Australia news as it happened: Victoria wins multibillion-dollar Defence contract, IBAC report released, Matildas to take on Nigeria

In a change of pace ... controversial American hit film Sound of Freedom, about a Homeland Security agent who quits his job to take on child traffickers, is headed for Australian cinemas.

The unheralded thriller has stormed to stunning box office success in the US by taking more than $US130 million ($191 million) in three weeks, after its release by self-described faith-based distributor Angel Studios.

While it tells a non-partisan story, the film has been championed by both mainstream conservatives and far-right figures including Steve Bannon and My Pillow proprietor Mike Lindell, as well as followers of the QAnon movement.

Garry Maddox reports here.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Papua New Guinea leaders today to discuss developing the Pacific Island nation’s military strength and deepening security ties, as the United States competes with China for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Austin is the first US defence secretary to visit the nation of 10 million people that was fiercely fought over during World War II and is gaining strategic importance in the US struggle against Beijing.

The retired four-star general met with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and discussed implementing the Defence Co-operation Agreement signed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Port Moresby in May.

Blinken had stepped in for Joe Biden, who was to become the first US president to visit Papua New Guinea but cancelled to deal with the then-unresolved debt crisis in Washington.

Austin said the United States was “not seeking permanent basing” on Papua New Guinea, but would help the country expand its military capability, modernise its forces and increase its interoperability with the US military.

“The Indo-Pacific is our priority theatre and partnerships like ours are critical to keeping this vital region free and open,” Austin told reporters in Port Moresby.

The United States has increased its diplomatic focus on the Pacific since China signed a security pact last year with Papua New Guinea’s neighbour, Solomon Islands.

Marape ruled out forging a bilateral security agreement with Beijing, saying Papua New Guinea’s relationship with China would remain economic.

AP

Australians could be asked about their gender and sexual orientation in the 2026 national census, in a move advocates say would enable the proper counting of the country’s population.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed that new questions about gender, the impact of natural disasters and household energy use could be included in the five-yearly headcount.

The issue of sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics has grown in importance over recent years, forcing statistical organisations to change how they track it. For instance, the bureau now collects data on same-sex marriage.

In the run-up to the 2021 census, the bureau considered but ultimately rejected a gender question – a move attacked by members of the LGBTIQ+ community who felt they were being ignored.

Read the full story here.

In news north of Australia, search and rescue crews have been desperately attempting to save eight miners trapped as far as 60 metres underground in Indonesia after their illegal gold mine was flooded.

The miners were working in one of dozens of pits at the facility in the district of Banyumas in Central Java province on Tuesday night, when it suddenly began to fill with water suspected to be from a nearby river.

An urgent effort has been launched to find any survivors, with police and the military joining a rescue team of more than 100 at the site today.

Read the full story here.

The boss of Australia’s largest bubble tea chain is bracing for the imminent closure of some stores in its network of nearly 200, as higher business costs and a slowdown in consumer spending push some outlets into the red.

Double-digit increases in utility costs, rent and a 5.75 per cent rise in the minimum wage are affecting profitability and putting financial and emotional strain on business operators, said Chatime chief executive Carlos Antonius, who admitted some stores were unprofitable.

“There will be decisions made where it’s potentially better to close and relocate than to renew [a lease] now,” Antonius said. “That’s just part and parcel of the business and franchising.”

Despite the strength of the Chatime brand, there “absolutely” would be a small number of stores that would not reopen, he said. “That’s always the last resort, of course,” he said.

Read the full story here.

A man has been arrested after remains discovered in Tasmanian bushland were confirmed as human and likely to be those of missing teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell.

The 36-year-old from the town of Scottsdale, in the state’s north-east, was taken into custody today in Launceston.

Police have confirmed remains discovered on a bush track near Nabowla yesterday and believed to be those of Shyanne-Lee.

The 14-year-old was last seen in Launceston on the night of April 30.

Police launched a large search at Nabowla yesterday, involving 180 people including helicopter crews and mounted search and rescue volunteers.

The man has not been charged and investigations are ongoing, while forensic testing on the remains could take one week.

“We will not rest until we have answers. This latest development is hopefully another step toward having those answers,” Tasmania Police Commander Kate Chambers said.

AAP

Concerns about senior Republican Mitch McConnell’s health have been reignited after the Senate Minority Leader froze for more than 20 seconds during a press conference and had to be escorted away by colleagues.

The 81-year-old, one of the most powerful men in the US Congress, was making opening remarks about an annual defence bill when his voice trailed off and he suddenly stopped talking.

McConnell was escorted away but walked back to the news conference by himself about 10 minutes later.

Asked about his health, he insisted he was “fine” but did not elaborate on what had happened. Pressed on whether he could still do his job, he replied: “Yeah.” A staffer later explained to reporters that he was simply feeling lightheaded.

Read the full story here.