Australia news LIVE: Australia records housing approval spike; calls for ‘new direction’ on Indigenous affairs

Thousands of migrants have rushed across the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a startling move that was relayed on social media and triggered a political row about migration into Europe.

One security official declared the border checkpoint had “totally collapsed” under pressure from the crowd, as young men spread instructions on social media on how to enter the Spanish territory on the northern coast of Africa. Authorities said at least nine people had died trying to reach Ceuta from Morocco.

Read more here.

Here’s what’s making news today:

• Australia has recorded the largest number of building approvals in five years – but the improvements will struggle to make up for pent-up demand for housing.
• The Albanese government has been told to do more for Indigenous Australians after the Voice to parliament failed, as Coalition frontbencher Julian Lesser makes a speech today calling for a “new direction for Indigenous affairs”.
• Up to 400 Defence Force personnel will be tracked during weapons training as part of a sophisticated study that follows years of growing complaints about a lack of action on alarming reports of blast injuries among military veterans.

• One of Australia’s leading constitutional law experts says One Nation’s proposal to create a new ban on foreign fighters would do nothing to block Australians with terror links from returning to the country.

• And in breaking news, Australia has just won a gold and silver medal in Glasgow: Rose Davies and Jess Hull finished in the top two spots of the women’s 5000m race. Follow the latest here.

Hello and welcome to our national news live coverage for Friday, July 31. I’m Anthony Segaert, with you until the afternoon.