Police minister says Sydney pro-Palestine protests must remain peaceful or ‘you can expect to be arrested’
Emily Wind
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, has told reporters there will be a “significant police presence” on the streets in Sydney today.
A pro-Palestine rally will take place in Hyde Park from 1pm today, after NSW police previously attempted to stop it from happening in federal court.
Catley said:
Everybody has a right to express their views, but we need to respect each other in doing that.
She added there will be “no problem whatsoever” if people do the right thing, but if not, “you can expect to be arrested”.
Assistant commissioner Peter McKenna added that if people commit criminal offences, display antisocial behaviour or “do anything that places people … [in] jeopardy, we will step in”.
Key events
Crew and passengers rescued as naval ship sinks in Pacific
Seventy-five crew members and passengers have been rescued after a New Zealand navy vessel ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoan island Upolu.
Samoan emergency services and Australian defence force personnel responded to the incident involving HMNZS Manawanui, with assistance from NZ Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ).
The incident occurred on Saturday evening while conducting a hydrographic survey 1 nautical mile from shore, according to a statement from the NZ defence force.
The NZ defence force said at 6.40am Sunday, the Manawanui was listing heavily and smoke was visible from the ship and by 9am it had capsized and was below the surface.
“We are very grateful for the assistance of everyone involved, from RCCNZ who coordinated rescue efforts, to the vessels which responded and took our crew and passengers from Manawanui to safety,” maritime component commander commodore Shane Arndell said.
More video from the Sydney rally from reporter Sanjana Jose:
No arrests have been made at today’s pro-Palestine rally in Sydney “at this stage, that we know of”, according to NSW police media.
“Numbers are significantly lower than was expected,” the spokesperson said, but could pick up later.
Melbourne protesters march towards Flinders Street station
In Melbourne’s CBD, where protesters are rallying outside the state library, a speaker led a chant of “there’s no shopping while bombs are dropping” as he directed attenders to march towards Flinders Street.
The pro-Palestine rally is now well under way in Sydney’s Hyde Park. Here’s some video from Guardian Australia reporter Emily Wind:
Emily Wind
Kamila, who did not wish to share her last name, travelled from Westmead for today’s rally, but is originally from New Zealand.
She began attending the rallies in December last year and admitted she was slightly nervous the first time, but when she arrived felt “nothing but love” and has made lots of friends.
I feel it’s my duty as a human being, as someone living here on this country from another country, I feel it’s my duty to speak up and give a voice to those that don’t have a voice.
And if the same thing was happening to Israel or to France, I would be doing the same thing. It’s about humanity, and I think as humanity – as a collective humanity – I think we’ve failed, and that’s why I’m here today.
Emily Wind
‘We are peaceful activists, we’re anti-war activists, and we have a right to demonstrate’
Cherish Kuehlmann, a UNSW student with the Students for Palestine group, said she started coming to the rallies one year ago, coming as often as she is able.
Today’s rally is being held one day before the anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel where 1,450 people were killed or kidnapped, shortly after which Israel began a retaliation campaign in Gaza that has resulted in at least 41,000 people – mostly civilians and many children – being killed.
The rallies have been held in Sydney for 52 weeks now.
Kuehlmann said this has grown into “one of the biggest anti-war movements, definitely the most consistent anti-war movement in Australian history”.
It’s bad to resign to what’s happening. We all see it on our phones, and so growing the support … and [encouraging] more people to come out matters …
I just think its the … moral crime of our generation.
The student said attempts by NSW police to try to stop today’s rally from happening felt like “deja vu” to when the rallies first began and were denounced by certain politicians.
We’ve demonstrated we are peaceful activists, we’re anti-war activists, and we have a right to demonstrate.
Child dies and woman missing in Queensland house fire
A eight-year-old child has died and a woman is missing after a fire broke out in residential units in Thorneside, east of Brisbane this morning.
According to ABC reports, a crime scene had been declared.
Queensland police’s Chief Insp Karl Hahne said:
Tragically, we have located one person deceased inside the premises.
One person is still unaccounted-for however, we have a strong belief that person is also in the fire scene.
The blaze was brought under control just after 8am Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Queensland Fire Department.
A roof collapsed in one unit, and the fire damaged two others.
Guardian Australia’s Sanjana Jose has posted a video from Hyde Park in Sydney where the pro-Palestine rally is about to get under way:
Police place large LED signs at Sydney pro-Palestine rally warning against display of Hezbollah imagery
Emily Wind
The pro-Palestine rally in Sydney is due to kick off at 1pm, but there’s already a huge turnout at Hyde Park.
Large crowds of all ages have gathered with protest signs and Palestinian flags, and dozens of police are already present.
Police have placed two large LED screens in the park, telling people not to fly Hezbollah flags or imagery with slain leader Hassan Nasrallah.
There is a row of market stalls with people selling their wares, and attenders have been gathering together in pockets of shade ahead of the rally, with 25C heat.
Ellen Vera is attending for the first time today, having travelled from Casula, south-west of Sydney. She said she wasn’t a political person, but the conflict “has to stop”.
It’s inhumane. Humanity is gone.
Vera said she was walking “for the children, the women and the men who cannot get treatment because the hospitals are all blown up”.
Wallaroos notch thrilling rugby test victory over South Africa
The Wallaroos have earned a pulsating 33-26 triumph over South Africa in Cape Town, as record-equalling Ash Marsters came up with a heroic last-ditch steal to put the Australian women’s side in sight of the WXV2 tournament title.
The excellent all-round display on Saturday was headlined by two spectacular performances from flying wingers Desiree Miller and record-breaker Maya Stewart, and sets up a title-deciding match against unbeaten Scotland at the same venue next week.
Read more:
– AAP
Queensland parachutists taken to hospital after reports of mid-air collision
Two parachutists reportedly involved in a mid-air collision have been transported to hospital, according to Queensland Ambulance.
A spokesperson said paramedics attended Toogoolawah showgrounds – about 118km north-west of Brisbane – after receiving reports that two parachutists had collided mid-air.
One male patient with significant, and potentially life-threatening, head injuries was airlifted by helicopter to Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital, she said.
The other patient with a leg injury was in a stable condition and being transported to Princess Alexandra hospital by road.
The Bureau of Meteorology says rugby league fans can look forward to warm and sunny weather for today’s NRLW and NRL grand finals.
Man dies at Sydney music festival
A young man has died at the Knockout music festival in Sydney last night, according to NSW police.
Police commissioner, Karen Webb, said the death was an “unfortunate circumstance” that had been referred to the coroner.
We understand he had underlying health issues and there’s no suggestion of any drug taking.
Webb said there had been some drug-related hospitalisations associated with the festival.
It’s always risky. Whenever you take illegal drugs, you never know where they’re made, you don’t know what’s in them, and you don’t know how your body’s going to react.
Emily Wind
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, also touched on the candlelight vigil planned for tomorrow, on 7 October, and asked people to “think about social cohesion”.
We ask for people to be sensitive. Obviously there’s a lot of hurt and emotion through our community, and I would just call on people to think about that social cohesion mix.