The latest national news update from the National Indigenous Radio Service.
Public servants strike across Australia
Public servants across Australia have walked off the job over a pay dispute.
Thousands of Centrelink, Medicare and tax office workers are striking for 24-hours over the time it’s taken for a new enterprise bargaining agreement with the federal government.
The Community and Public Sector Union says no agreement’s been reached since negotiations began in 2013, and workers have not had a pay rise for three years.
The Department of Human Services has warned of increased wait times today.
Abbott outlines political donations plan
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has outlined a plan to ban unions, companies and overseas entities making donations to Australian political parties.
He’s told Fairfax Media overnight the country needs to look long and hard at restricting donations to real people on the electoral roll.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has flagged banning all corporations and unions from donating, while Labor is vowing to continue its fight to stop foreign government donations.
Qld bus driver charged over teen’s death
A bus driver will face court in Queensland next month on charges following the death of teenager from a fatal crash in February.
The crash near Airlie Beach in north Queensland killed 19-year-old Casey Stinson and injured another 10 passengers, including one who lost an arm.
A 70-year-old man from Cannonvale is due to face Proserpine Magistrates Court on October 24 charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
NSW teacher in court over assaults on boys
A Sydney primary school teacher who allegedly groomed and indecently assaulted several of his young male students is due to face court.
It’s alleged the 29-year-old man preyed on three boys at the southwestern Sydney school between 2012 and 2015.
The man was refused bail yesterday to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today charged with 14 offences including 10 counts of indecent assault.
Decision on Harriet Wran’s release due
Harriet Wran is expected to find out today whether she will be granted freedom, nearly two months after she was sentenced over her role in the murder of a Sydney drug dealer.
The 28-year-old has been behind bars for nearly two years after being arrested over the fatal stabbing of Daniel McNulty in a Redfern housing commission unit in 2014.
The daughter of former NSW premier Neville Wran has been eligible for early release since August 12, but a decision on her parole bid was postponed last month so that reports and documents could be prepared.
NSW killer’s twin to walk free from jail
And still in NSW, it’s expected the twin brother of the man who killed school teacher Stephanie Scott will walk free from prison later today.
25-year-old Marcus Stanford was last month jailed for 15 months for disposing evidence linking his brother to the bride-to-be’s murder, but is due for release having already served time since his arrest in June last year.
Stanford’s twin brother Vincent will be sentenced in October over the Easter Sunday rape and murder of Ms Scott last year.
Funding boosts for women’s health body
A women’s health body started by the woman who pioneered menopause management in Australia will get a $3 million funding boost.
Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley will today announce the 50 per cent increase to annual funding for Jean Hailes for the next three years in Melbourne, taking the total promise to $825 million.
