TRANSCRIPT
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows wages rose by a higher than expected 3.4 per cent over the year to March.
The latest data shows wages lifting 0.9 per cent in the three months to March, up from a 0.7 per cent rise in the previous quarter.
Public sector wages grew at a faster rate than the private sector, rising 3.6 per cent annually, up from 2.9 per cent in December.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the progress is promising.
"Now it's especially encouraging that we are getting this wages growth at the same time as we're getting on top of this inflation challenge in our economy. Real wages reflects the progress we've made together on wages, but also the progress we've made together on inflation. We've got wages growing and we've got inflation falling."
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The Victorian Parliament is today [[14/05]] debating a bill to remove key barriers preventing victims of historical child sexual abuse from accessing justice.
The bill was put forward by Legalise Cannabis M-P Rachel Payne and seeks to make institutions liable for abuse committed by individuals akin to employees and apply the change retrospectively.
It is a direct response to last years high court decision finding the Catholic church was not vicariously liable for abuse by a Ballarat priest as he was not technically an employee.
Rachel Payne says the longer the government response takes, the more impact it has on survivors.
"For me it's incredibly important that those with lived experience are front and centre in this debate. Ultimately, the longer the government takes, the more impact it has only on survivors themselves and it's so important that not only is legislation enacted quickly and rigorously, but that consideration is taken on board of survivors and stakeholders and all the contributions they've made"
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault/abuse or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au - In an emergency call 000
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New South Wales Opposition leader Mark Speakman says a prominent anti-abortion campaigner threatened to derail his leadership if he didn't oppose a bill increasing abortion access.
The state parliament is currently examining an amended bill to address barriers to abortion access in rural and regional areas.
Speaking in parliament, Mr Speakman told M-Ps that activist Joanna Howe threatened to lead a public campaign to oppose him as Liberal leader.
He then told MP's that he will not cave to bullying or what he calls the Americanisation of New South Wales politics.
Premier Chris Minns says Australians don't want American style politics here.
"My experience tells me that most people will not react to that well, in the sense that they'll, you know, people come to, particularly these debates, with certain views. But we've never gone down that American style misinformation campaign, and you know, it's an element of Australian politics I think we can probably do without."
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The United Nations relief chief Tom Fletcher is calling on the U-N Security Council to take action to prevent genocide in Gaza, delivering a scathing account of Israel's actions.
Mr Fletcher says Israel must lift its blockade on Gaza, asking the council if if it plans to act decisively to prevent genocide and ensure respect for international law.
Israeli officials say they are no longer afraid to announce their intent to occupy Gaza and have prevented all aid from entering for over two months.
Mr Fletcher says Israel's plan for Gaza is dangerous and not the right solution.
"It forces further displacement. It exposes thousands of people to harm. It sets an unacceptable precedent for aid delivery not just in the OPT but around the world. It restricts aid to only one part of Gaza while leaving other dire needs unmet. It makes aid conditional on political and military aims. It makes starvation a bargaining chip. It is a cynical sideshow, a deliberate distraction, a fig leaf for further violence and displacement."
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U-S President Donald Trump is set to visit Syria's president in Saudi Arabia after announcing the U-S will lift all sanctions on Syria.
Despite some concerns from within his administration and opposition from key ally Israel, Mr Trump says the move was encouraged by the Saudi Crown Prince and Turkish President.
Director of the Middle East Program at Defence Priorities Organisation, Rosemary Kelanic, says while caution should be taken, the lifting of sanctions is good for humanitarian reasons.
"There's a humanitarian reason to want the sanctions to be lifted, which is that the people of Syria have suffered under the sanctions. They've suffered from natural disasters in the past few years. There was an earthquake not very long ago, and levels of poverty are extremely high. One of the biggest industries is the drug trade in Captagon, which isn't good either. If you want Syria to be able to make it as a country and not fall apart into a renewed civil war, it makes sense that you would want sanctions to be lifted."
Mr Trump will fly to Qatar for the next leg of his four-day trip through the Gulf region, where he will participate in a state visit with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and other officials.
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To the A-F-L now...
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says the fresh spotlight on racism in the league could be a watershed moment for the code.
Port Adelaide player Willie Rioli served a one-game suspension for threatening opponents, with his team linking the incidents directly with racism he has suffered.
Hinkley says the Rioli case has found a positive in that it has triggered wider, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations about racism and Indigenous issues in the A-F-L.
"Yeah, I think it's probably more about the broader conversation, and not just Indigenous round. I think it's a broader, long term conversation, which our club's been really, really strong on and, you know, certainly opened an opportunity for people to get education around some of the issues. "
