Betting companies reject claims of shocking tactics to target problem gamblers; Negotiations to reopen shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz; Alexandra Eala becomes the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles title.
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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin:
- Betting companies reject claims of shocking tactics to target problem gamblers.
- Negotiations to reopen shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Alexandra Eala becomes the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles title.
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Betting company Sportsbet says it has no evidence to substantiate allegations made by witnesses appearing before a Senate inquiry on the government's gambling bill.
Former gamblers and anti-gambling advocates testified on Monday [[3 Aug]] that gambling companies provided alcohol, illegal drugs and sex workers to customers to keep them hooked.
Jules Norton Selzer, director of corporate affairs at Sportbet, says the company has received no information to support the claims.
"We have no tolerance for that kind of deplorable conduct and no information has been provided to us beyond what as referenced (in Tim Costello's testimony) - and we would gladly investigate it. Our objective is for adult customers to enjoy our products safely and responsibly. And that is why we continue to support measures to reduce underagew exposure and strengthen consumer protections across the range of federal and state regulatory models that we operate within."
Counselling support is available through the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.
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New South Wales Liberal leader Kellie Sloane says doesn't know if her party will lose more frontbenchers due to allegations heard at the state's independent commission against corruption.
The New South Wales ICAC is investigating allegations that a factional group - called the Reformers -solicited or accepted money from prohibited donors using sham contracts.
Upper house MP Damien Tudehope stepped down as shadow attorney general before appearing at the inquiry today to give evidence about his interactions with the factional group.
He has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Ms Sloane says it will be important to let the inquiry and investigation take its course.
"I take this very seriously. At the moment, we're seeing a lot of backroom operators who are rightly being held to account for their behaviour. Whether that is corrupt or not is yet to be determined. But quite frankly I have been incredibly disappointed with what I have seen. I hold a very high standard of my team and of our party members. And I owe that to my party more broadly."
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Iranian and US officials say Iran and Oman are progressing a deal to reopen shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime traffic continues to be disrupted in the waterway, with the British maritime agency saying a cargo vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman in the last 24 hours.
Australia's Defence Minister, Richard Marles, says the Albanese government repeats its call for stability and diplomacy in the Middle East.
“We need to see the rules of the road respected and that means the Strait of Hormuz being opened and we call on Iran to do that. It is utterly unacceptable that Iran has effectively closed down the Strait of Hormuz. So we need to see the Strait of Hormuz be opened, we need to see a return to normality."
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Advocates are encouraging all Australians to celebrate the strength, pride and potential of Indigenous children today on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day.
The day has been marked since 1988 - and this year, Gamileroi and Dunghutti woman, Marlee Silva, is the ambassador.
The media commentator and reporter has told NITV, she wants to use the occasion to honour the child she used to be.
"I want to be more like her and I want to be more like the kids that we're talking about on days like this because they are just so full of life and energy. They make us all really proud and so I hope I am doing that in return."
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And in Tennis,
Alexandra Eala has made history as the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title.
The 21-year-old beat top seed Jessica Pegula in three sets - 4-6 6-4 6-love - at the Washington Open final.
The victory extends Eala's winning streak against top-10 opponents to five matches, after wins against Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina twice, and Iga Swiatek.
"I got so many messages, sweet messages, from my family and from my friends who are on tour wherever else in the world. I feel so much love. So, standing here in the middle of all this love, my first chance at the title, knowing it won't be my last. And already having achieved this feat and this milestone for my career, I knew, that whatever would have happened after this match, it would have already been a win for me. So, thank you everybody."
The breakthrough title will propel Eala to a career-high world number 20 when the new WTA rankings are released.
