The Australian
Scott Morrison will progress plans for fast-rail links between the nation's
three biggest cities and their regions and cut the annual migration intake by
120,000 over the next four years in a sweeping decentralisation blueprint to
ease crippling congestion in Sydney and Melbourne.
The racism row engulfing Michael Daley, the would-be premier of NSW who said
Asian immigrants are "taking the jobs" of young Sydneysiders, has prompted one
of his Labor frontbenchers to speak directly to the Chinese community against
xenophobia.
The Financial Review
Labor leader Bill Shorten has slapped down union bosses for seeking to use their
influence on industry superannuation fund boards to coerce employers into
offering better wages and conditions.
The Sydney Morning Herald
NSW Labor leader Michael Daley has been forced to repeatedly apologise for
comments he made about Asians "taking local jobs", with the controversy
threatening to derail his fight to win key marginal Sydney seats with a high
share of Chinese voters.
The Daily Telegraph
NSW is on track for a hung parliament, with Labor locked neck and neck with the
government in polling as the state prepares to go to the ballot box on Saturday.
An exclusive YouGov/Galaxy statewide poll conducted for The Daily Telegraph has
found the major parties are deadlocked 50/50 two-party preferred.
The Age
Job hunters receiving welfare payments will be able to search for work from
their home computer or smartphone and be freed from demands to apply for 20
positions a month under the biggest changes to unemployment services in two
decades.
The West Australian
Facebook is under fire from social media experts for encouraging users to search
its platforms for the Christchurch massacre video. The Silicon Valley giant
includes "search suggestions" of "Christchurch livestream" and "Christchurch
shooting footage" when users type "Christchurch" into the site.
The Advertiser
More migrants will call South Australia home, with far greater ease, under a
push to lure new arrivals away from big cities to the regions. Prime Minister
Scott Morrison today will unveil a population strategy that will slash
Australia's possible migrant intake from 190,000 to 160,000.
The Canberra Times
Police are conducting almost 55,000 fewer random breath tests in the ACT
compared with five years ago, with drug and alcohol groups concerned the low
test rates are making Canberrans complacent about drink-driving.
Canberra's light rail system is to begin taking passengers on April 20, with the
ACT government predicting a "huge celebration" for the city. Transport Minister
Meegan Fitzharris says there will be free travel on Canberra's public transport
system on the Easter weekend to mark the launch, but the start date is still
subject to Canberra Metro obtaining final approvals.
The NT News
Jetstar Asia will begin daily services from Darwin to Singapore in April and
travellers are in for a price-saving bonanza. Fares as low as $91 Singapore to
Darwin are up for grabs and Darwin to Singapore as low as $115.
The Mercury
A $91 million funding package for stage two of the Royal Hobart Hospital K-Block
development has been unveiled by the state government.
The Courier-Mail
Thousands of breathalysers will be dispersed through Brisbane City Council so
staff can undertake voluntary tests after boozy lunches or a big night out. The
Courier-Mail can reveal the council will begin testing next month after buying
18,000 disposable breathalysers.
