The government downplays speculation it could ditch gambling reforms in place of making major changes; A baby seal has died as bird flu cases continue to rise; and in sport, Australia’s most admired sporting figures named
In this bulletin,
- The government downplays speculation it could ditch gambling reforms in place of making major changes
- A baby seal has died as bird flu cases continue to rise
- And in sport, Australia’s most admired sporting figures named
The Communications Minister says constructive discussions are underway with the Greens and the Coalition on the government's gambling bill.
The Coalition, Greens and cross-benchers have all called for significant changes to the Albanese government's draft legislation which includes new limits on gambling ads.
There are reports the government would consider dropping the bill entirely in place of making major changes, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned of a return to the status quo if the changes didn't pass.
Communications Minister Anika Wells says the government will wait and see what the Coalition's suggested amendments are when parliament returns next week.
"I saw the ABC reporting about the Prime Minister's comments in the Parliament last sitting fortnight. That's some weeks ago now, and I'd say we're some ways off that yet. I'm having constructive discussions with both the Shadow Communications Minister for the Coalition and the Shadow Communications Spokesperson for the Greens. We'll keep those discussions going. We'd love to see this passed."
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A baby seal has died as bird flu cases mount, sparking fears of an escalation in the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain.
Victoria's Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action has confirmed the seal pup died after being found with possible H5 symptoms in Warrnambool, on Victoria's southwest coast.
A case of the H5N1 strain has also been confirmed in a Magpie found on Victoria's south-west coast, marking the first confirmed case in a land-based bird in Australia.
As current cases surpass 120, Invasive Species Council Chief Executive Jack Gough has told SBS more needs to be done to protect the hundreds of Australian birds and mammals at high risk.
"This is a doom list in terms of the consequences of bird flu, and there won't be anywhere in Australia that doesn't see the consequences of this on our beaches, in our cities, out in the bush, in national parks. Unfortunately, we're going to see significant declines, and that's why we need the government to invest and invest in a big way in wildlife resilience, doing the other things that can be done to protect wildlife, like getting on top of fox and cat numbers in particular."
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Yemen's Houthi group says it has targeted a Saudi oil tanker with a ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden.
It comes several hours after the Iran backed group claimed a separate missile attack on another Saudi tanker in the northern Red Sea.
In a statement posted on social media, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea says the tanker was hit by a ballistic missile and forced to turn back.
He says the attack was part of the group's declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, and Houthi forces will continue to block the passage of Saudi tankers through the Red Sea until a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted.
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Emergency services have issued an evacuation order for an extremely dangerous fire at an industrial site in Port Adelaide.
South Australia's Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) issued a statement saying the site contains sulphur, and is producing large amounts of smoke.
MFS has urged residents located within one kilometre of Moonta Road in Port Adelaide to leave immediately.
The department says the smoke is travelling in south to south-easterly direction.
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The federal Inquiry into racism toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has heard evidence on the impact of racism in sport, as the inquiry continues its hearings in Melbourne.
The first Indigenous female boxer to represent Australia and compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Marissa Williamson Pohlman says there's widespread racism, sexism and violence in the sport.
She was asked if any sports commission people had touched base to provide support.
Ms Pohlman says she didn't receive adequate support when she asked for it.
"As soon as I needed cultural support, emotional support and just support navigating a really complex sport integrity matter, they just said no. I was like so what do you do, just sit and do dot paintings with white people? They literally just - it's so performative it's unbelievable."
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Three women have been named Australia’s most admired sporting figures.
A Demos-AU poll of more than five thousand people found Olympic champion Cathy Freeman topped the list, followed closely by Ash Barty and Matildas captain Sam Kerr.
Researchers say the results reflects the growth of women’s sport and the power of major sporting moments to unite the country.
Women topped the survey in every state except South Australia, where former Adelaide Crows captain Taylor Walker ranked first.
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