I'm reporting for 7NEWS Australia with the latest from our Sunrise Early News bulletin. Today's roundup covers a violent freeway shooting and crash in Melbourne, an alleged double stabbing in the Blue Mountains, a tense manhunt for accused cop killer Desi Freeman, fallout from anti‑immigration marches, major changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and a string of other breaking stories affecting communities around the country.
Table of Contents
- Melbourne freeway shooting leaves two fighting for life
- Blue Mountains: woman charged after alleged double stabbing
- Manhunt update: police warn those helping accused cop killer Desi Freeman
- Migration marches: extremist influence and a violent incident
- Port of Melbourne blockade: 18 activists arrested
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform: drug prices to drop
- Legal and crime briefings
- Sport and society: Broncos damage control and IVF mix‑up
- Development and community stories
- Weather snapshot
- Other headlines to watch
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Melbourne freeway shooting leaves two fighting for life
Emergency services responded to a dramatic crash on the Hume Freeway at Epping just after 9:30am. A car collided with a truck and, on arrival, crews found a 22‑year‑old man with gunshot wounds inside the vehicle. An 18‑year‑old woman suffered life‑threatening injuries in the same incident. Investigators also located a torched car nearby as part of an urgent ongoing probe.
Police have launched a priority investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and subsequent collision. No further details about suspects or motives have been released at this stage.
Blue Mountains: woman charged after alleged double stabbing
A woman has been charged with attempted murder after two men, believed to be her sons, were found unconscious inside a home in Lurah. The attack took place last week and both victims remain in Westmead Hospital recovering from surgery. The accused also remains in hospital and is due to face a bedside court hearing.
Manhunt update: police warn those helping accused cop killer Desi Freeman
The search for Desi Freeman has entered its ninth day amid growing concern that members of the public know where he is hiding and may be actively assisting him to evade capture. Authorities say people "know the whereabouts of a person who's killed two cops" and are urging anyone harbouring information or providing help to come forward.
Freeman's wife has publicly claimed she is working with police to locate him, while officers have used flashbangs in bushland operations as they try to draw him out. The manhunt remains high priority for Victorian police.
Migration marches: extremist influence and a violent incident
Indigenous leaders have called for authorities to treat a neo‑Nazi attack on an Indigenous camp in Melbourne as a hate crime. Two women were injured in the confrontation, and the camp's founder described the perpetrators as "terrorists and cowards."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that while "there's always good people will turn up to demonstrate," extremist groups are exploiting anti‑immigration protests and being given platforms. The Prime Minister also faces pressure from some federal MPs to criminalise the burning of the Australian flag, a move described by one MP as "abhorrent."
Port of Melbourne blockade: 18 activists arrested
Eighteen pro‑Palestinian activists were arrested after blocking the Port of Melbourne. Several protesters handcuffed themselves to the terminal's entrance gate, halting container trucks and causing significant disruption. The action targeted shipping companies accused of supplying materials to Israel. All arrested have been granted bail and will appear in court at a later date.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform: drug prices to drop
In Canberra, political reporter Josh Martin confirmed the Albanese government has delivered on an election promise to cut the cost of prescription medicines. Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) passed the Senate late last night. From next January, co‑payments for PBS medicines will be capped and fall from the current $31 to $25.
Labor framed the reform as part of its cost‑of‑living agenda. However, a cloud remains over the long‑term future of cheaper medicines after reports that major pharmaceutical companies have lobbied internationally. The government insists the PBS will not be up for negotiation.
Legal and crime briefings
- Tony Mokbel appeal: Melbourne crime figure Tony Mokbel will front court seeking to overturn convictions, arguing he would not have accepted a plea if he had known his former lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was providing evidence to police. A four‑day hearing will be live streamed.
- Russian consulate car crash: A 39‑year‑old Victorian man rammed his car through the steel gates of the Russian consulate in Sydney's eastern suburbs and is due to face court. He was surrounded by heavily armed police; his motive remains unclear.
Sport and society: Broncos damage control and IVF mix‑up
The Brisbane Broncos are managing fallout after staff fullback Rhys Walsh posted a video appearing to drink water from a toilet bowl as a novel recovery method. The club said the toilet was never used and that Walsh was renovating his house, calling the footage a "poor attempt at humour."
In a separate scandal, Queensland Fertility Group (owned by Virtus Health) is under fire after a decades‑long secret came to light: a Caucasian couple gave birth to a biracial baby due to a laboratory labelling error and a US sperm bank delivering the wrong donor sperm. Families and community groups are seeking answers and transparency from the fertility provider.
Development and community stories
Dreamworld has lodged major expansion plans that could add a resort‑style hotel, homes and restaurants to the theme park, with officials pushing for approvals to be finalised ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The acting Queensland Premier has called for "call in" powers on the project to ensure prompt delivery, noting the economic and residential opportunities the development could unlock.
Weather snapshot
Here are the key forecasts for Tuesday:
- Brisbane: showers, 23°C
- Sydney: early showers, 20°C
- Canberra: partly cloudy, 16°C
- Melbourne: possible shower, 18°C
- Hobart: showers increasing, 17°C
- Adelaide: mostly sunny, 19°C
- Perth: mostly sunny, 21°C
- Darwin: sunny, 34°C
Other headlines to watch
- Fiery blast captured as a gas cylinder erupted in a busy marketplace.
- New claims about Camilla's past appear in a recently released book.
- Plans discussed to honour the legacy of a music icon, "Daisy Daisy," stirring excitement among rock fans.
Conclusion
It’s a busy news day across Australia, with major policing operations, legal battles, social protests and practical changes to the cost of living. We’ll continue to follow developments on the Hume Freeway shooting, the Freeman manhunt, and the rollout of PBS reforms. Stay alert to official updates and local advisories.
FAQ
Q: What is the status of the victims from the Hume Freeway crash?
A: A 22‑year‑old man with gunshot wounds and an 18‑year‑old woman with life‑threatening injuries remain in hospital as police investigate the crash and related arson of a nearby vehicle.
Q: Why has Desi Freeman been difficult to locate?
A: Authorities say the search has been hampered by the possibility that members of the public know his whereabouts and may be assisting him. Police have conducted bushland operations, including the use of flashbangs, while appealing for information.
Q: When will PBS co‑payments fall and by how much?
A: Changes passed by the Senate will take effect next January, reducing the standard PBS co‑payment from $31 to $25.
Q: What actions are being taken after the IVF labelling error?
A: Queensland Fertility Group is facing public scrutiny. Affected families are seeking accountability; investigations and calls for transparency are underway.
Q: Are the Port of Melbourne protesters still facing charges?
A: All 18 arrested activists have been granted bail and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
For ongoing coverage, follow 7NEWS Australia and our Sunrise team for updates throughout the day.
