Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes the UK finalizing a trade deal with Australia, Australia-India trade seen to reach more than $45 billion after AI-ECTA, Australia’s Anthony Albanese travels to the US for the upcoming nuclear submarine deal, Melbourne Airport travellers may face delays due to refuellers strike. On the lighter side, ABC TV co-host Lisa Millar hits back at “Foul, disgusting” online trolls.
Nation
UK to finalize a free-trade deal with Australia
The UK will be ratifying a controversial free-trade agreement with Australia probably this month, Reuters has reported. Signed in 2021, the deal was hit by some UK officials for being “one-sided”, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when on the campaign trail for the top job last year. The agreement will remove tariffs and harmonise rules and standards on bilateral trade, which hit A$29 billion in 2019-2020. The deal was projected in 2021 to boost trade by over 10 billion pounds ($11.8 billion) “in the long run”, opening up sectors like agriculture and allowing freer movement for service-sector professionals.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/uk-verge-ratifying-free-trade-deal-with-australia-2023-03-08/
Economy
Australia-India trade to hit $45 billion after AI-ECTA
Australia and India’s bilateral trade will surge to $45 billion annually after the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. Current bilateral trade between the two countries is $27 billion, which is to nearly double with the new agreement, the DCN reports. India Business Council national chair Jodi McKay said he has the ambition to grow bilateral trade between the two countries to $100 billion by 2030.
US Relations
Australia’s Anthony Albanese will travel to the US for a nuclear submarine deal
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Washington, DC to meet with US President Joe Biden, where an announcement on Australia’s plans to build nuclear-powered submarines is expected, Aljazeera has reported. Mr Albanese was expected to sign a long-awaited pact to build a fleet of nuclear submarines during his visit to the US next week. The submarine agreement is taking place under the auspices of AUKUS, a fledgling alliance including Australia, the UK and the US that aims to share advanced military and other technology. The deal, which is believed to involve eight nuclear-powered submarines, comes amid concern in Australia and the US about China’s increasingly assertive presence in the Pacific region.
Media
“Foul, disgusting online trolls”— ABC TV’s Lisa Millar
ABC TV co-host Lisa Millar has released a blistering statement hitting back at “foul, disgusting personal abuse” after a storm of outrage about her wardrobe for Monday’s ABC News Breakfast, The New Daily reported. ABC said it wouldn’t “dignify any ‘vile comments’ … about a presenter’s clothes by responding to them”. Millar’s statement followed one from ABC on Tuesday, in which it accused media outlets news.com.au and the Daily Mail of “amplifying” the abuse and bullying.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/2023/03/08/abc-tv-lisa-millar-twitter/
Travel
Airport travellers facing possible delays due to refuellers strike
Travellers may face delays at Melbourne Airport, as plane refuellers go on strike to push for a better pay deal. The stoppage is expected to mainly affect Qantas services and some freight companies, as well as some international carriers. Qantas says flights will operate as normal, and they will work with Melbourne Airport and its partners to minimise any issues. Refuellers contracted to the Rivet Group, said they’re struggling under increasing workloads and additional responsibilities, while pay and conditions are going backwards. Transport Workers Union’s negotiations with the Rivet Group had so far failed, ABC has reported.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-08/plane-refuellers-on-strike-at-melbourne-airport/102066808
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