Coalition form against former Governor General

A coalition of sexual abuse survivor groups has urged the Prime Minister to strip former governor-general Peter Hollingworth of his taxpayer-funded pension and entitlements.

 

Dr Hollingworth became governor-general in 2001 but was forced to resign in 2003 after a series of scandals over his handling of sexual abuse allegations against priests and teaching staff while he was the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane in the 1990s.

 

Anti-racism march in Berlin

Tens of thousands of people marched in Berlin on Saturday in a protest against racism amid growing concern over xenophobic incidents in the east of the country.

 

Supported by trade unions, charities and religious groups, some protesters held up signs in support of migrant rescue missions in the Mediterranean, while others waved placards reading "More love, less hate".

 

The crowds eventually gathered at Berlin's famous Brandenburg gate where a number of German groups performed.

Key Apartheid figure dies

Pik Botha, a key figure in South Africa’s fight against Apartheid rule has passed away at the age of 86.  

 

Although originally in defense of the apartheid system, he was considered liberal, working closely with Mandela to achieve harmony.

 

Mr Botha served as Foreign Minister for 17 years, until 1994 at the end of the apartheid era, as well as serving under Nelson Mandela’s post-apartheid government.

 

Thousands march for change in abortion law

A crowd of over 1000 braved Sunday’s rain, marching outside Queensland Parliament in support of proposed changes to the state’s abortion laws.

 

The laws will allow up to 22 weeks gestation, allocating safe access zones around clinics, as well as requirements for objecting doctors to refer patients to another medical professional.

 

Numerous healthcare professionals addressed the march, alongside politicians such as Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Health Minister Steven Miles.

Bicentennial Bikeway reaches milestone

The Bicentennial Bikeway from Brisbane CBD to Toowong has officially clocked 1 million bicycle trips this year, making it one of the most-used bikeways in the world.

 

Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage says Brisbane features in the top 10 of 211 counters worldwide, with 5000 people riding along daily.

 

Anne Savage expressed praise for the ongoing investment in infrastructure, seen as vastly improving the city’s liveability.

Australians reject discrimination in school

A fairfax survey has indicated that 74 per cent of voters reject the laws to allow religious schools to select students and teachers based on sexual orientation.

 

Around 30 percent of Coalition voters have supported the idea, with Morrisson taking the plan to the party room on Tuesday.

 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison would change laws to ensure schools could not expel gay students, however have suggested that a ‘broader conversation’ is necessary.

Australian passports seventh most powerful

A report this week ranked Australia's standard passport as the seventh most powerful in the world. The report comes as demand for Australian citizenship reaches never-before-seen levels, with 189 000 people waiting for the approval of their applications.

 

The Australian passport currently gives holders access to 183 nations without having to pay a fee or pre-apply for a visa before arriving.

 

Saudi Arabia reject threats over journalist disappearance

Saudi Arabia has rejected threats to punish their country over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.

 

An unnamed official from the Kingdom says the country will retaliate against any sanctions with tougher measures.

 

The comments come after US President Donald Trump threatened "severe punishment" for Riyadh if it turned out Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

 

Outrage as Migrants are ordered to leave Italian town

Anger has grown in Italy after far-right interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has ordered hundreds of refugees to be moved out of Riace, a small town in Calabria.

 

The town - whose population was dwindling for many years - was previously celebrated as a model of integration of asylum seekers, welcoming them in an attempt to revitalise itself.