HECS debt bill passes through parliament | Midday News Bulletin 31 July 2025

A woman stabbed to death in rural Victoria; Donald Trump's name removed from an impeachment exhibit at a museum in the US; Australia's Sarah Gigante keeping pace with the leaders of the Tour de France Femmes.

The Supreme Court approves the pro-Palestine protest to march across the Harbour Bridge; Donald Trump moves US submarines amid war of words with former Russian president; And in sport, Mollie O'Callaghan wins a silver medal at the Swimming World Championships.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese set to speak at the Garma festival; The Supreme Court to decide if pro-Palestinian protest on Sydney Harbour Bridge can go ahead; And in netball, Melbourne Vixens prepare to take on the West Coast Fever in the Super Netball grand final.

In this bulletin, Chris Minns urges compromise as pro-Palestine bridge protests loom in Sydney and Melbourne, returned activists allege they were strip searched, hand cuffed and robbed after being detained by the Israeli army. And in sport, the Wallabies' last-minute line-up shuffle, ahead of tomorrow's game against the Lions.

In this bulletin, Australia avoids a fresh wave of tariffs out of the United States, as trade penalties come into effect. The Uluru Dialogue slams stalled progress on Closing the Gap as Garma Festival begins. And in swimming, Australians rack up the medals at the World Championships in Singapore.

The multi-billion-dollar cost of espionage and foreign interference targeting Australia revealed; Australia's largest Indigenous gathering begins in northeast Arnhem Land; And in golf, Grace Kim among nine Australians competing at the Women's British Open in Wales.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says more needs to be done on meeting Closing the Gap targets, Government says it is ready to crack down on underperforming childcare centres, Veteran Wallabies player Nic White has announces his retirement from professional rugby

Millions of students will have their debts reduced, after a HECS debt bill passed through parliament, Israel under increasing pressure over Gaza, ahead of US talks in coming hours, Harrison Turner claims Australia's first-ever world championship medal for 200 metre butterfly ...

Australia falls further behind on Closing the Gap targets; Minimal tsunami impact following major Russian quake; And in cycling, Kimberley Le Pienaar wins stage five of the Tour de France Femmes.

Tsunami hits Russia and Japan after 8.8 magnitude earthquake, Young man arrested for firebombing Melbourne synagogue, Mitch Owen is set to play his first ODI for Australia after stunning T-20 debut against West Indies.