Australia news as it happened: Voters support sending medical aid to Israel and Gaza; Rental affordability goes from bad to worse

That’s where we’ll leave today’s live coverage. Thanks for your company.

Here’s what was making news today:

• Hardware chain Bunnings announced it would stop selling engineered stone at the end of the year, in a win for unions and health experts campaigning for a ban on the silicosis-causing material.
• Premiers and ministers from both sides of the political divide gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney to farewell Helena Carr, who was remembered as a great peacemaker and accomplished businesswoman by her husband, former NSW premier Bob Carr.
• Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said some of the non-citizens set to be released from detention following a landmark High Court decision had recorded murder and sexual assault convictions, in response to a barrage of questions from the opposition in question time today.
• Students across Australia are preparing to walk out of school tomorrow to demand the government end coal and gas in the fifth National Schools Strike 4 Climate.
• And in breaking news, David Swann and Ben Grubb are reporting the unnamed “international peering partner” that Optus said had contributed to its 16-hour-long network meltdown last week was its Singaporean parent company Singtel. Read the latest development here.

Thanks again for following along. Caroline Schelle will be back bright and early to bring you all of the morning’s news.

In Tasmania, a bushfire that destroyed homes and properties on the island’s east coast has been contained in more favourable weather.

The blaze, which sparked on Sunday night at Dolphin Sands, prompted several emergency warnings and forced residents to shelter at a boat ramp.

It was downgraded progressively on Tuesday, with the Tasmania Fire Service indicating it had been contained in the afternoon.

“Thankfully the fire remains within the containment lines that were established yesterday and things are looking favourable,” Tasmania Fire Service incident controller Stuart Males said.

Two homes, two sheds and a car were destroyed, while power lines were brought down and other properties damaged.

One resident said they used sprinklers to douse flames which reached the back deck of their house.

AAP

Hardware chain Bunnings will stop selling engineered stone at the end of the year, in a major victory for unions and health experts campaigning for a ban on the silicosis-causing material.

Bunnings director of merchandise Jen Tucker said the decision to withdraw its limited range of engineered stone benchtops from December 31 was made following the recent release of Safe Work Australia’s landmark report and consultation with suppliers.

“While there has been clear indication from NSW and other state governments that they will legislate a ban on the product, we are proactively making this decision to allow suppliers and customers time to prepare for a transition,” she said in a statement.

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union federal secretary Zach Smith congratulated the retailer on the move, which comes after his members staged protests at stores urging Bunnings to stop its sale.

“This is the end of the line for engineered stone,” Smith said.

Read the full story from federal industrial relations reporter Angus Thompson here.

Almost every question the government is receiving from independent and Coalition MPs relates to the High Court ruling to release non-citizens.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley asks the government to confirm how many of the individuals released are convicted paedophiles, murderers or rapists.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is unable to give exact numbers, but confirms the group of more than 80 people includes people with criminal convictions.

“The decision of the High Court ... effects very, very serious offenders including people who have committed the offences you’ve described,” he said. “I believe there are three murderers, there are several sex offenders.”

Shadow minister for immigration Dan Tehan again steps up to ask Giles when exactly the government sought advice for a legislative fix to the High Court decision to release non-citizens.

Giles answers:

“Immediately after the decision we sought advice on its implications … that advice contemplated the work that was done in advance of the decision. We also sought advice prior to the hearing on the options that would be available depending on the various outcomes of the decision. We are yet to receive the reasons for the High Court’s decision … we have always been looking at all regulatory and all legislative options available.”