Key events
Albanese said the decision to step down was “entirely” Rudd’s, but said the ambassador’s next role will only continue his work to advance the public interest.
Rudd is leaving a year early, but he “has served three years”, the prime minster said.
Kevin Rudd has a work ethic unlike anyone I’ve ever met. … He sees this as a continuation of his public service, not just to Australia but to the global community.
Penny Wong: ‘Kevin Rudd has served this nation well’
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is running through a list of Rudd’s achievements while in the US, echoing Albanese’s praise on Aukus under both US presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
She pointed to deals on critical minerals and AI datacentres and said Rudd’s work had helped strengthen the Australian economy and security for “decades to come”.
I have seen first-hand how hard he works, not just in the last few years but throughout his public life. He’s always brought an extraordinary level of energy and discipline to public service.
He applied his relentless effort, his experience, intellect and determination to advance Australia’s interests in Washington, and Kevin Rudd has served the nation well.
Kevin Rudd to step down as ambassador to US
Kevin Rudd will step down from his role as Australian ambassador to the US at the end of March, Albanese just announced.
On behalf of our nation, we thank Kevin for his service to Australia, and for taking forward Australia’s interests with our closest security ally.
Rudd will become the global president of leading international relations at the Asia Society.
Albanese praised Rudd for his work to advance economic relations between Australia and the US, as well as on the AUKUS submarine deal.
Albanese pays tribute to farmer who died in Longwood fire
Albanese is up, beginning his comments with a message of condolence to the family of Maxwell Hobson, the man who died in the Longwood fire in Victoria. Hobson was a cattle farmer in the area.
The prime minister said:
That community will be grieving today, and I say to those people in Victoria but also those in the flood-affected areas of Queensland: this is not over.
Please stay safe, listen to the authorities, and once again – I thank the volunteers, the police and emergency services, the Rural Fire Service, and others, who are helping each other get through what is a very difficult time.
Attorney general says new hate speech laws will keep Australians safe
Michelle Rowland, the attorney general, said new laws designed to counter hate speech will be crafted to address the “pure evil” of the Bondi terror attack and help keep Australians safe.
Rowland spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, saying every level of government had a primary responsibility to protect their citizens. She said:
This is a legislative package to combat hate, it’s designed to protect Australians. … Once passed, these will be the toughest hate speech laws the commonwealth has ever had.
She stressed the government had consulted with both Christian and Muslim religious groups on the legislation, adding those conversations were ongoing.
We have taken the time to ensure that we have crafted a comprehensive package that goes towards protecting all Australians. Each element’s been carefully designed to address the most pertinent issues that come out of Bondi.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is due to speak in about 10 minutes. We’ll bring you live updates when he’s up.
Good morning, and happy Tuesday. Nick Visser here to guide you through the day’s news. Let’s get to it.
$1m reward announced 50 years after disappearance of Eloise Worledge
Caitlin Cassidy
Victoria police have issued a $1m reward for information in relation to the suspicious disappearance of Eloise Worledge, five decades since she was last seen.
The reward is the only one of its kind in the state, as it includes payment for information leading to the location or Worledge’s remains, not just regarding a possible perpetrator.
Worledge, then eight, was reported missing by her parents on 13 January 1976. She had last been seen in her bed at home in Beaumaris about 11.40pm the previous night.
The following day, her parents found the fly screen on her window cut and rolled open, however nothing else appeared to have been taken from the room.
Despite the efforts of police, no credible evidence has ever emerged that conclusively explained the girl’s disappearance or identified those responsible.
Detective Insp Dave Dunstan from the missing persons squad said the past decades had been “incredibly difficult for Eloise’s family and to this day, they live with the trauma of her disappearance and it continues to impact them”.
Eloise’s parents not only passed away without ever knowing what became of their daughter, but they also endured years of unfair speculation that they were involved.
PM to speak on hate speech laws
Anthony Albanese is expected to have more to say this morning about the hate speech legislation that he wants to push through parliament next week.
The prime minister confirmed yesterday that parliament would be recalled early for two days on Monday and Tuesday next week to rush through the new laws. Parliament had been due to return for the year on 3 February. The sitting will include condolence motions for the 15 people killed at Bondi last month.
But as Krishani Dhanji reports this morning, there may be a loophole in the bill as it stands which would allow someone accused of hate speech to plead innocent if they had been quoting a religious text in whatever it was they were accused of saying.
Read her full story here:
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then Nick Visser will be your guide.
Anthony Albanese is expected to address the media very soon to give more details about his government’s plans to crack down on hate speech and antisemitism after the Bondi terror attack. We will have live updates as soon as the prime minister starts speaking.
And Victoria police have issued a $1m reward for information in relation to the suspicious disappearance of Eloise Worledge, five decades since she was last seen.
Stay tuned, as we bring you the latest developments this Tuesday.
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