just about this one issue of hanging points, Sally. We do not want to see further deaths in custody.
McCarthy said the past few weeks in the Northern Territory had been “absolutely abhorrent” when it came to deaths in custody:
No one should go to a supermarket and think that they’ll never return home. No one should try and board a plane and think they’ll never ever live. These are two incredibly difficult episodes for those families. They are still trying to come to terms with it.
