TRANSCRIPT
- Liberal MP Andrew Hastie's push for tougher migration settings condemned
- A deadly earthquake hits Mexico
- In the A-League, Victory celebrates four wins in a row
The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White, says efforts to lobby for tougher migration settings by Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is concerning at a time of frayed social cohesion.
Mr Hastie has told Nine newspapers he has raised close to $260,000 since October to launch his own ad campaign against Labor's immigration policy.
Mr Hastie quit the frontbench in October in a move that he said would allow him to speak freely on migration.
Ms White says politicians need to be mindful not to inflame tensions, following the Bondi attack.
"What Australia deserves is a mature discussion about migration levels. Our party has cut migration by 40 per cent in a year. And it is stable now at 185,000 people for permanent migration. We need to understand how we have a discussion about this in a way that is reflective of Australia's needs - and our future demands for workforce - not being inflamed by internal party divisions within the Liberal Party."
The Coalition has yet to announce its policy platform on immigration, with opposition leader Sussan Ley delaying the planned announcement following the Bondi terror attack last month.
She cited concerns around the potential for a fresh debate to be inflammatory at an extremely sensitive time.
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A powerful earthquake has hit southern Mexico, killing two people and damaging roads and hospitals.
The 6.5-magnitude quake struck near the Pacific Coast at a depth of 35 kilometres, some 290 kilometres from the capital.
In the Mexican beach resort town of Acapulco, tourist Adrian Diaz says the experience was terrifying.
"Yes, honestly, it was very strong, very, very strong. The shaking was really awful, like never before—well, I had never experienced anything like that."
The earthquake also disrupted President Claudia Sheinbaum's first press conference of the year, which she calmly evacuated and resumed later.
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Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has called for southern factions in Yemen to attend what it's calling a dialogue in Riyadh, after one of the factions announced an independence bid.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have intervened on behalf of Yemen’s internationally recognised government since 2015 but now back different factions* in the country's long-running civil war.
Aidarous Al-Zubaidi is the chairman of the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the UAE.
He has outlined plans for a two-year process to establish a state in the south, and he urged other factions to accept the move.
"As we are aware of the volume of danger that is surrounding the general political partnership - and to avoid more conflicts and divisions, we announce the entry of the transitional phase for two years. The Transitional Council invites the international community to promote dialogue between the parties involved in the south and the north around the path and mechanism that guarantee the right of the people of the south."]]
Hours before the announcement, Yemen's government said it had launched an operation to restore control over the Hadramout province, territory seized last month by the STC.
The surprise advance in early December shifted power in Yemen, which has been at war for more than a decade.
The fighting has forced the displacement of 14 percent of the population - around 4.5 million people, with the UN saying many in the country are living in famine-like conditions.
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Police officers will carry long-arms as part of boosted security arrangements for the Ashes series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, beginning tomorrow.
New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker says the use of the rifles is not due to a specific threat.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon says the added security is about reassuring the public that they can gather in large crowds without concern.
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In the A-League, Spanish superstar Juan Mata has helped Victory defeat Glory 3-2 in Melbourne.
The 37-year-old World Cup winner helped to orchestrate Victory's come-from-behind win, pulling the strings in the midfield as well as providing the assists for goals from Nishan Velupillay and Santos.
The result marks the first time the team have had four straight wins since 2018 and Victory now move within three points of league leaders Auckland.
Victory head coach Arthur Diles says it is great to see Mata - and the team - really making great strides forward in their playing.
"He doesn't give you that feeling that you are coaching somebody special because he is so humble. And that is the beauty of Juan - his personality and his humbleness. And he is a fantastic human being. And yes, sometimes you have to think: oh, that's Juan Mata. But in the end, you know, he just does the job. And he brings his team together. And he is doing everything that we wanted him to do - and knew he could. And that is the most pleasing part."
