Former Trade Minister slams Coalition leaders for strained China relations
Australia’s former trade minister Andrew Robb has slammed ex-colleagues Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce, as well as Australia’s security agencies, over what he sees as anti-China sentiment.
Mr Robb had been working with Chinese company Landbridge on a plan to develop a health precinct in China, until the company’s chairman was told Beijing would not accept the proposal.
9AM ZEDLINES
Good Morning this is Jack and Maddie with your 9am Zedlines.
Federal funding necessary to complete the Brisbane Cross River Rail project
Federal Funding will be necessary to complete the Brisbane Cross River Rail project in order to free up the QLD Government’s budget to invest in roads and other major projects.
The 2019 Queensland Major Projects Pipeline report, commissioned by the QLD Major Contractors Association and the Infrastructure Association of QLD, detailed the major projects expected to be built by the private and public sector.
Venetians now want control on visitors as Venice is facing multiple tourism threats
Venetians now want control on visitors as Venice is facing multiple tourism threats.
The city-on-the-sea has been on every traveller’s bucket list for years, but now Venice locals are doubting the city will survive long enough for coming generations to experience.
Just near the famous Rialto Bridge, a clock tracks the local population decline and it now registers under 53,000 locals which is less than half the number 60 years ago.
Dutch open internet foundation expert has discovered an unprotected Chinese database of young womens’ personal information
An expert from Dutch open internet foundation GDI has discovered an unprotected Chinese database of young womens’ personal information, including identity numbers and marital status, titled “BreedReady”.
Cyber expert Victor Gevers has informed the New York Times the website which indexed women aged 15 to 95 has been taken down.
While the name is speculated to be either a translation of women who are at “child-bearing” age, others speculate the website, which also contains links to the womens’ Facebook pages, indexes women who “have children”.a
800 Chemist Warehouse workers have gone on an indefinite strike
Up to 800 Chemist Warehouse workers have gone on an indefinite strike over what they claim is a widespread culture of sexual harassment and labour exploitation.
Workers are demanding higher wages as the National Union of Workers say both permanent and casual staff earn approximately 25 per cent below the industry standard.
The new Matilda's kit has been unveiled on a Parisian catwalk
In national news, with the Women’s World Cup in France fast approaching, the Matildas’ kit has been unveiled on a Parisian catwalk.
Although punters are finding similarities to the Socceroos’ infamous ‘spew’ shirt of the 90’s, it has also won plenty of support as the first kit to be exclusively designed for the women’s team.
Nike’s senior apparel manager Cassie Looker says, “the graphic mixes the awesome 90s-inspired graffiti you see on Hosier Lane and the Golden Wattle to create this print.”
Lawn bowls club veterans are teaching teenagers to play the sport
In local news, lawn bowls club veterans are teaching teenagers to play the sport in hope of keeping the game and their club alive.
Jindalee Bowls Club hopes to run 68 sessions by the end of March, with students in year 10 and 11 at Ambrose Treacy College and Centenary State High School participating.
Organiser Jan Bell says “the aim is to spread the word about bowls, and if the kids go home with a positive message, then the parents might come down for a game of barefoot bowls.”
8am Zedlines
Good morning, this is Laura and Georgie with your 8am Zedlines.
Brexit Vote Defeat
UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s revised Brexit deal has been rejected in a vote by the house of commons, where it lost by 149 votes.
The Prime Minister spoke immediately after the vote, saying she regretted the vote the house had taken, and “the deal [her party] has negotiated is the best, and indeed only [Brexit] deal available”.
The house will decide tomorrow whether it supports leaving the European Union without a deal on the 29th of March, which it is widely expected not to.