Former Virgin Australia chief exits with $50m
Jonathan Barrett
Jayne Hrdlicka, the former chief executive of Virgin Australia, left the airline with a remuneration package worth more than $50m, according to the company’s annual report.
Hrdlicka, who was brought on to revive the airline after its collapse early in the pandemic, left in March, shortly before Virgin Australia re-listed on the ASX.
She has had several high-profile executive roles, and is the former head of Qantas’ budget carrier, Jetstar.
Virgin’s annual report, released this morning, shows Hrdlicka left the airline with a package of cash and shares valued at $49.9m, which included various performance-linked payments and shares.
While the shares are valued in the annual report at its initial public offer price of $2.90 a share, they now trade at more than $3.20, tipping her total package over the $50m mark.
There are restrictions on when Hrdlicka can cash in the shares. The overall payout, known colloquially as a “golden handshake” is large even by corporate Australia levels.
Key events
Caitlin Cassidy
Shakespearean drama at ANU has many wondering who will exit stage after vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell
When Julie Bishop fronted hundreds of staff at the Australian National University to announce the vice-chancellor’s resignation on Thursday, she noted at the beginning of her chancellory address that it was R U OK? Day.
In response, the crowd laughed.
The departure of Prof Genevieve Bell has been anticipated for more than a week but it throws up more questions than answers. Staff are yet to hear if about 100 jobs remain on the line, or if eight change proposals will still go ahead.
The restructure, and how it has been handled, has placed ANU at the centre of a governance crisis. The National Tertiary Education Union, students, the sector’s regulator and politicians have raised the alarm about an alleged culture of fear that has driven an academic to consider taking her life.
Read more here:
Sydney man to face court after police seize $1m in cannabis plants
A man in NSW will face court today after police said they seized a large amount of cannabis plants from a home in Sydney’s western suburbs with an alleged street value about $1m.
NSW police said they began an investigation in June into allegations of a hydroponic set up in the suburb of Condell Park. At around 4pm yesterday, officers executed a search warrant on a home, where they allegedly found and seized a hydroponic system and 300 cannabis plants.
A man, 44, was arrested at the scene and taken to Bankstown Police station where he was charged with knowingly taking part in cultivation of a large commercial quantity of cannabis, found on/entering/leaving drug premises and hindering or resisting police officers in the execution of duty.
He was refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local court today.
Tom McIlroy
‘Grave concerns’ from states over Labor plan to move autism services off NDIS
Labor is facing a growing revolt by the states about plans to provide early intervention autism services through a new $2bn national scheme, with Victoria’s disability minister warning children’s rights must not be traded away “for 30 pieces of silver”.
States and territories were blind-sided by last month’s announcement from the health minister, Mark Butler, that the federal government had scrapped plans for locally provided services for children with mild autism and other developmental issues, as part of efforts to ease pressure on the rapidly growing NDIS budget.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote to state premiers last week saying negotiations on a new national health funding deal would remain tied to planning for the nearly $50bn NDIS, including moves to shift childhood foundational supports to the new Thriving Kids program, due to start operating nationally on 1 July next year.
A copy of the letter, seen by Guardian Australia, shows services to children under eight years old with low to moderate needs and their families will receive targeted therapeutic early intervention supports at schools, health clinics and community facilities.
Read more here:
Former Virgin Australia chief exits with $50m
Jonathan Barrett
Jayne Hrdlicka, the former chief executive of Virgin Australia, left the airline with a remuneration package worth more than $50m, according to the company’s annual report.
Hrdlicka, who was brought on to revive the airline after its collapse early in the pandemic, left in March, shortly before Virgin Australia re-listed on the ASX.
She has had several high-profile executive roles, and is the former head of Qantas’ budget carrier, Jetstar.
Virgin’s annual report, released this morning, shows Hrdlicka left the airline with a package of cash and shares valued at $49.9m, which included various performance-linked payments and shares.
While the shares are valued in the annual report at its initial public offer price of $2.90 a share, they now trade at more than $3.20, tipping her total package over the $50m mark.
There are restrictions on when Hrdlicka can cash in the shares. The overall payout, known colloquially as a “golden handshake” is large even by corporate Australia levels.
Is Coalition chaos making life easier for Albanese? – Full Story podcast
After a week of infighting, Sussan Ley was left with no choice but to sack conservative Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. As Price and her supporters push for a more Trumpian turn, Ley is fighting to bring the opposition back to the centre. But with the Coalition tearing itself apart, should the media turn its attention to the party in power?
Bridie Jabour talks to the Guardian Australia editor, Lenore Taylor, deputy editor Patrick Keneally and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about who is holding Labor to account when the Coalition is constantly in chaos.
NSW police celebrate 200 years as world’s longest-serving mounted unit
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the NSW Mounted Police, the longest-serving continuously mounted police unit in the world.
The force will participate in a street parade in Sydney today, ending at the Sydney Opera House, which will include serving officers and troop horses, as well as a contingent of retired officers, among others. It begins at 11am at Hyde Park Barracks.
The mounted police unit was formed before the London Metropolitan Mounted Police, which began in 1828, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in 1863.
Yasmin Catley, the state’s police minister, said in a statement:
From bushranger patrols in the 1800s, to crowd management and search operations today, this bond has helped keep the people of NSW safe for two centuries.
I want to acknowledge all former and current serving Mounted Police Unit officers, and their loyal Troop Horses, who have played an integral role in this state’s proud policing history.
Petra Stock
Offshore wind was touted as a big part of Australia’s energy transition – but does it still have a future?
For many Australians, the scale of offshore wind projects can be hard to fathom. These powerful machines, designed to harness the strong and consistent winds blowing over the ocean, are colossal, with blade tips reaching up to 350m – higher than our tallest skyscrapers.
If everything falls into place, Australia’s first offshore wind project could have turbines in the water before 2032.
But those ambitions have begun to look increasingly optimistic in recent months as plans for projects up and down the east coast have collapsed.
Read more here:
Albanese says discussions with Trump have been ‘really warm’
Anthony Albanese says he looks forward to continuing to engage with the US, calling the relationship an “important one”.
He added that every discussion with president Donald Trump, including his call last week, had been “really warm” and said he would continue to work with the White House to advance Australia’s interests and see more American tourists visit the country.
PM hails relationship with Pacific region after returning from forum
Albanese was speaking in Cairns after returning from Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum. He said the country’s relationship with the region remains as strong as ever, and is linked in its prosperity:
We are family and we look after each other and we’ll continue to do so.
Albanese says Kirk shooting is ‘horrific’ and condemns all political violence
Anthony Albanese has called the assassination of the US right wing commentator Charlie Kirk “horriffic” as he reiterated his condemnation of political violence.
The prime minister just spoke to reporters in Cairns:
This is horrific. There is no place for violence. I think the world is shocked by such an event and my heart goes out to Mr Kirk’s family and to all those who will be grieving today in the United States. Political violence has no role.
We in Australia can be really proud of the way that we conduct ourselves. We need to continue to get rid of the fringes, whether they be of the extreme left or the extreme right.
Natasha May
What do the experts say on ADHD rules?
Dr Michael Wright, the president of the Royal Australian College of GPs, said:
This is a chance for health ministers to make sure patients get consistent, affordable ADHD care no matter where they live.
Dr Rod Martin, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine president, said:
Whether a GP can provide care for a patient with ADHD is determined more by which side of a border they’re on than that GP’s training or experience in ADHD care. That inconsistency serves no one and further reduces health outcomes for rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
Prof David Coghill, the ADHD Professionals Association president, said:
When GPs have the right tools, appropriate training, and support, they can provide safe and appropriate care for both children and adults. Making non complex ADHD care available through GPs will increase access to care, reduce inequality and costs, and improve the lives of Australians.
GPs and medical groups call for national rules on treating ADHD
Natasha May
GPs and ADHD professionals are calling for nationally consistent rules around who can diagnose and treat ADHD, as currently some states allow GPs to provide care while others don’t.
With state and federal health ministers expected meet today, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) have written a letter urging the ministers to allow GPs to use their full training and expertise to diagnose and treat ADHD.
At their last meeting in June, health ministers agreed that harmonising ADHD prescribing rules would be a priority.
With a rise in diagnoses, there have been rising costs and long wait lists involved to see a specialist in order to get a diagnosis, management plan and prescription medication for ADHD. These access issues are exacerbated in regional areas.
The joint letter urges the health ministers to make prescribing rules consistent across Australia so that specialist GPs, as well as psychiatrists and paediatricians, can start, change and continue ADHD medications for adults and children.
They are also calling for the alignment of criteria such as age limits, review periods, and transition rules from child to adult care, as well as funding for GP training, mentorship and tools, which is already happening in New South Wales and Wester Australia.
Divisions over Gaza hit Eurovision as Ireland pulls out
Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has decided not to take part in next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel is a participant.
RTÉ is the second of 37 broadcasters who took part in the event this year to have made participation next year conditional. The broadcaster said in a statement:
It is RTÉ’s position that Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision song contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead. … RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has also said it will participate in next year’s contest only if Israel is not involved. This week the Spanish culture minister said Spain should not take part either.
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