State Government welcomes Fair Work Commission decision
The State Government has welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift the national minimum wage and award rates of pay by 3.5%.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said this will provide a much-needed real wage increase for almost half a million low-paid private sector workers in Queensland.
This follows the Queensland Government’s submission to the Fair Work Commission that called for an increase to the national minimum wage of 3.9%.
Barnaby Joyce knew he was going to lose his job before by-election
Former deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has admitted he knew he would lose his deputy PM position in a paid interview with Channel Seven.
Mr Joyce said he knew of the pregnancy before the New England by-election, which was triggered due to his dual citizenship.
Mr Joyce said the money from the 150,000 dollar interview will go into a trust account for their son Sebastian.
ABC investigation uncovers Australian webcams are at risk
An ABC investigation has uncovered dozens of Australians who were seeking online tech support were secretly filmed using their own webcams and without their knowledge.
The investigation found that remote-access scammers used fake tech support websites to trick their victims into handing over money for fake fixes, as well as control of their computers.
The victims were asked to read from a script to confirm work was completed, which was recorded and posted on YouTube as endorsements for the scam service.
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to visit North Korea
North Korean state media reports Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad is visiting North Korea, making it the first visit by an international head of state since Kim Jong-un came into power in 2011.
The two countries maintain good relations since close military cooperation during the Arab-Israeli War in October 1973.
There is no immediate comment from the Syrian president’s office.
Anti-immigrant party looks for partner to form coalition in Slovenia
The Slovenian election has left no party with a majority and a coalition government will need to be installed.
The anti-immigrant SDS party of right-wing leader Janez Jansa won the election with 25% of the vote but now must seek a partner to govern with.
The anti-establishment LMS party also won 12% of the vote in the election centred around immigration.
Kamaal Williams: The Return
- Followers of London’s burgeoning modern jazz scene will have heard of Yussef Kamaal. The short-lived collaborative project between virtuoso drummer Yussef Dayes and keyboard playing producer Henry Wu (a.k.a Kamaal Williams) only yielded a single full-length release before breaking up mid-2017. Black Focus attracted widespread attention for its unique use of breakbeat rhythms within the smooth framework of jazz-funk jams.
Oscar Key Sung: No Disguise
- Oscar Key Sung, celebrated Melbourne crooner-producer returns with No Disguise, his third EP and first outing since 2015’s Altruism. It’s six tracks of smooth R&B, infused with the pop sensibilities and electronic dexterity of an early 2000's James Blake fronted boy band.
Okenyo: The Wave
- It’s true that the world “multi-talent” tends to lose meaning as we collectively spread ourselves more and more across various disciplines and interests, but every so often someone comes along who still feels markedly deserving of the word. Sydney-based OKENYO is that person - as a Playschool presenter she’s already conquered the archetypal Aussie dream job, as well as starred in, written and directed multiple theatre works, and with The Wave she executes a deft flourish on an already impressive musical output.
Sudan Archives: Sink
- The debut EP from US one woman producer / song writer / violinist / and singer, Sudan Archives was easily one of the most memorable from last year, with the well noted autodidact violin playing being manipulated, looped reused through a digital looping station, reproduced over off-kilter beats, and subdued vocals whisked together as garnish. Driving strings were propagated not for their usual whine but for the direct and sharp effect they emanated when used for percussion. It hollowed out a foothold not yet fathomed.