John Howard says Australia did the ‘right thing’ after 9/11 attacks
Former Prime Minister John Howard who was in Washington, D.C., during the 9/11 terrorist attacks spoke to ABC this morning about his experience 25 years ago.
“It meant the world would never be the same,” Howard told Radio National Breakfast.
I just knew that it meant a lot to the whole world, and it certainly meant that I quickly realized how important our connection with the Americans was because this powerful country was being brutally and brutally attacked.
Howard said he believed it was “the only right thing” for Australia to join the US in Afghanistan and the White House was “very happy to have our help”. He said:
I think we did the right thing. I was unhappy with aspects of the final withdrawal from Afghanistan. It really looked quite chaotic at the time… Overall, I don’t regret anything. I think we did the right thing by entering Afghanistan.

Key events
Bowen says yesterday was a ‘good day’ amid controversial deal that will see the koala park plan move forward
Minister of Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowensaid yesterday was a “good day” after the Greens reached a deal with Labor that will allow big industry to use NSW’s new koala national park to offset climate pollution.
The deal comes amid disagreement among Greens over regulations that allow states to earn carbon credits to protect local forests targeted for logging.
Bowen told RN Breakfast this morning:
I think if One Nation and the Greens vote together, the Greens are voting wrong on the climate issue. … I am very glad that this was adopted by parliament. I’m very glad that the Green party room worked with me, with the majority. …
Yesterday was a good day because it’s practical. … [It’s] This is good for emissions and also provides a path for investment and economic development in the regions where these logging events occurred and where the economy can now be diversified.
Hastie says he accepts Joyce’s explanation over One Nation video, Hanson now ‘sole lying coward’
Andrew Hastie speaks Barnaby Joyce addressed a One Nation cartoon that called him a “traitor.”
This morning Hastie said the following:
Barnaby Joyce contacted me and explained that he was unaware of the cartoon in which I was called a traitor eight times. I accept his explanation. I called him a lying coward because I thought he was protecting Pauline Hanson.
Now I know that she is the only lying coward.
For context, Hastie spoke to News24 about the One Nation cartoon, first posted on social media more than a month ago and now pinned to the top of the page. Pauline Hanson X account, called him a traitor eight times.
“I would say that Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce are lying cowards and I will say it again so there is no ambiguity,” he said.
Pauline Hanson denied ever calling Hastie a traitor, telling Nightly: “I’ll call him an asshole.”
Joyce previously told Guardian Australia that he had never called Hastie a traitor and “didn’t dare even approach such a story about him.”

Johana Bhuyan
More anthropology researchers warn about the dangers of AI
The day after a former researcher from anthropic made an apocalyptic statement about artificial intelligence, more researchers and AI startup employees publicly agreed with him and published dire warnings of their own.
In response Elon Musk and other conservative figures at X, the former Twitter, called the chorus of concerns a “set-up” and a “psy-op.”
Anthropic insiders fear that the technology they create could become so advanced and dangerous that it will lead to human extinction within a decade, and they claim that many of their colleagues feel the same way but have not said so publicly.
Read more here:
John Howard says Australia did the ‘right thing’ after 9/11 attacks
Former Prime Minister John Howard who was in Washington, D.C., during the 9/11 terrorist attacks spoke to ABC this morning about his experience 25 years ago.
“It meant the world would never be the same,” Howard told Radio National Breakfast.
I just knew that it meant a lot to the whole world, and it certainly meant that I quickly realized how important our connection with the Americans was because this powerful country was being brutally and brutally attacked.
Howard said he believed it was “the only right thing” for Australia to join the US in Afghanistan and the White House was “very happy to have our help”. He said:
I think we did the right thing. I was unhappy with aspects of the final withdrawal from Afghanistan. It really looked quite chaotic at the time… Overall, I don’t regret anything. I think we did the right thing by entering Afghanistan.
Marles remembers 9/11
Marles this morning on September 11th, saying it was the day “we most remember as having changed the world in which we live.”
He told the ABC this morning:
I remember the night I watched The West Wing, several people I’d talked to over the past few days were doing the same thing. When it ended, he crashed into this unusual vision of smoke coming out of the North Tower. We didn’t quite understand what was happening. Then, to my surprise, it looked as if we had witnessed a plane fly into the South Tower.
Then this obviously foreshadowed huge changes in terms of wars in… Iraq and Afghanistan. Over the following years, more than 40,000 Australians served in them, more than 40 of them died. Ten Australians died that day, September 11th. We remember them very much.
Marles calls One Nation cartoon about Andrew Hastie ‘tasteless’
Minister of Defense, Richard Marles, says the One Nation cartoon, which depicts a leading member of the Liberal Party. Andrew Hastie the “traitor” is “tasteless” and should be destroyed.
Marles had just appeared on ABC News Breakfast as many senior Liberals, independent Jacqui Lambie and RSL Australia condemned the cartoon.
The Minister of Defense said this morning:
Andrew Hastie is definitely not a traitor. I know him well and have spoken about this publicly. I greatly honor the service that Andrew Hastie has provided to our country by wearing the national uniform. I find it extremely distasteful to use this word in relation to a veteran.
No one should use this word in relation to any veteran and in relation to Andrey.
Anthony Albanese marks the anniversary of 9/11
Anthony Albanese celebrated 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Ten Australians were among the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania – “lives tragically cut short far from home.”
We acknowledge the grief their loved ones have endured. We also honor the courage and dedication shown in the face of unimaginable horror.
First responders ran into danger to help others. Ordinary people were drawn to each other. In the worst of circumstances, we have witnessed extraordinary displays of courage, compassion and humanity.
The Prime Minister said the anniversary was also an opportunity to reflect on “resilience in the face of profound loss.”
Australia remembers those whose lives were taken, those who survived, those we have lost since, and all those who continue to bear the burden of that day.
Opal Healthcare returns money to residents after review into abuse of aged care standards
Opal Healthcare has reimbursed nearly $190,000 to nearly 350 residents as part of a rigorous review into abuse of new elder care standards. AARP reports.
The standards came into force in November and were designed to give residents more freedom to choose which premium products they choose to pay for.
The guidelines stated that services that were previously offered free of charge could not be charged for, although they were not legislated.
Months later, reports emerged that aged care providers were illegally charging residents for basic amenities, including television and Wi-Fi services.
In some cases, services were removed if payment was not made for them.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission launched an investigation after Aging Minister Sam Ray told the regulator about the claims against Opal Healthcare.
He said removing services such as air conditioning and televisions was unacceptable at the time.
Good morning
Welcome to Guardian Australia’s live news coverage for Friday.
Let’s begin.