Key events
Natasha May
The elective surgery waiting list in New South Wales public hospitals is nearing the pandemic record high, new data shows.
The Bureau of Health Information (BHI) has today released its latest Healthcare Quarterly report for the period of January to March 2025.
It shows despite the 52,973 elective surgeries representing a rise of 3.6% compared with the same quarter in 2024, the increase in the percentage on the waiting list was even higher.
The 100,678 patients on the elective surgery waiting list was up 7.3% (an additional 6,881 patients) and just short of the record peak during the Covid-19 pandemic, the BHI said.
Of those patients on the list waiting for surgery at the end of March, 8,587 had waited longer than clinically recommended – a 151.3% increase (an additional 5,170 patients) from the same time a year earlier.
The data was more positive for emergency departments which have seen a decrease in semi-urgent and non-urgent presentations over the past year.
Nick Visser here to take over for Martin Farrer. Let’s get on with the news.
Sanctions against Israeli ministers made under autonomous sanctions regulations on human rights
The sanctions against the Israeli ministers have been made under the autonomous sanctions regulations on human rights introduced in 2011.
A statement on the Dfat website last night said Penny Wong had imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on the Israeli ministers because of serious violations or serious abuses of human rights.
The regulations state that sanctions can be imposed if the foreign minister “is satisfied” that the person has engaged in, has been responsible for or has been complicit in a serious violation or serious abuse of a person’s right to life; or right not to be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or right not to be held in slavery or servitude or right not to be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
The minister can prevent a person from travelling to, entering or remaining in Australia if they satisfy those criteria.
Five countries issue joint statement on sanctions for Israeli ministers
Josh Butler
The news about the sanctions against the Israeli ministers broke in reports after 11pm Australian time and was confirmed at midnight by a joint statement by the five countries.
The joint statement, issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that “settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric” against the Palestinian community and “fundamentally rejects the two-state solution”. It said Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have incited “extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights” and these actions were “not acceptable”.
However, it goes on to note the ministers’ “unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas”.
This is the full statement:
Today, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution. Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.
We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution which is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.
Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable. We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account. The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.
The measures announced today do not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security and we continue to condemn the horrific terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas. Today’s measures are targeted towards individuals who in our view undermine Israel’s own security and its standing in the world. We continue to want a strong friendship with the people of Israel based on our shared ties, values and commitment to their security and future.
Today’s measures focus on the West Bank, but of course this cannot be seen in isolation from the catastrophe in Gaza. We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid. There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. We will continue to work with the Israeli Government and a range of partners. We will strive to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release now of the remaining hostages and for the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid including food. We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution.
Australia sanctions two Israeli ministers
Josh Butler
Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in placing financial sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli government ministers, over what foreign affairs minister Penny Wong described as “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.
In an unexpected move, news of which broke overnight Australian time, the Albanese government joined several allies in levelling targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich. The Magnitsky-style sanctions come over concerns from the five governments about serious human rights violations and abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The two ministers were sanctioned in relation to a range of public comments and actions, including marching through Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter with a group that chanted “death to Arabs” and “may your village burn”.
Ben-Gvir last month said Israel would “occupy the entire territory of the Gaza Strip” and encourage migration of Gazans elsewhere, while Smotrich in February said: “‘With God’s help we will work to permanently bury the dangerous idea of a Palestinian State.”
The sanctions make it an offence to make assets available to a sanctioned person, require the freezing of any assets in Australia, and prevent them from entering Australia.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer bringing you the best of the overnight stories before Nick Visser takes control.
Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in placing financial sanctions and travel bans on two Israeli government ministers, over what foreign affairs minister Penny Wong described as “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”. Wong is expected to tour the radio and TV studios this morning to explain the surprise move which was announced overnight in a joint statement with the other nations.
The ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, is expected to unveil his first tranche of changes at the public broadcaster on Wednesday morning, including a new round of redundancies and the axing of Q+A after 18 years. We will have more details and reaction.
