TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
Disability advocates have protested at the New South Wales parliament today against housing policy which they say discriminates against people with disability and older Australians.
The protesters condemned the state government as one of only two Australian states that have refused to sign up to mandatory accessibility standards for new houses.
The Disability Royal Commission and the National Disability Insurance Scheme review both strongly urged New South Wales to adopt the design standards that would allow people with disability to access the buildings.
This means there are fewer houses available for people with disability and older Australians.
The advocates attempted to listen in to Question Time at the New South Wales parliament, however CEO of the Physical Disability Council of New South Wales, Edward Morris, says they were unable to due to a lack of accessibility.
"So I just went in and had a chat with Ian, the chamber attendant, and I'm so sorry but the venue isn't accessible so we won't be able to listen to Question Time. The government should be absolutely ashamed that, not only is there housing discrimination in this state, but we can't even access our own parliamentary building. So I just want to apologise to our community. Government should be doing better and we'll be taking this up with both the premier and the disability minister."
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The top university advocacy group in Australia claims limiting international student numbers is a rushed policy that serves only to win political battles over migration.
The government is looking to introduce legislation that would allow the minister to set a limit on the number of overseas students that are enrolled in Australian universities.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Luke Sheehy says the bill doesn't serve Australia's best interests.
"We believe the bill as drafted is more a political smoke screen than an instrument for good policy as the government seeks to gain an upper hand in the battle of migration ahead of the next election, our main issue lies with the amendments that seek to control the number of international students our universities can enrol and what courses they can enrol in. This is ministerial overreach to an extent we have never seen before."
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Travel to the United States will soon be easier for Australians, with citizens able to access the US Global Entry program.
The scheme allows participating travellers to clear immigration and customs more quickly after landing in the US.
It will be available to a limited number of Australians who frequently travel to the States from January 2025, with the government working to expand the program to all eligible Australian tourists later next year.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says its about improving ties to the United States.
"This is about us, our people to people links and it's about our business relationship and ensuring that Australians who do business here in the US, who are frequent travellers here, are able to access the United States much more easily, reducing the cost of doing business. So, it's a really important contribution to the economic and people to people aspect of our relationship."
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In AFL,
Geelong player Tom Hawkins has announced he'll retire at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old forward has been off the field with a foot injury since round 15, but still hopes to return and play a role in one last premiership.
Hawkins has played 359 games for the Cats, including three premierships - breaking Joel Selwood's game record last May.
The legendary player broke the news to team-mates and fans in a video posted to X by Geelong today.
"Hi members and Cats fans, I wanted to let you guys know first that season 2024 will be my last. It's been a hell of a ride, a wonderful journey and I want to thank you very much for all the support you've shown and given me throughout my 18 years here at Geelong. It's been an awesome journey, it's certainly not over yet, some exciting times to come as we embark on the back half of the season. I'm looking forward to seeing you and hopefully being out there soon."
That was SBS News in Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
