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 apology, but no resignations – despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier signalling someone would have to go or be pushed for the “serious failures”.
Australians who have not yet completed the census can log on at census.abs.gov.au
Roe 8 opponents take fight to High Court
Opponents to the federal-funded Roe 8 highway extension in Perth’s south have taken their fight to the High Court after a recent decision validated the project’s environmental approval.
Save Beeliar [BEEL-E-ARE] Wetlands successfully challenged the approval, but the state government last month won an appeal, paving the way for the toll road – a key part of the Perth Freight Link project – to go ahead.
The protest group announced yesterday it had filed for special leave to appeal in the nation’s highest court, saying it had launched a crowd funding campaign to help meet the costs.
Vic firey deal close as board meets
The controversial Country Fire Authority pay dispute is close to over as the board is expected to make a decision. The board met on Monday but did not sign off on the deal and is expected to meet again today.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the board had many important jobs to do, one of which was making a decision on the proposed enterprise bargaining agreement.
The pay dispute has claimed the scalps of former emergency services minister Jane Garrett, CFA chief executive Lucinda Nolan, the CFA board and CFA chief officer Joe Buffone.
They all believed the proposed deal – which the premier pushed through cabinet – gave too much power to the union at the expense of the CFA’s approximately 60,000 volunteers.
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.
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.
