NSW Government Says a Clear Yes is Needed Before Sex

The NSW government will release its sexual assault strategy today, with a $1 million advertising campaign that tells young adults they always need clear verbal yes.

Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister, Pru Goward, says if you want sex you have to ask for it and if you want that sex, you have to say yes.

The strategy also focuses on preventing sexual assault and harassment in universities and workplaces.

BOM Data Reveals Australia's Hottest Winter on Record

Data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has revealed Australia has experienced it’s hottest maximum temperatures on record this Winter.

The Bureau of Meteorology's, David Jones, said it was quite remarkable how consistent the temperature anomalies were across the nation.

Dr. Jones says this occurrence is due to a lack of rain, which has resulted in severe drought conditions.

Burger Urge Unveils Hottest Burger in Australia

Gold Coast Burger Urge has unveiled what they claim to be the hottest burger in Australia, warning daredevils to eat it at their peril.

The limited edition Double Decker Death Wish burger is claimed to be so hot that stores are asking diners to sign a waiver before they take a bite, even providing them goggles and gloves to help them get through meal.  

Burger Urge managing director, Sean Carthew, said the secret behind “Australia’s spiciest burger” was lashings of ghost chilli sauce.

British Couple Critically Ill After Novichok Poisoning

Britain has demanded Russia to provide details about the Novichok nerve agent attack on a former double agent and his daughter, after two British citizens were struck down with the same poison in March.

Russia has denied any involvement in the March incident and suggested the British security services have carried out the attack only to stoke anti-Moscow hysteria.

British officials have hypothesised the latest pair may have been contaminated in a different location from areas visited by the former Russian agent and his daughter.

Ireland Set to Hold Referendum on Women's Role in the Home

After the successful referendum to decriminalise abortion, Ireland will hold yet another referendum to remove an article in it’s 1937 Constitution, which has been criticised as sexist.  

Article 41.2 of the Irish Constitution  recognises that women in the home are giving “the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved”, adding in a second clause that the State should ensure mothers do not neglect their home duties for economic necessity.

Defence Chief States Concern over China

Chief of the Defence Force, Mark Binskin retired yesterday, handing over command of the military, and making candid remarks about China in his final interview.

When asked about China’s growth since he became the Chief of Defence in 2014, the Air Chief Marshal agreed that China’s position has changed and that it’s very concerning that there are features of militarisation in their stance in the Pacific.

School Children Singing Could Save Indigenous Language

First Languages Australia and ABC Education are running an Aboriginal song competition for Australian and Torres Strait Islander schools and is one of several initiatives being undertaken to preserve and revive Indigenous languages.

Project officer at First Languages Australia, Annalee Pope, believes children hold the key to preserving Indigenous languages and that song is the best way to teach children about their importance.  

State Government Sceptical Over New Funding Model

The Commonwealth has proposed a new funding model which spares Queensland from further GST funding, however the State Government has criticised how the $518 million funding difference would be made.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk questioned how Treasurer Scott Morrison would make up this difference, amid fears the state could lose funding from non-GST grants.

Opposition Treasury Spokesman, Tim Mander, said he “backs the federal Coalition’s credibility” in managing the economy.

Cement truck hanging off Tamborine Mountain Road forces road closure

Police have been forced to close Tamborine Mountain Road on the Gold Coast this morning because of a cement truck, that has been left partly hanging off the road’s edge.

A police spokeswoman has said the truck was perched on the edge of a steep drop with a potential risk of falling due to wet conditions.

The driver and his passenger escaped, with one patient taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital by paramedics in a stable condition.