That’s all for todayBy Isabel McMillanThanks for reading the national news blog for today, Monday, September 7. This is where we will end the rolling coverage.Here’s a brief look back at some of the day’s biggest stories:One Nation announced a policy to allow voters access to a quarter of their superannuation contributions for three years, in a move the Liberals have slammed as “nothing more than a headline”. The policy would allow renters and mortgage holders to access the money, which would be taxed at the concessional superannuation rate. The funds would be paid out by the superannuation funds, not employers. The amount One Nation is proposing would equate to a pay “boost” of about 3 per cent of annual salary.Chinese officials said on Sunday that workers had recovered 12 more bodies as the search continued for hundreds still missing after a tsunami-like mudslide destroyed China’s main border crossing with Nepal. Rescue workers in bright orange uniforms used excavators, shovels and ground-penetrating radar to scour the now-buried site of the Gyirong border crossing.During question time in federal parliament today, independent MP Bob Katter called for a $75,000 baby bonus to curb Australia’s declining birth rate, alongside income splitting to support families. In a question to Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Katter said: “The hyper-inflating cost of living cripples that 25 per cent of Australians trying to raise kids on a single income ... surely, family income splitting makes taxation fairer, whilst a $75,000 birthing payment would help arrest Australia’s plunging birth rates.”Catholic education body Edmund Rice Education Australia officially approved a binding agreement with the Christian Brothers Oceania Province to fully fund compensation for survivors of historical child sexual abuse involving members of the Christian Brothers. EREA confirmed it intends to fast-track payments for victim-survivors who hold outstanding court judgments or finalised settlement claims against Christian Brothers “shortly”.A solo Canadian sailor has been winched to safety in a dramatic sea rescue more than 1000 kilometres off the West Australian coast. The search for the sailor was triggered after the man, travelling from Darwin to Christmas Island, failed to make two scheduled calls to family in Canada, prompting his brother to alert the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s rescue centre.And two people have died after a light plane crashed south of Brisbane, near residential properties, this morning. The Beech A36 Bonanza aircraft took off from Archerfield Airport shortly after 11am. It crashed 18 minutes later into a grassy field along Musch Road in the Logan suburb of Stockleigh.Thanks for tuning in. We’ll be back again with live news coverage tomorrow.Latest Posts5.16pm on Sep 7, 2026WA child diagnosed with meningococcal diseaseBy A West Australian child is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with meningococcal disease.It is the fifth case recorded in Western Australia this year, with four caused by serogroup B and one by serogroup Y. The number is tracking downwards from the 13 recorded in 2025.A meningococcal bacterium.The disease is an uncommon, life-threatening one caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and membranes that line the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, confusion and muscle and joint pain. It is spread by coughing and sneezing.With prompt treatment, most people recover, but 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cases end in death, and 15 per cent of survivors experience long-term complications such as limb amputations and brain injuries.4.55pm on Sep 7, 2026Fires, heat and looming El Nino menace east coastBy Robyn WuthBushfires, sizzling heat and a looming El Nino have put Australia’s east coast on edge as crews battle blazes in two states.Fires in Queensland have kept crews on the move after a scorching weekend pushed temperatures higher and triggered local fire bans.In NSW, an emergency warning was issued but later downgraded for a large grass fire near Tabulam in the state’s north as firefighters and water bombers worked to bring it under control.Around a dozen bushfires remained active in Queensland, mainly in the south-east and south-west.4.26pm on Sep 7, 2026Two people killed in light plane crashBy Julius Dennis and William DavisTwo people have died after a light plane crashed south of Brisbane, near residential properties, this morning.The Beech A36 Bonanza aircraft took off from Archerfield Airport shortly after 11am.It crashed 18 minutes later into a grassy field along Musch Road in the Logan suburb of Stockleigh.The plane crashed in a field, sparking a grass fire.Nine QueenslandGrass in the field caught fire after the crash, and a tree stump continued smouldering for hours.4.09pm on Sep 7, 2026Solo Canadian sailor rescued off WA coast after drama at seaBy Heather McNeillA solo Canadian sailor has been winched to safety in a dramatic sea rescue more than 1000 kilometres off the West Australian coast.The search for the sailor was triggered after the man, travelling from Darwin to Christmas Island, failed to make two scheduled calls to family in Canada, prompting his brother to alert the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s rescue centre.The Candian solo sailor was rescued on Sunday off the WA coast near Christmas Island.AMSAA rescue jet was deployed on Sunday to search a vast and remote area of the Indian Ocean for the man’s catamaran, which was spotted partially submerged, with a tender deployed nearby.After dropping life-saving supplies, including a life raft, emergency beacon, communication equipment and food and water, a Royal Australian Navy vessel that was nearby was sent to assist a helicopter-winching rescue.AMSA executive director (response and capability) Alex Barrell said it was a multi-agency rescue effort.“I also extend my appreciation and thanks to the Australian Defence Force, particularly to the crew of HMAS Supply and Seahawk helicopter, for responding to our call for assistance and in their role in successfully bringing the sailor to safety,” he said.3.52pm on Sep 7, 2026Canadian tourist dies on Queensland islandBy Dominique TassellA Canadian tourist in her 70s has died after the moped she was riding was involved in a crash with a car at a North Queensland island getaway.The 74-year-old woman died at the scene on Magnetic Island, off Townsville, about 11.50am on Sunday.Emergency services were called to the site on Horseshoe Bay Road, between Heath Street and Henry Lawson Street, and the woman was declared dead.The driver of the car was not hurt.Locals were asked to travel by foot while emergency services were at the crash.Read the full story here. 3.39pm on Sep 7, 2026Victims of Christian Brothers to have compensation fast-tracked, says Catholic education bodyBy Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) has officially approved a binding agreement with the Christian Brothers Oceania Province to fully fund compensation for survivors of historical child sexual abuse involving members of the Christian Brothers.The deal, announced today by the trustees of EREA, establishes a pathway for the Catholic schooling body to absorb historical liabilities that the religious order claimed it could no longer afford.EREA confirmed it intends to fast-track payments for victim-survivors who hold outstanding court judgments or finalised settlement claims against Christian Brothers “shortly”.“The approval of the binding term sheet and implementation deed is a significant milestone in honouring our commitment to those who suffered abuse,” said Dr Stephen Brown, chair of the trustees of EREA.3.10pm on Sep 7, 2026Hanson accuses Labor of using superannuation to pay off debtBy Brittany BuschIn the Senate, Pauline Hanson has used question time to accuse Labor of wanting to use Australians’ superannuation to pay down debt.Hanson wants renters and mortgage holders – about 7 million people – to have the option of keeping up to a quarter of three years of super contributions to help with cost-of-living pressures.One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.Getty Images“Your government calls Australian super a national asset. One Nation says it is their money. Our plan is voluntary, lasts for only three years, applies only to future contributions, and leaves existing super untouched,” Hanson told the chamber.Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said Labor would continue to defend the super system to ensure Australians were not forced to rely on the aged pension later in life.“We don’t support weakening of a system that is there to ensure that people are able to live a dignified retirement,” Gallagher said.3.07pm on Sep 7, 2026Chalmers won’t rule out tobacco excise cutBy Nick NewlingTreasurer Jim Chalmers has not said whether the government will consider a cut to the tobacco excise, but said Labor was focused on treating the issue as one of law enforcement.Chalmers was asked to rule the move out by Nationals backbencher Llew O’Brien, in the third question from the opposition on the topic today.Treasurer Jim Chalmers.Alex Ellinghausen“We do understand that the growth in illicit tobacco is a very substantial challenge, and we’ve responded to that challenge, and we are responding to that challenge, with more than $350 million in extra resourcing for the authorities to crack down on this substantial challenge,” Chalmers said.The opposition’s manager of business, Dan Tehan, raised a point of order, but Chalmers did not directly answer the question.“Whenever we consider next steps here on enforcement and compliance or in other ways, we will take, unlike those opposite, we will take the advice of the experts and not the advice of the One Nation party,” Chalmers said.Tehan later sought to table pictures of firebombed businesses that had been targeted by organised crime. Leave was not given to table the images.2.55pm on Sep 7, 2026Coalition ‘led by nose by One Nation’ on tobacco policy, says ButlerBy Nick NewlingA second question on the management of illegal tobacco had an equally fiery response, with Health Minister Mark Butler accusing the opposition of being “led by the nose by One Nation”.Liberal backbencher Mary Aldred asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese if the government would “join the Coalition to crush organised crime gangs”, by slashing the tobacco excise and bolstering security measures.Butler rose to respond, and said the tobacco excise had risen by 40 per cent under Labor’s tenure, but had increased by 215 per cent under the former Coalition government. He also said the Coalition had offered no targeted funding to fighting illegal tobacco while in government.Health Minister Mark Butler.Alex EllinghausenThe minister highlighted that excise increases were a public health measure, and said smoking rates are declining.1 of 4