Ben Roberts-Smith wins variation to his bail situations
Ben Doherty
Accused battle prison Ben Roberts-Smith has gained a variation to his bail situations: he’s now allowed to contact his ex-wife, Emma, however solely by electronic mail, and solely to debate preparations regarding their twin daughters.
Roberts-Smith, a former SAS corporal and recipient of the Victoria Cross, has been charged with 5 counts of the battle crime of homicide, over allegations he killed 5 unarmed civilians whereas serving within the Australian navy in Afghanistan. The alleged crimes occurred between April 2009 and October 2012.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April. He was granted bail underneath strict situations on 17 April. He has surrendered his passport and should report back to police thrice every week. There are additionally strict situations on his contact with potential witnesses. Roberts-Smith’s father, Len, has posted a $250,000 surety for his son’s bail.
There are additional point out hearings in Sydney’s Downing Centre native courtroom concerning Roberts-Smith’s case on Thursday. A trial, if it goes forward, is just not anticipated for a number of years.
Key occasions
46 days of petrol in Australian reserves
Australia now has 46 days of petrol within the nation’s shares, 10 days greater than when the Center East disaster began.
Power minister Chris Bowen stated:
double citation mark That may be a good factor as a result of it signifies that these Australians who’re trying on the ahead provide and making selections can know that, in addition to this stuff might be forecast, Australia is properly positioned.
Albanese says James Valentine was entertaining, uplifting and a voice of consolation to many
Anthony Albanese simply gave a touching tribute to broadcaster James Valentine, who died this week. He stated the ABC icon was a “much-loved Australian” and a “heat, pleasant and comforting voice” to many throughout his lengthy profession on-air.
The prime minister stated:
double citation mark He’s somebody who was participating to speak with and who Australians listened to and trusted. He had a protracted and distinguished profession and I believe proper throughout the media world at this time will likely be mourning James Valentine.
James Valentine was somebody who was all the time superb to speak with. He listened, he put ahead his views. He was entertaining and he was uplifting as properly, which is why his current well being points that he’s gone by way of are so devastating for all those that knew him and liked him.
Albanese stated Valentine rightly deserved an Order of Australia award, saying he was “most deserving of it”.
‘There will likely be a protracted financial tail right here,’ Albanese says
Anthony Albanese says transferring to stage 3 of the nationwide gas safety plan is just not “imminent”, however stated the updates from the federal government have been about being upfront about worldwide challenges. He stated even when the strait of Hormuz have been to open tomorrow, there can be a lag earlier than the system started to function as regular.
double citation mark It takes time to clear the strait to make it secure. It would take time for the ships have been caught within the Gulf to [return to] their vacation spot, to unload after which to journey again to obtain extra provide.
So there will likely be a protracted financial tail right here.
Gasoline provide safe in close to time period however nonetheless ‘deeply tumultuous instances’, Albanese says
Anthony Albanese is talking in Sydney.
The prime minister stated Australia’s gas provide outlook stays safe within the close to time period, however the authorities remains to be working to craft contingency plans for each gas and fertiliser. The nation stays “regular” at stage 2 of the nationwide gas safety plan. Albanese did warning, although:
double citation mark The longer, although, that the battle goes on, the extra vital the implications for Australia will likely be, identical to it’s having an influence proper world wide.
The prime minister stated the federal government is discussing the diversification of gas sources, together with taking a look at the USA, Algeria and Argentina.
double citation mark The important thing right here is attaining provide. The truth stays after all that the strait remains to be closed.
We’re in deeply tumultuous and turbulent world instances.
We’re doing what we are able to.
Westpac CEO says folks shouldn’t be so ‘damaging’ about AI
Luca Ittimani
Westpac’s chief government, Anthony Miller, says Australians are too “damaging” about AI and must be extra excited in regards to the alternatives it would carry.
Talking at Microsoft’s world AI tour at this time, Miller stated the banking business had discovered it difficult to alter methods of working to undertake AI. :
double citation mark I believe the problem or the training that I’ve actually discovered attention-grabbing with this device, this know-how, is the problem that individuals must be open-minded.
It’s a very regulated business, banking, as appropriately so. Banking licence is an actual privilege, and we have to meet a sure normal. And so due to this fact there’s an actual tradition of ‘that’s the way in which we do it, we should do it this fashion’.
He stated Australia’s public discourse was not optimistic sufficient in regards to the alternatives to come back from AI:
double citation mark The true problem, or what I actually need to see is, like, let’s have some ambition. The present discourse publicly is so damaging. It’s so knowledgeable by what’s not going properly, or what’s a problem.
We want a public discourse that’s centered on: how can we enhance the nation utilizing this? And it’s not the panacea for the whole lot we have to do, nevertheless it’s bought a giant position to play. And I believe issues like regulators, governments, companies have an actual obligation to encourage and encourage and spend money on and problem folks to make use of it.
Telstra is utilizing AI to deal with 30% of buyer queries, CEO says
Luca Ittimani
Telstra’s chief government says the corporate is utilizing AI to deal with 30% of buyer queries throughout its web site and app.
Talking at Microsoft’s AI Tour occasion at this time, Vicki Brady stated the telecommunications large’s generative AI-powered assistant launched final November, the place it might test buyer plans and activate SIMs.
In March, it took the AI assistant into its app, the place it might make adjustments to plans and accounts and troubleshoot.
Brady stated AI was serving to with buyer queries:
double citation mark Of all of that quantity coming in on the web site and our app, it’s coping with 30% of that with out our groups needing to become involved. And we proceed to construct that functionality. After all, it arms off the place it’s notably delicate or there may be indicators of susceptible circumstances, nevertheless it’s permitting our groups to spend extra time with prospects on these extra complicated points.
AI has additionally allowed Telstra to chop down from having 400 software program companions to only two, and from 80 platforms storing knowledge to twenty, with the intention to chop down to 3, Brady stated.
The corporate has 75% of its groups utilizing AI instruments “a minimum of weekly” and goals to boost that to 85% this 12 months, Brady stated.
Kiis FM rankings rise in Melbourne after Kyle & Jackie O departure
Kiis FM’s breakfast radio present had a minor rankings improve in Melbourne whereas its market shared dropped in Sydney after the departure of co-hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson final month.
The radio rankings survey, for the interval 8 February to 4 April, is the primary since co-hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie “O” Henderson departed this system after their contracts have been terminated final month. The pair’s final offered the breakfast present collectively on 20 February.
The survey reveals Kiis breakfast time slot remained on the prime in Sydney however its share fell from 12.7% to. 11.7% within the survey interval.
In Melbourne, its share rose from 5.1% to five.4%.
Sandilands and Henderson have commenced separate authorized motion towards the Kiis FM licensee, Commonwealth Broadcasting Company (CBC), which terminated them each a 12 months after they signed separate 10-year contracts for the Kyle and Jackie O breakfast present.
Luca Ittimani
How a lot of Microsoft’s $25bn funding goes to remain in Australia?
Circling again to Microsoft’s new funding: $25bn sounds massive, however not all the cash is more likely to keep in Australia.
Particulars of the spend will not be finalised however the announcement repeatedly talked about datacentres and included this line from Belinda Dennett, chief government officer at datacentres Australia:
double citation mark This funding in new digital infrastructure … is a major vote of confidence in Australia as a hub for AI infrastructure funding and knowledge centre growth.
With out ultimate particulars, we don’t know the place these datacentres can be constructed or who would construct them, although Microsoft already has 29 datacentres in Australia and has reportedly taken up a brand new contract with developer NextDC.
As a rule of thumb, McKinsey in 2025 estimated capital expenditure on datacentres typically can be break up 25% on power wants and 15% on builders and land, with 60% to tech corporations producing and designing the chips and computing {hardware}.
Loads of cash will find yourself being spent abroad to buy GPU and reminiscence capability from producers in nations like South Korea. Large quantities of datacentre funding really depend as imports in Australia’s nationwide accounts, which analysts from the e61 institute have discovered are importing the direct advantages.
Following McKinsey’s rule of thumb and given solely among the $25bn is being spent on datacentres, lower than $10bn of that determine is more likely to be spent straight in Australia.
Jack Larkin
The governor basic celebrated James Valentine at his dwelling wake
Again to tributes to James Valentine: The governor basic, Sam Mostyn, stated Valentine held a dwelling wake on Valentine’s Day this 12 months:
double citation mark He gave us loads of recommendation as to how we cherish our lives and the way we take into consideration our futures in celebrating his.
Mostyn had been in touch with Valentine in current months on the right way to carry Australians nearer collectively. She stated:
double citation mark He was giving me fairly a bit of recommendation as to how, in my position, we are able to carry higher conversations about how we carry folks collectively.
He gave ideas on the difficulty of social cohesion and [how] folks being indignant with each other may very well be accommodated with higher kindness, and what would that appear to be.
Monique Ryan says NDIS annoucement has left many ‘blindsided’
Cait Kelly
Responding to yesterday’s NDIS announcement, Impartial member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan, stated folks with incapacity, their households, carers and suppliers have been “blindsided”.
Ryan stated the size of the proposed cuts dangers undermining the very objective of the NDIS:
double citation mark Invoice Shorten, the earlier NDIS minister, often described the scheme as ‘the one lifeboat within the ocean’ for folks with a incapacity. Now, one in 5 folks on the NDIS are about to be thrown into the ocean.
Issues are compounded by the absence of totally developed different helps. Foundational helps have but to be agreed with states and territories, the Thriving Youngsters program has been deferred till 2028, and the proposed automated evaluation device has not been adequately examined, with its rollout postponed for an additional 12 months.
Ryan acknowledged the necessity to strengthen the integrity and sustainability of the NDIS.
double citation mark Everyone knows the scheme have to be shielded from waste and exploitation. However duty for failures in oversight lies with authorities, not folks with incapacity who depend on help to stay independently and with dignity.
Ben Roberts-Smith wins variation to his bail situations
Ben Doherty
Accused battle prison Ben Roberts-Smith has gained a variation to his bail situations: he’s now allowed to contact his ex-wife, Emma, however solely by electronic mail, and solely to debate preparations regarding their twin daughters.
Roberts-Smith, a former SAS corporal and recipient of the Victoria Cross, has been charged with 5 counts of the battle crime of homicide, over allegations he killed 5 unarmed civilians whereas serving within the Australian navy in Afghanistan. The alleged crimes occurred between April 2009 and October 2012.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney airport on 7 April. He was granted bail underneath strict situations on 17 April. He has surrendered his passport and should report back to police thrice every week. There are additionally strict situations on his contact with potential witnesses. Roberts-Smith’s father, Len, has posted a $250,000 surety for his son’s bail.
There are additional point out hearings in Sydney’s Downing Centre native courtroom concerning Roberts-Smith’s case on Thursday. A trial, if it goes forward, is just not anticipated for a number of years.
Officer pinned between two vehicles suffered severe injury to ligaments in his legs
Earlier, we reported particulars of two incidents in Sydney, together with one the place an officer was pinned between two vehicles after trying to cease an allegedly stolen automobile within the metropolis’s south-west.
The officer fired three pictures from his firearm after the car drove into him, together with one which hit the alleged driver of the car.
Police are holding a press convention, the place they stated that officer suffered severe ligament injury to his legs. The officer has since been discharged from the hospital. Det Supt Rod Hart, the Bankstown police space commander, stated:
double citation mark He was pinned towards a automobile, run over and it was his choice at the moment to fireplace the pictures, which I consider has saved his life.
The person who allegedly drove the car into the officer is anticipated to be charged with severe offences, Hart stated. The person will go into minor surgical procedure later to take away a bullet fired by the officer throughout the incident.
Josh Taylor
Microsoft chief says AI funding will imply ‘actual financial development’ in Australia
The funding was introduced at this time at Microsoft’s AI tour occasion in Sydney, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese.
Nadella stated in an announcement:
double citation mark Australia has an unlimited alternative to translate AI into actual financial development and societal profit. That’s the reason we’re making our largest funding in Australia so far.
Albanese stated in an announcement:
double citation mark Microsoft’s long-term funding in our nationwide functionality will assist ship on [our AI] plan – strengthening our cyber defences and creating alternative for Australian employees and companies.
Microsoft proclaims $25bn AI funding in Australia
Josh Taylor
Microsoft chief government, Satya Nadella, has introduced a $25bn funding in AI in Australia geared toward increasing AI capability and expertise by 2029.
The $25bn in capital and operational expenditure will develop Microsoft’s Azure AI infrastructure in Australia and boosts in-country cloud and AI capability.
Microsoft is following Anthropic in signing a memorandum of understanding with the Australian authorities to decide to the federal government’s expectations of datacentres and AI corporations in Australia.
Microsoft’s Australia indicators directorate cyber protect may even be expanded to different vital authorities businesses, the corporate stated.
The tech firm has additionally dedicated to AI expertise coaching for 3 million Australians by 2028, has pledged to collaborate with the Australian AI Security Institute and has met with the Australian Council of Commerce Unions over AI employee points.
Former dwelling affairs boss says he thinks there’s a couple of 10% probability of ‘catastrophic’ world battle
Michael Pezzullo, the previous dwelling affairs boss, stated whereas he believes the chance of a “catastrophic battle” across the globe remained low, he would nonetheless peg it “at a couple of 10% probability”, and Australia wanted to organize. He informed Sky Information earlier:
double citation mark That’s troubling, as a result of a ten% probability of battle, notably a catastrophic battle that might dwarf something that’s going within the Center East now, is one thing that we have to actively handle towards.
He stated the nation wanted to develop a so-called “battle e book” to find out how Australia might mobilise all sectors of society within the occasion of a serious world battle.
double citation mark We have to put together a battle e book and we have to do it, properly, yesterday, however as quickly as potential.
Lisa Cox
Governments did not ship $160m of river enhancements, report finds
Two state governments have drastically underdelivered greater than $160m in infrastructure measures to enhance river well being within the northern Murray-Darling basin eight years since they have been promised, a serious impartial evaluation has discovered.
This contains failure by the New South Wales authorities to safe any of the non-public land entry wanted to enhance water flows over floodplains within the state’s Gwydir area, the place scientists needed to scramble to rescue turtles in dried up wetlands final week.
A separate NSW authorities venture to put in passages to assist fish migrate round limitations in waterways has delivered simply 64km (3%) of the unique 2,135km goal, with the goal later lowered to 589km.
In Queensland, promised refurbishments and upgrades to weirs additionally by no means proceeded previous the feasibility stage, the evaluation by the federal inspector basic of water compliance, Troy Grant, discovered.
Learn extra:
Albanese says James Valentine was ‘so vigorous’ and a determine of Sydney tradition
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, spoke earlier in regards to the demise of broadcaster James Valentine. He informed ABC Radio Sydney:
double citation mark James Valentine was part of our lives and he was such a voice and due to this fact a determine in Sydney. He was somebody who was all the time price listening to, he was attention-grabbing, and he was so vigorous, however he had a really troublesome current interval.
The PM stated the pair spoke about music usually, describing himself as a “music nerd of no expertise in any respect”.
double citation mark We might usually, each on air and off air, have a chat about music, certainly. Music might be very uplifting at instances like this, we actually want uplifting.
I believe amongst the unhappiness at this time there will likely be pleasure as properly a couple of life very properly lived. He had that sense of journey and was all the time actually constructive as properly and that shone by way of.
Cait Kelly
Households face being 1000’s of {dollars} worse off as Labor cuts NDIS lifeline
On Wednesday, the well being minister, Mark Butler, introduced that about 160,000 persons are anticipated to be faraway from the nationwide incapacity insurance coverage scheme by 2030.
The $50bn scheme’s development fee will likely be introduced down to only 2% yearly till 2030 in an effort to curb annual plan inflation and produce billions in financial savings. To get there, eligibility guidelines will likely be tightened, particularly for kids underneath 18.
There’s confusion over what the brand new system will appear to be, who’ll be eligible, and the way it will work for youths, for adults with autism, for folks in rural communities.
Learn extra right here:
Governor basic says James Valentine made member of the Order of Australia days earlier than his demise
The governor basic, Sam Mostyn, stated the lack of Valentine had made it a “very unhappy day”. She informed ABC Radio Sydney he was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in current days, earlier than his demise, to recognise his contribution to the town.
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