Stokes urges PM to solidify China relations 14/09/2019 (Translation appears in Arabic section) Sydney - M E Times Int'l: An Australian business tycoon is urging Prime Minister Scott Morrison to 'reset' the nation's relationship with China. Billionaire Kerry Stokes has raised concerns about Australia's trading position, against a backdrop of global tariff wars, instability in Hong Kong and heightened tensions over foreign interference. Mr Stokes told The Australian Scott Morrison should carve out time to meet with Chinese President Xi Jing Ping on the sidelines of a major economic summit in Chile next month, to find a way forward. 
Liu under pressure to explain $40,000 donation Melbourne: Embattled Liberal backbencher Gladys Liu is under pressure to explain why she failed to declare a substantial donation to the party, in a possible breach of disclosure laws. Ms Liu reportedly failed to declare a donation to the Victorian Liberals worth almost $40,000 three years ago, according to the Herald Sun. The reports increase pressure on Ms Liu who was reduced to tears in parliament on Thursday as Labor ramped up its attack on her links to the Chinese communist party. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday “if the prime minister or I had concerns about Gladys Liu we wouldn’t be backing her the way we are, she is a good member of parliament and has an incredible story”. 
Albanese remains tight-lipped on meeting with Ardern Sydney: Anthony Albanese has made his first trip across the Tasman as Opposition Leader but has kept quiet about the meeting agenda with New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern. New Zealand has harboured longstanding tensions over Australia’s deportation of New Zealand citizens, following changes to the Migration Act in 2014. The changes saw more than 1,000 kiwis forced to return even if they had little or no family left in NZ. 
Marise Payne presses Iran for release of three Australians Sydney: Foreign Minister Marise Payne has made a face-to-face plea to her Iranian counterpart over the fate of three Australians who have been detained, including a travel blogging couple from Perth. Jolie King and Mark Firkin were reportedly arrested 10 weeks ago for flying a drone without a license. They are being detained in the capital’s notorious Evin Prison which is also home to detained British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Marise Payne said there was “no reason” to think the pair’s arrest was linked to international concern over Iran’s nuclear program, UN sanctions or maritime security. 
Attack on the Holland Park Mosque in Queensland Brisbane: The Australian Government condemns in the strongest terms the appalling attack on the Holland Park Mosque in Queensland earlier this week. We are a stronger nation because of our cultural and religious diversity, and the Australian Islamic community has made an immense contribution to our nation. Those who seek to divide our community will never succeed. These criminal acts are rightly being investigated at present. 
Berejiklian visits NSW bushfire sites Sydney: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has seen first-hand the conditions firefighters are facing in the north of the state. Major blazes burning in Drake, near Tenterfield, and Bees Nest near Armidale are at an advice level, but remain out-of-control. The Prime Minister has offered his support for those affected by the fires, in both NSW and Queensland. Queensland is enduring the worst spring bushfires the state has seen in 130 years. 
Melbourne hospital cancels surgeries amid contamination scare Melbourne: One of Melbourne's leading hospitals is in crisis following a contamination scare, forcing medical staff to abandon more than 500 surgeries. The Austin Hospital in Melbourne was reportedly forced to cancel elective surgeries after the disintegration of a rubber seal on a surgical equipment cleaning machine. Emergency surgeries are continuing, but there are concerns previous surgeries may have been compromised. 
Alan Jones calls on the PM to help farmers Sydney: Broadcaster Alan Jones has called on the Prime Minister to take greater action for Australian farmers as drought and bushfires devastate parts of the country. Speaking on Jones and Credlin, Mr Jones said “Canberra will tell you they’re not forgotten, but they’re just words”. “Mobilise the nation’s resources to address this catastrophe because if our farms go Prime Minister, we are all gone,” he said. “This is a rural Australia really in a state of play that it’s never been in before.” 
Making Our Beaches Safer Ahead of Summer Sydney: The State’s waterways will have enhanced safety this summer with the arrival of new vehicles and jet skis following a major funding investment from the NSW Government. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott visited Wanda Beach today to inspect some of the 11 new vehicles and 11 new jet skis for Surf Life Saving NSW. The new equipment forms part of a $16 million funding package over four years for SLSNSW which enhances the capability and support for volunteers at their 11 branches across the State. 
Drug users on welfare 'to receive taxpayer funded rehab' Canberra: People on welfare who test positive to drugs could receive tens of thousands of dollars for rehab under the Morrison Government’s proposed plan. The government revealed welfare recipients who fail drug tests twice could receive up to $65,000 of taxpayer funded rehab. The government hoped the new details might sway key Senate crossbencher Jacqui Lambie. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “really puzzled by the level of opposition to the government trying to tackle the problem of drug addiction for people who aren’t in work”. 
AlMost $50M for Emergency Drought Initiatives in New England Region Sydney: The Liberals & Nationals Government is investing close to $50 million for water initiatives to help drought-affected communities in the New England region. Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey, Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, announced the investment would go to communities facing water shortages and water restrictions in the New England area. Ms Pavey said the NSW Government has now invested over $130 million in water infrastructure projects since the beginning of the drought. 
Lockout laws to remain in place for Kings Cross Sydney: Plans to lift Sydney's contentious lockout laws are being welcomed by city councilors and the Business Chamber but critics are concerned the changes will see a surge in violence and crime. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was time to boost the city's night time economy after a cross-party parliamentary committee review of the laws earlier in the year. Under the changes, the 1:30am lockouts will be lifted in the CBD but will remain in place for Kings Cross. 
Albanese’s popularity drops six points in Newspoll Canberra: Anthony Albanese has suffered a dramatic blow to voter support with his popularity dropping six points. Newspoll – released on Sunday night – showed the approval rating for the Labor leader has plummeted to 35 per cent. Mr Albanese – who has been championing the case of the Sri Lankan family facing deportation – also suffered a six-point increase to his dissatisfaction score which now sits at 40 per cent. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s approval rating rose one point to 49 per cent. The two-party-preferred numbers remained unchanged at 51-49 in favour of the Coalition. 
NECA Centre of Excellence Opens in Chullora Sydney: Thousands of young people are set to benefit after the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) Training and Apprenticeships Centre of Excellence in Chullora was officially opened today by Deputy Premier John Barilaro. “This is a first-class training facility and a testament to the hard work of NECA. This Centre will make a significant contribution towards boosting the skills capability of thousands of young people,” Mr Barilaro said.  SES Launches New Fleet in Western Sydney Sydney: The rollout of a brand new lifesaving fleet for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) was officially launched today at the International Peace Park in Seven Hills. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the $56.4 million Fleet Replacement Program would provide the SES with 270 vehicles, 124 marine vessels and 95 storm trailers across four years to support communities in their times of crisis. The vehicles include storm trucks, rescue vehicles, snow mobiles and a 22-seater bus.  Illegal tobacco in Sydney tile imports Sydney: More than 670 kilograms of rough-cut tobacco has been found in a shipment of floor tiles arriving in Sydney from China. The shipment was discovered in a container on August 30, when Australian Border Force officers conducted an X-ray its Sydney examination facility and noted several anomalies. ABF says further examination of the consignment revealed 672kg of tobacco hidden inside boxes between layers of tiles, representing more than $800,000 in evaded duty and GST. Acting ABF Regional Commander NSW, Matt O'Connor said the discovery should serve as a warning to criminals who try to import illicit tobacco. |
