In this bulletin, Australia's first mass mortality event from the H5 bird flu confirmed; A Senate inquiry hears evidence on the use of predatory tactics by gambling companies; And in cycling, Lorena Wiebes wins stage two of the Tour de France Femmes.
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin,
- Australia's first mass mortality event from the H5 bird flu confirmed
- A Senate inquiry hears evidence on the use of predatory tactics by gambling companies
- And in cycling, Lorena Wiebes wins stage two of the Tour de France Femmes
There are now 74 confirmed cases of the H-5 strain of bird flu in Australia.
That includes confirmation of the country's first mass mortality event from the virus in South Australia.
Aerial surveillance teams first spotted the 84 greater crested terns on Friday (31 July) off the coast of South Australia, near Cape Jaffa.
Authorities say they expect more cases as the virus spreads.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says resources are being boosted to respond to the H5 bird flu, including a further $24 million from the federal, state and territory governments announced last month (on top of $113 million).
"I want to reiterate at this time that there is no evidence of any detection in our poultry or agriculture systems and the risk to human health remains low. I also want to take the opportunity to thank Australians again for the work they've done in being the frontline of our biosecurity system in reporting dead or sick birds."
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The predatory tactics used by gambling companies have been detailed in a Senate inquiry on the federal government's bill on reform of the sector.
Critics say the proposed legislation says it should include all 31 recommendations of the 2023 Murphy report - including a complete ban on online gambling advertising, and the creation of a national regulator.
The government's bill does include some measures to protect people from gambling harms, including restricting the frequency of gambling ads and the use of celebrities in those ads.
Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello has told the inquiry he is preparing to give a character reference to a man being detained in Sydney’s Silverwater prison, who was allegedly targeted by promoters.
"He was given free accommodation at Star Casino. He had to leave each week so they could technically saying he wasn't living there and come back the next morning. He was the TAB's biggest customer in that time. They were giving him $50,000 bonus bets. He was also Sports Bet's biggest customer. They were flying him to grand finals. They were offering him escorts, drugs - whatever he wanted."
The inquiry is due to hand down its report on August 17.
Counselling support is available through the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.
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A criminal trial on 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching by veteran broadcaster Allan Jones, is underway in Sydney.
The 85 year-old retired radio broadcaster denies any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The charges relate to six male complainants whose claims relate to alleged encounters between 2003 and 2020.
The complainants are not being named for legal reasons and the trial is before a judge only, with no jury.
The trial is expected to run for months, with more than 70 witnesses expected to give evidence.
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Attendees at the Garma Festival have reflected on their experience at the 4-day event celebrating Yolngu life and culture in remote northeast Arnhem Land.
The CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia, Maria Dimopoulos, has told NITV News, says it has been a powerful way of deepening understanding.
"We absolutely commit to addressing the shortfall in our own knowledge, to appreciate that we have entered a story, or stories, that extend for thousands of years. That we need to appreciate that not only has it been a story of enduring pain, but one of incredible resilience - one of culture that all of us can be enriched by."
Desi Hotma Pardede is an Indonesian migrant and aged care worker.
She has told SBS Mandarin, her first time attending Garma has been memorable - and she particularly resonates with the festival's theme of bukmak, which means everyone in the local Yolŋu language.
"All the Yolngu people are very friendly here. The first time I came here, they welcome us. There is no like... It's not difficult to having interaction with Yolngu people. So when the theme is bukmak - like I really agree with that. Because I feel like Yolngu people here are really welcoming us - even though we are foreigners."
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One Nation has named a Victorian party leader and long-awaited shortlist of candidates, four months out from the state election.
Army veteran Warren Pickering will lead the party into the November election.
Mr Pickering's team of leading Legislative Council candidates includes Shepparton-based MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell and education expert and commentator, Colleen Harkin.
Senator Hanson says it has taken a while to finalise the party's Victorian candidates.
"It has taken us some time to get our candidates there. We are constantly criticised over the use about the candidates that we have. We have had about 1,200 expressions of interest to stand for Victorian state election. We have been through a very extensive vetting process of our candidates. These are the upper house candidates that I am announcing today. And in the next week or two, we will start announcing our lower house candidates."
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And to sport, in cycling,
Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes has repeated her opening-stage success with a sprint win on stage two of the Tour de France Femmes.
Wiebes was first to attack from the bunch coming to the end of the 147.9-kilometre ride from Aigle, and the 27-year-old easily held off her rivals with time to raise her arms in celebration before the line.
She says winning in the yellow jersey makes it even more special.
"Yes, it makes it very special but also because again our team, SD Worx-Protime, works really hard for it and the girls were chasing full, full gas in the final to bring back Reijanne Markus so then it's even more beautiful to finish it off in the yellow."
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