Submarine Deal Draws French Condemnation
Australia’s recent cancellation of a 90 billion dollar conventional submarine deal has drawn condemnation from France.
The cancellation has come in the wake of the new AUKUS pact.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said the cancellation of the 2016 deal is a ‘stab in the back’.
Australian Foreign Minister Peter Dutton has said he doesn’t make any apologies for a decision that's in the country's best interest.
FRIDAY 17/09/2021 9AM
With Grace and David
Image Credit: ABC News
Increased Pressure on Charities as Sunshine Coast Housing Prices Soar
Charity organisation, Maroochydore Neighbourhood Centre, has been experiencing increased pressure as rental prices have soared on the Sunshine Coast.
MNC community development coordinator says that locals have been struggling to pay for essentials in addition to the high cost of rent and have sought assistance from MNC.
This has come at a time when two MNC funded sleep busses are set to hit the streets of the Sunshine Coast, housing twenty people each night.
Vaccine Blitz in QLD
The Queensland government announced a new vaccine blitz, starting with a pop-up clinic at a Rugby League game in Mackay on the 17th of September.
Community vaccination hubs are now taking walk-in clients as part of the weekend blitz, and over 60’s are allowed to receive the Pfizer vaccine on request.
Authorities Concerned About Inaccurate Sewage Testing
Authorities have had concerns that covid-19 may be going undetected in the Queensland - New South Wales border zone, as an abundance of home septic tanks has been causing inaccuracies in sewage testing.
Testing has so far proved accurate in detecting one positive case out of a sample size of ten thousand people.
But with roughly a quarter of Lismore’s residents not connected to the town’s sewerage system, authorities are worried there may be infected people in the local government area.
Activists Charges Dismissed by NT Supreme Court
Anti-fracking activists celebrated a legal victory in the Northern Territory as the courts dismissed an appeal by prosecutors.
The pair of activists first faced court in November last year for drilling three large holes in the lawn outside the Northern Territory Parliament in 2019.
The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory upheld the local court’s decision and dismissed the charges because the prosecution failed to establish that the lawn belonged to the Parliament.
Cadbury Workers Strike for Better Conditions
Hundreds of Cadbury workers in Melbourne are set to strike for better conditions, pay, and job security.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union said the workers have been forced to take action as the international confectionery giant has been delaying giving them permanent roles.
Union Secretary Tony Mavromatis said some of the workers have been in insecure work for ten years.
Abdul Ghani Baradar Confirmed Alive
Taliban deputy leader Adbul Ghani Baradar was confirmed to be alive, following rumours of his death.
The political leader said he is absolutely fine and healthy.
Until Wednesday 15th of September, Baradar had not been seen in public since the 15th of August, sparking rumours of his death amidst an internal split in the Taliban.
Friday 17/09/2021 8am
With Grace and David
Image Credit: ABC News
Voluntary Assisted Dying Legalised in Queensland
Voluntary assisted dying was legalised in Queensland after the bill passed in Parliament yesterday following a prolonged debate.
Queensland is the fifth state in Australia to legalise voluntary assisted dying, following Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia.
The laws allow terminally ill individuals over the age of eighteen who meet strict criteria to request medical assistance to end their lives.