Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australian opposition LP holding a second referendum if the national vote on The Voice fails on October 14, Qantas employees outraged over CEO getting $10 M bonus, Australia extending security mission in Solomon Islands, Home values going up in August, and Bill outlawing ‘Wage Theft’ to be introduced.
Nation
Second Referendum if Voice Fails
The leader of Australia’s opposition Liberal Party said it would hold a second referendum to recognize Indigenous people in the country’s constitution if the national vote on whether to incorporate an advisory body on matters affecting them fails on Oct. 14, Bloomberg has reported. The Voice has come up against opposition from several sides, including some prominent Indigenous activists who view it as a threat to their deeply felt claim to sovereign status. The “No” campaign, which is supported by Dutton, says the proposal is too large a change to the constitution and will have legal repercussions while making little practical difference to the lives of Indigenous Australians.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/australian-opposition-backs-second-referendum-if-voice-fails-1.1966639
Politics
Extend security mission in the Solomon Islands
Australia would send additional police to the Solomon Islands to boost security for the Pacific Games in November, keeping them there until June to assist with a general election. The Solomon Islands said it had invited Australia to extend the police presence, originally due to end in December. The Solomon Islands last year signed a security pact with China, raising concern in Canberra and Washington about Beijing’s naval ambitions. The Australian police will work alongside officers from Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, ABC News reported.
Property
Home values see a slight uptick
Property consultation firm CoreLogic said that Australia’s home value index (HVI) rose 0.8 per cent in August from July, marking the sixth consecutive month of rise. The growing momentum slightly accelerated in August as compared with the 0.7 per cent increase in July, but still lower than the 1.2 per cent increase seen in May and the 1.1 per cent rise in June. At the combined capital cities level, house values have risen by 6.3 per cent since bottoming out in February. Sydney has led the recovery trend to date with a gain of 8.8 per cent since house values found a floor in January this year, The Nation has reported.
https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Sep-2023/australia-s-housing-prices-gain-moderate-momentum
Employment
Bill outlawing ‘Wage Theft’ to be introduced
Australia’s Labor Government will introduce legislation to close “loopholes” in workplace law, Voice of Nigeria has reported. Workplace Minister Tony Burke said he would introduce the bill making it a criminal offence to deliberately underpay workers, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of $7.8 million. Penalties would not apply to employers who make honest mistakes. Mr Burke said the bill would make it easier for casual workers to gain permanent roles, scrutinise the use of labour-hire firms to undercut minimum pay rates, and introduce minimum standards for “gig economy” workers, including in food delivery and rideshare apps.
https://von.gov.ng/australia-government-to-introduce-bill-criminalising-wage-theft/
Business
Qantas employees outraged over CEO getting $10 M bonus
Qantas Airways’ employees unions are outraged after CEO Alan Joyce pocketed a $10 million bonus in shares as a reward for the airline meeting its COVID-19 goals. Qantas’ Chief Financial Officer Vanessa Hudson also received a couple million dollars in shares, Simple Flying has reported. The bonuses were given despite Qantas firing employees and cutting wages. Unions are also speaking out against the airline, calling the rewards a swindle and poor practice.
https://simpleflying.com/qantas-ceo-receives-10-million-dollars-shares/
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