TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News In Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
Jewish groups have welcomed newly passed hate crimes legislation, but say it could go further.
The federal government was forced to remove a number of tougher provisions, which would have created new criminal offences for racial hatred, to get the bill through parliament.
The measure to shut down hate groups through changes to listing requirements has been welcomed.
Peter Wertheim, from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, says the legislation represents a substantial achievement, but there is more work to do.
"Although the serious vilification offence was removed from the bill, the problem of serious vilification is not going to go away. In fact, the longer that it remains unchecked - and the longer that we fail to deal with it effectively at every level - educationally and legally then the worse it is going to get, in my opinion. Obviously, time will tell. I really hope that I am wrong about that. I really hope that we see an abatement of racism in this country."
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Canada's Prime Minister says the country remains strongly opposed to any US tariffs announced by Donald Trump, as the US president vows to take control of Greenland.
Addressing world leaders in Davos for the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney urged middle powers - like Australia, South Korea and Argentina - to come together in response to the fragmentation of what he called the "old order".
Mr Carney has vowed to support affected NATO allies in pushing back on Mr Trump's proposed annexation of Greenland.
"On Arctic sovereignty, we stand firmly with Greenland and Denmark and fully support their unique right to determine Greenland's future. (applause) Our commitment to NATO's Article 5 is unwavering. So we're working with our NATO allies, including the Nordic Baltic Eight, to further secure the Alliance's northern and western flanks, including through unprecedented investments in submarines, in aircraft and boots on the ground."
Mr Trump is due to deliver his own speech at Davos in the coming hours.
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A Canadian tourist found dead on K’gari in Queensland has been identified as 19-year-old Piper James.
An autopsy will be carried out to confirm whether she drowned or died in a dingo attack, as her body was discovered near a pack of the animals.
Police have refused to speculate on the cause of death, saying the woman's body was discovered about 90 minutes after she went for an early morning swim on K'gari, formerly Fraser Island.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour says he would not be surprised if the autopsy confirms she was attacked, citing a rise in cases.
"Over the past few years we have seen an increase in the number of attacks and the severity of it, particularly in relation to children. It's very, very concerning."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined others in paying tribute to the first female governor of New South Wales, Dame Marie Bashir, who has died at the age of 95.
Mr Albanese says Australia is poorer for Dame Marie's death, calling her a pioneer and an inspiration.
Her death was confirmed earlier by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns - who says she served as state governor with immense dignity and compassion.
Born in the New South Wales town of Narrandera to Lebanese parents, she was an advocate for mental health, education and social inclusion - including being a vocal supporter of the LGBTIQ+ communities.
She is survived by her three children and six grandchildren.
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In cycling, Britain's Sam Watson has won the opening stage prologue of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide.
Australian cyclist Jay Vine finished in fourth place on the 3.6-kilometre route - behind Brit Ethan Vernon and New Zealander Laurence Pithie.
Vine says the result sets him up well for the six-day race.
"Really happy that I was able to put in a good effort and keep my gap to the other GC (general classification) guys really competitive - ready for some climbing for the rest of the week, where we haven't lost lots of time to rest of the GC guys. Me and Johnny (Jhonatan Narváez) are still quite close, so we can go for bonus seconds. We can go for the attacking option. And really set ourselves up well for a nice sterling stage on Sunday."
That was SBS News In Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
