Key Points
- Woman missing in floodwaters in Hunter region
- Tourism Australia makes $130 million pitch to visitors
- Alex De Minaur through to Canadian Open quarter-finals
TRANSCRIPT
Emergency services in New South Wales continue to search for a woman swept into floodwaters in the Hunter region over the weekend.
The ABC reports the woman is a 26-year-old on a working holiday visa.
29 schools in the state's mid-north coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions have been forced to close today, due to wild weather amid flood, storm and snow warnings.
The state's SES Deputy Commissioner, Debbie PLatz, told ABC there could be more floods on the way.
"And we were warning communities to expect extreme weather we had on the weekend. And of course we are not out of the woods yet, because after the rain of course comes the flooding, and so we do have some areas that we are expecting to have major flooding over today and potentially into tomorrow."
Over the weekend, the state's SES has responded to more than 3600 calls for assistance and responded to 2092 incidents, including 25 flood rescues.
---
The Productivity Commission has outlined a series of steps to boost Australia's productivity by tackling climate change.
The independent government advisory body has released the second of five reports ahead of the federal government's summit later this month, aimed at lifting lagging productivity rates and boost economic growth.
Recommended measures to achieve the net zero transition include a shift to market-based incentives in the electricity sector which could replace the Renewable Energy Target and the Capacity Investment Scheme.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie welcomed the report, saying its analysis on the substantial risks to the Australian economy from climate damage comes at the perfect time, as the federal government considers its emission reduction target for 2035.
---
Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell has launched a new $130 million Tourism Australia campaign with organisation mascot, Ruby the Roo.
The campaign builds on the $255 million Come and Say G'day campaign, which was launched in 2022.
It will include new TV and online advertisements featuring Ruby the Roo with celebrities from China, the US, UK, India and Japan.
It was launched in part, during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China in July.
Mr Farrell says the sector is crucial for the Australian economy.
"Tourism is a very important part of our economy, about 340,000 businesses around this country rely on the tourism industry and they employ about 700,000 people. So, we are very pleased that we can promote even more Australia's wonderful attraction."
---
Krissy Barrett will become the first female commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.
Deputy Commissioner Barrett will replace current commissioner, Reece Kershaw from October.
She will lead the National law enforcement agency for at least the next five years.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says he was surprised by Commissioner Kershaw's decision to retire.
"I wasn't expecting the announcement from him. But he leaves with his head held high and on the best possible terms with the government. Immediately after that, I went and let the Prime Minister know where things were up to, and the Prime Minister and I both immediately had the same name in mind."
As AFP Deputy Commissioner, Ms Barrett currently holds the National Security Portfolio.
---
The Garma festival is celebrating its closing night tonight [[Mon]] in the remote Northeast Arnhem land of the Northern Territory.
While the past three days has been filled with discussion and debate on First Nations affairs, the closing night will feature music, dance and cultural performances.
One of the performers told NITV he expects to connect with other participants through music tonight.
"Coming into Garma for sharing our culture to other people here, to Balanda and Yolgnu, we are sharing our culture into Garma, and our music, because in the pain, we are singing about our land, totems, and my own people."
---
To sport and in tennis, Australia's Alex de Minaur is through to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open.
De Minaur fought off American Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, scoring his place in the next round of the tournament.
Defending champion and fellow Aussie, Alexei Popyrin has also made the cut.
And in the women's tennis, Danish player Clara Tauson has beaten Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek to enter the quarter-finals.
Former world number one, Naomi Osaka, will join her.
In an impressive return to form, Osaka beat Anastasija Sevastova 6-1 6-0 in just 49 minutes.
