TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- Hundreds of arrests made as pro-Palestinian student protests intensify in the United States;
- Advocates say more action needed to put an end to domestic violence;
- And in football, the Central Coast Mariners are crowned Premiers of the A-League Men's.
Advocates say federal financial support for women escaping violent relationships may not be enough.
The Albanese government has announced a $925 million package that will provide up to $5000 for women escaping violent or abusive situations, as well as tackle misogynistic views online.
The funding for the Leaving Violence Program, under which those fleeing domestic violence can receive up to $1500 in cash and $3500 in goods and services, will run over the next five years.
Sue Webeck is Chief Executive Officer of the Canberra based Domestic Violence Crisis Service.
She told SBS news she is worried there is not enough funding to meet the challenges community support services are facing.
"I'm nervous that this is a great announce-able that is not going to have the depth of impact that we would hope to see across our community. I'm worried about how we support the community and the model of service delivery that we're funded to support their applications through to EVP (Escaping Violence Payment) and how we manage that. It's not exactly what we were hoping for."
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The final decision in the case of a 15-year-old man who's been charged with conspiring on a terrorism act is set to be announced by the courts on Thursday.
The young man faced the court on Wednesday after being arrested in a counter-terrorism raid by New South Wales Police.
The defence claimed he was a quiet and respectful boy who had confidence issues, with messages found by police in a group chat showing the young man had said he wanted to attack non-Muslims.
In a separate message, the 15-year-old also said he was friends with the 16-year-old who stabbed an Orthodox Christian Bishop in Wakeley.
The young man's solicitor, Ahmed Dib, has argued that the conversations presented by police did not amount to substantial planning.
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Hundreds of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators have been arrested by police in New York city as protests intensify across the United States.
More than 300 arrests were made, in attempts to disperse student demonstrators from a building inside Columbia University.
Student rallies have spread to dozens of schools across the US in recent days, with those participating expressing opposition to Israel's war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, clashes have broken out at demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Footage broadcast on US television showed protesters at UCLA clashing with sticks, and tearing down metal barricades, while others were seen launching fireworks or throwing projectiles.
CNN reports the clashes erupted just before dawn between rival pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups.
Early on Wednesday a spokesman for the Los Angeles mayor said in a post on social media platform X the police department was responding immediately to university request for support on campus.
19-year-old sociology student Aliah Medina says it's disappointing the protests cannot be carried out peacefully.
"It's very sad to see that some people cannot, I guess, protest peacefully, I guess protest peacefully, but I think it is for a great cause. These students are here to speak their voice and speak for people who aren't able to and actually stand up for something they believe in so, it's a beautiful thing but at the same time I wish it was kept peacefully."
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In football,
The Central Coast Mariners have been crowned A-League Men's premiers for the 2023/24 season after their 2-0 win over Adelaide at Gosford.
Jacob Farrell put a start to the celebrations, heading home a Mikael Doka free kick from the left nine minutes before the end of the first half.
Max Balard doubled the lead for the home side on the 76th, after stealing the ball in Adelaide's area and putting it past Ethan Cox.
It comes after the Central Coast's most recent success in the AFC Cup, where they became the first Australian team to advance to the final.
The A-League champions will now go on to defend their title in the finals that start this weekend.
