Australia news live: Grace Tame says PM’s ‘difficult’ remark is ‘misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply’; Qantas makes major change to frequent flyer program

Shen Yun says performances will continue despite bomb threats

Shen Yun, the traditional Chinese dance and music group, says it will continue its Australian tour despite claims that it received bomb threats against Anthony Albanese unless its performances were cancelled.

Albanese was evacuated from The Lodge after threats were reported to the federal police. Falun Dafa, a spiritual group banned in China which is associated with Shen Yun, said it received threats in Mandarin – from unknown senders – that The Lodge would be targeted if the dance tour went ahead. Reports emerged on Thursday of an earlier bomb threat against a Gold Coast venue due to host one performance.

“We will not be intimidated. Shen Yun performances in Australia will proceed safely and successfully,” a Falun Dafa spokesperson told Guardian Australia.

We call on the Australian government to conduct a comprehensive investigation, publicly address the national security implications of these incidents, strengthen counter-foreign interference safeguards, and hold responsible actors accountable under Australian law.

The spokesperson alleged the Chinese Communist party was linked to the threats. Shen Yun performances worldwide have been the subject of bomb and threats, the Falun Dafa spokesperson said.

In an emailed response, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canberra rubbished the claims:

We have noticed relevant reports but have no knowledge with what happened. China always opposes all forms of violent attacks.

eSafety study to follow 4,000 children and families in social media ban

eSafety has started an evaluation of the under-16s social media ban to understand how it is working in practice and the impact it is having on children and families.

The study will follow more than 4,000 children and families for more than two-years, including surveys of children and young people between 10 and 16, their parents and caregivers.

There will also be opt-in smartphone use tracking, capturing information on app use, time spent and time of day use.

The assessment will also build on external data including Naplan data, Medicare data, and PBS data.

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said:

The study will explore a wide range of outcomes, including children’s wellbeing and mental health, their exposure to online risks and harms, and their digital habits and social media patterns.

It will also examine help-seeking behaviour, family relationships and parenting experiences and, the early experiences and impacts on young people under 16.

The findings will be released progressively starting later this year.

Autumn bushfire outlook shows heightened risk for much of Victoria

Large parts of Victoria face a heightened bushfire risk through autumn due to long-term rainfall shortages.

Some parts of eastern, central and southern NSW, southern Western Australia and South Australia could also experience increased fire danger, according to the seasonal outlook.

Rob Webb, chief executive of the Australian and New Zealand council for fire and emergency services (AFAC) said:

The increased bushfire risk is driven by increased long-term dryness and persistent soil moisture deficits.

For many parts of southern Australia, autumn sees the gradual reduction in fire risk and opportunities for prescribed burning can increase. However, these programs may be delayed in some areas because of the underlying conditions.

Webb said even with anticipated rains in the south-east of the country in the short term, much more would be required to overcome the long-term moisture deficits.

He said fires could and would still occur in areas across Australia identified as being at average risk. He urged communities to stay alert and follow advice from their local fire authorities.

Grace Tame has suggested Anthony Albanese’s one-word description of her as “difficult” is “misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply”.

In a story posted to Instagram earlier this morning, the former Australian of the Year shared a post from another user that said:

Difficult is the misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply. History tends to call her ‘courageous.’

As we mentioned earlier, Albanese made the comment yesterday at a News Corp event when he was asked to describe Tame in one word. This morning, the prime minister said he was trying to say she had a “difficult life” rather than calling her difficult.

“If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise,” Albanese said. “Grace Tame has had a very difficult life, but she deserves great credit for turning that into a benefit for others.”

Tame has been at the ire of many commentators after she joined protests against the visit of Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, earlier this month. Tame was filmed leading a chat “from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada” at one of the rallies.

Critics, including opposition leader Angus Taylor, have demanded the prime minister condemn Tame for her comments while others have urged for her Australian of the Year award to be stripped.

NT police officers confirm shots fired after incident in Alice Springs CBD

Northern Territory police released a statement confirming officers fired shots overnight after an incident in the Alice Springs CBD where a man allegedly tried to drive a car towards an officer and hit an occupied parked police car.

At around 10:30pm, police responded to reports of a disturbance on Todd Street involving multiple people. Police then alleged a man drove “at speed” towards an officer standing on the road and footpath and hit a parked police car with an officer inside.

A police officer then allegedly fired three rounds that hit the alleged offender’s car. NT police say no one was injured in the shooting.

An officer in the car was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and has now been discharged. The 38-year-old was also transported to the hospital as a precaution.

NT police commissioner Martin Dole said in a statement:

Every time our officers attend an incident, they are putting their lives at risk to keep the community safe. This is a clear example of the split second decisions our officers can be forced to make whilst protecting the community.

Albanese walks back one-word answer describing Grace Tame as ‘difficult’

Anthony Albanese claims he didn’t mean to call former Australian of the Year Grace Tame “difficult” in a derogatory way but has apologised for the misinterpretation.

Speaking in Melbourne, the prime minister walked back his response yesterday at a News Corp event when he was asked to describe Tame in one word.

Albanese said:

I was at a forum. I was asked to describe people in one word and Grace Tame you certainly can’t describe in one word. She has had a difficult life, and that was what I was referring to. And what Grace Tame has done is to turn that difficult experience that she had into being a strong advocate for others, which is why she received quite rightly, the Australian of the Year award …

He continued:

If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise. I think that Grace Tame has taken what is personal trauma and that awful experience that she had and channelled that into helping, in particular, other young women being a strong and powerful advocate, being quite courageous in the way that she has gone out there.

Now there are other issues, such as the language that Grace Tame used, that I disagree with at the demonstration that was held in Sydney. So, that’s why it’s impossible to describe people in one word, and that wasn’t meant to be taken that way, it was certainly just a word that comes to mind when different people are mentioned. And Grace Tame has had a very difficult life, but she deserves great credit for turning that into a benefit for others.

Albanese was referring to Tame’s comments at a rally earlier this month against the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog when the advocate for sexual assault abuse led the chant “from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada”.

INXS nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Australian rockers INXS have been nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The band has been tapped alongside the likes of Oasis, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey and Phil Collins.

The nomination says:

The Australian band’s blend of rock swagger, new wave cool, and funk rhythms made their songs an infectious pleasure, while the sexual energy and charisma of lead singer Michael Hutchence propelled them to new heights on stage and television.

INXS’ musical journey was tragically cut short when Michael Hutchence was found dead on November 22, 1997. While the band made attempts to carry on, it became clear it was impossible to replace his unique heart and soul.

Still, their music continues to inspire fans around the globe, including a multitude of musicians like the Killers, Maroon 5, No Doubt, and Dua Lipa.

Voting will take place over the next two months, with the results announced in April.

We’re awash in Qantas news this morning.

The airline just announced a major change to its extremely popular frequent flyer program, calling them the “most significant changes to earning and retaining status since the program’s inception”.

There’s a lot here, but the major changes include:

• A permanent way to earn status credits on the ground.

• The ability for tiered members to roll over status credits to the next membership year.

• More lifetime milestones.

• The retirement of the Points Club.

Vanessa Hudson, the Qantas Group CEO, said in a statement:

Our members have an incredible appetite for earning points, but we know they also place immense value on their status. Our most frequent flyers tell us that status retention is the single most important milestone as a member, with thousands achieving or retaining their tier every day.

Sydney Mardi Gras parade route added to National Heritage List

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade route has been added to the country’s National Heritage List.

The Albanese government moved to add the list after it was nominated by the Heritage Council of NSW in 2024, recognising the route for its centre stage role in the city’s history, including during the marriage equality movement and broader fights for legislative reform.

A press release announcing the news says:

Running through the heart of Sydney, the two kilometre route captures both the history of the original 1978 parade and its role as an enduring cultural event in Australia. The listed site recognises the place where protests in 1978 highlighted the inequality experienced by LGBT people in Australia.

Tanya Plibersek, the member for Sydney, said the listing “acknowledges the pain, violence and discrimination the 78ers fought against, and the celebration of love and diversity at the heart of Mardi Gras every year”.

It’s fantastic to see the Mardi Gras route finally receive the national recognition it deserves.

Qantas will roll out a direct flight from Sydney to Las Vegas

Following up on Qantas’ profit announcement, the airline said it will roll out Australia’s first non=stop route to Las Vegas.

The seasonal Sydney-Las Vegas run will begin in December 2026 and go through to March 2027, saving customers up to five hours of travel time and eliminating the need for a connecting flight in the US. Flight time will be an estimated 13 hours and 55 minutes.

It’ll be the eighth Qantas destination in North and South America.

Flights begin on 29 December and start at $1,099 for an economy return ticket. They end 12 March.

Qantas has delivered a bumper $1.46bn half-year pre-tax profit, up more than $70m, as travellers shrug off cost-of-living pressures to travel within and outside of Australia.

Australia’s biggest airline recorded a lift in revenue across its operations, according to half-year results published today, with its budget carrier Jetstar once again the standout performer.

Revenue at Jetstar increased by 8%, and its profit margins widened.

Qantas said robust domestic travel was complemented by strong demand for international flights, prompting it to offer new routes and increased frequency to “Japan, Bali and across the Tasman”.

It expects this demand to continue, while noting it will monitor the “evolving economic environment in the US”.

The airline is rewarding shareholders with an interim 19.8c dividend and share buyback. Buybacks are used to reduce the number of shares in a company, often resulting in a lift in share price.

Bridget McKenzie won’t rule out working with One Nation to push back against Labor

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie did not rule out joining forces with One Nation, saying the Coalition is going to have to “deal with what and who the Australian public sends us”.

McKenzie spoke to the Today Show this morning, where she was asked if the party would join forces with a rising One Nation. She said:

No one’s saying that those on the non-Labor side of parliament won’t be doing everything we can to stop a Labor government after both the state election and the federal.

At the least, you’re going to have to deal with what and who the Australian public sends us. We’re a long way from a federal and state election outcome. But there’s an incredible amount of frustration, particularly from Australians working hard, who are at the frontline of the Labor party’s economic agenda.

And it’s up to us on the non-Labor side to make sure we have the policies in front of everyday Australians so that they have a real choice at the next election.

Three-quarters of Australia’s new cars use more fuel than advertised lab rating, testing shows

Another 10 cars have failed to live up to fuel efficiency promises when tested in the real world, adding to Australia’s difficulties in reducing emissions from transport.

The Australian Automobile Association’s latest test confirmed 76% of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles are still using more fuel on roads than in mandatory lab testing.

The AAA tested 141 petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles on roads under strict protocols around Geelong, Victoria, with federal government funding.

GWM’s Tank 300 used 25% more fuel per 100km in the real world than in the laboratory, test results released on Wednesday show. Honda’s HR-V used 19% more fuel and Hyundai’s Santa Fe used 11% more.

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