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.

 

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.

 

Premier questioned over integrity watchdog raid

Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk has denied any involvement in a raid of the state's integrity watchdog by the Public Service Commission.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli asked the premier at question time in parliament yesterday if the Queensland Labor party was involved in the raid.

Ms Palaszczuck described the claims as just allegations, but said her government was investigating.

 

Lismore removed from border bubble

Lismore has been removed from the Queensland border bubble as a positive case of COVID was detected in the city.
At 6pm on the 16th of September 2021, Lismore was included in the restricted border zone with the rest of New South Wales.
At the same time, Lismore went into a 7-day lockdown.
Now, only people travelling for work who have had at least one vaccine can cross the Queensland border.

Bill set to prevent discriminatory dismissal

Religious schools in Victoria are set to be banned from firing people based on their sexual and gender identities.
The bill to reform the Equal Opportunity Act is expected to be introduced to parliament later this year.
Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has said that the reforms will close a "hurtful gap" in the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

Criticism from China over new AUKAS alliance

Australia has drawn criticism from China over its acquisition of new nuclear submarines as part of the recently solidified  AUKUS alliance.

A spokesperson for Beijing publicly condemned the AUKUS alliance, saying it undermined regional peace and stability, intensifying the arms race.

This latest development has strained the already tense relationship between the two countries, which has only become more volatile in the wake of Australia calling for an inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic.