Australia news live: police to investigate Gaza flotilla activist allegations; Victorian law set to enshrine right to WFH

The Australian federal police will begin conducting “inquiries” into abuse and sexual assault allegations made against Israeli authorities by Australian members of the Global Sumud flotilla after meeting Penny Wong yesterday afternoon.

The AFP confirmed it had met members in the group at Parliament House and “has begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group”.

Guardian Australia understands a report of crime has not yet been formally submitted, which would trigger a formal look into the allegations alleging they were abused, tortured and, in some cases, sexually assaulted by Israeli authorities while detained after attempting to deliver aid to the occupied Palestinian territory.

Wong, multicultural affairs minister Anne Aly , and senior AFP officers met the group to “listen to them directly about their experiences”, a spokesperson for Wong said.

The minister has condemned the actions of Israeli authorities and Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has already sanctioned, the spokesperson said.

She raised the allegations multiple times and made clear directly to Israel that Australia expects an “independent, transparent investigation”.