Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes foreign spies looking for ‘disloyal’ insiders in government, ACCC blocking Qantas’ buyout of mining charter operator claiming competition issues, and Australia making citizenship for Kiwis easier. Also in the news is Fleet Space Technologies signing a $6.4 million contract with Australia’s Defense Space Command, and Australian performer bagging longed for Miss Saigon’s lead role.
Nation
Foreign spies looking for ‘disloyal’ insiders in government—Asio
Australian intelligence agency Asio warned that foreign spies are “aggressively seeking secrets across all parts of Australian society”, including trying to recruit “disloyal” government insiders to access classified information, The Guardian has reported. The agency said these attempts posed a threat to Australian government personnel across parliament, commonwealth employees, the Australian public service, Defence and even the judiciary. It said the security clearance system needed to be “hardened” otherwise, the secrets of Australia and its closest allies could be put at risk.
Business
ACCC blocks Qantas’ buyout of mining charter operator
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission blocked Quantas’ buyout of charter flight operator Alliance Aviation Services Ltd saying that the deal could substantially lessen competition. Qantas is now seeking more information on the ACCC’s decision. The commission said that the pair competed in the so-called fly-in, fly-out domestic markets of mining-rich Queensland and Western Australia state, and the deal may push prices up and service quality down. The ruling is one of the first major deal rejections by the ACCC under new chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Reuters reported.
Foreign relations
Easier Australian citizenship for Kiwis
Governments on either side of the ditch are sending trans-Tasman relations to new highs, with Australia poised to improve citizenship pathways for New Zealanders, the Otago Daily Times reported. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins hinted a “reasonably significant” announcement would be made on the weekend when he travels to Brisbane to meet counterpart Anthony Albanese. New Zealanders living in Australia are hopeful of getting a fairer deal that more closely resembles how Australians are treated in NZ.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/australia/australia-make-citizenship-easier-kiwis
Technology
Fleet Space allies with Defense Space Command for satellites
Fleet Space Technologies has signed a $6.4 million contract with Australia’s Defense Space Command, marking their first defence contract, Spacewatch.Global has reported. The agreement will see Fleet’s next-generation of Centauri satellites which it used to develop and demonstrate a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications system focus on tactical communications and data transmission where connectivity is limited. The program, ASCEND2LEO, is Fleet Space’s first entry into the defence sector. The partnership aims to advance the domestically led national space and defence industry by utilizing Australia’s competitive strengths.
https://spacewatch.global/2023/04/fleet-space-partners-with-australias-defense-space-command/
Theatre and the Arts
Australian performer bags longed for Miss Saigon’s lead role
Opera Australia has announced that young Australian singer Abigail Adriano will make her mainstage lead debut after landing the coveted role of Kim in Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new Australian production of Boublil and Schönberg’s award-winning musical Miss Saigon, premiering at the Sydney Opera House in August 2023, Aussie Theatre reported. Miss Saigon is one of the most successful musicals in history, having won 70 major theatre awards, including three Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards and has been performed in 15 different languages, in over 32 countries and 350 cities.
https://www.aussietheatre.com.au/news/young-australian-performer-lands-coveted-miss-saigon-lead-role
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