New Police Powers to Take on Drug Dealers

The NSW Government has proposed new search powers for NSW Police should they be re-elected this Saturday.

NSW Premiere Gladys Berejiklian and retiring Police Minister Troy Grant announced a new pilot program that would allow police to search the homes of convicted drug dealers without a warrant in Bankstown, Coffs-Clarence, Hunter Valley, and Orana Mid-Western commands.

Ethiopian Plane Crash Details Discovered

The Ethiopian transport minister says preliminary data retrieved from the black box of the crashed Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 Flight show clear similarities to the Lion Air crash.

A full report is expected within one month but the information supports earlier satellite-based tracking data showing similar movements between the two flights.

Far North Queensland Copper Mine Leaching Heavy Metals into Local Waterways

The Queensland Government says a closed mine in Far North Queensland is leaching contaminated water into nearby waterways.

The Baal Gammon copper mine was closed late last week after its owner Baal Gammon Copper failed to pay outstanding local government rates.

Arsenic and cadmium were amongst the heavy metals found in seep water after heavy rains this January and locals have been asked to avoid using the water for cooking and cleaning.

Morrison Offers $55Mn to Improve Security at Religious Institutions

Following the recent events in Christchurch, Prime Minister Scott Morrison offers Australia’s religious schools and places of worship over 55 million dollars in community grants to improve security.  

He says that religious freedom is the first freedom we secure, to practice faith safely, and other freedoms should follow.

Security measures including CCTV cameras, lighting, fencing, bollards, alarms and loudspeaker system will be offered through the community grants.

Therapeutic Goods Administration Approves New Breast Medication

As of yesterday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved a new cancer drug which will help reduce the chance of relapse for those with early stages of HER2 - positive breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Research Centre oncologist Professor Arlene Chan says this medication, Nerlynx, is the only drug which has shown to reduce the risk of recurrence after chemotherapy and trastuzumab.

Trials have shown that this oral treatment reduces women’s five-year risk of the disease re-emerging or death by 42 percent.

Mixed Reactions From Gun Owners in New Zealand

New Zealanders are rushing to buy up firearms in wake of Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern announcing the country will soon be subject to stricter gun laws.

The PM was the first to sign a national condolences book opened in Wellington on Monday afternoon for those killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks.

The New Zealand gun lobby has strongly opposed further regulations in the past, but it is believed Friday’s attack will sway public perceptions about high-powered weapons.

Asbestos Dumped Meters From Refugees on Nauru

Shipping containers filled with asbestos sheeting have been dumped on Naura, leaving refugees living on the island exposed to the potentially deadly minerals.

Leaked documents from a meeting between the Nauru government and Australian officials have revealed that refugees living in the Fly Camp settlement have been using the sheets of asbestos to build sheds.

A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs said the asbestos does not belong to the Department or its contracted service providers.