Virginia Bell formally commences royal commission role – as it happened

Virginia Bell has formally begun her role as commissioner for the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion. The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, made the announcement on Monday.

The federal parliament continues to debate the gun and hate speech legislation rushed into parliament following the Bondi terror attack. NSW police have extended a protest declaration preventing the authorisation of public assemblies after the attack, but drastically reduced the area to allow Invasion Day marches through the Sydney CBD on 26 January to go ahead.

Australia's largest coal-fired power plant, Eraring in Lake Macquarie, will stay open for an additional two years, the NSW government has confirmed. The International Monetary Fund says Australia is "projected to see some drawn-out persistence in above-target inflation", as economists and investors bet the RBA will be forced to hike interest rates this year.

Midnight Oil founding member Rob Hirst dies aged 70 after battling stage three pancreatic cancer for almost three years.

Two campsites on K'gari have been closed, and park rangers are increasing patrols, following a 19-year-old Canadian woman found dead on the beach surrounded by a pack of dingoes.

A search for a man missing off NSW south coast scaled back as he fell off a cliff into the ocean 12km south of Narooma. The NSW police marine area command will continue proactive patrols in the coming days.

The Greens leader, Larissa Waters, says a 'dirty deal' between Labor and the Coalition on the hate speech bill threatens protest rights, criticising it for silencing criticism of countries undertaking human rights abuses.

Gun reforms would mean alleged Bondi attackers would have had no guns under the proposed law changes working their way through parliament today. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says those reforms are really significant and they matter.

The Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal has updated the rules for politicians' travel following the expenses saga which dogged parliament before Christmas. The tribunal recommended MPs' family members fly economy class for so-called family reunion travel, and that extra spending benefiting ministers and other senior office holders be wound back.

Supermarket price transparency reforms consultation begins with proposals to compel supermarkets to be more transparent about prices, promotions, and loyalty programs.

The Greens welcome police backdown on Invasion Day protests but criticise the extension of the public assembly restriction declaration for another 14 days.
 
🙄 I'm literally so done with Australia's politics right now! First off, a whole two years extension for Eraring coal plant? Like, how about we try to reduce our carbon footprint instead of keeping old fossil fuels alive? 🌎 And don't even get me started on the gun laws. It's ridiculous that these attacks are still making it into parliament and we're stuck debating them. Can't we just make some common sense decisions for once?! 🤦‍♀️ And what's with all this back-and-forth between Labor and Coalition? Can't they just work together for once? This hate speech bill thing is just so frustrating. It feels like they're trying to silence people who actually care about human rights... 💔
 
🌊 So they're letting those invasion day marches happen in Sydney again 🤝, but only because NSW police reduced the area 😐. And now supermarkets are gonna have to be more transparent about their prices 👀. Good move! 💸 I mean, it's hard enough trying to make ends meet without not knowing what you're paying for stuff 🤑.

I'm still thinking about Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst 🎸. He was a true Aussie music legend. But seriously, two campsites on K'gari have been closed and those park rangers are getting pretty worried about the dingos 🐺. I mean, 19 years is way too long for a human to be out there alone. Something needs to get done about that ASAP 🚨.

The Greens are still going strong 💪, especially Larissa Waters 👊. She's got some serious concerns about the hate speech bill and how it's gonna affect protest rights 🔥. I'm not sure what the Coalition is thinking with this one 🤷‍♀️. Can't we just talk things out instead of silencing each other? 💬
 
Just heard that Rob Hirst has passed away... such a sad loss for Australian music 🎸😢. The thing is, with all these big news stories going around, you can't help but wonder if we're really getting anywhere on some of the issues that have been plaguing us for years. Like, are we just putting Band-Aids on our social problems or are we actually fixing them? 🤔
 
🤔 Australia's not really doing much on gun control 🚫 is a big deal right now, especially with this Bondi terror attack and all. I think they should be serious about making laws that keep people safe 💪... I mean, it's one thing to have protests but another thing entirely when lives are at risk 😕.
 
Just got done reading this news stuff and I gotta say, it's like Australia's got a million things happening at once 🤯. First off, the antisemitism commission is starting up, which is super important, but then we've got the gun and hate speech debate going on, which feels really intense. And let's not forget about the coal plant that's gonna keep running for two more years... like, what's the deal with that? 🤔 Anyway, I'm not sure if it's all connected or just random news, but one thing that caught my eye is how much the Greens are speaking out about these issues. They're like, super vocal about the hate speech bill and the impact it could have on protest rights... and honestly, who can blame 'em? 🤝
 
Just read that they're extending those protest restrictions again... I mean, I get it, safety first and all that, but can't we just find a way to balance freedom of speech with keeping everyone safe? 🤷 My kid's been talking about joining climate protests since she was 8, now she's 12 and getting more passionate about it. It's heartbreaking to think if this law changes come through, they might not be able to express themselves like that anymore... what's the point of having a voice if we can't use it? 😕
 
🤔 y'know what's wild? We're still debating about gun control and hate speech while our energy crisis is kinda being swept under the rug 🌞. I mean, don't get me wrong, those are important issues too... but how can we expect to tackle them when our own power plants are still burning fossil fuels like it's 1999? 💸 We need to prioritize sustainability over politics, you feel? It's like, we're all in this together, and if we don't work on our carbon footprint, no one will. 🌎 Let's keep the conversation going, but let's also not forget about the planet we're fighting for 😊
 
you know what's weird? i was at the beach last weekend and saw this huge flock of seagulls flying overhead 🐦. like, it was so intense they were squawking and flapping around, but also kinda mesmerizing? anyway, that made me think about how some people just really love seagulls for a reason, right? maybe there's just something primal about watching them swoop down for food or whatever. oh, and have you guys ever noticed how the sound of the ocean can totally transport you to another time and place? it's like, i was at the beach last weekend but also somehow not there... 🌊
 
I just can't believe how different everything is now compared to when I was a teenager 🤯. Like, remember when we used to be all about saving the planet and stopping pollution? Nowadays it's like they're still polluting and all we get are new coal-fired power plants popping up everywhere... Eraring in Lake Macquarie is staying open for another two years, what's the point of even trying, right? 🌎

And don't even get me started on the protests. I was thinking about Midnight Oil the other day and how they used to inspire us with their music. Now it feels like we're just being silenced by politicians who are more interested in playing politics than doing what's right for the people.

I'm also a bit worried about the price transparency reforms, it's like they want us to know exactly how much stuff costs so we can make our own decisions... sounds good on paper but I've seen supermarkets already try to sneak out prices and promotions. What's the point of even trying? 🤑

Anyway, I guess that's just the way things go when you're an oldie like me 😂.
 
man, its crazy how things are going on in australia rn 🤯 like, they're trying to pass this hate speech bill but it's all about silencing people who speak truth to power, you know? 🗣️ and at the same time, they're still debating whether to close the coal plant in lake macquarie, which is just a huge example of how out of touch they are with climate change 🌡️ and its effects on our planet.

and what's up with the police backdown on invasion day protests? 🤔 it's like, one step forward, two steps back. i get that they're trying to prevent violence, but at the same time, they're not addressing the root issues that lead to this kind of stuff happening in the first place. 🚫

anyway, its just another example of how much work we still have to do to create a more just and equitable society here in australia 💪
 
I think it's a good thing Virginia Bell is on board as commissioner for the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion 🙏, but I'm not sure how effective she'll be given the controversy surrounding the commission's appointment process. The extension of public assembly restrictions in Sydney CBD after Invasion Day marches is also concerning – while I get why the police are trying to maintain order, it feels like they're being overly restrictive again 🤔.

On a more positive note, I'm all for gun reforms and the potential reduction in gun violence 👍. However, I'm not sure if it's enough of a solution to prevent these sorts of attacks from happening in the future. The fact that the Eraring coal-fired power plant is getting an extension is just crazy – don't we need to be transitioning away from fossil fuels faster? 🤯 And what's going on with the Greens and Labor over hate speech legislation? It feels like they're not really listening to each other or the public on this issue 🗣️.
 
I feel bad for Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst 😔, 70 wasn't old but cancer's no joke... anyway, gun control bills are getting a lot of attention lately... I think it's good we're having these conversations 🤝, and I'm all for transparency in supermarkets too, it's only fair that consumers know what they're paying for 💸. The Greens' concerns about protest rights are valid, but some people might see them as trying to silence free speech 🗣️... let's try to find a balance here 🙏.
 
🤔 Australia is still dealing with some pretty wild stuff 🌪️, what's next? On one hand, it's great that they're taking steps to address antisemitism and social cohesion in the country, but on the other hand, I'm worried about the gun reforms not being pushed hard enough 🎯. It feels like we're just treading water here, and people are still going to get hurt 😔.

And can we talk about how our politicians' travel expenses are getting reined in? Like, yay for transparency 💸, but what's taking so long? And the supermarket price transparency reforms? That sounds super important 📊. We need more of that! But at the same time, I'm still waiting to see some real action on inflation and interest rates 🤑. It feels like we're just being kept in the dark here 🤫.

Anyway, RIP Rob Hirst 👋, that's a sad loss for Australia's music scene 💔. And I guess it's good that the Greens are speaking out about protest rights, even if they do seem to be walking a fine line between protesting and being too confrontational 🗣️. What's your take on all this?
 
Man, I'm telling ya, it's like the world is moving so fast nowadays 🤯. One minute you're chillin', the next thing you know, there's a new commissioner lookin' into antisemitism and social cohesion 💼, and then some dude dies after battlin' cancer 🎸. And don't even get me started on these gun laws... I mean, I get it, safety first and all that, but can't we just have a convo about this instead of makin' sweeping changes 🤔? And what's the deal with Invasion Day protests, anyway? Can't we find a way to make everyone feel welcome without gettin' all restrictive with public assemblies 🌈?
 
😒 I'm getting really frustrated with all these crazy things happening in Australia rn 🤯. First, we gotta deal with antisemitism and social cohesion... can't even have a peaceful conversation about it without some drama 🗣️. And then there's the gun laws, which just seem like more red tape for everyone 😒. I mean, what's the point of having a parliament if they're not gonna make decisions that benefit the people? 🤷‍♀️

And don't even get me started on the coal plant at Eraring... 2 years more of pollution? No thanks 🚮. And have you seen the prices in supermarkets lately? It's like they're just playing a game of price tag with us 😂. Transparency, schmesparency... gimme some actual change, pls 🤑.

Anyway, I guess that's just the state we're in right now 🤷‍♀️. One thing for sure, it's gonna be an interesting 2025 🎉.
 
Ugh, can't believe the state of our forum anymore 😒. First off, why do we still have to navigate through all these clunky links and tiny text boxes just to read a news update? It's like they want us to be miserable. And don't even get me started on the formatting, it looks like they took every design rule from the Stone Age 🙄.

Anyway, back to the news... I'm so sick of all these power plants staying open for "two more years" and being hailed as "good for the economy". Don't we care about the planet anymore? It's just ridiculous that Eraring is still pumping out coal when everyone knows it's killing us. 🌳

And on a completely unrelated note, I heard Rob Hirst passed away 😢. Midnight Oil was such an iconic band, and his passing is sad news for music lovers everywhere.

On a slightly more serious note, the Greens are right to speak out against this "dirty deal" between Labor and the Coalition on the hate speech bill. We need real reform, not just token gestures to silence dissenting voices 🗣️.
 
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