The latest national news update from the National Indigenous Radio Service.
Aussies down for the count: 2016 census
About 24 million Australians are expected to be counted in tonight’s National Census, as the nation’s largest ever online event gets underway.
The compulsory 61-question survey, held once every five years, provides the Australian Bureau of Statistics with a demographic snapshot and helps to determine the distribution of government funds.
More than two thirds of the population are expected to complete the 2016 census on smartphones, tablets and computers – after receiving their unique login codes and instructions in the post – which will make it the largest online event in the nation’s history.
The lead up to the census has not been without scandal. Furore arose over the ABS’s decision to retain respondents’ names and addresses for up to four years rather than destroying the information after 18 months.
Right-wing Melb terror charges Aust first
A 31-year-old Melbourne man is set to become the nation’s first right-wing alleged terrorist to face a court today, accused of attempts to help spark a terrorist act.
Phillip Michael Galea will face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court later this morning,
charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act; and planning or preparing for a terrorist act.
He was arrested after the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team raided four properties, including Galea’s Braybrook home, on Saturday.
During a brief appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday, Galea claimed the charges against him were a conspiracy. He has been linked to anti-Islam groups and on social media has posted support for Reclaim Australia.
Woman, kids hurt in Brisbane crash
A woman and two children have been injured, with an alleged car thief crashing into their vehicle and causing it to flip in Brisbane.
Police say a stolen ute hit the woman’s car in Fortitude Valley overnight, pushing it onto its side and into a taxi travelling beside it.
All three were taken to hospital but their injuries are not life threatening.
Police caught the alleged offender a short time later after the ute sped off and hit a power pole. The 27-year-old driver was also taken hospital but his injuries are not critical.
Search for missing man to continue
The search will resume today for a missing man who has spent two nights lost in bushland northwest of Sydney.
Police dogs, a helicopter and other search units will return to bushland near Wisemans Ferry at 9am on Tuesday in an attempt to find the 24-year-old, who disappeared during a campsite party with friends on Sunday.
Search units spent yesterday scouring bushland near the Wheelbarrow Ridge Road track in Lower Portland.
Qld bidding for Prince’s Invictus Games
Queensland will know by September whether or not its bid to host Prince Harry and his Invictus Games in 2018 is successful.
Major Events Minister Kate Jones will meet with representatives of the Invictus Games Foundation this week when they inspect potential venues on the Gold Coast.
Ms Jones says it’s a state of origin battle to host the event, with NSW also bidding.
The Gold Coast is being touted as the perfect destination because of its infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games, which will also be held in 2018.
The Invictus Games were created by Prince Harry for wounded or ill armed services personnel and were first held in 2014.
Gaming improves school grades: study
Online gaming may be making students smarter but Facebook is no good for their grades, according to new research conducted in Melbourne.
Associate Professor Alberto Posso, from RMIT’s School of Economics, Finance and Marketing, says moderate use of video games could help students to apply and sharpen skills learned at school.
Posso investigated the links between gaming and school scores by testing 12,000 Australian 15-year-olds in maths, reading and science. Data on the students’ online activities and habits was also collected.
It was found the students who played online games almost every day scored 15 points above the average in maths and 17 points above the average in science. However, those who played every day didn’t perform quite as well.
