Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Aussies being hit hard by the affordability crisis, increased military export to Saudi Arabia regarded as being ‘disturbing’, Westpac being sued for neglect of financial hardship notifications, and mediation between Chevron and unions beginning to deter Australia LNG strike.
Nation
Aussies hit hard by affordability crisis
An ANU Poll by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that Australians’ earnings are buying them less now than before the COVID-19 pandemic, The Mandarin has reported. This includes 30.3% of the total 4,204 people polled for the COVID-19 impact monitoring survey program who said they found it “difficult” or “very difficult” to live on their current income. Only 17.3% of Australians said they were finding it “difficult” or “very difficult” on their income in November 2020. This compared to 32.2% and 30.3% in April and August of this year respectively.
https://www.themandarin.com.au/229442-poll-affordability-crisis-hit-australians-hard-in-august/
Increased military export to Saudi Arabia regarded as ‘disturbing’
Australia significantly increased the number of permits for the export of military equipment to Saudi Arabia last year despite calls for such sales to be banned because of the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Yemen, The Guardian reported. Documents revealed that Australia approved 21 permits for the export of military or dual-use equipment to Saudi Arabia between 1 January and 9 November 2022. That was already more than the 17 permits approved in 2021 and considerably more than the five between 23 August 2019 and 26 October 2020.
Government
Westpac sued for neglect of financial hardship notifications
Australia’s corporate regulator said on Tuesday it was taking Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) to court over its alleged failure to respond to customers’ financial hardship notices between 2015 and 2022 within the required administrative time frame. The proceedings against Westpac come at a time when regulators have resorted to increased scrutiny against Australian lenders taking into account all the recent notices issued to banks about data on fees charged to indigenous customers, banks not following required home loan guidance, push for a better approach to handling bank scams etc., Reuters has reported.
Companies
Mediation between Chevron and unions begins to deter Australia LNG strike
Chevron Australia and unions representing workers at two of the U.S. energy major’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia began talks on Monday aimed at averting strikes scheduled for Thursday should the parties fail to reach a deal. A senior member of the Fair Work Commission (FWC), Australia’s industrial umpire, is hosting talks in the Western Australia state capital of Perth, Reuters reported.
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