The latest national news update from the National Indigenous Radio Service.
Apology but no resignations yet for census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has restored the census website overnight, more than 40 hours after being taken down due to claims of cyber attacks and a hardware failure.
ABS boss David Kalisch and census program manager Duncan Young fronted the media yesterday to deliver another admission of error, but no resignations – despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier signalling someone would have to go or be pushed for the “serious failures”.
Mr Turnbull said measures were not in place to repel delivery-of-service (DOS) attacks that left the census website in meltdown. A D-O-S attack is when a site is flooded with fake traffic to crash it or slow it down.
Australians who have not yet completed the census can log on at census.abs.gov.au
NSW Greyhound industry to be compensated
The greyhound racing industry has been assured it will be compensated as part of the NSW Government’s plan to end the industry.
Financial assistance has been assured by Greyhounds Transition Taskforce Co-ordinator General John Keniry [KEN-EERIE] on the back of legislation fast-tracked through parliament yesterday.
While it was expected the laws would be debated in the lower house later this month after passing through the Legislative Council late on Wednesday night, the controversial bill was introduced by Deputy Premier Troy Grant yesterday morning for debate.
Dr Keniry said the legislation that is before the parliament also allows for a transition period to be determined to allow an orderly closure of the industry.
Search for man in NSW bush set to resume
A search for a missing man will resume for a fifth day amid fears for his welfare after disappearing into bushland northwest of Sydney during a camping party
The 24-year-old man has been missing for five nights since Sunday, with no supplies and no medication for his medical condition.
A team of 40 police officers and SES volunteers and a police dog have spent four days scouring bushland near the Wheelbarrow Ridge Road track in Lower Portland and will return at 9am this morning.
Qld teen to seek bail over Mason Lee death
A 17-year-old man charged over the death of Queensland toddler Mason Jet Lee is expected to make a fresh bail bid today.
Ryan Robert Barry Hodson is one of three people charged with the manslaughter of the 20-month-old, who died from severe injuries in Caboolture on June 11.
Hodson is scheduled to make a bail application in the Brisbane Supreme Court this morning. It comes after he was denied bail in the Caboolture Magistrates Court earlier this month.
Mason’s mother Anne-Maree Lee and his stepfather Andrew O’Sullivan are also facing manslaughter charges.
Qld taxi industry upset at Uber approval
Queensland’s taxi industry is incensed at Uber’s approval, with some cabbies considering legal action against the government over inadequate compensation.
The state government yesterday announced ride-sharing services will be legal from September 5, with a $100 million package to help with a smooth transition.
Existing taxi licence holders will be compensated $20,000 per licence, capped at two per individual.
While Uber says the arrangements are a sensible outcome and great for consumers, cabbies aren’t happy.
Taxi Council Queensland has labelled the government’s review into ride-sharing as a “farce”, while Gold Coast Cabs may take legal action because company-held taxi licences have been excluded from compensation arrangements.
Airport delays expected due to strike
International air passengers are being advised to factor in extra time due to a 24-hour strike at airports across the country.
Department of Immigration and Border Protection staff will strike from midnight today for 24 hours as part of a plan by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) to resolve enterprise bargaining.
A one-hour stop-work meeting has also been planned for CPSU members in the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, including quarantine and biosecurity at airports.
