Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia’s luxury fashion-linked croc farming industry to be scrutinized, stronger US-Australia defence ties to counter China announced, army grounds Taipan helicopters after a crash during a military exercise, and Australia’s university sector to be overhauled.
Politics
Stronger US-Australia defence ties to counter China announced
The US and Australia will deepen their military ties after reaching an agreement that expands their military cooperation as both countries work to deter China’s growing influence and territorial claims in the western Pacific, ABC News has reported. The agreement will see an increased American rotational presence in Australia to include frequent U.S. submarine visits to a base in Western Australia, and more U.S. access to airbases in northern and western Australia, among others.
https://abc7news.com/us-and-australia-deepen-military-ties-to-counter-china/13570438/
Defence
Taipan helicopters were grounded by the army after crash
Australia’s military will ground its fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters after a crash during multinational military exercises that left four crew members missing. CNA has reported. The helicopter crashed into waters near the Whitsunday Islands off Australia’s subtropical northeast late on Friday, but hopes of finding the missing crew were fading. About 45 Taipan helicopters will be grounded. The aircraft that crashed on Friday night was taking part in the Talisman Sabre exercise, which brings together 30,000 military personnel from Australia, the United States and several other nations.
Business
Australia’s luxury fashion-linked croc farming industry to be scrutinized
The federal government is launching a review of Australia’s crocodile farming industry, ABC News reported. The secretive industry is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and has links to high-end international fashion brands. Animal rights groups have criticised the industry, but supporters say industry practices are humane. The federal government will be reviewing the industry’s 14-year-old code of practice that oversees everything from egg collection, catching wild crocodiles, breeding in captivity, husbandry practices, and how these apex predators are killed. There are now at least 21 facilities across northern Australia, primarily in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Education
Australia’s university sector to be overhauled
The federal government has announced changes that it says will give students from Indigenous, regional and suburban backgrounds greater access to university education. Australia’s newly released Universities Deal Interim Report, says more jobs will require university education in the coming years, and that “bold long-term changes are needed”. To combat this, the government will build up to 20 additional Regional University Study Centres, and up to 14 Suburban University Study Centers. The government will also extend the College Continuity Guarantee for the next two years to provide funding certainty to colleges—with some conditions, SBS has reported.
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