Logies Wins for Seven, Palestine March Across Harbour Bridge, Defence Force Adverts

From the glittering triumphs of the Logies to historic demonstrations and major national updates, today’s news brings a rich tapestry of stories impacting Australia. Presented by 7NEWS Australia, this report covers the celebrated Logies night, the massive pro-Palestinian protests that halted Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge, a booming Defence Force recruitment campaign, and much more. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key events shaping the nation.

Table of Contents

• Logies Night: Lyn McGranger’s Golden Milestone
• Historic Pro-Palestinian Protests Bring Sydney and Melbourne to a Standstill
• Crime and Emergency Updates Across Australia
• Transport Strikes and Public Sector Protests Loom
• Australian Defence Force Sees Surge in Recruitment via Digital Campaigns
• Alcohol Tax Freeze and Rising Prices for Spirits and Wine
• Health Alert: Influenza Cases Surge in Sydney
• Pharmaceutical Costs Burden Australians
• NRL Community Mourns Loss of Sam Backo
• Robert Irwin Becomes the New Face of Australia
• Weather Outlook for Monday
• Coming Up
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Logies Night: Lyn McGranger’s Golden Milestone

The Australian television industry celebrated a landmark moment as Lyn McGranger, the beloved star of Home and Away, won the coveted Gold Logie, marking her first Logie award after an impressive 33-year career. Alongside the Gold, she also took home the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actress, solidifying her status as an icon of Australian drama.

Lyn joined the cast of Home and Away in 1993, portraying Irene and becoming the longest-serving female actor in Australian television drama history. In a heartfelt moment, she promised to carry the Gold Logie in her handbag for a year, a playful nod to her early acting days when she won a best actress award at the 1974 Wagga Wagga Drama Festival.

She paid tribute to the entire Home and Away cast and crew, acknowledging the collective effort behind the show’s enduring success. Other notable Logies highlights included Channel Seven’s The Voice, hosted by Sonya Kruger, winning Best Entertainment Program, and Channel Seven News Perth anchors Susanna Carr and Rick Arden entering the Guinness Book of Records for co-anchoring a bulletin for 40 years.

Comedian and actress Magda Shubanski was also honoured with induction into the Logies Hall of Fame, delivering a touching acceptance speech that moved many to tears.

Historic Pro-Palestinian Protests Bring Sydney and Melbourne to a Standstill

In a powerful display of solidarity, tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Sydney and Melbourne, bringing parts of the cities to a halt. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, an iconic global landmark, was closed to traffic for at least four hours as the crowd filled the bridge and surrounding streets.

The protest saw a sea of black, white, green, and red flags, with notable figures such as Julian Assange and Anthony Mundine joining the estimated 25,000-strong crowd in Sydney. Despite warnings from police about public safety and calls to disperse, the demonstrators remained steadfast in their message.

In Melbourne, the protests were met with a heavy police presence equipped with riot gear, including officers on foot, horseback, and boats on the Yarra River. Protesters emphasized their peaceful intent and called for justice, equality, and a democratic state for Palestine.

"We are a peaceful movement. We are calling for justice and equality and a democratic state."

Later in the day, dozens of protesters blocked the Spencer Street Bridge in Melbourne, catching police off guard. A distressing moment occurred when a woman urgently needed access to a hospital, and the crowd made way for her passage.

"We must act now. We must hold our government to account. We won't bow our heads. We will never give up, and we will shout, 'We free Palestine.'"

The demonstrations underscored the growing public demand for Australia’s government to take a clear stance on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Crime and Emergency Updates Across Australia

Victoria’s southeast is on high alert as police hunt for an arsonist after a barbershop on Powath Road in Murrumbina was destroyed by fire in the early hours. Witnesses reported seeing a person throw an object at the shop before it ignited, sparking a major emergency response.

Meanwhile, a desperate search continues over the Bass Strait for an elderly couple whose light plane went missing. The experienced pilot, in his seventies, had recently purchased the aircraft and took off from Georgetown Airport in Tasmania en route to regional Victoria. Significant air and sea resources are involved in the ongoing rescue operation.

Tragically, a 26-year-old Chinese engineer is feared dead after being swept away by floodwaters in the Hunter region of New South Wales. The incident occurred near Sesnock, north of Newcastle, where the engineer and a friend attempted to drive through rapid waters. The friend escaped, while another man was rescued after clinging to a tree.

Transport Strikes and Public Sector Protests Loom

Queenslanders are bracing for significant traffic disruptions with around 450 transport engineers set to walk off the job for 12 hours over pay disputes. The strike is expected to cause delays across all major transport infrastructure projects and impact the broader traffic network.

This action marks the start of a week of public sector protests, with teachers planning a strike midweek and firefighters voting on potential strike action in the near future.

Australian Defence Force Sees Surge in Recruitment via Digital Campaigns

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is celebrating its most successful recruitment drive in over a decade, thanks to a $170 million advertising campaign targeting Generation Z. By meeting young Australians where they spend their time—on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and popular video games such as Fortnite and Call of Duty—the ADF has attracted its highest number of recruits since 2009.

This strategy focuses on 17 to 24-year-olds and aligns with the Albanese government’s goal of reaching 69,000 permanent defence staff by the early 2030s. Canberra correspondent Izzy Mullen highlighted the campaign’s effectiveness in reversing declining service rates.

Alcohol Tax Freeze and Rising Prices for Spirits and Wine

Starting today, the Albanese government’s two-speed alcohol tax policy takes effect, freezing the cost of pouring a pint of keg beer for two years. This move has been welcomed by pubs nationwide.

However, the freeze does not extend to spirits and wine, meaning cocktail and spirit drinkers will continue to face price increases. The government’s decision has stirred mixed reactions, especially among consumers of these beverages.

Health Alert: Influenza Cases Surge in Sydney

Emergency departments across Sydney are overwhelmed as winter illnesses spike, with over 92,000 cases of influenza recorded this year. Health officials attribute the surge to a significant number of people skipping their annual flu vaccination, underscoring the importance of immunisation to protect community health.

Pharmaceutical Costs Burden Australians

A recent survey reveals that one in ten Australians have had to borrow money, fundraise, or take on extra work to afford medicines not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The poll also found that 43% of respondents paid full price for prescription medicines outside of the PBS, with over 85% spending between $50 and $100 per script.

These findings have sparked urgent calls for the expansion of the PBS to improve medicine affordability and access for all Australians.

NRL Community Mourns Loss of Sam Backo

The National Rugby League (NRL) community is grieving the loss of Queensland great Sam Backo, who passed away at 64. Backo was a legendary front-rower instrumental in Queensland’s State of Origin dominance during the late 1980s and was celebrated as one of the greatest Indigenous players of the 20th century.

He had been battling an amoebic infection earlier this year. His legacy and contribution to the sport remain deeply honoured.

Robert Irwin Becomes the New Face of Australia

Wildlife enthusiast Robert Irwin stars in Tourism Australia’s latest multimillion-dollar “Come and Say G’day” campaign. The ad, which launched in key international markets including the US and China, features Robert’s infectious charm as he explores the country, inviting the world to experience Australia’s unique spirit.

Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and actress Rose Byrne also lend their voices to the campaign, adding star power to the engaging promotion aimed at boosting tourism from countries such as the UK, India, and Japan.

Weather Outlook for Monday

• Brisbane: Partly cloudy, 24°C
• Sydney: A shower or two, 19°C
• Canberra: Partly cloudy, 17°C
• Melbourne: Mostly sunny, 18°C
• Hobart: Partly cloudy, 16°C
• Perth: Showers, 17°C
• Darwin: Sunny, 31°C

Coming Up

Stay tuned for breaking news on an Australian arrested in Bali following a dramatic carjacking, as well as updates on Prince Harry’s fresh lawsuit amid royal family disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who won the Gold Logie at this year’s Logies?

Lyn McGranger, the Home and Away star, won the Gold Logie along with the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actress.

What was the scale of the pro-Palestinian protests in Sydney and Melbourne?

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered, including approximately 25,000 in Sydney alone, filling the Harbour Bridge and key streets, leading to significant traffic disruptions.

What is the focus of the Australian Defence Force’s recent recruitment campaign?

The campaign targets 17 to 24-year-olds on social media platforms and popular video games, resulting in the highest recruitment numbers in over a decade.

How will the new alcohol tax policy affect drink prices?

The policy freezes the tax on keg beer for two years, stabilizing prices for pubs, but spirits and wine prices will continue to rise as they are not included in the freeze.

What health challenges are Sydney hospitals facing this winter?

Emergency departments are overwhelmed due to a surge in influenza cases, partly caused by reduced flu vaccination uptake.

What is being done about the high cost of medicines in Australia?

There are calls for urgent expansion of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to improve affordability, as many Australians struggle to pay full price for essential medications.

Who is Robert Irwin and what role does he play in Australia’s tourism campaign?

Robert Irwin is a wildlife expert and the new face of Australia’s “Come and Say G’day” tourism campaign, promoting the country internationally.