AFP contacts 120 families in childcare probe as visa fees surge and digital cards roll out

The Australian Federal Police has contacted more than 120 families as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged offending by a former Sydney childcare worker. The force continues to gather information from those affected as the inquiry progresses, with the specific nature of the alleged offences remaining undisclosed in recent reports.

In parallel policy developments, the Albanese government has announced the nationwide rollout of digital passenger cards to all international airports and seaports. The initiative follows a successful trial conducted on Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, marking a shift toward digitalisation in border processing procedures.

However, the government is simultaneously facing sharp criticism regarding its immigration policy. Non-refundable visa fees have been quietly increased by up to 200%, a move that places Australia well in excess of other western nations in terms of cost. Critics argue that the hikes exploit international students and permanent residents, adding significant financial pressure to an already strained sector.

The political backdrop to these economic and operational changes includes testimony before the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion. An academic at the University of New South Wales reported that students subjected him to Nazi salutes during a business class, highlighting ongoing tensions within the higher education sector.

In other national news, New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died aged 78, ending a career that spanned Oscar-winning dramas and major blockbusters. Meanwhile, in Queensland, the former partner of a woman whose body was found near Toowoomba has appeared in court for the first time, charged with her murder.