TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.
The Prime Minister says the government will implement new offences related to gun ownership in Australia, following the Bondi shooting.
Anthony Albanese was speaking after a national security meeting - where there was agreement to begin drafting legislation to introduce a gun buyback scheme, and new offences relating to 3D printed firearms.
Mr Albanese says he has heard from those who don't want changes to the firearms laws, but he believes reform is needed.
"There are legitimate uses for guns in this country, in a country like Australia. Legitimate purposes from my perspective do not come to people like this terrorist having access to six high-powered weapons. I think that is where Australians are. And I just say that this is a time where partisan-ship of any level should be not appropriate, in my view."
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A legal challenge is being planned against anti-protest measures being introduced in New South Wales, following the Bondi terror attack.
State parliament was recalled for a two-day session to pass a package of legislation - limiting protests, targeting hate speech and cracking down on gun ownership.
A coalition of civil society groups say they are intending to lodge a court challenge in the coming days or weeks.
Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees says the laws are being pushed through with unseemly haste.
"An outrageous conflating of this horrible antisemitic attack at Bondi with the protest movement more broadly - and with the Palestine protest movement in particular. But of course these laws, if passed, will take away the rights of everyone in New South Wales to gather together as a community - to express their views, to express their opposition to whatever government policies they oppose; to demand change. All the things that have been so crucial to our democracy for so many years."
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Members of the United Nations Security Council are urging an end to gender-based violence in Sudan.
The message was delivered on behalf of countries including Denmark, France, Greece, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Sudan’s civil war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces started in April 2023, and it has displaced millions and killed more than 150,000 people.
The Slovenian ambassador to the United Nations says more needs to be done to protect vulnerable women and children.
"Immediate action is needed to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive health care services and information free from coercion, discrimination and violence. We underscore the urgent need to fight impunity and ensure accountability for all atrocities. Perpetrators of sexual and gender based violence, including those who order, enable or command such crimes, must be held to account."
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Research from the Salvation Army reveals that 1 in 4 Australians say they will avoid social events because of a shortage of money; and almost 1 in 5 won't be seeing family and friends for the same reason.
More than 2,000 people were surveyed as part of the research.
The results also revealed 21 per cent would find their mental health challenging this festive season, and 6 per cent said they would have no one to talk to in times of need.
The Salvation Army is calling the Australian community to come together and look out for others in need this holiday season.
The charity says it will assist vulnerable people through community meals and events that combat loneliness and isolation.
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More than 300 Campbell’s Keeled Glass-Snails have been reintroduced into Norfolk Island National Park.
The move is the result of a five-year effort led by the Australian Museum to restore a species once thought lost on the island.
Norfolk Island is located approximately 1,700 kilometres northeast of Sydney - and is recognised as one of Australia’s hotspots for land snail diversity, with 62 native species recorded.
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In cricket, Australia’s Ashes squad for the Boxing Day Test has been announced.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have been omitted from the lineup, with Todd Murphy and Jhye [[rhymes with 'hi']] Richardson added to the squad.
Lyon has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury that emerged on day five of the Adelaide Test.
It has now been confirmed the injury will require surgery.
I'm Biwa Kwan and that's SBS News in Easy English.
