Major Gold Coast hospital set to receive modernising upgrades

Robina Hospital will receive a twenty million dollar upgrade to help modernise it’s health facility. 

The hospital, which opened in 2002 on the Gold Coast, will see network capabilities upgraded in preparation for the launch of electronic medical records in April next year.

Refurbishment of air conditioning and patient units, along with general hospital maintenance, is also promised.  

Flight Centre under Fair Work Commission action

Flight Centre workers are taking the company to the Fair Work Commission, a week after an ABC investigation into the company’s treatment of employees.

The staff involved work for Travel Money Oz, a currency exchange business owned by the Flight Centre Travel Group.

The Finance Sector Union, representing the staff, says the workers have been victims of wage theft.

Samoan PM criticises Australian Government's Paris Agreement pullout

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele is encouraging the Australian government to increase cuts to carbon emissions to help safeguard low-lying Pacific Island nations against climate change.

Mr Sailele said politicians must step up to tell their countries disaster is a certainty, and the impacts are already being felt by island communities.

Water tests tampered in China

Investigators have been sent to Hunan province in China after local officials were accused of delivering fake data on water quality in the region.

Reports said the river, in Zhuzhou is badly polluted by sewage water, however there is widespread suspicion the local officers faked their investigation.

It is believed the officers set up equipment to investigate water safety levels but used them to monitor bottled water instead of the river, as well as one of them being placed in a cup of tea.

Energy drink ban in Britain

The British Government is launching a consultation seeking views on a proposed ban on energy drink sales to children.

Prime Minister Theresa May says thousands of young people are often consuming energy drinks as they are more affordable.

The proposal would see retailers fined up to $4,400 if caught selling energy drinks to people under the legal age, which is expected to be either 16 or 18.

 

Iran continues with nuclear deal

The United Nations nuclear watchdog has reported Iran continues to comply with its nuclear deal, despite the United States withdrawal from the pact.

The deal sees Iran’s government pledge not to develop nuclear weapons, in exchange for the lifting of international economic sanctions.

The US withdrew from the pact in May, with President Trump saying the deal was too lenient on the Middle Eastern power.

 

Women retire with $113,000 less than men

Today is Equal Pay Day, which marks 62 extra days women must work following the end of the financial year to earn the same pay as men.

The gender pay gap in Australia is at its lowest in 20 years at 14.6 per cent, according to the Per Capita think-tank.

Women retire with $113,000 less than men on average, meaning most Australian women will still need to rely on the aged pension in addition to their super to retire comfortably.

 

Melbourne warehouse polluting waterways

A Melbourne warehouse fire is expected to burn for days, spewing toxic fumes across the western suburbs, as well as polluting waterways.

Authorities say the water run-off into Stony Creek remains a significant issue, warning people to steer clear.

The blaze is not believed to be suspicious, and we understand 60 firefighters remain on scene.

 

Clive Palmer loses legal battle

Political hopeful Clive Palmer has lost a legal bid to have criminal charges brought against him thrown out of court.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is bringing charges against Palmer for breaching corporate law in relation to his 2012 proposal to buy shares of another company that owned properties at his Sunshine Coast resort.

Mr Palmer has also come under fire recently for using crass language to refer to Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill during a press conference outside his campaign office.