Laauli Leuatea Schmidt will lead Samoa’s 18th parliament, sitting from Tuesday.

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is under fire for its process of supporting staff during proposed wide-scale cuts as the chancellor defends its conduct at a Senate inquiry.

Up to 95 jobs at the university on the NSW South Coast, which has more than 36,000 students, are set to be axed as the university looks to fill a $35 million gap in its finances.

However, staff have accused the university of a lack of transparency that has seen key concerns go unanswered and raised fears of a shortfall that could be seen across the organisation if the cuts are implemented.

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Dr Jonathon Mackay, an academic in the School of Business and Branch Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), claimed the university openly refuses to answer difficult questions.

"I have been to countless meetings with staff who are fobbed off by managers and told to raise specific questions with more senior managers, who in turn are unable to answer questions," he told 9news.com.au.

"Staff are utterly furious that they get invited to consultations to raise concerns, but then the concerns that the university doesn't agree with just get ignored.

"This was confirmed by a member of the senior executive who told staff at a forum that they won't respond to feedback that they disagree with."

It comes as Chancellor Michael Still appeared in front of a Senate inquiry looking into the quality of governance at Australian higher education providers, where he admitted he wasn't sure how staff were feeling despite claiming to be conducting a thorough and transparent process.

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"I don't know what they're feeling," he said.

"We are driving the most open, transparent, engaged and careful process one can imagine in any institution.

"This is by far the most careful [process] on behalf of staff that I have ever seen."

Mackay disagreed, claiming the university had failed to adequately justify the measures being made, and forcing staff to explain their value to the organisation.

He said women in lower-paid positions would be particularly impacted.

"The university consistently says how much consultation they think they've had, but it's about quality, not quantity," he said.

"Most of the workshops were run by senior managers who were essentially asking staff to justify why they should not be made redundant, and there has been zero transparency around the actual decision-making process of these changes outside of vague, repeated answers."

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He also believes the cuts will leave the university shortchanged, which could actually have more of a financial burden than a benefit.

"We'll pay out millions in redundancy packages to save millions in recurrent costs but then incur millions in hiring the same people we gave redundancies to," he said.

That the proposed cuts have come despite the high salary on offer to executives has caused some angst among staff.

Still claimed high salaries had to be offered to executives to entice them to join the university and that high executive salaries and job losses were not linked.

"We need the best people we can get to be the executives of the organisation; that is a competitive environment, and if we don't offer a competitive salary, they'll go somewhere else and we won't have the quality of people to drive the institution," he said.

"That there are job losses is indeed a great sadness for many of those – a great happiness for others – but the two are not the same issue at all."

UOW has been approached for further comment.

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Pause lifted after SafeWork intervention

The vice chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney, Andrew Parfitt, also appeared at the hearing yesterday as it goes through its own process of cuts.

Last week, SafeWork NSW ruled in favour of a motion brought by the NTEU to pause proposed cuts to jobs and course offerings at the university, but Parfitt told the committee that this had now been lifted.

"We're balancing two stressful circumstances: the stress of people who want to know what the proposal is so that they can engage in a conversation around it, and the stress of those who are potentially uncertain about the process," he said.

"So we engaged with the SafeWork inspector on Friday to adjust the timing and the nature of the communication.

"We had thought that we had adequate provisions in place, but the SafeWork inspector thought otherwise."

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Australians could soon end up paying higher credit card fees while at the same time receiving fewer rewards, after banks hit out at the Reserve Bank's proposal to reduce interchange fees.

The RBA announced in July plans to scrap card surcharges, arguing they are no longer fit for purpose and cost consumers $1.2 billion a year.

As part of that payment overhaul, it also proposed reducing the cap on interchange fees, which are effectively paid by merchants to banks whenever a customer buys something from them using a card.

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The RBA said that change would save businesses $1.2 billion a year and that 90 per cent of Australian businesses – most of them small organisations – would be better off under the combined changes.

However, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) said today that banks would increase credit card fees and reduce the value of rewards programs in response to a lower interchange cap.

"The RBA's own data shows interchange fees in Australia are already among the lowest in the world," ABA chief executive Simon Birmingham said. 

"There is a risk that driving them down further would put further pressure on household budgets through higher card fees, shorter interest-free periods and diminished rewards. 

"We agree with the RBA's concerns about fairness for small businesses, but there are better, more targeted ways to address this without destabilising the broader payments system – such as a small business interchange rate."

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In its consultation paper released in July, the RBA acknowledged the reduction in interchange fees could cost card issuers $800 million to 900 million a year and could lead to higher fees for customers.

However, it also said the new interchange fees would still be more than enough to cover banks' costs, and anyone who decided to increase card fees would only be doing so to increase their margin.

"The proposed interchange settings are still above issuers' costs," the RBA wrote. 

"Some issuers may choose to increase cardholder fees or reduce benefits such as rewards points, particularly on credit cards, to boost their profitability in response to reductions in interchange settings."

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Australians spend about $38 billion a month in credit card transactions, many of which are linked to rewards programs, including both Qantas and Virgin's frequent flyer schemes.

In June, Qantas estimated that more than a third of all credit card spending is done on a card linked to its loyalty program, and about two-thirds of points are now earned on purchases that aren't flights.

While the ABA warned those rewards could be pared back if interchange fees are reduced, it did throw its backing behind the proposal to scrap surcharges.

"Australia's surcharging framework is broken, it has become burdensome and confusing," Birmingham said.

"Banks therefore fully support the government and the RBA's intent to ban card surcharging and the certainty it will provide to consumers." 

The RBA is due to reach a final decision on the changes to card payments by the end of the year.

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Police are now combing a fresh search area in the manhunt for accused gunman Dezi Freeman.

It is believed a team of police officers, along with a critical response team, started scouring bushland behind Porepunkah Airfield earlier today.

Helicopters were also spotted circling the bush behind the airfield.

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The manhunt for suspected cop killer Freeman, who allegedly gunned down police officers Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 34, and injured a third at his rural property in Victoria's north-east on August 26, has entered its 15th day today.

The majority of the search has focused on the Porepunkah region and surrounding towns, however this is the first time police have zeroed in on the area near the airfield.

A motion of condolence also took place today in state parliament following Thompson and De Waart-Hottart's funerals on Friday and yesterday.

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Premier Jacinta Allan paid tribute to the fallen police officers and said every family of an officer deserves to have their loved ones arrive home safe.

"For 38 years, Neal served Victoria Police with courage, steadiness and a deep commitment," Allan said.

"Neal was an adventurer. He loved the outdoors, he found joy in nature."

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Allan said Thompson had been looking forward to a "well-earned future after a lifetime of service".

"Vadim had just bought his first home," she added.

"Neal and Vadim were at different stages of life. One just a week away from completing a long and decorated carer with Victoria Police, the other a young man still in the early years of service.

"United by courage by calling to serve and now tragically by sacrifice."

The deadly shooting has shaken the tight-knit town of Porepunkah, Allan said.

She said residents were still trying to process how such a tragic incident could unfold in their community.

"It's shaken their sense of safety, disrupted daily life and cast a long shadow that will take time to pass," Allan added.

"Our state will stand with Porepunkah as long as it takes."

Police this week offered a $1 million reward to anyone with information leading to the capture of Freeman.

The reward is the largest ever offered in the state.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said that he remains open to all possibilities in regards to the whereabouts of Freeman and said the reward was "just another avenue" in the hunt.

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Appliance retail juggernaut The Good Guys has been hit with a $13.5 million penalty from the Federal Court after being found to have misled over 20,000 consumers and failing to provide store credits.

Between 2019 and 2023, the Aussie retail giant offered 116 promotions where store credit was offered to customers if they spent a minimum amount, purchased a specific brand or product, or used a particular payment method. The credits ranged from $10 to $1000.

However, The Good Guys was forced to admit the advertisements for the credits did not adequately show the expiry period of the store credit, with some being as short as seven days.

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The company also admitted they failed to provide about 21,500 customers with their entitled store credit within the time frame required.

"The chance to earn store credit may have encouraged some consumers to make a purchase at The Good Guys they otherwise may not have made or to choose this retailer over others", ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

"We were concerned some of those consumers may not have done so had they been aware of all the conditions."

In addition to the fine, The Good Guys is also required to provide redress to certain consumers who participated in store credit promotions by providing a store credit with a longer expiry period.

The Good Guys has cooperated with the ACCC and is remediating consumers who did not receive their store credit after failing to meet the conditions.

"Businesses that use promotional programs to attract consumers and differentiate themselves from their competitors must ensure they provide any gifts or rebates to eligible consumers in the time period they said they would," Cass-Gottlieb said. 

A statement from The Good Guys said they had worked closely with the ACCC to find a resolution.

"The Good Guys takes its compliance with the law very seriously and has worked cooperatively
with the ACCC to resolve the matter," the statement said.

"The Good Guys has always sought to provide value and
benefits to its customers and has always prided itself on its high levels of trust with consumers."

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The House Oversight Committee released a trove of records from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, including a note bearing President Donald Trump's name that was part of a collection of letters gifted to the late convicted sex offender for his 50th birthday.

In addition to the "birthday book," the records included Epstein's last will and testament, entries from his address book, and the 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Ahead of the public release of all the records, Democrats on the committee posted on X an image of the page from the so-called birthday book with Trump's name.

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The president has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on it, for defamation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X following the release that "it's very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. President Trump's legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation."

In a separate post, White House deputy chief of staff for communications Taylor Budowich also denied that Trump had signed Epstein's book and shared several images with the president's signature.

The signature on the document closely resembles images circulating online of Trump's signature on other documents, in particular when Trump signs only his first name.

The panel has been investigating the Epstein case and had subpoenaed the estate for documents as part of its on-going probe. The investigation comes amid a push – including from within the president's own party – for more transparency around the case and the release of more information.

Democrats on the committee also highlighted what they said was another page from the "birthday book" — a letter with a photo that they described as "Epstein and a longtime Mar-a-Lago member joking about selling a 'fully depreciated' woman to Donald Trump for $22,500."

The partially redacted photo shows Epstein standing next to several other people holding an oversized cheque written to appear that it had been made out from Trump to Epstein for US$22,500 ($A34,000).

The committee did not identify the other people in the photo. Below the photo, a hand-written caption states, "Jeffrey showing early talents with money and women! Sells 'fully depreciated' [readacted] to Donald Trump for $22,500."

CNN has reached out to the White House to request comment. In a statement, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer blasted Democrats for selectively making materials public before he released the entire trove, and added that he would pursue "additional Epstein bank records" based on what was already turned over.

"It's appalling Democrats on the Oversight Committee are cherry-picking documents and politicising information received from the Epstein Estate today," Comer said.

"Oversight Committee Republicans are focused on running a thorough investigation to bring transparency and accountability for survivors of Epstein's heinous crimes and the American people. President Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing and Democrats are ignoring the new information the Committee received today."

Contents of 'birthday book'

The now-famous "birthday book" is a 238-page collection of photos, yearbook pages, song sheets and other mementos. It was compiled by Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who wrote in the prologue that she wanted to "gather stories and old photographs to jog your memory about places, people and different events."

"Some of the letters will definitely achieve their intended goal. Some well … you will have to read them to see for yourself. I know you will enjoy looking through the book, and I hope you will derive as much pleasure looking through it as I did putting it together for you," Maxwell wrote.

In the book's contents section, under a header titled "FRIENDS," there is a list of more than 20 names, including former President Bill Clinton, attorney Alan Dershowitz, and Trump. Under a header titled "GIRL-FRIENDS," the names are all redacted.

The trove includes a letter that appears to be from Clinton wishing Epstein a "Happy 50th." A spokesman referred to a previous statement that Clinton cut ties before Epstein's arrest on federal charges in 2019 and didn't know about Epstein's crimes.

It also includes a note that appears to be on letterhead from Dershowitz, saying, "Happy birthday and best regards."

For his tribute, Dershowitz appears to have created a fake magazine cover, which he called "Vanity Unfair," in which he doctored headlines to fit Epstein's name, including doctoring a cover story about Nicole Kidman.

The note states, "As a birthday gift to you, I managed to obtain an early version" of the magazine.

CNN has reached out to Dershowitz for comment. Dershowitz told the Wall Street Journal, "It's been a long time and I don't recall the content of what I may have written."

The book's contents spanned Epstein's life before 50, from birth and Cub Scout documents to photos of art in his expensive private residences and black-and-white family portraits. It also included extensive notes and photos about private moments and jokes.

There are several pages of lewd notes with titles such as "Girls on my boat," where the names of women appear to be redacted.

The records released by the committee also include pages from Epstein's address book, which contained contact information for many of the wealthy and powerful people in his orbit. A version of the book that redacted phone numbers or email addresses had previously been made public

House panel expected to receive more estate records

Attorney Daniel H. Weiner, a representative for the estate, confirmed to CNN that an initial document production had been transmitted to the panel and said "the Co-Executors will continue to produce on a rolling basis documents responsive to the Committee's subpoena."

Lawyers representing the estate noted in a letter obtained by CNN accompanying the document production that there are certain redactions in the book, which was reportedly compiled by Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, that comprises three volumes.

"Please note that, in an abundance of caution, we have redacted names and faces of women and minors who appear in the book (other than Ms. Maxwell, public figures, and family or class photos) to ensure that no potential victims are publicly identifiable," Weiner and attorney Daniel Ruzumna wrote.

"We have also redacted photographs revealing any nudity from the book," they added.

In response to the committee's request for "a potential list of clients involved in sex, sex acts, or sex trafficking facilitated by Mr. Jeffrey Epstein," in the subpoena, lawyers for Epstein's estate said they "are not aware of the existence" of such a list.

As CNN previously reported, a bipartisan group of staffers on the committee is expected to travel to New York City later this week to meet with lawyers representing the estate and view unredacted documents related to the investigation.

The committee previously released tens of thousands of pages of documents of Epstein files turned over to the panel by the Justice Department. Democrats on the panel criticised that document production, however, saying that it contained little new information.

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Victoria has become the first state or territory to introduce a treaty bill to parliament.

Treaty legislation is expected to be formally tabled in state parliament today and, if passed, will enshrine the First Peoples' Assembly under an authority known as Gellung Warl.

The assembly, which was was first created in 2019 to elect Indigenous people to negotiate a treaty on their behalf, will have the power to make rulings on matters which directly impact First Peoples communities in Victoria.

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Following the passage of the treaty in parliament, the assembly will be consulted by the state government on any laws or policies which impact First Peoples communities.

It will also lead "truth-telling and healing" across Victorian towns and regions.

A key part of the treaty will see Indigenous truth-telling embedded into the state's school curriculum and the negotiation of an official apology to First Peoples in parliament.

Among the reforms in the treaty agreement will also be "increased opportunities for the use of traditional or language place names" in Victoria.

The historic state-wide treaty aims to "bring together First Peoples and the Victorian government to build a new relationship based on respect, trust and integrity".

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"In Victoria, we have been on a long and steady path to Truth and Treaty for nearly a decade. We have passed legislation twice, developed policies, and made commitments across the government," a joint statement from the Victorian government and First People's Assembly of Victoria reads.

"We have taken the time required to lay strong foundations for Treaty, and this Bill represents a historical milestone in this journey."

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan described the treaty bill as "commonsense".

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"We know already governments are spending huge amounts of money seeking to close the gap, but it's not working," she said.

"It puts into the law the changes that will give Aboriginal people a say about how services and programs that are for Aboriginal Victorians are run."

The treaty is the first in Australia between a state government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Sydney is still reeling from a shock shark attack that left a popular surfer dead.

Mercury Psillakis, 57, was killed while surfing off Long Reef Beach in Dee Why on Sydney's Northern Beaches on Saturday.

It was the second fatal attack in Sydney in three years, after diving instructor Simon Nellist was killed while swimming near Little Bay in February 2022.

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The deadly attack has sparked debate about shark nets and the strategies used to minimise the risks for oceangoers.

What happened in the Long Reef attack?

Emergency services were called to Long Reef Beach after 10am on Saturday after reports of a shark attack.

Mercury Psillakis reportedly spotted the predator and attempted to warn other surfers before he was attacked.

Psillakis suffered catastrophic injuries and lost several limbs, and was unable to be revived when he was brought to the shore.

Long Reef and Dee Why Beaches were subsequently closed after the attack.

What type of shark attacked Mercury Psillakis?

Experts believe Psillakis was attacked by a great white shark.

"NSW government shark biologists have assessed photographs of the victim's surfboard and determined a white shark approximately 3.4-3.6 metres in length was likely responsible," a NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) statement said yesterday.

"Based on information from emergency services, it is understood the incident occurred approximately 300 metres north of the Surf Life Saving club."

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Are shark attacks on the rise?

Shark bites and attacks are extremely rare but have increased over the past decade.

The last fatal attack in Sydney occurred in 2022 and before that, you have to go back to the 1960s to find the last recorded fatal bite.

There are an average of 20 shark incidents each year in Australia that cause injury, with an average of 2.8 fatalities over the past 10 years, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database from the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

In 2023, there were four fatal shark bites in Australia.

Professor Charlie Huveneers from Flinders University said the global risk had increased but varied among regions.

"Globally, the number of shark bites has increased over the past four decades," he said.

"However, shark bites are decreasing in some regions and remain stable in others, reflecting the high variability of the risk of being bitten by a shark."

Huveneers' team found 40 factors that can contribute to an increased risk of shark attacks.

"Human population growth, habitat modification and destruction, declining water quality, climate change and anomalous weather patterns, and changes to the distribution and abundance of sharks and their prey are all often proposed to explain the recent increases in shark bites," he said.

He said a combination of those factors could increase the risk, but a lack of consensus in research made it difficult to pinpoint the effects of each.

Did Dee Why have shark nets?

There is a shark net at Dee Why.

It is about 500 metres from the shore, with the nets being 150 metres long and six metres deep.

As a result of the weekend's attack, new measures have been taken, including adding two extra SMART drumlines in addition to the three already deployed in the area.

The NSW government also announced a pause to the trial removal of shark nets in various locations around Sydney beaches.

Do shark nets work? Are they effective?

While shark nets are a common tactic to deter sharks from attacking around the world, experts are unconvinced about their effectiveness.

"The pause in the trial of the removal of shark nets is unfortunate as shark nets are not an effective mitigation approach, and can actually provide ocean users with false security that they are being protected from bites," Dr Brianna Le Busque from the University of South Australia said.

"People fear things that we feel we can't control, and non-effective mitigation techniques like nets can make people inaccurately feel in control of shark interactions."

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How are shark nets bad for the environment?

There are concerns about the negative effects shark nets and drumlines can have on sharks and other animals.

Experts say other animals can often become caught in nets and drumlines, causing injury or death.

"Decades of research show that these measures have not been proven effective at preventing bites," Dr Lucille Chapuis from La Trobe University said.

"Nets and drumlines can also act as attractants, entangling sharks and other marine life, including turtles, dolphins, and rays."

Are there better alternatives to shark nets?

Chapuis believes modern technology needs to be embraced to better protect against shark attacks while also avoiding damage to the ecosystem.

"Non-lethal technologies such as drone surveillance and personal deterrents offer more promising approaches," she said.

"Sharks are vital top predators, and removing them indiscriminately can have significant ecological impacts."

Huveneers said new strategies are being shared and implemented, centred on developing a perimeter and proximity from sharks, while also wearing wetsuits that are bite-resistant and prevent bleeding.

"Commercially available products like personal electronic deterrents can overwhelm a shark's sensory organs and reduce the risk of bites by up to 60 per cent even when sharks are in a predatory mode," he said.

"Establishing an outer ring of measures to maximise the space and reduce overlap between water users and sharks [can help].

"These include swimming enclosures to separate people and sharks, beach meshing, SMART or traditional drumlines, aerial surveillance, and tagged-shark listening stations."

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Oranga Tamariki – New Zealand's Ministry of Children – says it has been making plans for the Phillips children since they went missing with their father four years ago.

Tom Phillips and his children – Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9 – had been missing for almost four years, with only a few occasional sightings.

Yesterday morning, Phillips, who was with one of his children, was shot by police after breaking into a store in Piopio.

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It was one of Phillips' children that alerted police to the firearms at the campsite where they were staying.

Oranga Tamariki said it had been working alongside our police for four years in preparation for the children being found.

"We have a plan in place," Warwick Morehu, Tamariki and Whānau Services Regional Commissioner Waikato and Bay of Plenty, said.

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Morehu said Oranga Tamariki could not disclose further details, but the sole focus was on ensuring the privacy and wellbeing of the children.

"We acknowledge the understandable public interest in this case, but that does not – and never will – outweigh our duty to protect these children's privacy."

The campsite where the children were found

Speaking on RNZ today, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said the campsite where two children were found was one police weren't familiar with.

It was in deep bush about 2km from where Phillips was shot, he said.

Chambers said the child they picked up earlier in the day "helped us with the information that we needed to ensure the safe approach".

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The child told police there were guns at the campsite.

Chambers said police went to the campsite and dealt with the situation very cautiously, "because we knew there that there were firearms".

He told Morning Report that police "needed to ensure that the way we approached it yesterday continued to ensure their safety and also safety of my staff".

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Chambers said that Phillips and the children had spent some time at the campsite, and there were some structures found.

Asked if Phillips' had been staying at the campsite for a while, Chambers responded it was hard to tell.

"Well we know Mr Phillips has been moving around this very vast region frequently, so he hasn't stayed in one location for the entire time."

Police Minister Mark Mitchell was making his way to Waikato this morning along with Chambers.

Speaking to RNZ, Mitchell said Phillips had "multiple high-powered firearms" and was "very unstable in his thinking".

He described the incident as a very complicated situation.

"I think the whole country has seen play out in the last 24 hours just how dangerous the situation was and how it could have ended an even worse tragedy, and that would have been the loss one, two or three young lives," he said.

Chambers told the NZ Herald this morning there would be some people in the community who would try to defend him but "he was not a hero".

Officer shot in head by Phillips

Chambers said the officer who was shot in the head by Phillips was "doing well" but faced a long recovery ahead.

He said he would be visiting him when he got to the Waikato region today.

He had come back from Melbourne, where he was yesterday.

Chambers said the officer spent "a good chunk" yesterday in surgery with serious injuries to his head and shoulder.

"It was very, very close for him."

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is republished here with permission.

Australia Post has confirmed it will resume postal services to the United States and its overseas territories following a temporary suspension in response to import tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The postal giant said it will allow business parcels to be shipped the US and territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands on or before Thursday September 25.

In an announcement, Australia Post said it is now working with a service known as Zonos, which is one of a limited number US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Universal Postal Union third-party providers.

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It will work with Zonos to bring back postal services to the US for Australia Post My Business Contract and My Post Business customers to meet the new postal rules.

Australia Post was among several major international postal services which halted operations in the US following Trump's customs and tariff import rules. 

"Along with more than 190 other postal providers internationally, we've been caught in a fast-moving situation not of our making," said Australia Post Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services Gary Starr.

"The real impact has been on our customers who export their goods to the US accessing our cost-efficient postal service, so we've been working around the clock to find a solution.

"Our priority has always been to have a solution up and running as soon as possible, while keeping our customers updated and informed. We want to provide customers with as much notice as possible to prepare and facilitate their business planning."

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Starr said the temporary suspension will be lifted on September 25 but assured customers "if we are able to lift this earlier, we absolutely will".

Australia Post said it is also working towards a separate solution for postal customers to send parcels to the US via the post office network.

Gifts valued under $US100 ($A151), as well as documents and letters, are exempt from the tariffs.

The federal government said last month it was disappointed by the tariff measures from the Trump administration which forced Australia Post's decision and said it would continue to push for the removal of trade barriers with the US.

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