NSW drowning tragedy, Coalition crime crackdown, PM's security scare

A 14-year-old boy is recovering at Randwick Hospital after an easter tragedy at Wattamolla Bay in Sydney's South.

Coalition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a signature crackdown on crime in a major pre-election pledge.

Anthony Albanese had a security scare on the campaign trail, a man climbing onto the roof of a car as he arrived in Sydney for a TV appearance.

7NEWS Headlines with Edwina Bartholomew for April 21, 2025.

For more news, head to www.7news.com.au 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Good morning of fourteen year old boys recovering at Randwick
Hospital after an Easter tragedy at Watermola Bay in City
South Sadly, his father drowned after the pair were swept
off rocks by wild swells. Fifty life savers have been
out in force since Friday to protect the public amid
very dangerous conditions along the coast. It would be the

(00:25):
worst Easter drowning top on our records. Hazardous surf conditions
are set to return later this week. A man is
fighting for life this morning after an Easter Sunday outing
on the water went horribly wrong. Two boats collided after
midday off Russell Island in Southeast Coinsland. A man in
his forty suffered life threatening chest injuries and police are

(00:46):
now looking into exactly how the collision happened. Colligially, at
Peter Dutton has unveiled a signature cracked down on crime
and a major pre election pledge. If elected, mister Dutton
would spend more than seven hundred and fifty million dollars
on a national drug enforcement and organized crime strike team.
The coalition says it would lead to a significant increase

(01:07):
in the seizure of criminal assets which would be reinvested
into Australian communities. As part of the policy package, National
post and boast laws would make it illegal to post
social media material glamorizing involvement in crime, banning offenders from
using social media for up to two years. Meantime, fresh
polling art today shows Labour's primary vote has lifted to

(01:29):
its highest point in more than a year. The Boost
sees Labor and the Coalition almost tied on their primary
vote support, and we'll have more on that poll later
in our election coverage during sunrise nowthan Abernezi's had a
security scare on the campaign trail, a man climbing onto
the roof of a car as he arrived in city
for a TV appearance. There was still a few barbs

(01:50):
and insults, but it was a lighter day yesterday for
the leaders as the final stretch nears.

Speaker 2 (01:58):
Returning to his school church came I tried out in
the choir yes and was not successful.

Speaker 3 (02:06):
Hasn't improved by Anthony Alberesi at Saint Mary's Cathedral, aware
of his own political resurrection.

Speaker 1 (02:18):
We'll get there. Thirteen days ago, but Who's county met.

Speaker 3 (02:22):
The Prime Minister sharing lunch with the head of the
Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Macarios. Both sides taking time out
from campaigning. Have a happy Easter, wonderful Easter, but not
the Greens.

Speaker 1 (02:38):
It's time for the public servants to prepare not only
a read book and a blue book, but a Green
book as well.

Speaker 3 (02:45):
Adam Band pushing Labor to consider Green's policies in the
event of a minority government. Anthony Alberesi hoping he's on
target for a majority, dragging Peter Dutton the Maga Mudd.

Speaker 2 (03:01):
Again, channeling some other world latest we're seeing.

Speaker 1 (03:06):
Regard him and you can mention his name.

Speaker 2 (03:10):
I'm very disciplined, bringing a mckismo essentially to politics.

Speaker 3 (03:15):
In Sydney for TV appearances. The PM security team helping
make this arrest a man jumping on a calm moments before.
Anthony Albanizi arrived less than two weeks from election day,
and these voters know who they're backing.

Speaker 2 (03:30):
I don't trust Dutton, I don't trust Albo.

Speaker 1 (03:32):
I'd probably go with the independence I will be facing for.

Speaker 2 (03:35):
The LMP party.

Speaker 3 (03:36):
Dutton's just not coming through yet. He's not His message
is not coming through. Peter Dutton is running out of time.
To sell his party's message. The leader of the Liberal
Party hoping visits to marginal Labour seats like Blair will
be enough to win over new voters. Petspootle Ralph making
his campaign debut. The Liberal leader, employing a soft touch,

(03:58):
doesn't like to refer to as doc as he tries
to shake old stigmas.

Speaker 1 (04:06):
Police in Melbourne right now hunting a gang of killers
after a father of six was stabbed with a bottle
on Busy Chapel Street at the weekend. Police believe up
to six people were involved in this attack.

Speaker 2 (04:18):
I don't think it's a random attack, if you want
to put it that way, but we're still trying to
work out what the circumstances are leading up to it.

Speaker 1 (04:27):
Floral tributes and marking the scene where thirty year old
Ruca Carson was attacked. A City Swans fan is being
interviewed by police after throwing an object during Sunday's match
against Port Adelaide. The fan was ejected from the stadium,
but it's yet to be determined if they are indeed
a member of the club. The object hit Port player
Aalira Leah. In a statement, City Swan say they've reached

(04:50):
out to Alea and do not accept any form of
abusive behavior. The Victorian opposition is demanding an apology from
the state government after a bombshell email. Shane confirmed Victoria's
COVID curfew was never based on health advice alone. Instead,
it was a call made by then Premier Daniel Andrews
at his crisis cabinet.

Speaker 2 (05:11):
It's now clear that that was a lie, so they
can't justify that decision, but they could apologize.

Speaker 1 (05:19):
Yellen government says it did what was needed to protect Victorians,
but still fought in court for years to try to
keep the emails suppressed. Scandal hit Prince Andrew has made
a surprise appearance at Windsor Castle. It's golaud to europe
correspondent Jacqueline Robson in London, Jackie, the Prince joined the
King and Queen at the traditional Easter service.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
He did Eddie, and it was quite the surprise because
the Duke of York had only recently pulled out of
a major event, the royal family's Christmas celebrations due to
his latest scandal. Today, Prince Andrew showed up to Saint
George's Chapel in Windsor with his ex wife, Sarah Ferguson.
She seemed very happy to be there, smiling and waving

(06:02):
to the crowd. The Duke, however, made a bee line
to get inside. He did have to return, however, to
wait for the King and Queen to arrive. He seemed
locked in conversation with Princess Anne's husband, Vice Admiral Sir
Tim Lawrence. Now this could be seen as an olive
branch from the King following his brother's latest embarrassment where

(06:22):
Prince Andrew was outed as having links to a possible
Chinese spy, and of course there's a controversy before that
surrounding his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. So
today was a special day, being Easter Sunday. It is
a significant appearance, but there were notable absences. Prince William
and Princess Kate were not there. They're spending time with

(06:45):
the family, apparently before the children have to go back
to school.

Speaker 1 (06:48):
Eddie, thank you so much, Jacquelyn. We're checking today's weather.
Our Brisbane showers increasing in twenty nine, city showers easing
in twenty seven, Cambrige chower two and twenty one. Melbourne
shower too and twenty one. How about possible showers in
nineteen are twenty degrees in Adelaide possible early showers there
a Perth mostly Son in thirty and Darwin a shower
two and thirty four degrees