Fears are rising that the relative calm of recent days is about to collapse as the fate of on/off truce talks seems impossible to guess.
The Australian share market opened sharply lower, with the ASX 200 down 1.4%, influenced by Middle East hostilities and a Wall Street tech sell-off. A nationwide Telstra outage also impacted services and the company's share price.
Former NSW Liberal minister John Sidoti will fight a charge of misconduct in public office. The ICAC found he used his position to influence councillors for family property interests. He stated he wants to clear his name.
Two investigations into former National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton will be discontinued by Nacc inspector Gail Furness, who cited Brereton's resignation and satisfactory resolution of systemic issues as reasons for ending the probes, saving significant public funds.
Bushwalkers are increasingly facing difficulties in Adelaide's conservation parks, with incidents ranging from getting lost to serious injuries. Experts cite a lack of preparedness and a surge in interest post-COVID-19 as contributing factors.
The sale of Tasmania's largest farm, Rushy Lagoon, for over $100 million to UK's Gresham House has been approved by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, deeming it in the national interest after FIRB vetting. The property was previously owned by New Zealand's Pye family.
Nearly 400 BHP workers at Port Hedland, Australia's largest export facility, plan to strike for eight hours next Thursday. Unions cite failed negotiations on pay and conditions, threatening $120 million in daily revenue for BHP and significant royalty payments to the WA government.
