Morning News Bulletin 5 September 2024
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Australia’s visa process is facing criticism for blocking Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
Amnesty International Australia claims the rejection of many Palestinian visas, after being advised to apply as tourists, shows a system that is either quote “highly dysfunctional or deliberately cruel.”
With tens of thousands dead…and children suffering from diseases like polio, Australians have been urged to consider the human cost as debates over security checks continue.
Isobel McGarity, supervising senior solicitor at the Refugee Advice and Case Work Service (RACS), has also criticised the government’s approach, telling SBS News tourist visas are not fit for purpose.
“A visitor visa is, as the name suggests – the purpose of it is to allow somebody to come to Australia as a visitor – whether that’s a tourist or whether that’s to see family or friends. To be granted that visa you need to show a genuine temporary enterant intention, so that means that you intend to return home. RACS has been advocating that this is not the most appropriate vehicle for people fleeing a crisis.”
Since October 7, Australia has granted just over 2,922 visas to Palestinian civilians.
More than twice as many applications (7,111) have been rejected.
United States Authorities say at least four people have been killed and nine injured in a high school shooting in the state of Georgia.
Students were put in lockdown and later sheltered in the football stadium as officers swarmed the campus and parents raced to find out if their children were safe.
Law enforcement officials say the incident comes weeks after classes began, and a suspect has been taken into custody.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says school shooting are not normal and this is ‘horrific’.
“Our hearts are with those families in Winder, Georgia, who are forced to face this act of senseless violence. I want to let you know that the President and the Vice president have both been briefed.”
In reaction, Vice-President Kamala Harris says there has to be an end to the ‘epidemic of gun violence’ in the US.
A descendent of Australia’s second Prime Minister has given evidence at an Indigenous hearing in Victoria to discuss his ancestor’s role in legislation that would eventually lead to the Stolen Generations.
A special ‘descendents’ hearing of the Yoorrook Justice Commission took place yesterday [[4 SEP]] hearing from people with connections to colonial figures.
Peter Sharp, the great grandson of Australia’s second Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, appeared as one of the non-Indigenous witnesses.
The commission heard that while serving as the colony of Victoria’s Chief Secretary in the 1880s, he sponsored the Aboriginal Protection Amendment Act.
It ultimately allowed the forced removal of mixed-race children.
Mr Sharp says that history has been falsified and erased.
“This was a shock I had no idea that this could have been possible, all the books I’d read said that Deakin was a supporter of Aboriginal rights. He was very clever at disguises and covers, being able to do things under the cover of his reputation for high principles.”
A new report has accused Western Australia and the Northern Territory of undermining the nation’s efforts to embrace renewables and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
As states and territories promise to reach net zero by 2050 or earlier, a breakdown by the Climate Council has scrutinised how their progress is tracking.
The lowest share – 7% – was recorded in the Northern Territory.
Western Australia’s renewables output was only marginally better at 18%.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie says all states have the potential to achieve total reliance.
“It’s clear that we can get to 100 per cent renewable energy this decade- a range of different authorities have told us that. And that comes from both federal government policy as well as state government policy. State governments are very important in terms of their planning progress. So, if you don’t have the right planning policies, you can’t necessarily roll out renewables as quickly as would be desirable. And it’s important to make sure that that is done in an environmentally sound way, a culturally sound way, and is in consultation with communities.”
Remarkable para-cyclist Lauren Parker has become Australia’s first dual-sport Paralympic medalist in 44 years.
She claimed silver in the women’s H1-3 individual time trial to add to her triathlon gold.
After finishing first in the para triathlon on Monday, Parker needed to match a feat last achieved by Eric Russell, who won a gold, in shot put, and two bronzes, in discus and pentathlon, in 1980.
But Parker was undaunted by the history facing her, crossing the finish line on her hand cycle just 9.5 seconds behind American Katerina Brim.
Australia’s infamous Olympic breaker has given a lengthy and exclusive interview after her performance at the Games went viral.
Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s act in Paris attracted global attention when her dance moves and uniform were widely criticised.
Speaking to The Project, the 36-year-old academic has responded to disapproval from within the breaking community that she set back progression of the sport.
“It is really sad to hear those criticisms and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced but unfortunately, I can’t control how people will react. Unfortunately, we just need some more resources in Australia for us to have a chance to be world champions.”
Gunn inspired a sketch from US comedian Jimmy Fallon but said she was not “in a place yet to watch it”.
