Supporting UN ceasefire movement the ‘wise factor to do’: Farrell
Sarah Basford Canales
Commerce minister, Don Farrell, has stated Australia’s help for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza was the “wise factor to do” following criticism from some inside the Jewish neighborhood.
Farrell, on Sky Information’ Sunday Agenda, was requested whether or not the choice was “a bit naive” following the 7 October assault by Hamas towards southern Israel and that hostages have been nonetheless being held by the militant group.
On Wednesday, Australia joined 152 different nations in voting in favour of a United Nations decision calling for a humanitarian ceasefire after earlier abstaining from an identical movement in late October.
The Albanese authorities’s transfer was a break from the US’s place, who voted towards the movement with 9 different nations, and garnered criticism from the opposition and the Israeli embassy in Australia.
The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, criticised Canberra’s determination, saying he discovered it “obscure how Australia can help Israel’s proper to defend its folks from terrorist aggression, whereas additionally voting in help of a ceasefire that may embolden Hamas and allow it to renew its assaults on Israelis”.
The dying toll in Gaza now stands at greater than 18,000 Palestinians, in accordance with the Gazan well being ministry.
The commerce minister stated he didn’t consider the shift was an “unreasonable” one given the circumstances:
Proper from day one, Australia has condemned the murderous assault by Hamas terrorists within the south of Israel, we’ve continued to help Israel’s proper to defend itself however, like most international locations all over the world, we’re involved concerning the variety of civilian deaths in Gaza as Israel strikes additional and additional into Gaza. It’s an especially tough set of circumstances. There are not any simple options right here however the authorities believed that that was a wise factor to do within the circumstances.
Up to date at 19.54 EST
Key occasions
Newell Freeway closed after Duck Creek Pilliga hearth breaks containment traces
The Duck Creek Pilliga forest hearth in New South Wales broke containment traces yesterday and continued burning to the east and north in a single day, the Rural Hearth Service stated.
Due to this, the Newell Freeway has been closed this morning between Coonabarabran and Narrabri, with smoke decreasing visibility on the highway:
Yesterday the Duck Creek Pilliga Forest Hearth broke containment traces on the japanese fringe of the fireground & over night time has continued to burn east & north. The Newell Hwy has been closed this morning between Coonabarabran & Narrabri as smoke has decreased visibility on the highway. pic.twitter.com/DK7xYBFfmm
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 16, 2023
Up to date at 20.15 EST
Two detainees on roof of detention centre ‘got here down final night time’, WA Division of Justice confirms
As we flagged earlier within the weblog, jail guards at Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre have been final night time negotiating with two detainees who escaped on to the roof and have been refusing to return down.
A spokesperson from the WA Division of Justice stated that each folks voluntarily got here down final night time, and on the time, all the opposite younger folks have been protected of their items.
The negotiations weren’t rushed as employees take their time to deliver a few protected decision.
Each younger folks voluntarily got here down final night time. There have been no accidents.
While some harm occurred the Centre has not skilled any points that prompted safety considerations. Operations have returned to regular.
Up to date at 20.03 EST
Supporting UN ceasefire movement the ‘wise factor to do’: Farrell
Sarah Basford Canales
Commerce minister, Don Farrell, has stated Australia’s help for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza was the “wise factor to do” following criticism from some inside the Jewish neighborhood.
Farrell, on Sky Information’ Sunday Agenda, was requested whether or not the choice was “a bit naive” following the 7 October assault by Hamas towards southern Israel and that hostages have been nonetheless being held by the militant group.
On Wednesday, Australia joined 152 different nations in voting in favour of a United Nations decision calling for a humanitarian ceasefire after earlier abstaining from an identical movement in late October.
The Albanese authorities’s transfer was a break from the US’s place, who voted towards the movement with 9 different nations, and garnered criticism from the opposition and the Israeli embassy in Australia.
The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, criticised Canberra’s determination, saying he discovered it “obscure how Australia can help Israel’s proper to defend its folks from terrorist aggression, whereas additionally voting in help of a ceasefire that may embolden Hamas and allow it to renew its assaults on Israelis”.
The dying toll in Gaza now stands at greater than 18,000 Palestinians, in accordance with the Gazan well being ministry.
The commerce minister stated he didn’t consider the shift was an “unreasonable” one given the circumstances:
Proper from day one, Australia has condemned the murderous assault by Hamas terrorists within the south of Israel, we’ve continued to help Israel’s proper to defend itself however, like most international locations all over the world, we’re involved concerning the variety of civilian deaths in Gaza as Israel strikes additional and additional into Gaza. It’s an especially tough set of circumstances. There are not any simple options right here however the authorities believed that that was a wise factor to do within the circumstances.
Up to date at 19.54 EST
Fiji Airways in Tuvalu to restart companies tomorrow, no point out of flights to Australia
Fiji Airways has simply supplied an replace on its Tuvalu companies.
As we reported earlier, various Australians have been stranded in Tuvalu after Fiji Airways cancelled all flights to and from the Pacific Island nation, citing harm to the airport’s runway.
A press release from the airline simply now reads:
Additional to preliminary repairs having been performed on the runway on the Funafuti Worldwide Airport in Tuvalu, Fiji Airways intends to function its scheduled Nadi – Funafuti and return companies (FJ289/288) on Monday 18th December, 2023.
Due to the character of the harm and the restricted repairs, these companies will function at a decreased weight. As a consequence some booked friends will probably be unable to journey as meant.
Fiji Airways is within the means of contacting friends booked on these companies to clarify the choices accessible.
We as soon as once more apologise for any inconvenience prompted and thank our friends for his or her endurance and understanding. The airline reiterates that the security of our friends and employees will all the time stay paramount.
The assertion didn’t point out flights to Australia however now we have requested the airline for any updates on the state of affairs.
Up to date at 19.46 EST
Don Farrell expects China to carry all $20bn in commerce sanctions by subsequent yr
Sarah Basford Canales
Don Farrell stated he expects China will carry the entire $20bn in commerce sanctions the Albanese authorities got here into by subsequent yr, with lobster and wine subsequent on the record.
Beijing slapped commerce sanctions on $20bn value of Australian merchandise on the top of a diplomatic feud in 2020, together with tariffs of between 107% and 212% on Australian wine.
Australian wine exports to China have been valued at greater than $1bn earlier than the tariffs have been put in place however that determine has plunged to somewhat greater than $10m.
In October, Australia agreed to droop its World Commerce Group dispute with China over its wine sanctions whereas Beijing undertakes an “expedited assessment” of duties, which is predicted to take 5 months. Australia will resume the WTO dispute if the sanctions should not eliminated by the assessment’s finish.
The commerce minister instructed Sky Information he was “very assured” there could be a “beneficial outcome” from the Chinese language authorities early subsequent yr permitting Australian wine again into the nation.
Farrell on Tuesday introduced China had lifted suspensions on three Australian meat exporters however others nonetheless stay suspended.
Lobsters have been now the final main product on his record, Farrell stated:
We began, once we got here to workplace, with one thing like $20bn value of commerce impediments with China. Little by little, we’ve whittled that down and actually the most important product now that has not been let again into China is lobster, and I’ve raised this problem now 5 occasions with my Chinese language counterpart, and I’m hoping that someday within the close to future that last product will probably be allowed again in and that that $20bn value of commerce will probably be resumed.
Up to date at 19.43 EST
‘I’ve by no means seen rain like this,’ Port Douglas resident says
Port Douglas weblog reader Sara Mulcahy stated the climate her neighborhood is seeing post-Tropical Cyclone Jasper is in contrast to something she has been earlier than:
I’ve by no means seen rain like this.
Some stories [are] saying greater than a metre [of rain has fallen] since Wednesday. Roads are flooded, we’re reduce off from Cairns, Mossman and the inside.
Individuals are having to depart their properties within the low mendacity components.
As we flagged earlier, an emergency alert was issued for Mossman this morning amid fears of harmful localised floods. Individuals have been instructed to take shelter or evacuate to the native highschool.
Up to date at 19.28 EST
Extreme thunderstorm warning for intense rainfall anticipated in Cairns area
A extreme thunderstorm warning for intense rainfall has been issued within the Cairns area.
The Bureau of Meteorology stated this might result in harmful and life-threatening flash flooding round Cairns, Yarrabah and Redlynch.
[Already] 146mm has fallen in underneath three hours at Myola, the BoM stated.
Up to date at 19.11 EST
Sarah Basford Canales
Marles will ‘make proper determination in Australia’s curiosity’ over deploying navy vessels to Crimson Sea, Farrell says
Earlier this morning, commerce minister Don Farrell left open the chance Australia may deploy navy vessels to the Crimson Sea amid ongoing assaults towards business transport from Iran-backed militia.
This week, the USA requested Australia to ship a warship to the area as a part of its duties as a member of the worldwide naval safety taskforce, the Mixed Maritime Forces.
It comes because the Yemen-based, and Iran-backed, Houthis warned they’d goal all ships heading to Israel via the ocean, which lies between the horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula, no matter their nationality.
Talking with Sky Information, Farrell stated:
We typically focus our actions in our personal area and as we all know we’ve acquired the ships within the South China Sea for the time being. My understanding is that the, our defence minister, Richard Marles, has obtained the request and we’ll give due consideration within the days and the weeks forward … [Marles] will make the proper determination in Australia’s curiosity as as to whether we do or we don’t deploy within the Crimson Sea.
Up to date at 19.04 EST
‘Majority’ of taxi drivers doing proper factor amid allegations of worth gouging, NSW Taxi Council CEO says
Earlier, NSW Taxi Council CEO Nick Abrahim spoke to ABC Information Breakfast about allegations that taxi drivers are worth gouging.
This comes after a Guardian investigation, the place transport reporter Elias Visontay discovered {that a} new taxi fare hotline has been flooded with 1000’s of complaints in its first six months.
The investigation revealed greater than 520 taxi drivers in New South Wales have been disciplined for refusing to make use of their meters or overcharging:
Abrahim stated “majority” of taxi drivers are doing the proper factor however there are a variety of “rogue drivers” who suppose they will “flout the regulation” and set their very own costs:
That’s not on.
We need to give members of the general public certainty that each time they’re utilizing the taxi, significantly from a rank-and-hail perspective, that the meter have to be used giving them the knowledge of what they’ll pay on the finish of that journey.
The NSW Taxi Council is asking on the state authorities to return to a centralised accreditation system:
Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen over 500 disciplinary actions taken by taxi service suppliers each time these complaints have been reported and about 30-odd instances we’ve seen drivers [being] faraway from the community. Nevertheless, I can’t truthfully inform you that these drivers aren’t behind a wheel once more driving taxis or ride-share as a result of there may be not sufficient regulation.
Up to date at 18.59 EST
Colin Burgess: Australian drummer and unique member of AC/DC dies at 77
The Australian drummer Colin Burgess, an unique member of the hard-rock band AC/DC within the early Seventies, has died, the band confirmed on its social media accounts. He was 77.
An unsigned submit on the band’s official Fb web page late Friday stated:
Very unhappy to listen to of the passing of Colin Burgess. He was our first drummer and a really revered musician. Completely happy recollections, rock in peace Colin.
No reason for dying was given.
Up to date at 18.51 EST
Worldwide pro-Palestine protests proceed calling for ceasefire in Gaza
Professional-Palestine protests are persevering with throughout capital cities this weekend.
The Palestine Motion Group Sydney, and Free Palestine Melbourne, have each indicated that protests will proceed over the Christmas and New Yr interval.
In the present day’s Sydney protest will start at 1pm in Hyde Park. In the meantime, Melbourne pro-Palestine protestors will meet on the State Library from 12pm.
You possibly can observe our Israel-Gaza struggle reside weblog under:
Protests are persevering with proper the world over, as a rising variety of folks demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Almost 19,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes within the final two months. A research revealed by an Israeli newspaper discovered the aerial bombing marketing campaign by Israel in Gaza is probably the most indiscriminate when it comes to civilian casualties lately.
Up to date at 18.38 EST
Sydney rally held for victims of alleged sexual violence throughout 7 October assaults by Hamas
Earlier this morning a rally kicked off in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park, bringing consciousness to alleged sexual violence towards ladies through the 7 October assaults by Hamas.
Organised by United With Israel, the organisation stated:
There’s been silence within the face of violence towards Israeli ladies and it’s unacceptable. This rally’s objective is to face up for the Israeli ladies who have been killed, raped, abused and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
That is off the again of what UN critics referred to as a ‘shameful silence’ amid mounting proof, together with movies, eyewitness testimony and forensic proof, of sexual violence that Hamas terrorists carried out for hours on Oct 7.
Audio system on the Sydney rally at the moment will embrace Liberal senator Hollie Hughes, and Woollahra deputy mayor Sarah Swan.
Up to date at 18.27 EST
Employees negotiate with two detainees who escaped on to roof at Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre
Jail guards at Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre have been negotiating with two detainees who escaped on to the roof and have been refusing to return down, in accordance with The West Australian.
In accordance with the West, a Division of Justice spokesperson stated yesterday:
Employees at Banksia Hill are managing a behavioural problem with two younger folks on the centre.
Employees are negotiating with the pair and all different younger persons are protected inside.
The negotiations aren’t rushed, employees take their time to deliver a few protected decision.
We have now contacted the Division of Justice for the newest replace on this case.
Up to date at 18.17 EST