Australia

Shaun Gilchrist: Sex charges dropped against Nationals candidate who died before Victorian election

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Shaun Gilchrist: Sex charges dropped against Nationals candidate who died before Victorian election

Sexual assault charges have been dropped against a former regional Victorian Nationals candidate after he died just days out from the state election. On Monday, charges against Shaun Gilchrist were formally discontinued in the County Court of Victoria before judicial registrar Matthew Phillips. The former Warragul businessman had been standing as the Victorian Nationals candidate … Read more

Australian writer Natalie Fornasier dead at 28 after melanoma battle

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Australian writer Natalie Fornasier dead at 28 after melanoma battle

Sydney writer Natalie Fornasier has died at the age of 28 after a years-long battle with metastatic melanoma. An obituary in The Sydney Morning Herald on January 28 confirmed the news; according to the announcement, Fornasier died on January 14. “Beloved Wife of Alexander. Much loved Sister of Alex, loving Daughter of Peter & Lorena. … Read more

‘Recognise a Better Way’: Committee urging Australians to oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament launches campaign

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‘Recognise a Better Way’: Committee urging Australians to oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament launches campaign

The committee, Recognise a Better Way, will seek to argue the Constitutionally enshrined Voice will negatively impact democracy while also failing to yield results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The group’s “three-point positive plan” will propose a preamble to the Constitution and a new committee which will focus on the rights of native title … Read more

Phone ban: Students forced to lock up phones in SA schools

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Phone ban: Students forced to lock up phones in SA schools

A ban on mobile phones will be introduced at 20 high schools in South Australia from the start of term one. The move will bring the total number of schools participating in the scheme to 45 – or a quarter of the state’s high schools. All schools will have to implement the ban before the … Read more

Legalising cannabis could generate tens of billions in revenue, enabling big dole increase, Greens argue

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Legalising cannabis could generate tens of billions in revenue, enabling big dole increase, Greens argue

Legalising cannabis could generate $28 billion in taxes, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, and allow the government to increase the dole by $80 a week. The Greens have commissioned the PBO to war game the revenue that could flow from legalisation, a path embraced by Canada, where marijuana can be bought by adults at … Read more

Official campaign against Indigenous Voice to be launched

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Official campaign against Indigenous Voice to be launched

A formal campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be launched today. A committee comprised of former and current MPs and Indigenous figures will argue enshrining a Voice to Parliament will negatively influence Australia’s system of democracy. The campaign titled ‘Recognise a Better Way’ will propose a preamble to the Constitution and a new … Read more

Every year, ‘Invasion Day’ forces Australia to confront some painful truths

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Every year, ‘Invasion Day’ forces Australia to confront some painful truths

Brisbane, Australia CNN  —  Musician Fred Leone sings traditional songs to the steady beat of clap sticks that echo through the empty streets as the sun rises on what he calls a “hard day for Blackfellas.” Leone invited strangers to light candles in a central Brisbane park on January 26, a date Australia’s Indigenous community … Read more

Dad of 2 dies from snake bite in Australia in front of wife

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Dad of 2 dies from snake bite in Australia in front of wife

A father has tragically died from a suspected venomous snakebite at a private property in Queensland. The man, aged in his sixties, was reportedly bitten on his hand at Lockyer Valley, about 50 kilometers from Brisbane before 10am on Saturday. The father-of-two died before paramedics arrived. The snake species is yet to be confirmed following … Read more

Anthony Albanese, Tony Burke to unveil arts overhaul

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A major revamp of Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector will put First Nations people at the forefront and ensure more investment in local talent. The new national cultural policy – “Revive” – will be announced on Monday, and is set to bring “drive, direction and vision back” to the $17 billion industry, after a … Read more

GPs warn Medicare ‘on life support’ ahead of national cabinet reform push

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Doctors across the country have fired a warning shot to the government, declaring Medicare is on “life support”. As the States and Territories prepare to use this week’s national cabinet meeting to push for urgent reform, new polling suggests more than half of Australians are being forced to pay out-of-pocket for a simple GP visit. … Read more