⚠️ LABOR GRANTS PERMANENT VISAS TO 30,000+ RUDD–GILLARD-ERA BOAT ARRIVALS

More than 30,000 people from Australia’s Rudd-Gillard-era boat arrival caseload have now reportedly been granted permanent visas under Labor.

When the pathway was announced in 2023, around 19,000 temporary protection visa holders were expected to benefit. That figure has now blown past 30,000, more than 11,000 above the original estimate.

The permanent Resolution of Status visa allows recipients to remain in Australia indefinitely and, if eligible, eventually apply for Australian citizenship.

Join @Aussie 🙂

⚠️ 108 WEAPONS SEIZED AS 150+ PEOPLE CHARGED IN NSW POLICE BLITZ

NSW Police have charged more than 150 people with over 360 alleged offences after a two-day statewide crackdown targeting knife crime, violent offenders and weapons in public.

Police scanned 4,436 people and seized 108 weapons, including 85 knives and four firearms. Officers also recorded 160 drug detections and executed 35 outstanding warrants.

Among the cases, police allege a 16-year-old boy was caught at Parramatta Station carrying two 30cm hunting knives, while a 15-year-old was allegedly found with a machete following an armed robbery near Redfern Park.

Join @Aussie 🙂

🚨 HANSON CALLS FOR POWERS TO SHUT DOWN EXTREMIST MOSQUES

Pauline Hanson is calling for stronger federal powers to shut extremist mosques and Islamic prayer centres after Melbourne preacher Abu Ahmad reportedly urged followers to “take up arms” against the enemies of Allah and told Muslims not to take Jews and Christians as friends.

Hanson is also calling for more resources for ASIO and the AFP to target extremist networks.

Join @Aussie 🙂

⚠️ $1.2B SYDNEY AI DATA CENTRE SCRAPPED

Goodman Group has abandoned plans for a $1.2 billion AI data centre in Lane Cove West after strong local opposition.

The 90MW facility was planned near homes and Lane Cove West Public School.

Join @Aussie 🙂

🚨 AUSTRALIAN ACTIVIST ALLEGEDLY ABDUCTED BY VIETNAM

Melbourne man Hiep Tran, 50, has been missing since September 18 after travelling to Cambodia to meet Vietnamese human rights activists.

His group, Viet Tan, alleges Vietnamese authorities abducted him in Cambodia and forcibly took him across the border into Vietnam.

Vietnamese state media reportedly claims Tran was detained after illegally entering the country.

Join @Aussie 🙂

⚠️ RBA HIKES INTEREST RATES TO 15-YEAR HIGH

The Reserve Bank has lifted the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.60%, its fourth rate hike of 2026 and the highest level since 2011.

The RBA says inflation remains too high and warned rates could rise further if needed.

Join @Aussie 🙂

🚨 NSW GOVERNMENT RESISTS COURT REVIEW INTO ALLEGED $3.5B STAMP DUTY OVERCHARGE

The NSW Government is resisting calls for a Supreme Court review into claims home buyers have been overcharged billions in stamp duty since 2022.

The Real Estate Institute of NSW says tax brackets were indexed incorrectly, while the government maintains its calculation is legally sound.

Join @Aussie 🙂

⚠️ CITY OF MELBOURNE DROPS PUSH TO CHANGE AUSTRALIA DAY DATE

Melbourne City Council has voted to abandon its official campaign to move Australia Day from January 26, reversing a position adopted in 2022.

The council will recognise January 26 as Australia Day and investigate bringing back the city’s Australia Day parade.

Join @Aussie 🙂

🚨 AUSTRALIAN INFLATION JUMPS TO 4% AFTER RBA RATE HIKE

Australia’s annual inflation rate has surged from 3.5% to 4.0%, according to fresh ABS data released today.

The figures come just one day after the RBA lifted interest rates to 4.60%, their highest level in 15 years.

Join @Aussie 🙂

⚠️ SYDNEY SOLAR COMPANY COLLAPSES OWING $3.4M AFTER TAKING BATTERY DEPOSITS

Macarthur Solar has collapsed after customers paid thousands of dollars in deposits for battery systems that were never installed.

Building Commission NSW says it is investigating after receiving more than 100 complaints, while liquidator records show the company owes almost $3.4 million to more than 79 unsecured creditors.

Some customers reportedly paid deposits as high as $17,600.

Join @Aussie 🙂