A push to amend the laws on immigration detention; The leader of Tasmania's Labor party resigns, after three state election defeats; And in football, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior issues an emotional plea calling for an end to racism.
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TRANSCRIPT
- In this bulletin,
- A push to amend the laws on immigration detention;
- The leader of Tasmania's Labor party resigns, after three state election defeats;
- And in football, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior issues an emotional plea calling for an end to racism.
Asylum seekers who refuse to be deported could face up to five years in jail under laws being rushed through parliament ahead of another High Court decision on indefinite detention.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles will have powers to direct asylum seekers and other immigrants to "do specified things" that would facilitate their deportation.
The bill will now be debated in the Senate, after passing the lower house earlier today, when it was introduced by Mr Giles after midday.
Any citizens from countries that do not accept those deported from Australia could also have their visa applications barred in an attempt to incentivise diplomatic co-operation.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles says the amendment is restricted in its focus - and meets Australia's human rights obligations.
"What we’re doing with this piece of legislation, this important piece of legislation, is to fill a very significant loophole, a loophole that a small cohort of people have no basis upon which to remain in Australia who are refusing to co-operate with efforts to affect their removal. These people are not refugees."
The Human Rights Law Centre says its analysis of the draft legislation is that it will criminalise refugees, who may never have had their claims for protection correctly assessed in the first place, and will compound indefinite detention.
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Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White will step down following the party's state election defeat.
Labor failed to make substantial improvements on its primary vote, gaining about one per cent, despite the Tasmanian Liberals going backwards 12 per cent on Saturday.
Ms White has conceded the party won't be able to form government, marking a third loss in her attempt to become premier.
In a statement, she says she takes responsibility's for the party's loss in the election, adding it is time for a new leader to lead "with the ambition to form government at the next election".
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Australian government ministers have condemned the targeting of democratic institutions in cyberattacks in the UK and the US.
China state-affiliated actors have been named by the US as being behind two malicious cyber campaigns targeting Westminster parliamentarians and 40 million voters.
US officials have indicted seven individuals who allegedly conducted hacks against US companies and government officials on behalf of Chinese intelligence services.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil the attacks are "unacceptable and must stop".
The government said Australia’s electoral systems were not compromised by the cyber campaigns targeting the UK.
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Progress on addressing the gender pay gap could be sped up - by creating opportunity for job sharing - and more part-time senior positions.
That's the message from the CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
Addressing the National Press Club, Mary Wooldridge says just 7 per cent of managers work part-time, compared to 22 per cent of non- managers.
The variance - she says - highlights the high expectations set by some employers - stifling female progression.
"There is a clear message: If you want to progress to a senior level, you have to follow the full-time always on approach. This largely excludes from management anyone. And that could be women or men, who cannot or do not work full-time. For the many industries that are dominated by one gender and have a pipeline issue, particularly in line-related roles."
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In football, Brazilian superstar Vinícius Júnior admits he feels less and less like playing the sport due to repeated racist abuse in Spain.
The Real Madrid winger says he is frustrated as fans keep getting away with hurling racist abuse towards him.
Last season, there were 10 such episodes against the 23-year-old reported to prosecutors by LaLiga.
Speaking ahead of Brazil's international friendly against Spain [[Tue 26 March]] in Madrid, Vinicius says he won't let racism win.
"It never crossed my mind to leave Spain because if I leave Spain I give the racists exactly what they want. I will stay here, fighting, playing in the best club of the world; winning titles, scoring a lot of goals so these racist people can continue to see my face more and more."
