TRANSCRIPT
- Australia's government to ramp up gas projects to support net zero transition by 2050
- Fiji's former prime minister sentenced to a year in prison
- Coach Jo Yapp names her first Wallaroos team to take on Canada in the Pacific Four series.
The Australian government will ramp up gas projects to meet surging demand and support a transition to net zero by 2050, revealing that extractions will likely continue beyond that date.
The announcement comes despite global calls to phase out fossil fuels amid a warming climate, with the International Energy Agency urging for huge declines in the use of coal, oil and gas to reach global climate targets.
In announcing Australia’s Future Gas Strategy, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King says gas will be key to delivering an 82 per cent renewable energy grid by 2030.
She has told the ABC gas will remain an important resource for the country.
"We want to be clear that in our messaging to the Australian people, but also to gas producers that we know we need that resource into the future, but really importantly, the gas production has to lessen its emissions as far as it can be."
In a social media post on X formerly known as Twitter, independent senator David Pocock has said backing the expansion of the fossil fuel industry in 2024 is morally bankrupt and negligent.
---
Fiji's former long-serving prime minister Frank Bainimarama has been sentenced to a year in prison for perverting the course of justice.
Mr Bainimarama was initially spared jail in the case during sentencing last month, before an appeal by the country's director for public prosecutions.
He was found guilty this month by the High Court of attempting to pervert the court of justice while he was prime minister by telling a senior police officer to stay away from an investigation into the University of the South Pacific.
A former army officer, Bainimarama came to power in a 2006 coup and later won democratic elections in 2014 and 2018.
---
A man accused of stabbing an ex-partner in an attack outside an inner-Sydney gym has been arrested after an overnight police manhunt.
The man, who is believed to be in his forties, handed himself in at Dee Why police station earlier this morning, nearly 24 hours after the attack on the other side of the city in Alexandria.
Police say the 39-year-old victim was stabbed in the neck, head and back in the car park outside Crunch Fitness at Alexandria on Wednesday afternoon.
The woman was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Detective Superintendent Rodney Hart says officers are treating the incident as a targeted attack.
"Yes, the offender was known to the victim, we believe that they had been, in the past earlier this year, in a very short domestic violence relationship. So this is being treated as domestic violence related."
If you or someone you know wants to talk about sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.
---
The New South Wales government has announced $45 million for accommodation for regional health care workers.
This comes after the state government removed the wage cap for health workers in New South Wales in December last year.
Premier Chris Minns says it's important to ensure accessible housing to attract healthcare workers to regional areas.
"Wages changes are important and necessary, but accommodation and homes, particularly for young employees is absolutely crucial, and we are missing out on entire cohort, particularly of young people moving to regional New South Wales to start amazing careers as nurses, paramedics, healthcare workers, physiotherapists, and doctors."
---
Victoria Police is set to apologise for its role in the Stolen Generations as part of reforms stemming from the state's truth-telling inquiry.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has confirmed the force's commitments will include 79 reforms by the end of 2025 as part of its response to the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
This will involve expanded cultural awareness training across the organisation and upgraded reporting of police statistics about Aboriginal people.
A Victoria Police spokesman says Mr Patton's Stolen Generations apology will take place next month in front of survivors and relatives of those impacted.
---
And in sport, Coach Jo Yapp has named her first Wallaroos team to take on Canada in the opening match of the Pacific Four series in Sydney.
The former England Test halfback, who took over as women's national coach late last year, has included ACT Brumbies prop Sally Fuesaina and Western Force pair Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Samantha Wood on the bench for Saturday's game at Allianz Stadium.
