Kavanaugh officially sworn as the US Supreme Court justice
Brett Kavanaugh has been officially sworn into his position as the US Supreme Court justice, with the senate confirmed the federal appeals court judge from the vote of 50 to 48.
This comes after the court saw Kavanaugh testify against public allegations of sexual assault in high school and university from three women.
The final vote was briefly delayed by noises from outside protesters, as well as yelling from the public gallery.
Government scraps mental health services for refugees
The Nauruan government has moved to scrap a mental health service for refugees on the island.
Medecins Sans Frontieres says it was told that its free psychological services were no longer required, and were given 24 hours to cease operation in Nauru.
The charity fears the mental health of refugees will worsen as a result, but the Australian government says the dismissal was a matter for Nauruan authorities. A statement from MSF urge the government to allow the group to continue its work.
Protests against using Sydney Opera House for advertisement
Both New South Wales Premier and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have outlined support for Sydney’s Everest Cup advertisements on the sides of the Opera House.
Right-wing commentator Alan Jones, promoter of the event, has been given support by the Premier, following a veto from Opera House Chief Executive Louise Herron after reports of harassment on-air.
The Queensland government department taking two weeks of sickies a year
The Housing and Public Works Department have announced statistics which show the average staff member is taking more than two weeks off a year in sick days.
“Unplanned absenteeism” is currently at 11 and half days by each employee, according to the June data.
Michael Hart, Liberal National Party spokesman says that this has a ‘massive productivity impact.’ Absenteeism has reportedly costed the public sector $579 million in 2014-15.
Dreamworld Tragedy Investigation Resumes
Today will see the inquest into the 2016 Dreamworld tragedy resume, with key staff members and other officials of Dreamworld expected to testify and give evidence.
The first element of this inquest, in early June, saw evidence from ride supervisors, engineers and technical staff, whereas today’s resumption includes senior park management and those in charge of policy and maintenance.
Troy Margetts, Dreamworld general manager is expected to provide evidence within the next two weeks.
Review: I Am My Own Wife
Bronski Beat’s 1984 song, I Feel Love is not how you expect a play about the life of an eccentric 65-year-old German transgender woman in the 20th century to begin. I Am My Own Wife tests your preconceptions and breaks through them, like breaking through the Berlin Wall with a sledge hammer, brick by brick.
Andy Paine: Symbiosis
- Andy Paine is a Brisbane based activist and also a singer-songwriter. He’s released an album called Symbiosis, containing eleven songs. Other than the one short soothing instrumental track -aptly called Take a Break When You Need To- the album fits neatly in the protest song genre, with a few of the songs, such as Sgt Watson and Jesus Was, specifically about protesting.
Gregor: Silver Drop
- The eponymous composer Gregor returns with his second release on Chapter Music, his debut album Silver Drop. Gregor is an independent recording artist in the most literal sense, writing and recording every element of his songs on his own. Silver Drop is evidence of much time alone, grinding the musical axe to a fine point and finding in it a sense of confidence and maturity. It’s a deeply romantic album, one that deals with such themes as first dates, emotional distance, self-doubt, obsession and physical intimacy.
Mansur Brown: Shiroi
- I always find it interesting when a jazz musician steps into the spotlight for their own project. At just twenty-one years of age, guitarist Mansur Brown has already made a name for himself within London's bustling jazz revival. Fans of the scene would recognise his aggressive yet dynamic playing from Yussef Kamaal’s seminal Black Focus album.
Chic: It's About Time
- So, is a band a band if it is just a person? Is Nine Inch Nails just Trent Reznor, and it’s no secret that Wham! was George Michael and Smashing Pumpkins is pretty much Billy Corgan these days. Therefore, is Chic now just Nile Rodgers? The ninth Chic album, It’s About Time, is Nile Rodgers all right.