More assistance for flood victims in Queensland; The federal opposition claims it's the government's fault a convicted terrorist is getting out of jail; And in rugby union, Australian coach Michael Cheika quits as coach of Argentina.
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TRANSCRIPT
- More assistance for flood victims in Queensland;
- The federal opposition claims it's the government's fault a convicted terrorist is getting out of jail;
- And in rugby union, Australian coach Michael Cheika quits as coach of Argentina.
The federal government is offering more financial assistance for victims of the flooding in Queensland.
Applications will be open from tomorrow for payments of either 1,000 dollars per adult and 400 dollars per child, or 13 weeks of income support, depending on a person's circumstances.
People in the local government areas of Cairns, the Cassowary Coast, Cook, Douglas, Hope Vale, Mareeba, Tablelands, Wujal Wujal, and Yarrabah can apply for the assistance.
They are also eligible to temporarily pause Centrelink repayments.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit flood-affected in Far North Queensland on Thursday and Friday.
He says everyone needs to take into account not only the physical and financial health, but also the mental health of flood victims.
"After the floodwaters have receded, and after some of the physical aspect of damage has gone, some of the scars will remain as well. So, we need to, as governments, but also as a community, be very conscious about mental health issues about the trauma that people have suffered from during this difficult time."
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Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika will have thirty stringent conditions imposed upon him for the next year- including a curfew, and having to wear an electronic monitoring device.
The federal government had applied for a three-year Extended Supervision Order, but the court has only granted a one year order.
Mr Benbrika, an Islamic cleric, will be freed from custody after serving time for threatening to blow up Australian landmarks.
His release has been the source of political controversy, with the government claiming Opposition Leader Peter Dutton mishandled Mr Benbrika's case when he was in power.
But opposition frontbencher Sussan Ley says it's the government's fault Mr Benbrika is being released, and that this govenrment has been a disaster when it comes to keeping Australians safe.
"The government could have applied for a Preventative Detention Order for Mr Benbrook. What we did was lock this individual up. What they did was let him. What we did with 150 hardened criminals was lock them up. What they did was let them out."
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Natasha Fyles will resign as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.
45-year-old Labor Party member Ms Fyles has been Chief Minister since Michael Gunner resigned in May of last year.
She denies allegations of corruption, but says she made a mistake that can only be properly dealt with by her quitting her post.
"There is no point dragging it out. I made a mistake. There is no excuse for that. I'm owning up to it. I accept the consequences of it. That's the right thing to do. So, on Thursday, I will officially resign my commission as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, as well as my other ministerial portfolios."
There are reports pressure on Ms Fyles' leadership has come to a head after the revelation she owns shares, which she did not disclose, in a company called South32, which owns a manganese mine in the remote Northern Territory community of Groote Eyelandt.
Ms Fyles, who is also the territory's Health Minister, earlier this year said her government would not investigate air pollution levels or health impacts in the community, despite residents raising concerns.
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In rugby union,
Michael Cheika has left his post as coach of Argentina.
The Australian, who previously coached the Australian men's national side, the Wallabies, took Argentina to the semi-finals of this year's World Cup.
Earlier in his tenure, Argentina beat New Zealand, Australia, and England.
Cheika says his time as Argentina coach fills him with pride.
He’ll be succeeded by Felipe Contepomi, who was one of his assistant coaches.
Contempomi played 87 Tests for Argentina, and was part of the side that made the 2007 World Cp semi-finals.
He's contracted through the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Australia.
