Foreign Minister Penny Wong raises concerns over a Chinese missile test at ASEAN; Ebola death toll in eastern Congo surpasses 1,000; And in sport, Wallabies prepare for clash against Japan.
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- Foreign Minister Penny Wong raises concerns over a Chinese missile test at ASEAN
- Ebola death toll in eastern Congo surpasses 1,000
- Wallabies prepare for clash against Japan
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has again raised Australia's concerns over a Chinese missile test earlier this month.
In a move likely to further agitate Beijing, she raised the issue in a speech to the ASEAN summit earlier today.
Ms Wong says the countries near where the test took place weren't given enough notice.
"As we have said publicly, China's test of a nuclear capable submarine launched missile from the south china sea earlier this month came with too little information and notification, including to the Philippines over which the missile flew and pacific nations near where the missile landed and it comes in the context of China's rapid military build-up, including of its nuclear arsenal, without the transparency or reassurance the region expects. Which is why Australia has described the test as provocative and destabilising."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded his speech at the Labor Party's National Conference by taking a swing at Pauline Hanson's monoculture comments.
He says from the first Labor Government the party has endorsed multiculturalism, as it included Protestants and Catholics, English, Irish, Scots and an American pretending to be a Canadian.
He says 125 years on, the party is more open, more democratic, more diverse and more equal.
"We embrace the fullness and richness of our own history, the privilege we have of sharing this ancient continent with the oldest continuous culture on earth. Just like Australia. We have been enriched by people of every faith and background and tradition, just like Australia, we have gained and grown from their ideas and their energy and every bit an importantly, from their loyalty to our shared values and their pride in our common causes."
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The Prime Minister used his opening speech to announce plans for a new federal Fair Work Court dedicated to workplace disputes.
Mr Albanese says the specialist court would work alongside the Fair Work Commission to help workers and employers resolve disputes more quickly and at lower cost.
If established, it would be Australia's first dedicated federal industrial relations court since the Howard Government abolished the Australian Industrial Relations Court in 1997.
The government says it will consult with employers, unions and the legal profession before finalising the court's design.
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The US military says it's launched a 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, at the direction of President Donald Trump.
President Trump threatened on social media to destroy a bridge or power plant in Iran any time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian health ministry official says 53 civilians have been killed and 592 wounded this month but the US says it never targets civilians.
It comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran is not serious about peace talks.
Pakistan, which has been mediating the talks, condemned disruption to a second critical energy route after Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for military strikes on two Saudi oil tankers as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.
Both Mr Rubio and Pakistan say they still back the idea of negotiations.
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Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have exceeded 1,000, [[1031]] according to Africa's top health body.
This outbreak is the fastest in history, with conflict, community resistance and an uneven response fuelling its spread.
The outbreak is unlike most previous Ebola outbreaks because the Bundibugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or treatments.
The World Health Organization says the true number of infections could be two to four times higher than official figures.
WHO emergency director for Africa Marie Roseline Belizaire, says there is a huge gap in the funding needed to end the outbreak.
"WHO requires $115 million. And we only received 49 million that has been mobilised. So that means we still have a big gap. I think together with Africa CDC, we (have) around 100 million, okay, on the 518 million that is needed in order to support, and the operations in the field."
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To sport and in Rugby Union, New Wallabies coach, Les Kiss, has named his first squad ahead of the clash with Japan in Osaka in October.
The line-up includes former team captain David Wilson's son Teddy , alongside Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry.
He's also recalled Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
The game comes about a year out from the Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia.
Kiss says selection is always a challenging process but he's looking to bring together a group based on form and cohesion.
