Headlines: Final submissions at Bondi stabbing inquest

Today's headlines include:

• One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been suspended from the Senate for seven days after she wore a burqa in Parliament.  
• Final submissions have been made at the inquest into the Westfield Bondi stabbing attack. 
• The highly contagious H5 bird flu strain has been detected on Heard Island – a sub-Antarctic Australian territory – officials have confirmed.
• And today’s good news: Patients who listen to music during surgery may recover faster and require less medication, a new study has found. 

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Zara Seidler
Producer: Rosa Bowden

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
From the Daily Os. I'm Emma Gillespie, I'm Zarasidler. It's Tuesday,
the twenty fifth of November. Here's what's making headlines this evening.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been suspended from the
Senate for seven days after she wore a burker in parliament.
The Federal government blocked the senator from tabling a bill
to ban burker's and full face coverings yesterday. A short
time later, Hanson appeared in the Senate chamber dressed in
a burker. Foreign Minister pennywe called the stunt disrespectful, while
the Coalition also criticized Hanson. Motions to suspend Hanson for

(00:37):
seven days and censure her were passed earlier this afternoon.
As it's the final sitting week of the year, Hanson's
Senate ban will extend into the new year. The One
Nation politician previously wore a burker in the Senate in
twenty seventeen, also seeking a ban on the religious garment.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
Final submissions have been made at the inquest into the
Westfield Bondi stabbing attack. Hearings commenced in April, a year
after forty year old Joel Couchi killed six people and
injured another ten. He was fatally shot by police at
the scene. At the start of the inquest, the New
Southeales Coroner's Court heard Couchy was diagnosed with schizophrenia as
a teenager and was effectively unmedicated for nearly five years

(01:19):
leading up to the attack. Council assisting the coroner, Peggy
Dwyer sc today described evidence given by Couchi's former psychiatrist,
who weaned him off his medication in twenty nineteen, as
quote confusing and wildly inconsistent. Doctor Andrea boris Lavac told
the court that Cauchi was influenced by a quote hatred
towards women, not his psychiatric state, before she withdrew those

(01:42):
comments the next day. In closing submissions, Dwyer accused the
psychiatrist of attempting to recharacterize Couchie's mental health rather than
investigating what she called obvious signs and significant red flags
that pointed to relapse. Her final report and recommendations are
expected by the end of the US.

Speaker 2 (02:02):
The highly contagious H five bird flu strain has been
detected on Herd Island, a sub Antarctic Australian territory officials
have confirmed. It comes weeks after the federal government urged
Australians to remain focused on preparing for an outbreak. Scientists
observed unusual levels of elephant sealed deaths consistent with H
five bird flu on Herd Island in October. Samples taken

(02:25):
at the time have since tested positive for the virus.
Australia is the only continent free from the highly contagious strain,
which could threaten poultry and wild animal populations. However, Agriculture
Minister Julie Collins said the detection does not substantially increase
risks here in Australia. Environment Minister Murray Watt said Australian
researchers are monitoring the global spread of bird flu so

(02:48):
that we as a country are equipped with the best
possible information for when it reaches our shores.

Speaker 1 (02:56):
And today's good news patients who listen to music during
surge may recover faster and require less medication. A new
study has found.

Speaker 2 (03:04):
This feels personal. I love this m this is a
good one.

Speaker 1 (03:09):
The goal of the study, led via the Mallana azard
Medical College in the Indian capital Delhi, was to understand
more about the effects of general anesthetics so that patients
could be discharged from hospital. Earlier, trial participants were played
instrumental pieces via noise canceling headphones under anesthetic, and doctors
noted the music therapy patients woke up from surgery more

(03:32):
clear headed and alert, and they generally required less pain
medication than those who were not played music. Researchers said,
since the ability to hear remains intact under anesthesia, music
can still shape the brain's internal state, lowering stress levels,
stabilizing blood pressure, and setting them up for a smoother recovery.

Speaker 2 (03:53):
M thanks for taking us through the day's headlines. If
you are looking for something else to listen to, check
out today's deep dive, where we explain maryry Fowler's racism allegations.

Speaker 1 (04:02):
We'll be back tomorrow morning with another deep dive, but
until then, have a good one.

Speaker 2 (04:09):
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda
Bungelung Calkatin woman from Gadighl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges
that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the
Gadighl people and pays respect to all Aboriginal and torrest
Rate Island and nations. We pay our respects to the
first peoples of these countries, both past and present.