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An ICAC inquiry heard on Friday that NSW Reformers faction funds paid for a bucks party. Co-founder Robert Assaf said members were "immature and young" and treated the money as an advance for personal expenses. The probe is investigating if the group used prohibited donors to advance their political interests.
Anytime Fitness apologised on July 31, 2026, after customers reported false signatures on gym contracts. New members in NSW and Queensland found their names on agreements they never saw. Michael Fraser said, “I just knew it wasn’t my signature.” The franchise is now investigating these complaints about their contracting practices.
Premier Ben Carroll announced Chris Barrett as the new secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Barrett replaces Jeremi Moule, who held the role since November 2020. Carroll said, “He brings to the role deep experience leading a major Victorian department.” Barrett will start his new role on Monday.
Police determined that offensive comments made by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson about Muslims do not meet the threshold for a crime. The AFP said it finalised the matter on Friday. Many politicians and leaders condemned her words as divisive, but they did not break new hate speech laws.
A blue Toyota Yaris became airborne and wedged into a Brisbane bus on Wednesday evening. The crash happened at Rocklea after the car hit a traffic island. A witness said, “There’s literally a car in the bus.” Police fined a SsangYong driver $690 for causing the dangerous road incident.
Two people have been named as persons of interest in the 1994 disappearance of Sydney model Revelle Balmain. Deputy State Coroner Joan Baptie said, “They either knew who was responsible for Balmain’s disappearance or were somehow involved.” The case remains with police after the coroner ruled that Balmain is dead.
United States President Donald Trump announced a historic agreement for the disarmament of Hamas on Friday. Experts said the plan lacks detail and may lead nowhere. Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said, "If Israel does not implement the agreement, neither will we." Israel has not yet agreed to the proposal.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty referred vile online threats to police after a feral pig program announcement. The comments appeared on the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Facebook page. Moriarty said, "I do think there needs to be consequences for serious threats that are made against anybody." Police are investigating.
Liberal MP Julian Leeser said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is adrift on Indigenous policy at the Garma festival. Leeser argued the government lacked direction since the 2023 Voice referendum failed. He urged the leader to act, saying, "It is time to get off the mat," while focusing on suicide prevention.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor said Anthony Albanese failed to act after Labor MP Luke Gosling was charged with two counts of assault. Gosling allegedly assaulted NT Administrator David Connolly earlier in July. While Gosling denied the allegations, many opposition members want him to step down from his special envoy role.
Sharee Minnikin-Smith told a parliamentary committee on Friday that she was ordered to campaign for Liberal candidate Jane Howlett while employed as a taxpayer-funded staffer. She said her work was "100 per cent for Jane Howlett" during office hours. The state government said these claims are incorrect and denied them.
Asbestos and contaminated soil at two Suburban Rail Loop sites are causing delays and cost concerns. On July 31, 2026, sources said conditions at Clarinda and Heatherton were worse than expected. While not dangerous, the strict handling rules for this dirty soil mean the project now faces more time and expense.