Day two of Garma Festival focuses on unity and First Nations policy; Tens of thousands return to Morocco after the mass migrant surge into Ceuta; FIFA backs down and scraps its private investment plan.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Day two of Garma Festival focuses on unity and First Nations policy.
- Tens of thousands return to Morocco after the mass migrant surge into Ceuta.
- FIFA backs down and scraps its private investment plan.
Day two of Garma Festival is underway in northeast Arnhem Land.
Today’s program features keynote speeches from Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indigenous Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and Indigenous leader Noel Pearson, alongside discussions on the future of First Nations policy.
This year’s theme is Bukmak, meaning everyone, with thousands attending cultural events, forums and ceremonies.
Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden says Garma is attracting a growing international presence.
"It really is a unifying gathering which blend culture, respect for religions. It brings in an international delegation with a different blend, different languages. It's really quite a healthy multicultural theme this year. And we've got a lot of foreign delegations coming across this year for Garma."
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One of the international delegates attending Garma says the festival’s approach to reconciliation could offer lessons for other countries.
Marshall Islands Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kalani Kaneko says governments must be prepared to listen to difficult truths.
He says honest dialogue is essential to repairing relationships with First Nations communities.
Mr Kaneko says reconciliation cannot happen unless both sides are open about the past.
"In order to reconcile between the government and the first nation I want to say I embrace this approach because in order to reconcile you have to be upfront and you have to hear things that you don't want to hear. But that's the only way you can reconcile."
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Most of the tens of thousands of migrants who crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have now returned.
Spanish officials say more than 48-thousand people have gone back, after around 60-thousand entered the territory during the surge.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has blamed human trafficking gangs for exploiting a court ruling, as Spain reinforces the border.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Britain is offering support and assessing the wider implications.
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"Obviously, that's a matter for the Spanish government first and foremost. But, it is a cause for concern, and we are making contact with the Spanish government, the Spanish authorities to provide support. But also to understand the implications of that situation."
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Warnings are growing of possible mass deaths among seabird colonies and marine mammals as H5 bird flu spreads in Australia.
The number of confirmed detections has risen to 52, after another 19 seabirds tested positive in South Australia.
The latest cases involve greater crested terns found along the southeast coast and on Kangaroo Island.
Authorities say there are still no detections in poultry or agricultural production, and the risk to people remains low.
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Temporary relief from the heavy-vehicle road user charge ends tomorrow, despite warnings it could push up food transport costs.
From Monday, the charge will almost double to 32-point-four cents a litre, adding 64 dollars for every 400 litres of diesel used.
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association wants the relief extended, saying regional operators are already paying more than two dollars twenty a litre for diesel.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the government’s decision will go ahead as planned.
“Well, our policy decision is very clear. Obviously, we always monitor the situation and take steps as necessary, but our policy decision is clear. It is being implemented this weekend.”
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FIFA has scrapped plans to bring private investment into the World Cup and other tournaments after a major backlash.
The proposal would have created a 20-billion-dollar commercial subsidiary, with private investors owning a 20 per cent stake.
Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest, calling the plan a bad deal for football.
FIFA’s chief operating officer also accused President Gianni Infantino of deceiving staff over the project.
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