Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes China lifting the ban on Australian timber imports, the Philippine government wanting enhanced ties with Australia, and the Northern Territory registering the lowest quarterly wage growth in all jurisdictions. Also in the News are ABC host Stan Grant quitting the Q&A show, and researchers saying that the El Niño and La Niña weather events are now extreme due to climate change.
Politics
China lifts ban on Australian timber imports
China has allowed Australian timber imports for the first time in more than two years, AP News has reported. Timber was on a list of Australian exports subjected to official and unofficial Chinese trade barriers imposed in 2020 after Australia called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The list which included coal, wine, barley, beef, seafood, cotton and copper was estimated to cost Australian exporters $14 billion a year. Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the timber ban had been lifted because Australian exporters had satisfied China’s quarantine concerns.
https://apnews.com/article/australia-china-timber-trade-f5e97f398d6144255241fea87743aa2d
Enhanced Australian, and Philippines ties
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said an enhanced partnership is crucial for Asia Pacific nations considering the current geopolitical situation, The Inquirer reported. Mr Marcos remarked on the courtesy call of Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Malacañang, expressing readiness to work closely with Australia and other regional partners. Aside from other areas of partnership, Mr Marcos stressed the need to ensure economic security cooperation with Australia particularly as the Philippines transforms.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1771216/bongbong-marcos-says-ties-with-australia-extremely-important
Regions
Northern Territory registers the lowest quarterly wage growth in all jurisdictions
The Northern Territory has registered the lowest wage increase in all of Australia for the quarter ending March 2023 with 0.6 per cent. Nationally, the WPI increased by 0.8 per cent for the quarter in review. Year-on-year, the Territory’s WPI has posted a 2.5 per cent increase, reflecting an increase of 3.5 per cent in the private sector and a rise of 0.9 per cent in the public sector. The national WPI increased by 3.5 per cent, with an increase of 3.4 per cent in the private sector and a growth of 2.6 per cent in the public sector, the NT Department of Treasury and Finance said.
Media
ABC host announces quits talk show
ABC host Stan Grant has penned a tortured article for his employer’s website to announce that after six years with the company, he has chosen to “walk away”, News.com has reported. Less than a year after being made the permanent host of the network’s current affairs talk show Q&A, Grant has revealed his decision to not return to the program. Grant wrote how ongoing racism was to blame for his decision and the unwillingness of those in his professional network to publicly defend him.
Environment
El Niño and La Niña now extreme due to climate change
El Niño and La Niña events have become more frequent and extreme since the 1960s, ABC News reported. Researcher Wenju Cai said their research yielded significant results, with evidence that El Niño and La Niña events had become more frequent and intense due to increasing emissions of greenhouse gases. Mr Cai said the increased strength of the two events will likely cause greater loss and is of broad interest to policymakers, resource managers, and the general public. “Our result should inspire mitigation and adaptation strategy because the increased ENSO and its further strengthening will exacerbate the economic risks of global warming.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-18/el-nino-la-nina-more-extreme-climate-change-csiro/102341468
Why do you feel the need to just re-hash stories from the (Woke) ABC Corporation????
People are looking for alternative political/social media coverage which avoids their blatant bias and contempt of Territorians.
Extreme natural weather cycles? About time we had a plan to deal with extreme reporting on the ABC? A little less drama and a lot more honesty might help!