People experiencing climate change impacts in Tuvalu offered refuge in Australia under a new deal; the theme and program for next year's Mardi Gras revealed; and in the NRL, the women's State of Origin series to expand to three games next year.
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TRANSCRIPT
- People experiencing climate change impacts in Tuvalu offered refuge in Australia under a new deal
- The theme and program for next year's Mardi Gras revealed
- And in the NRL, the women's State of Origin series to expand to three games next year
Australia has signed an agreement with Tuvalu to allow Tuvalu citizens to apply for a visa and receive special rights to work and study in Australia because of the impacts of climate change.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese concluded the agreement Tuvalu's Prime Minister, Kausea Natano, during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting in the Cook Islands.
Mr Albanese says Australia has a responsibility to help Tuvalu deal with climate change impacts.
"Australia will establish a dedicated intake of up to 280 people annually known as the Special Mobility Pathway to allow people from Tuvalu to come to Australia to live, to work and to study. As part of the uplift in our broader bilateral relationship. Australia will support Tuvalu's climate adaptation interests including an additional $16.9 million for the Tuvalu coastal adaptation project."
Mr Albanese said Australia will also invest $350 million in climate infrastructure for the region; and $75 million for a program to help rural areas of the Pacific.
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The Western Australian government has announced the closure of the youth wing of a maximum security adult jail, after the death of an Indigenous teenager.
Police officers discovered 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd in need of medical help in the Unit 18 youth detention facility at Perth’s Casuarina Prison in the early hours of October 12.
Despite threatening to self-harm twice on the evening of his death, Cleveland was not placed on the At Risk Management System and was not moved from his damaged cell.
He died a week later in hospital. It is the first recorded death of a child in WA detention.
WA corrective services minister, Paul Papalia, says an interim report from the Department of Justice, shows errors were made.
"Individually, none of these things are acceptable. Collectively, they are disturbing and confirm the need for significant cultural change. Cleveland should be alive today. The fact he is not is without question a devastating tragedy. Put simply, we let him down."
He says Unit 18 will be closed, as soon as another location is found.
Those seeking mental health support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Organisers of next year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have announced the performance lineup and theme for the event in February 2024.
'Our Future' will be the theme of the 46th parade, celebrating local LGBTQIA+ heroes. More than 100 events are planned.
The City of Sydney says $1.5 million is being allocated over the next four years to the iconic event.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the economic benefit of the event to New South Wales was $132 million.
She says while the event is always colourful, it also has an important message on inclusion.
"There have been so many wins and advances for the LGBTIQ+ community since the brutal arrests that followed the first Mardi Gras in 1978. But despite the wins, the threats, violence and intimidatiom targeting LGBTIQ+ people - and events this year - are a stark reminder that there is still more to do. The theme of Mardi Gras is our future exudes optimism and joy."
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In sports, the NRL is set to expand the women's State of Origin series to three games in 2024, while keeping the NRLW competition at 10 clubs for another year.
There had been extensive calls for players throughout the series to increase the contest to three games in line with the men's competition.
NRL bosses will announce next year's men and women's draws as early as next week.
