Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia buying missiles worth $60.18 million from the US, Major banks passing on the interest rate hike to customers, MG upping its car prices in Australia, and Australia’s arbitrary detention of an Iranian refugee condemned by the UN.
Nation
Australia to buy Javelin missiles from the US
Australia will be purchasing 255 Javelin FGM-148F missiles and five fly-to-buy missiles from the US for $60.18 million, the Magnolia Reporter said. The cost includes US technical assistance, consisting of Tactical Air Ground Missiles (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance and other related elements of logistical and program support. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale this week, after having been approved by the US State Department. The new weapons will boost the Australian Army’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its anti-armour capability.
Finance
Three major banks pass on the interest rate hike to customers
NAB, Westpac and ANZ have all passed on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) 25 basis point rate hike to customers, leaving Commonwealth Bank as the last of the big four to increase its interest rates. The three big banks announced that their standard variable home loan interest rate would increase by 0.25 per cent, effective from March 17, 9 News reported.
Law
Australia’s arbitrary detention of Iranian refugee condemned by UN
The United Nations has condemned Australia’s prolonged immigration detention of an Ahwaz Iranian asylum seeker, Al Jazeera has reported. The UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared the man’s imprisonment to be “de facto”, “indefinite” and in breach of international law. The refugee who arrived via boat to Australia in 2020 was held in immigration detention for the next 18 months while his case was assessed before being given a bridging visa. The UNHRC said the Australian government had not presented any “particular reason” for the detention, “such as an individualized likelihood of absconding, a danger of crimes against others or a risk of acts against national security”.
Motoring
MG ups its car prices in Australia
MG Motor Australia has increased drive-away prices by between $500 and $2,000 across almost its entire petrol-powered range for the model year 2023, with ZS EV prices increased by up to $4,140, the Mandurah Mail has reported. The company said the price increases were due to rising costs of production and supply chain challenges. It also said that existing customers are price-protected and that the increase affects only MY23-build vehicles. MG’s cheapest model, the MG 3, has seen the smallest increase at $500, while the mid-range ZST Excite has seen the steepest hike at $2,000.
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