Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia’s job vacancies down 2% in May, the Solomon Islands reviewing a security pact with Australia, an online gambling ad ban pushed in Australia, Australia planning to acquire a variety of strike missiles, and Virgin Australia starting a new era with the first MAX aircraft.
Nation
Job vacancies down 2% in May
Job vacancies in Australia fell in the three months to May, the fourth straight quarter of decline, but were still far above pre-pandemic levels as demand for labour remains strong, Reuters has reported. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed vacancies in the May quarter fell 2.0 per cent, from the previous quarter to 431,600. That was down 10% from a year ago, but 89% higher than in February 2020 before the pandemic struck.
Politics
Solomon Islands to review security pact
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called for a review of his nation’s security treaty with Australia amid growing strategic competition in the Pacific region between China, the United States and its allies, Aljazeera reported. Minister Sogavare made the statement following Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles’ two-day visit to the Solomon for security talks before Mr Sogavare is scheduled to visit China.
Business
Online gambling ad ban pushed
Advertising for online gambling should be banned in Australia within three years, a parliamentary inquiry recommended, citing serious harm caused by an inescapable “torrent” that is “grooming children.” Australians spend more on online gambling than citizens of any other country, the inquiry’s report said, adding that almost half of those surveyed last year had placed a bet on sports or racing. Gambling rips $25 billion in losses annually, the Manila Times reported.
Defence
Upcoming acquisition of strike missiles
Australia is planning to acquire a variety of strike missiles designed to hit distant surface, air, and sea targets, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has reported. Facing such missiles, a hostile power is supposed to hesitate before placing surface warships, ground forces or bases close to Australia. Most of the planned strike weapons will be a variety of cruise missiles for different applications. Among the missiles to be purchased included Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158B JASSM-ERs and AGM-158C LRASMs, Kongsberg JSMs and NSMs, and a variety of Raytheon RGM Tomahawk-class and cruise missiles.
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/a-guide-to-australias-planned-strike-missiles/
Travel
Virgin Australia starts a new era with the first MAX
Virgin Australia has started its fleet renewal by taking delivery of the first Boeing MAX 8 on lease from CALC. The low-cost airliner has eight MAX 8s on order, having doubled the number from four in August last year. MAX 8 will allow for longer flights in the Oceania region, and will gradually replace the airline’s 737NGs. The airline operates a fleet of 75 737-800s and nine -700s, but will gradually replace them with the MAX, the Air Insight Group reported.
https://airinsight.com/virgin-australia-starts-new-era-with-the-first-max/
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