Australia news live: police to investigate Gaza flotilla activist allegations; Victorian law set to enshrine right to WFH

Police meet activists and will inquire into abuse and sexual assault allegations. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Australian federal police will begin conducting “inquiries” into abuse and sexual assault allegations made against Israeli authorities by Australian members of the Global Sumud flotilla after meeting Penny Wong yesterday afternoon. The AFP confirmed it had met members in the group at Parliament House and “has begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group”.

Guardian Australia understands a report of crime has not yet been formally submitted, which would trigger a formal look into the allegations alleging they were abused, tortured and, in some cases, sexually assaulted by Israeli authorities while detained after attempting to deliver aid to the occupied Palestinian territory. Wong, multicultural affairs minister Anne Aly, and senior AFP officers met the group to “listen to them directly about their experiences”, a spokesperson for Wong said. The minister has condemned the actions of Israeli authorities and Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has already sanctioned, the spokesperson said.

She raised the allegations multiple times and made clear directly to Israel that Australia expects an “independent, transparent investigation”. Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.

The Australian federal police will investigate alleged abuse and sexual assault by Israeli security forces against Australian members of the Global Sumud flotilla, it was announced last night. More coming up. The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, will today introduce legislation to parliament to guarantee the right to work from home two days a week, including for part-time workers and regular casuals.

Plus, today the Reserve Bank announces its latest decision on which direction interest rates will move: but everyone’s expecting them to stay the same.