Music for Manus and Nauru detainees
Around 100 musical instruments are today being shipped to asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island to help “combat the stress of life in detention”, with the Federal Government covering transport costs.
It’s thanks to charity ‘Music for Refugees’ founder Philip Feinstein, who put out a call for donated instruments several months ago and was “overwhelmed” by the response.
‘Music for Refugees’ was formed 10 years ago and this will be their first delivery to Manus Island and second to Nauru.
The instruments are expected to arrive next week.
Medicare Levy Scrapped, What does this mean for NDIS Funding?
The plans for a Medicare Levy increase to cover funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be ditched by the Federal Government at this year’s Budget meeting.
The planned Medicare Levy increase from 2 percent to 2.5 percent, which was introduced at last year’s Budget and predicted to raise over 8 Billion dollars for the NDIS by July 2019, has now been deemed unnecessary by Treasurer Scott Morrison who said Government can find $8 billion elsewhere .
XXXX workers to strike again today
Workers at Milton’s XXXX Brewery will strike again today for three separate 1-hour work stoppages, their fourth walkout in an ongoing dispute with owner’s Lion over the use of contract workers.
There is also a suspicion that Lion plans to shift production interstate, although they have vehemently and repeatedly denied this.
Damien Davie from workers union United Voice Queensland, said, “We want to negotiate in good faith, to get a good outcome for brewery workers, but XXXX is refusing to come to the table.”
Plans to be unveiled for development of parkland
A draft of detailed restoration plans for Brisbane City’s Oxley Creek will be released today by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, following council’s plan to convert the flood-prone creek into Brisbane’s largest parkland.
Councillor Quirk says the Oxley Creek transformation project is the first step in revitalising the creek corridor into a 1000-hectare world-class green, lifestyle and leisure destination.
Grouper: Grid Of Points
- Grouper is the solo recording project of Liz Harris from which over ten albums have drifted across a range of genres, though always remaining within the realms of both dream pop and more particularly ambient music. Though she has always had an intensely intimate sound, in 2014 she put our her most unembellished project to date, Ruins. It was simply her, a piano, and field recordings.
Janelle Monáe: Dirty Computer
- Psychedelic soul queen Janelle Monáe was temporarily distracted by the lights, cameras and action of Hollywood. While she’s a natural performer in movies such as Moonlight and Hidden Figures, I was surely not the only one concerned about losing one of soul music’s most exciting talents to the Golden Globes red carpet.
Uranus confirmed as eggy
Scientist have confirmed Uranus smells eggy.
A new study has revealed the gas planet’s clouds consist of hydrogen sulphide which produces the unpleasant aroma.
Lead author of the study Professor Patrick Irwin says after this discovery, there are now many other opportunities to solve the mysteries about Uranus.
Israel no longer forcibly removing illegal African migrants
Israel has scrapped a plan to forcibly deport illegal African migrants
The Government says forced removal of the migrants is no longer on the agenda.
The fate of Israel’s roughly 30,000 illegal African migrants has become a contentious issue with Israel’s immigration authorities are still looking to deport them.
Women lead ANZAC Day march
An Anzac Day March in Darwin was led by women for the first time.
The Women's Veteran Network NT guide around 150 returned service people through the Darwin cenotaph.
The March was led by Army Corporal Sonya Newman who last year had her leg amputated after a number of compounded, service-related injuries.
Dedicated cenotaph guard retires at 96 after 78 year career
Wally Scott Smith will retired today after a seventy-eight year career protecting the Martin Place cenotaph.
In 1937 Smith was accepted into Tank Corps but an emergency surgery stopped his army career so he began cleaning the Martin Place cenotaph and was eventually promoted to chief attendant.
Smith was so dedicated he escaped hospital twice to fulfill his duties. He received a special mention at the Martin Place service today and was presented a gift from the Anzac day Trust. Smith says he has enjoyed every minute and offered his all to those affected by war.