Australia’s live news coverage on Friday has focused on two separate but significant issues: the continued use of spit hoods on children in the Northern Territory and the wider global fallout from the Iran war.
Former children’s commissioner Anne Hollonds delivered a sharp criticism of governments that continue to rely on what she described as harsh, punitive policies to lock children up. Her comments come amid concern that spit hoods are still being used on 10-year-olds in the Northern Territory, a practice that has drawn condemnation from child advocates and human rights critics.
The issue has renewed attention on the treatment of children in detention and the extent to which governments are willing to keep using restraint and punishment-based approaches. Hollonds’ intervention adds to longstanding debate over whether such measures are compatible with child safety, welfare and rehabilitation.
At the same time, international economic concerns were front and centre after the head of the International Monetary Fund warned that the war involving Iran will leave a permanent mark on the global economy, even if a durable peace deal can eventually be reached in the Middle East.
The IMF chief said that, in the most hopeful scenario, the outlook still includes a downgrade in growth. Even in the best case, the organisation does not expect a simple return to the status quo. The warning suggests that the conflict’s effects are likely to be felt for some time through trade, investment and broader economic confidence.
The comments reflect growing concern that geopolitical instability is now feeding directly into economic uncertainty. The IMF’s assessment indicates that even if the war ends, the damage may not be quickly reversed.
Also in the live coverage, discussion turned to Australian foreign policy and the response to the conflict in the Middle East. One argument raised was that Penny Wong’s earlier statements — whether describing the situation as “concerned” or “gravely concerned” — have had no effect.
That criticism was tied to calls for Australia to take a more forceful position by cancelling more than a billion dollars in Israeli arms contracts. Supporters of that position argued that such a move would not only respond to what they described as the moral seriousness of Israeli military attacks, but would also place real material pressure on Israel to pull back from what they called a disastrous, illegal and immoral war in Lebanon.
They argued that Australia should not be purchasing weapons that have been tested by Israeli defence manufacturers in conflicts such as Gaza and Lebanon, and said the country should not be contributing any weapons parts.
According to that view, ending the contracts would send a clearer message that there is a direct and real cost to Israel’s actions. The broader claim was that this would create immediate pressure while also signalling a stronger shift in Australia’s approach to the conflict.
The live blog continues to track both domestic and international developments, with child protection in the Northern Territory and the economic and political consequences of the Iran war among the key stories under scrutiny.
