Murdoch University condemned for its treatment of a whistleblower
Academics from across the globe have condemned Murdoch University’s treatment of a whistleblower who spoke out about international student exploitation.
The Western Australian university is suing associate professor Gerd Schröder-Turk for criticising its treatment of international students during an episode of the ABC’s Four Corners where he said that the university was admitting students who did not meet its own academic standards.
New federal regulations normalise the use of chemical restraints in aged care facilities
New federal regulations which promised to tighten the rules on the use of chemical restraints in aged care actually normalise the practice, a report has said.
The practice of using medication to modify the behaviour of dementia patients has come under scrutiny in recent years, prompting Federal Government to announce the regulation change in July.
Domestic violence should not solely rely on GPS trackers
The Queensland Palaszczuk Government has found that the issue of domestic violence should not solely rely on GPS trackers.
Trackers send out life alerts when the offender is approaching the victim and authorities.
However, reports have found that their efficiency is limited because only a quarter of breaches are detected.
Brisbane vacant carparks turned to shelters for the homeless
Non-profit organization, Beddown, has introduced a trial where vacant carparks are turned into pop-up accommodation for homeless people in the Brisbane
The initiative was started by Norman McGillivray, who has been previously impacted by homelessness, noticed this potential to help more homeless people.
Services provided include toilets, takeaways and dental services, 15 homeless people are sleeping in the carpark every night.
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Typhoon death toll increases in Japan
The death toll caused by typhoon Hagibis in Japan has increased to 66 as rescue work continues.
More than 200 people were injured from the heavy storm, which made landfall on Saturday night, causing landslides and burst river banks.
Close to 14,000 households are still running out of water while approximately 24,000 homes are lacking electricity.
Female workers report harassment in Bangladesh
Female factory workers have reported receiving verbal and physical abuse while working at activewear company Lululemon in Bangladesh.
Complainants have reported feeling humiliated at work with sexual slurs allegedly directed at them by their managers.
In response, Lululemon has conducted in-house audits, however, these have been criticised by Human Rights Watch, which says that these women are not safe enough to disclose their abuse in a mixed-gender environment.
Australian released from Bulgarian prison
The Bulgarian government has released Australian Jock Palfreeman, who was convicted of murder in 2009, from an immigration detention centre more than three weeks after the court granted him parole.
Palfreeman is not allowed to leave the country, but his release has still sparked political controversy in Bulgaria and abroad.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has said she is pleased that Palfreeman has been released from detention, but has expressed her concern that he is being denied the right to return back to Australia.
Girl survives fall off Uluru summit
A 12 year-old South Australian girl has fallen at least 20 metres down a descent on the Uluru Summit, after losing her footing on the lower section of the climb.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service, who were initially very concerned about the potential injuries given the nature of the accident, transported the girl to Alice Springs Hospital, where she is in a stable condition.
Off-leash dogs allowed on Brisbane beaches in year-long trial
Three of Brisbane’s foreshores are now open for dogs to run off-leash, after a year-long trial began on the weekend.
The three foreshore areas at Sandgate, Nudgee Beach and Manly will be open for the trial, after research conducted by the University of Queensland identified these areas as having low value for shorebird habitat.
Researchers will monitor the three sites throughout the year to observe any potential impacts on migratory birds.