TRANSCRIPT
- Jewish groups welcome the passage of the hate speech bill in parliament
- Canada's Prime Minister declares the old order is not coming back in a speech at Davos
- Australian Jay Vine one of the top overall contenders at the Tour Down Under
Multiple Jewish groups have backed the newly passed hate crimes legislation as a welcome first step in cracking down on inflammatory language, but they believe it could go further.
The 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 work must continue to respond to racial hatred.
"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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National MPs are meeting to decide on the future of their partnership with the Liberals, after the National Party broke ranks with its Coalition partner in voting against the bill on hate speech.
Shadow cabinet solidarity requires all Coalition frontbenchers to vote in line with any formally resolved positions.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has issued a statement saying the split vote does not reflect on the relationship within the Coalition, and that his party supported the intent of the laws on hate speech and extremism.
Shadow minister Bridget McKenzie says she has always sought to act with integrity.
"I'm very aware of the conventions of parliament, and I will be doing what I've always done, which is trying to do my very best to conduct my career here with integrity."
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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".
Canadian media outlets reported earlier this week that Canada was considering sending troops to Greenland to join Danish and other European troops for military exercises in the region.
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."
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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 aged 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 four seconds behind 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."
