Activists say trans woman with Palestinian flag was ‘violently restrained’ by police at Mardi Gras

The 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’s behaviour. It said there were no charges laid, but four people—who were part of a group that had been prevented from marching— were arrested for a breach of the peace.

Social media posts criticising Jewish group Dayenu had blocked Pride in Protest from participating in the parade.

“[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.”

Travel advice updated for Middle Eastern countries: Wong

Penny Wong has confirmed travel advice has been updated for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Australia maintains engagement with international partners and consular staff worldwide.

“We have activated our crisis center to provide consular support to Australians in the region, and this morning we are opening our registration portals in Iran and Israel.”

Wong dodges question on legal basis for US-Israel attacks on Iran

Penny Wong has been asked about the legal basis for the bombings under international law.

I will leave it to the United States and Israel to speak about 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.”

The foreign minister, Penny Wong, says Australia was not notified beforehand about the bombing of Iran and declined to confirm whether intelligence facilities here were used.

“We weren’t told in advance. You wouldn’t expect us to be but you would see there’s obviously been a lot of discussion,” she said.

“We are not at the centre of the issues in the Middle East but we obviously play a role in the international community.”

Wong says Australia stands with the people of Iran in opposing an oppressive regime.

Ultimately, Iran’s future must be determined by its people.

“Australian involvement – obviously, we did not participate in the strikes and you would not expect us to participate.”

She says Australians in the region should follow travel advice and seek safety.

Shadow treasurer says ‘aim should be that Iranian people take control of their destiny’

Tim Wilson told ABC TV the international rules-based order still matters, despite the bombing of Iran.

“The aim should be that the Iranian people take control of their destiny; they decide their future and that is not with mullahs in charge, as far as I’m concerned, and clearly not as far as the Iranian people are concerned.

“But it’s their decision about how they want to run their lives and their country, rather than having something imposed on them by the Islamic regime that has caused terror and led to the punishment and subjugation of women and homosexuals and exported terrorism worldwide.”

Wilson said he expects the US to continue to be a critical leader in the world.

The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, says the Coalition supports the US and Israeli-led bombing of Iran.

He told ABC TV the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei means “the world is now a safer place.”

“The reality is this situation’s been building for some time. Iran has exported terrorism around the world, including into Australia,” he said.

“A co-ordinated attack to address what has clearly been an ongoing build-up of their nuclear programme is something that is very good for international peace and security.

“We naturally hope to contain the situation and closely monitor it.”

Tony Burke, the home affairs minister, declined to confirm whether Australia received information about the overnight bombing of Iran by the US and Israel.

The Albanese government has offered support to the US president, Donald Trump, and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

But Burke won’t say if there was a warning from Australia’s closest ally and defence partner.

“The United States and Israel have taken the actions,” he told Channel 7.

“I won’t go into what conversations happen back and forth. But those two governments are the ones taking the action.”

He said Australia’s role was to look after Australian citizens in the region, including diplomats.

“You’ve got temporary closures of several airports at the moment, but we expect that commercial options will still be available, and people should take them.

“Overnight, for Australians who are in Lebanon, in Israel, or in Qatar, we have upgraded our travel advice to ‘do not travel’. That means if you are already there, it is safe to leave.

“Get out. Don’t delay.”

‘Leadership is needed, not sycophantic capitulation.’: Labor anti-war group voices disappointment in party

ALP members who oppose war are disappointed Australia has offered support to the US and Israeli bombing of Iran overnight.

The patron of the Labour Against War group, former senator Doug Cameron, said the government had made the wrong decision in supporting Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Albanese’s backing of Israeli and US attacks on Iran shows that we are completely devoid of acting independently from Trump and Netanyahu,” Cameron said.

“There was a time when Labour pursued peace, not war. That time is long gone. Leadership is needed, not sycophantic capitulation to militarism.

Labour frontbencher Andrew Charlton says the Australian government hopes the bombing in Iran achieves peace and stability in the region.

Speaking on Sky, the cabinet secretary said Australia has a very small presence in the region, with officials supporting diplomats and their families so they can get home safely.

“Australia stands with the people of Iran,” he said.

“They have faced brutal repression, and Iran has been a destabilising force in the region. They’ve been pursuing nuclear weapons in contravention of international law.”

Charlton said Australians should pay attention to the Smartraveller website if they are in the region or contemplating travel to risky locations.

‘Iran is an enemy of Australia’: Andrew Has tie

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie says he supports the bombing in Iran by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking to Sky News, Hastie said:

Iran is an enemy of Australia. They’ve conducted terrorism on our shores, and they’re also a bad geopolitical actor.

They’ve been seeking a nuclear weapon for some time, and they’ve just murdered up to 25,000 of their own citizens over the last few months.

Hastie, an SAS veteran, says he’s not surprised Trump has taken the opportunity to strike Iran, likening the moves to actions in Venezuela and Nigeria.

Hastie says Trump is “setting the conditions for regime change in Iran”:

There is a lot of risk and as a veteran of the so-called forever War, I’m very suspicious of regime change by force.

Greens label US-Israel war on Iran a ‘new illegal bombing campaign’

Greens leader Larissa Waters has warned the Albanese government against supporting the growing war in Iran, calling it “a new illegal bombing campaign” by US president Donald Trump and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.

Waters said there is a strong likelihood the bombing has direct or indirect assistance from military facilities at Pine Gap and North West Cape:

Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attacks last night have unleashed chaos across the Middle East.

This war will not bring safety to the brave Iranian people who are fighting for liberation from the brutal regime. Innocent people have already been massacred, including at least 60 children in southern Iran killed by US and Israeli strikes on an elementary school last night. Our hearts ache for their families. This war will see homes and cities razed to the ground and countless innocent lives lost.

Waters said the Greens condemned the “illegal, abhorrent and unilateral attacks”:

Australians are unwilling to participate in another US-Israeli war.

Australia’s support of Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal attack last night was disgraceful.

We cannot bomb our way to peace.”

NSW unveils sweeping foster care reform

The NSW Labour government has announced major changes to the state’s out-of-home-care system.

The Minns government this morning announced it will implement tougher accountability measures for non-government providers in the sector that cares for more than 13,000 vulnerable children.

The government will also spearhead foster care recruitment and reduce the outsourcing of child protection services.

The minister for families and communities, Kate Washington, said:

Despite significant and rising taxpayer investments, rates of restoration, guardianship, and adoption continue to fall. It’s clear the current programme has failed to deliver; that’s why we are undertaking significant reform.

Accountability is non-negotiable when it comes to children’s safety and public trust. We are building a new foster care system where kids come first – every child deserves to grow up with love, safety and stability.

Good morning. Welcome to our live news blog this Sunday.

The federal government is moving quickly to respond to events in Iran.

Last night, Australia declared its support for US action to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent threats to international peace and security.

Anthony Albanese said in a statement, “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.”

The prime minister said Iran’s ruling regime had been a “destabilising force” for decades through its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, support for armed proxies, and “brutal acts of violence and intimidation”.

The national security committee of cabinet is due to meet about 8.30am this morning, and the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, will speak from Adelaide about 9.45am.

The government has criticised the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters, which has left thousands of Iranian civilians dead, and highlighted Iranian-led foreign attacks in Australia.

Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024, carried out to target the Jewish community. Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador to Australia last year.