Good morning, Australia! Today is October 4 and here is your news briefing!
The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.
We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.
Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, we're able to keep the news flowing freely. If you're able, please join us in supporting Mencari.
Join over 1000 readers. Sign up here.
We'd love it if you could share the email with your friends! Just (copy the URL here.
Today's reading time is 7 minutes. - Miko Santos
Here’s what else you need to know to get going and get on with your day.
1️⃣ Federal Court Orders Record Telstra Penalty for Consumer Law Breach Affecting Thousands of Customers
The Federal Court ordered Telstra to pay $18 million penalty for breaching Australian Consumer Law after moving 8,897 Belong brand customers to lower-speed NBN plans without notification in October and November 2020. The telecommunications giant migrated customers from plans providing maximum upload speeds of 40 megabits per second to services offering only 20 megabits per second while maintaining download speeds at 100 megabits per second.
ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey stated the penalty sends strong message that businesses cannot mislead consumers by changing key service aspects without informing customers. Affected customers will receive remediation totaling over $2.3 million through credits or payments of $15 for each month on the lower upload speed plan. The change occurred after NBN Co launched new wholesale consumer speed tiers in May 2020 including 100/20 megabits per second tier costing retail service providers $7 less monthly than 100/40 megabits per second plan. ACCC commenced court action December 6, 2022, with Federal Court making findings against Telstra on February 21, 2025, as misleading pricing and telecommunications claims represent current ACCC enforcement priorities.
2️⃣ Shadow Home Affairs Minister Hastie Resigns from Liberal Shadow Cabinet Citing Immigration Policy Disagreement
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie resigned from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet citing disagreement over immigration policy responsibilities and cabinet solidarity requirements. Hastie informed Ley this morning of immediate resignation, stating leader made clear Shadow Home Affairs Minister would not lead Coalition’s immigration response or develop immigration strategy. The resignation followed social media posts last week where Hastie claimed Australians were becoming “strangers in their own country” due to “unsustainable” immigration levels, prompting speculation about leadership challenge ambitions he dismissed as “mischievous.”
Opposition Leader Ley stated she distributed charter letters three days ago to shadow ministers outlining expectations following more than 50 one-on-one conversations including with Hastie, noting he informed her via telephone of inability to comply with longstanding cabinet solidarity requirements without raising policy matters during call. Hastie expressed gratitude to Ley and stated she deserves to lead “unencumbered by interventions from shadow cabinet colleagues,” citing well-established convention requiring shadow cabinet members unwilling to live by solidarity convention to depart to backbench. Liberal Party continues reviewing policy suite without formal immigration policy commitment beyond broad statement that permanent and net migration figures must fall further, with formal shadow ministry changes to be announced shortly.
3️⃣ International Law Expert Analyzes Gaza Flotilla Interception as Activists Face Deportation Following Naval Boarding
International law expert Don Rothwell explained Gaza-bound aid flotilla interceptions by Israeli naval forces present complex legal questions involving competing principles of maritime blockades and freedom of navigation. Israel maintains air, sea and land blockade of Gaza exceeding 20 years duration, intensified since October 7, 2023 military operations commencement, with legal authority to establish blockade balanced against exception prohibiting blockade use for starving civilians or denying humanitarian aid access.
Flotilla activists including climate activist Greta Thunberg were detained 60 to 70 nautical miles off Gazan coast within international waters where freedom of navigation applies, marking first occasion such flotillas were accompanied by Italian and Greek naval vessels signaling European frustration with Israeli maritime access management. Israeli government justification centers on vessels entering active military operations zone presenting legitimate security concerns, while flotilla organizers argue humanitarian aid delivery legally circumvents blockade under international law exceptions.
Detained activists are being processed for deportation with most expected release within 24 to 48 hours following standard Israeli procedures of detention, processing, charging, conviction and deportation, though some detainees may contest charges arguing Israeli detention violates international law. Rothwell emphasized Australia regularly invokes freedom of navigation principle regarding South China Sea, noting identical principle applies throughout Mediterranean waters.
4️⃣ Competing Perspectives Emerge on Trump Gaza Peace Plan as Hamas Requests Extended Review Period
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian political analyst Reham Oda provided contrasting assessments of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace framework as Arab mediators report Hamas requests additional time reviewing conditions.
Barak stated Trump “bent Netanyahu like a rubber doll” imposing framework agreement representing good starting point for serious discussion about ending war and opening new chapter, though expressing skepticism Netanyahu may attempt stretching negotiations until Trump’s attention shifts or modifying terms to maintain extremist coalition members.
Former prime minister noted Hamas suffered military defeat as fighting force over year ago with remaining several thousand guerrillas unable to constitute organized military threat, arguing complete “absolute victory” eliminating all Hamas terrorists remains unachievable as evidenced by ongoing terrorist attacks in West Bank under 58 years Israeli control. Palestinian analyst Oda characterized plan as “not the best chance” but “the only option that we have,” emphasizing Palestinian civilians thinking about survival and wanting war cessation as soon as possible with over 66,000 fatalities including more than 18,000 children and 12,000 women. Peace plan proposes international transitional body led by figures including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with both sides demonstrating greater comfort negotiating with international figures than direct engagement. Trump’s initial three-to-four day deadline for Hamas response not considered literal timeframe by observers expecting extended negotiations particularly given requirements locating deceased hostage remains, with analysts anticipating potential Hamas organizational fracturing between pragmatic elements accepting exile or amnesty and hardline groups including Islamic Jihad vowing continued fighting.
5️⃣ NSW Police Lodge Supreme Court Objection to Palestine Action Group Opera House Protest Citing Public Safety Engineering Concerns
NSW Police Central Metropolitan Region Commander lodged Supreme Court objection to Palestine Action Group’s October 12 planned march from Hyde Park to Sydney Opera House citing public safety concerns based on venue engineering requirements and crowd management capacity limitations.
Palestine Action Group submitted Form 1 notification to hold public assembly marking two-year October 7 anniversary and calling for Gaza genocide cessation, with police citing Opera House development approval and engineering requirements indicating inability to safely accommodate expected 10,000 attendees due to venue surrounded predominantly by water with only couple small exit points creating grave crowd crush concerns.
Police commander emphasized decision based solely on public safety grounds for October 12 event rather than referencing October 2023 Opera House gathering, noting police facilitated thousands of protests including approximately weekly assemblies for this particular group over past two years demonstrating willingness to accommodate peaceful demonstrations. Palestine Action Group vowed Supreme Court challenge asserting “right to march” with court determination providing final authority on whether protesters receive legal protections under Form 1 system protecting attendees from potential anti-protest law charges. Police offered alternate routes including tried-and-tested weekly route or Hyde Park to Belmore Park options with negotiations ongoing, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley speaking in Perth characterized planned Opera House protest as “completely counterproductive” from “division and hatred” urging focus on U.S.-brokered peace plan rather than protests at iconic venues. Former Labor Minister Joel Fitzgibbon acknowledged democratic right to peaceful protest while calling timing two years after October 7 “a disgrace,” noting Jewish Australians representing October 7 victims not conducting protests despite genuine fears regarding Hamas organizational goals for Israel’s destruction.
Stay informed on Australia's evolving political landscape with our comprehensive coverage of parliamentary developments and policy analysis.
Follow us across all major podcasting platforms and social media channels for updates that matter. Your support keeps independent journalism alive!
For more in-depth coverage on these stories and other news affecting Australia and the world, subscribe to readmencari.com. Support our independent journalism by listening to our podcasts on all major platforms and considering a subscription to help us continue delivering fearless reporting free from financial and political influence.
As well as knowing you’re keeping MENCARI alive, you’ll also get:
Get breaking news AS IT HAPPENS - Gain instant access to our real-time coverage and analysis when major stories break, keeping you ahead of the curve
Unlock our COMPLETE content library - Enjoy unlimited access to every newsletter, podcast episode, and exclusive archive—all seamlessly available in your favorite podcast apps.
Join the conversation that matters - Be part of our vibrant community with full commenting privileges on all content, directly supporting Mencari's
Stay with readmencari.com for continuous updates on these developing stories and more from across Australia, New Zealand, and the globe. Subscribe to our newsletter for daily briefings delivered straight to your inbox!
Got a News Tip?
Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.
More on Mencari
Mencari—for breaking and updated news around Australia and the world.
Podwires Daily—for providing news about audio trends and podcasts.
There’s a Glitch—updated tech news and scam and fraud trends
Viewpoint 360 - An investigative report based on evidence , produced in collaboration with 360info.
Part8A Podcast features expert interviews on current political and social issues in Australia and worldwide.
