Yothu Yindi Is Putting Indigenous Female Rappers In The Spotlight
High school students in Yirrkala, north-east Arnhem follow in the footsteps of Yothu Yindi.
A group of female rappers were able to create the song “Shine” in just a two-week workshop and are doing so in their language, Yolngu Matha.
The project, commissioned by the local Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation (RAC), aims to shine a light on a positive representation of young women in indigenous communities, especially young women in Yirrkala.
Greenhouse Emissions Still On The Rise
Energy Minister Angus Taylor insists Australia’s greenhouse emissions are on the decline while the government’s official figures show a continual increase.
On ABC’s Insiders, Minister Taylor stated a 1 per cent decrease, following PM Scott Morrison’s reports that Australia would meet its Paris commitments in a canter.
The environment department’s latest report looking at emissions between September 2017 and September 2018 shows a total increase of 0.9 per cent, in a continuing climbing pattern over the past five years.
Waiting List Causes Toothaches and Headaches
Public dental treatment is being criticised after data from Queensland Health shows almost 150,000 Queenslanders are waiting to see a dentist in the public health system.
The State Government is unable to reduce the large number queuing for treatment despite the public system already seeing thousands of people per month.
Callie Westbrook, a 36 year old woman from the Sunshine Coast who has been on and off the waiting list for six years, says the prolonged wait has taken a toll on her teeth and now avoids going out in public places.
Founder of The Beat Nightclub Loses Cancer Battle
John Hannay, the founder of popular Brisbane LGBTQA+ nightclub, The Beat, has passed away after losing his battle against cancer.
Hannay started the Club in Fortitude Valley in 1983, and was one of the first people to create a safe place for Brisbane’s LGBTQA+ community.
Many tributes are flowing on social media in remembrance of Hannay, and The Beat encouraged club goers to join staff in celebrating the memory of “a true legend”.
SpaceX and NASA Create Astronaut Taxi
SpaceX and NASA have collaborated to create an astronaut taxi blasting off from Florida bound for the International Space Station.
The spacecraft has lifted atop a Falcon 9 rocket and will spend five days docked to the orbiting outpost where the ISS crew will run tests.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk believes this could be the beginning of opening up private space travel to customers.
Man Survives On Taco Bell
A 36 year old man stranded in Oregon, survived five days trapped in his vehicle in the snow.
Jeremy Taylor is a regular outdoorsman and left his home on the 24th of February, with his dog Ally, before resting and waking up to find significant snow had fallen, leaving them both trapped.
Jeremy and Ally were rescued five days later by a snow rescue team, surviving on Taco Bell hot sauce sachets and periodically starting his car up to keep warm.
Campaign Urging More Australians to Test for Bowel Cancer
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is getting a $10 million campaign injection to urge more Australians to participate in testing.
While the at-home test is free for Australians aged 50 to 74, only 40 per cent of those eligible are participating.
Cancer Council Director of Cancer Prevention and Advocacy Anita Dessaix says the test has potential to save thousands of lives, but more people need to take part.
ALP Pledges $60 Million to Assist Victims of Domestic Violence
The Australian Labour Party is pledging $60 million to assist victims of domestic violence by providing tailored support packages.
ALP leader Bill Shorten says the money for the pledge will come from Labor’s banking fairness fund, which hopes to supply 20,000 packages over the next four years.
The announcement is to be made official later on today by Mr Shorten. If you are in a situation like this or know someone who might need help call the Domestic Violence hotline on 1800 811 811 for assistance.
Baby Born With Brain Damage
A baby was born with brain damage in a Queensland hospital caused by a fragmented use of the mother’s electronic medical record.
A case review aims to identify what happened and how to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
A Queensland Health spokesperson says patient safety and care was always the priority of the department.
Gabba Name Change
Sports Minister Nick de Brenni claims the Gabba is in need of a name change.
The Minister says the Gabba is in need of sponsorship amidst fears of the venue not generating enough revenue to prevent it from falling into disrepair.
The plans to move ahead on the $100 million dollar upgrade are highly criticised by cricketing and sporting fans despite the minister insisting the benefits it will bring to the infrastructure.