Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes lawmakers proposing a new law to federally criminalize the public display of Nazi symbols, interest rates hiked by 0.25 to 3.85 per cent, Australia’s biggest hydropower project facing a delay of up to two years, likely pushing its start-up out to 2028. In addition, a new report commissioned by the Department of Agriculture revealed that the federal government has no suitable data source for monitoring the effect of agricultural and veterinary chemicals on humans.
Nation
Australia confronts the threat of Nazism
The growing threat of far-right extremism in Australia has prompted opposition lawmakers to propose a new law to federally criminalize the public display of Nazi symbols, the Voice of America has reported. Under the proposed laws, a person who knowingly displays a Nazi symbol in Australia would face a fine of up to $18,000 and up to 12 months in prison. Most Australian states and territories have already banned the swastika, an ancient hooked cross motif that was appropriated by Adolf Hitler’s Nazis in Germany in the 1920s. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has described the current threat from Neo-Nazi groups as “complex, challenging and changing”.
https://www.voanews.com/a/australia-confronts-threat-of-far-right-extremism/7076430.html
Economy
Interest rate hiked by 0.25 to 3.85 per cent
Australians have been dealt a fresh blow as the Reserve Bank of Australia shocked most experts by hiking interest rates by 0.25 per cent to 3.85 per cent, News.com reported. NAB’s standard variable home loan interest rate will increase by 0.25 per cent p.a., effective from 12 May 2023. The bank will also increase rates for NAB Reward Saver bonus interest rate will increase by 0.25 per cent p.a., bringing the total bonus interest rate to 4.50 per cent p.a., and NAB iSaver introductory and standard variable rates will both increase by 0.25 per cent p.a. to 4.50 per cent p.a. and 1.85 per cent p.a. respectively.
Business
The largest hydropower project faces a delay to 2028
Australia’s biggest hydropower project faces a delay of up to two years, likely pushing its start-up out to 2028, the company said on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the $5 billion renewable energy project. The Snowy 2.0 project is now expected to cost more due to the delay, which the government-owned company blamed on a shortage of skilled workers, complex designs, soft ground and supply chain disruptions. The updated guidance meant the first power could be generated as late as December 2028. The setback comes as the federal government aims to get 82% of the east coast market’s power from renewables by 2030, up from 30% now, Reuters reported.
Health
The effect of agricultural chemicals on humans needs to be monitored more effectively
A new report commissioned by the Department of Agriculture revealed that the federal government has no suitable data source for monitoring the effect of agricultural and veterinary chemicals on humans, The Guardian reported. Only one study on human bio-monitoring was found, dating back to 2005. Globally, Australia is one of the heavier users of pesticides in food production. This is partly because of Australia’s unique conditions and farming methods. But even these statistics are hard to find. There are also no national sources of data on pesticides in groundwater, urban stormwater, drinking water, soil, or in wildlife, the researchers found.
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