The Sydney Swans apologise for the behaviour of five suspended players, as a sexual assault investigation continues; Unions launch an ambitious public housing plan; and in cricket, Alex Carey warns of an Aussie backlash after their shock first Test defeat to Bangladesh
TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- The Sydney Swans apologise for the behaviour of five suspended players, as a sexual assault investigation continues
- Unions launch an ambitious public housing plan
- And in cricket, Alex Carey warns of an Aussie backlash after their shock first Test defeat to Bangladesh
The Sydney Swans have apologised for the behaviour of five players whom they have suspended for the rest of the season.
Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, and Chad Warner have been suspended for breaching club standards late Sunday night and early Monday morning in Melbourne, after the team's victory over Essendon.
Victoria Police attended the Swans' hotel on Monday morning, and are investigating a report of a sexual assault.
No players have yet been formally interviewed or charged by police over the matter, and the Swans stress the suspensions only relate to breaking team rules, not any matter being investigated by police.
Swans Chief Executive Matthew Pavlich says the five players broke several team rules.
"Yeah, it was staying out late, it was drinking, it was continuing to continue their night, it was bringing women back to the hotel, it was a long way short of what we expect of our players. And we are holding them to a really high standard, but they were well short of anywhere near that standard."
The Swans say no other player or staff member broke team rules.
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Unions have unveiled a new plan for housing in Australia.
The ACTU's plan seeks to dramatically lift the amount of public housing built in Australia.
It wants public housing to make up one in every ten homes in Australia, up significantly from the present level of one in fifty.
President Michele O'Neil says modern methods of construction, such as modular housing, make this feasible.
Ms O'Neil admits the plan would require massive amounts of investment from both state and federal governments, but believes the results would be worth it.
"What we know is that things that will make a difference is having more stock, which is why we've got this plan for having public housing expansion. That will take pressure off the private rental market."
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The government stands accused of betraying the memory of one of its former M-Ps, the late Peta Murphy with its deal with the coalition on tougher gambling regulation.
Two coalition members crossed the floor when the legislation passed the House of Representatives, while a third, Senator Paul Scarr, says he'll cross the floor when the time comes for a senate vote on the bill.
The gambling reform push first started with a report by an inquiry into gambling that was chaired by the late Ms Murphy.
The Greens' Communications spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, says the legislation shows the government is captured by the gambling industry, because it doesn't go as far as the Murphy report, especially in three key areas.
"The report handed down by Peta Murphy was crystal clear. You've got to get rid of the advertising. You've got to ban inducements. Stop the predators, and put in place a watchdog, a cop on the beat, to hold these gambling companies to account."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Thai counterpart agree that the current world volatility increases the need for economic co-operation between Australia and Thailand.
Mr Albanese has met Anutin Charnvirakul in Canberra on the third day of his trip to Australia.
Mr Charnvirakul says Australia and Thailand have a significant amount of dependence on one another.
"We recognise the impact of current geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics on the global economy and emphasised the importance of deeper economic engagement to strengthen our shared resilience and prosperity."
Mr Albanese says his Thai counterpart has made what he calls a generous offer to help Australia secure more jet fuel, which has become harder to secure as a result of the conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
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In cricket, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has warned of an Australian backlash when they take the field for the second Test against Bangladesh this weekend.
The Australians suffered a humiliating upset defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test last weekend.
Carey says the history of this present group of Australian cricketers shows they can recover from disappointment very quickly.
"We're a proud group of cricketers who are really keen to get back out there, and I guess, move forward. And, if I could say anything... you know, when this team has been challenged, we always find a way to bounce back in a big way."
The second Test match starts on Saturday in Mackay (22 Aug).
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