US Senate approves bill to transfer submarines to Australia; Kathleen Folbigg's friends celebrate her acquittal; And in sport, Mackenzie Arnold could become the world's top women's goalkeeper in the FIFA Best awards.
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TRANSCRIPT
- US Senate approves bill to transfer submarines to Australia;
- Kathleen Folbigg's friends celebrate her acquittal;
- And in sport, Mackenzie Arnold could become the world's top women's goalkeeper in the FIFA Best awards.
Kathleen Folbigg's friend and supporter Tracy Chapman has spoken emotionally after Ms Folbigg was acquitted of killing her four children by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Ms Folbigg spent 20 years in jail after being found guilty of the deaths of her four children in 1989 and 1999.
The 56-year-old New South Wales woman has always maintained her innocence.
She was pardoned in June of this year when new medical evidence emerged and a landmark Special Commission of Inquiry found reasonable doubt over her guilt.
Her friend Tracy Chapman spoke outside the court:
"Today marks the end of an epic journey. One that tested many friendships, and personally my belief in justice, and that of many others. I speak of my dear friend Kathleen, Kath Folbigg, who faced unimaginable hassles in two decades of wrongful incarceration. The 20 year fight for Kath has been a herculean effort on all our parts."
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Australia has welcomed the US clearing a major hurdle to legalise the transfer of nuclear-powered submarines.
Washington is poised to sell Canberra at least three Virginia-class nuclear subs, with the first slated for the early 2030s.
They include two used submarines and a new one fresh off the production line.
Critical legislation enabling the sale, and for Australia to transfer almost $4.6 billion to prop up the American industrial base so submarines can continue rolling off the production line, passed the American Senate.
The timing of the payment is being discussed between the two governments.
The National Defence Authorisation Act will need to pass the house before landing on the president's desk to be signed into law.
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Australia's engineered stone ban is expected to save the lives of many stone masons and construction workers but an organisation representing builders has expressed concern on the costs for businesses.
A nationwide ban on the material often used for kitchen bench tops will take effect from July 1 after federal, state and territory workplace ministers reached an agreement yesterday.
Master Builders Victoria has acknowledged the need to address the deadly risk of silicosis which stems from the cutting of engineered stone but has expressed concern for businesses reliant on the material in lieu of a suitable alternative.
Former stone-mason Kyle Goodwin was diagnosed with silicosis in 2018 and was given between 5 and 8 years to live.
He told SBS News he understands the concern of businesses in relation to the ban, but ultimately he says the ultimate priority needs to be worker safety.
"I definitely understand where people can be concerned about the impact it will have on on work and things like this, but I've never wanted, you know, as a former worker, myself, I've never wanted anyone to be out of a job. But we want to be keeping young workers safe in this country. We're talking about bench tops. There's plenty of alternatives out there."
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And in football,
The heroics of Matildas' stopper Mackenzie Arnold could see her crowned as the world's top woman goalkeeper in the FIFA Best awards - but Ange Postecoglou has missed out on the top men's coaching honour.
Arnold has been named by the world governing body as one of the three women keepers in line to be crowned best in the business in January, alongside England's Mary Earps and Spain's Catalina Coll.
But hopes of more Australian success at the international governing body's marquee annual awards ceremony, which will be held in London in January, have been dashed with Postecoglou, who was on the original short-list of five in contention for the Best Men's Coach dropped from the final trio.
