Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia’s toughening stance as the Gaza death toll rises; Australia, the US, and South Korea commence extensive exercise that includes more than 130 aircraft; the US hastens delivery of combat helicopters to Australia; and Australian LNG workers voting in support for Chevron deal.
National
Australia toughens stance as Gaza death toll soars
Australia has urged Israel to “listen” to its friends, with the foreign minister, Penny Wong, saying the world will “not accept” continuing civilian deaths in Gaza, The Guardian has reported. The civilian death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 8,000, according to the local Hamas-run health ministry. Save the Children says the number of children killed in Gaza in the last three weeks has surpassed the annual number of children killed in war zones since 2019.
Defence
Australia, US, South Korea commence extensive exercise
More than 130 aircraft from the U.S., South Korea, and Australia are participating in a joint exercise dubbed “Vigilant Defense 24” that kicked off last October 30, Air and Space Forces has reported. Hosted by the Seventh Air Force at Osan Air Base, South Korea, the exercise will last through November 3, focusing on interoperability between the allies and a broad range of mission sets. The training exercise is routine, “entirely defensive in nature,” and not in response to current real-world threats or situations.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-south-korea-australia-large-scale-exercise/
Delivery of combat helicopters to Australia fast-tracked
The Defense Department is accelerating the delivery of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Australia, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said. Austin welcomed Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles to the Pentagon for an enhanced honour cordon and meeting. Austin noted that some of the Black Hawks have already arrived in Australia, with more to follow. Both defence leaders noted the close military cooperation with regional partners, including Japan, Korea and the Philippines, the US Department of Defense statement said.
Business
Australia LNG workers vote in support for Chevron deal
An Australian union alliance’s members voted in support of endorsing deals on pay and conditions at Chevron’s two liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia. The breakthrough followed days of talks mediated by Australia’s industrial arbitrator, the Fair Work Commission, to try and revive an in-principle deal reached in September that ended weeks of strikes. Earlier this month, the union called off strikes originally planned at the U.S. energy major’s Gorgon and Wheatstone projects in Western Australia, which supply around 6% of the world’s LNG, Reuters reported.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/australia-lng-workers-vote-support-chevron-deal-2023-10-30/
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