First Nations knowledge in Australian foreign policy discussed at the Garma Festival; Two dead in firefighting helicopter crash in Greece ; And in sport, Calls for accountability after FIFA withdraws a proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT:
- First Nations knowledge in Australian foreign policy discussed at the Garma Festival
- Two dead in firefighting helicopter crash in Greece
- Calls for accountability after FIFA withdraws a proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup
Australia's Ambassador for First Nations People, Justin Mohamed, says there has been a lot of value in bringing a First Nations lens to tackling issues like climate change in foreign policy circles.
The Gooreng Gooreng man is the first to serve in the role, created to strengthen Indigenous voices in international diplomacy and advancing cultural, social, and economic partnerships.
Speaking to NITV news, Mr Mohamed says First Nations knowledge and approaches have been particularly useful in the preparation for the pre-COP event - on climate negotiations - in Fiji and Tuvalu in October [[5-8 Oct]].
"Climate change is the front of topic in most dialogues that we have. It's real. Some of the Pacific family are facing waters coming through homes and islands sinking or getting submerged with water. What's the solution behind that and how do we combat that? And Australia plays a very pivotal part in that - not only with what we can do, but also the knowledges we can share across that and how we can look after our lands - and waterways - in ways that brings in those traditional knowledges."
.
Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Kalani Kaneko says China's missile launch into the Pacific Ocean in July will be discussed at this week's Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji.
A joint statement is still being worked on by members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Attending the Garma Festival, Minister Kaneko says this year's theme of Bukmak - which means 'everyone' in the Yolngu language - is also an important concept for members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
"Every country in the (Pacific Islands) Forum have to be included. And it is very, very important that we satisfy every single country's sovereignty in drafting the languages that would be in the joint statement. It is very, very challenging because we have our own bilateral relations with other partners. But at the same time, we all believe that we're caretakers of the biggest ocean on Earth, the Pacific Ocean."
.
Two Greek firefighting helicopters have collided mid air while battling a wind-driven wildfire west of Athens.
One of the choppers crashed into the ground and two crew members died, while two others were recovered alive.
Strong winds are driving flames deeper into the region of the Greek capital and forcing fresh evacuations.
The fire -scar in Athens is four times the size of Paris, while Spain’s major fires have stopped advancing.
.
The cut in fuel excise duty has ended, meaning wholesale fuel prices are expected to rise by around 17 cents a litre.
Fuel taxes were reduced by 32 cents a litre at the start of April in response to soaring oil prices due to the conflict in Iran.
The price increase is expected to reach consumers in about ten days, with unleaded petrol possibly costing as much as two-dollars-30 per litre.
The ACCC has been asked by Treasurer Jim Chalmers to monitor petrol prices, saying any service stations and suppliers breaking the law will face tough fines.
.
Newly-installed Victorian Premier Ben Carroll is due to announce a cabinet reshuffle this week, as he works to establish the terms of reference for a Royal Commission into the state's Big Build project.
He says he hopes the Royal Commission can begin before Victoria's November election, and he'd be happy to appear if called to give evidence.
Alleged corruption in the public infrastructure projects added to the pressure faced by former premier Jacinta Allan, who refused to call a Royal Commission.
The Opposition has already proposed their own terms of reference, and said Mr Carroll, Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews should appear.
The document was distributed to media, but Mr Carroll says he hasn't been able to get hold of a copy.
"The opposition are about stunts. I'm about deeds, not words. I'm working with the chief commissioner and getting on with the job of the terms of reference for the Royal Commission."
.
In football, the fallout continues from FIFA's plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, even after the governing body's president, Gianni Infantino, declared the proposal is being scrapped due to the feedback received from member associations.
The governing body of football in Europe, UEFA, says it has lost confidence in FIFA's leadership - and has called for accountability.
Former Matildas' vice-captain and former member of the FIFA Council, Moya Dodd, tells SBS News there were a number of problems with the proposal - including Mr Infantino's insistence FIFA would retain full control over football governance, the match calendar, and all regulatory and sporting decisions.
"The FIFA proposal hinges on the international match calendar, and to create additional value in the FIFA competitions requires FIFA to get more value out of the calendar, to kind of milk more dates out of it, to have its competitions larger and more often, and therefore be able to create more money."
