Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia giving $20 million in military aid to Ukraine, the September unemployment rate steady at 3.6 per cent, Virgin Australia ground crew staff threatening to strike, and the overseas student boom slowing down.
Nation
Australia to give $20 million advance military aid to Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a new assistance package of advanced equipment for Ukraine worth $20 million pushing Australia’s overall aid to Ukraine to almost $1 billion, NT News reported. Military assistance to the war-torn country would also include a 3D metal printer to manufacture spare parts, and advanced equipment to detect and remove landmines. Ukraine is now the most heavily mined country in the world, with Russian forces spreading the explosive devices across the frontline stretching almost 1500km.
Economy
Unemployment rate steady at 3.6 per cent in September
Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.6 per cent in September flat when compared to the same period last year, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show. On a monthly basis, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.1 per cent. The total number of unemployed persons in September totalled 520,500, up 11,000 (2.2 per cent) over the year but down 19,800 (-3.7 per cent) when compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, the number of employed persons totalled 14,111,200, up 394,300 (2.9 per cent) over the year and up 6,700 (0.0 per cent) when compared to the prior month, staffingindustry.com has reported.
Business
Virgin Australia ground crew staff threaten strike action
Virgin Australia ground crew are threatening to walk off the job after knocking back an offer during pay negotiations the union has slammed as “poverty pay”. With a potential strike looming, holidaymakers have been warned by the union to “brace for disruption” ahead of Christmas. Staff were offered a 3 per cent pay rise in an updated deal tabled by the airline last Thursday. Three per cent pay rises in the second and third years of the deal were also offered on top of recent award raises. The union, however, said that on top of the cost of living pressures and long hours, the low pay was making jobs unsustainable for the airline’s workers, 7News has reported.
Education
Overseas student boom slowing down
The international student boom is showing signs of tapering off after the number of visa applications in September was the first time since January 2022 that records were not broken, the Financial Review reported. There were 24,327 applications in September, just 17 less than the same period for 2022. It is not clear yet whether government policies aimed at clamping down on irregular practices among students, agents and some colleges are starting to slow demand or whether the post-pandemic pent-up appetite for overseas study has started to fade.
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