Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes ASIC suing PayPal unit over biased terms in small business contracts, Australia launching SEA economic strategy, Australia’s gross domestic product up, and offensive strip searches a factor in Qatar Airways rejection.
Nation
SEA Economic Strategy 2040 launched
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched its economic strategy to bolster trade and investments with Southeast Asian nations by 2040. The Philippine News Agency has reported. The strategy was presented during the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings. To grow Australia’s trade and investment in Southeast Asia, its economic strategy for the region focuses on 10 priority sectors, such as agriculture and food, resources, green energy transition, infrastructure, education and skills, visitor economy, healthcare, digital economy, professional and financial services, and creative industries.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209348
Government
ASIC sues PayPal unit over biased terms in small business contracts
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said it will take PayPal’s local arm to court alleging that the digital payments giant’s standard contracts with small business customers contain an unfair term that could overlook errors in overcharging, burdening its clientele. ASIC views PayPal’s term as unfair as it authorises PayPal to retain fees it has inaccurately charged. As of June 30, there were about 608,275 business account contracts between PayPal and active users in the country, Reuters reported.
Economy
Australia’s GDP posts gains
The country’s 2nd quarter gross domestic product (GDP) came out stronger than the expected 1.5 per cent at 2.1 per cent, the ING has reported. The quarter-on-quarter growth was also a bit stronger at 0.4 per cent compared to the earlier forecast of 0.2 per cent. The GDP expanded by 0.1 percentage point more than originally recorded in each of the three previous quarters, which combined with the 0.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter 2Q23 figure, helped lift the annual growth rate back above 2 per cent.
https://think.ing.com/snaps/australia-gdp-holding-up-better-than-expected
Companies
Offensive strip searches a factor in Qatar Airways rejection
Transport Minister Catherine King said Qatar Airways’ invasive strip-searching of women had provided ‘context’ for her decision to block a proposal for additional Australian routes, SBS News reported. In July, Ms King rejected a bid from Qatar Airways for additional Australian flights. In 2020, 13 Australian women were forcibly removed from a Qatar Airways flight and invasively strip-searched. The minister said the incident provided “context” for her decision, but was not the only factor. She said the decision was in the national interest.
Catherine King is starting to resemble an infant’s nappy. Already has tried at least five different narratives about the QUANTAS fiasco.
Typical form from this Federal Government, couldn’t run a CHOOK RAFFLE.