Australia
Australian government boosts funding for Great Barrier Reef protection
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek outlined the federal government's plan to protect the reef from the impacts of global warming, reports Xinhua news agency. It includes an additional A$204 million ($128 million) in funding to address critical gaps in the long-term reef sustainability funding.
Law takes effect in Australia state to better protect emergency workers
Assaulting these workers will be met with tough new penalties, ranging from up to 12 months in prison and/or a fine of A$2,200 ($1,378), to a maximum of 14 years in jail for the worst offenders, Xinhua news agency reported.
Austria's inflation forecast raised to 8.5%
The bank said it now expects Austria's annual inflation rate to stand at 8.5 per cent in 2022, up from its projection of 7.6 per cent in July, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, it has projected 6.4 per cent inflation in 2023, and 3.7 per cent in 2024, saying that anti-inflation measures may fail to have a significant impact.
Visa issues will be solved by year-end, Australia tells India
The visa backlog issue is of utmost concern to the Indian students who are trying to return to educational institutions in Australia following the Covid pandemic. "And I want to tell you that it was something that I took up with different ministers when I was in Canberra. We have a particular problem that students are facing," S. Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Australia, said.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen set to win second term
Projections from Austrian broadcaster ORF on Sunday night showed that Van der Bellen won more than 56 per cent of the votes in the election involving seven candidates, Xinhua news agency reported. Van der Bellen's closest rival, Walter Rosenkranz from the Freedom Party of Austria, was expected to get around 18 per cent of the votes.
Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates
The 0.50 per cent increase marks the third consecutive month the RBA has lifted interest rates from their "emergency" level of 0.10 per cent maintained through the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency. RBA Governor Philip Lowe, in the monthly statement about monetary policy decision, once again said the move was a withdrawal of "extraordinary monetary support" put in place to support the Australian economy during the pandemic.
Sydney inundated with flood waters, residents asked to evacuate
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet addressed the public on Monday, urging residents in affected areas to follow emergency instructions, reports Xinhua news agency. "I want to continue to ask people to follow the instructions of the State Emergency Service (SES). If there is an evacuation warning in place, please get ready to evacuate. If there is an evacuation order in place, please leave immediately."
Australia ends Covid isolation payments amid new wave warning
Defending the move to end the scheme, Butler said the government could not afford to continue funding the payments, saying he "hoped" people would continue to isolate when required. "We're going to have to start moving towards more normal programs that support the Australian community and people have been on notice about that for some time," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio.
Aus to compensate French shipbuilder for cancelled submarine contract
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government will pay Naval Group A$830 million in compensation for the cancelled contract, saying the "fair and equitable" settlement would improve relations between the nations, reports Xinhua news agency. French President Emmanuel Macron previously accused former Prime Minister Scott Morrison of lying about the future of the submarine deal.
New Australian government ministry sworn in
The 30 members of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's frontbench, which includes a record-breaking 13 women, were sworn-in to their portfolios by Governor-General David Hurley at the Government House in Canberra, Xinhua news agency reported. Of the 30, 23 will serve in Albanese's cabinet, the innermost sanctum of the government where major policy decisions are made.
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