Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes the IMF forecasting Australia’s economic growth to be at its lowest in the next five years, ex-minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt resigning from the Liberal Party, Australian media rejecting a proposal to reform privacy law, and Ukraine obtaining Remote Weapon Systems from Australia. Also in the news is Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong saying that Israel has the right to defend itself against escalating violence, Chinese movies debuted in Darwin, and My Nintendo Australia has updated their catalogue with three new goodies.
Nation
Israel has the right to defend itself amid escalating violence—Australia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a statement on Sunday expressing Australia’s deep concern over the “escalating violence” in the region, The Courier Mail has reported. “Australia condemns unreservedly the indiscriminate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon and Gaza and recognises Israel’s right to defend itself,” she said. In response to the rocket fire by Palestinian militants, Israel bombed both Gaza and Lebanon before taking further action on Sunday. On Friday night attacks in Tel Aviv and the West Bank killed an Italian tourist and two Israeli-British sisters.
Economy
Australia not immune to recession
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australians should be realistic about future fiscal challenges. Mr Chalmers’ statement comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that Australia will experience its slowest growth in the next five years, The Manila Times has reported. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday said the world economy is expected to grow less than 3 per cent this year, with India and China projected to account for half of the global growth in 2023. “Growth remains weak by historical comparison, both in the near and medium term,” Ms Georgieva said.
Politics
Ex-minister for Indigenous Australians resigns from LP
Former minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has resigned from the Liberal party, News.com reported. Mr Wyatt left in response to the party’s decision to oppose a national Indigenous Voice in Parliament. Deputy Nationals leader Perin Davey says Mr Wyatt has done much for Indigenous people in Australia – and his resignation is “disappointing”. Ken Wyatt said he believed it would be a mistake globally for the Liberals not to support the referendum.
Media
Media firms hit recommended privacy law reforms
Australian media companies have rejected a proposal to reform Australian privacy law, The Guardian has reported. They warned that the changes—including a right to sue outlets for serious invasions of privacy—are not in the public interest and would harm press freedom. The Right to Know coalition warns the attorney general’s department’s proposal, released in February, would have “a devastating impact on press freedom and journalism in Australia without any clearly defined need or benefit”. The coalition includes the Guardian, News Corp, Nine, AAP, Free TV Australia, the media union and public broadcasters ABC and SBS.
Defence
Ukraine obtains remote weapon systems from Australia
Ukraine is set to receive 100 Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) from Australia as part of a direct military sale worth $120 million, The Defense Post has reported. The procurement comes as the European nation continues to bolster its military capabilities to effectively counter Russian aggression. According to manufacturer Electro Optic Systems (EOS), the RWS technology will provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with improved accuracy and reliability when hitting enemy assets.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/04/06/ukraine-remote-weapon-australia/
Cinema
Chinese movies debut in Darwin
Watching the latest movies is a good way for Australian audiences to know more about both the history of and daily life in, China. The 2023 Chinese Film Festival was held in Darwin, Northern Territory, last weekend. Jointly hosted by the Australia-China Friendship Society’s provincial branch and the Chinese embassy in Australia, the festival presented three Chinese films, namely Hidden Blade, a newly arrived wartime espionage thriller, New Gods: Yang Jian, a 3D animated fantasy action film, and My Country, My Parents, The China Daily has reported.
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202304/07/WS642f472fa31057c47ebb8bbf.html
Gaming
Nintendo Australia debuts three new items
My Nintendo Australia has updated their catalogue with three new goodies, each of them waiting to be added to your collection, Go Nintendo has reported. This time around you can snag a reusable Mario bag, a sticker featuring Bowser and an iron-on patch set with Yoshi. The bag will run you 700 Platinum Points, while the Bowser sticker is 90 and the Yoshi patch is 300. Along with that, My Nintendo Australia has restocked the Toad Tote and Splatoon 3 Gusset Bag. If you missed out on those the first time around, don’t make the same mistake twice!
https://gonintendo.com/contents/18672-my-nintendo-australia-offering-3-new-items
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