Australia information dwell: NSW police taskforce to analyze spate of shootings; universities chief grilled over axed consent marketing campaign | Australian politics

Home of Representatives to return to 150 members

Amy Remeikis

Come the subsequent election and the home of representatives will return to 150 seats (it’s presently 151) with the AEC assessment of federal electoral divisions discovering that Victoria and NSW will lose a seat every, whereas WA will achieve a seat.

The adjustments are primarily based on inhabitants – WA’s inhabitants has grown, whereas NSW and Vic have seen a slight lower.

So meaning:

• WA: 15 to 16 seats

• NSW: 47 to 46 seats.

• VIC: 39 to 38 seats.

There are to be no adjustments wherever else, with these populations remaining secure.

So what are the subsequent steps? Nicely, the AEC will seek the advice of on the place the brand new boundaries for NSW, Vic and WA must be. After which as soon as that’s finalised, the events will be taught which of their MPs will probably be out of an citizens on the subsequent election.

It ought to all be finalised by the top of subsequent 12 months.

Amy Remeikis

Finish of Rape submission to inquiry ‘terribly disturbing’: senator

Liberal senator Paul Scarr asks Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson whether or not she has learn the Finish Rape on Campus submission to the inquiry.

Jackson has not.

He pulls out one half, about college students being made to finish a compulsory on-line module about on-line consent and the way some college students, as victim-survivors, had requested for an exception to the module, as it could re-traumatise them, given their experiences.

Scarr:

The scholars notified the college that they had been unable to finish the module as they discovered it was compounding their present trauma answering the questions they’ve been requested by college employees, however had been finally required to finish it in the event that they wished to keep away from educational sanctions.

Please inform me that’s not taking place on our college campuses, that there’s really empathy being demonstrated to victim-survivors in scholar colleges?”

Jackson stated it’s sophisticated.

We’re very conscious of the complexity round this problem after we first had been discussing the way you run a significant scholar survey which asks individuals to come back ahead with these types of intensely distressing particulars. We labored very rigorously on the element of the surveys so that folks might cease and take breaks and are available again and refill, restart the surveys anytime they wished to form of get assist by way of that course of.

I do know from many conversations with frontline employees and college campuses, that very cautious consideration is guided into how college students full these kinds.

Scarr stated he discovered the Finish Rape on Campus submission instance “terribly disturbing”:

From my perspective, the preliminary response from the college must be to wrap their arms across the victim-survivor, versus taking a look at points round necessary nature of the survey and the affect on their educational information. Are you able to perceive my perspective?

Jackson stated she will and she or he is certain college employees can as effectively.

Amy Remeikis

Senators current united entrance at consent inquiry

The Senate inquiry committee of Liberal senator Paul Scarr, Greens senator Larissa Waters and Labor senator Nita Inexperienced could be very united throughout this problem.

Usually when watching these inquiries, there’s a ‘pleasant’ senator who could ask simple questions of a selected curiosity or foyer group to allow them to converse their piece or discuss one thing extra constructive, notably if different senators have been extra vital.

On this problem, the three senators are united. All have been exceptionally respectful of victim-survivors, have probed deeply into points exterior consent when raised by these giving proof, have given one another house to ask questions and backed one another up when needed.

After Waters pressed Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson concerning the choice to cancel the consent marketing campaign, and who could have had enter in that, committee chair Scarr backed in Waters to get some solutions on discover.

Ms Jackson, I need to make a transparent for the Hansard that you simply’ve understood what Senator Waters has requested you to tackle discover. I feel it’s extremely necessary, given the curiosity in relation to this that this committee has the good thing about additional data in relation to the main focus group testing you’ve referred to.

And from my perspective, I might really suppose it could be very helpful to see what stories had been ready on your members with respect to the abstract of the outcomes of that focus group testing, so we are able to really see the idea upon which your members got here to the view they got here to, [in particular] the priority about lower by way of, I’d be very to get that supply informations to assist us with our deliberations in relation to consent training, would you be capable of present that useful data to us?

Jackson stated she would.

Amy Remeikis

Greens press UA on axed consent marketing campaign

Greens senator Larissa Waters has the decision now within the Senate inquiry and she or he is asking Catriona Jackson what occurred to the massive college consent marketing campaign which was meant to begin.

Particularly, Waters needs to know which college chancellors objected to the marketing campaign. Jackson gained’t go into it. She stated:

It’s my proof that it’s not my enterprise to debate the interior contents of my plenary conferences.

However in very broad phrases, numerous members raised solely legitimate issues about how relevant one set of messages will probably be throughout as I’ve already described, that breadth of 1.4 million college students from a very broad vary of backgrounds.

Jackson stated focus group testing had strengthened this view.

Amy Remeikis

UA uncertain if it can conduct one other scholar security survey: CEO

Labor senator Nita Inexperienced has requested the Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson, whether or not UA will do one other nationwide scholar security survey.

Jackson is uncertain.

We could do one other one. As I stated, we haven’t made a closing choice. There’s an terrible lot of exercise occurring inside universities, together with some surveys which are at a extra granular stage, inside universities to direct their actions appropriately to allow them to work out precisely the place the problems are.

Inexperienced needs to know why the physique wouldn’t do one other one.

We’ve simply but to resolve whether or not one of the best use of assets, one of the best use of the efforts of everybody on campus and one of the best [outcome for students].

Amy Remeikis

UA ‘not reluctant in any sense’ to attend Senate consent inquiry: CEO

College representatives are actually giving proof to the Senate inquiry into consent. That features Catriona Jackson, the CEO of Universities Australia.

Labor senator Nita Inexperienced needs to know why it took three separate invites to have UA conform to attend.

Jackson says:

I seemed very rigorously on the phrases of reference after we had been contemplating there have been some timing points within the first few events. So we seemed very rigorously on the phrases of reference, and each single piece of labor Universities Australia has achieved as a peak physique for universities throughout the nation has been primarily based on knowledgeable recommendation.

… I seemed actually rigorously at phrases of reference A by way of H and it appears very clear that it was about us to a authorized system through which we don’t retain any authorized experience in any respect.

Jackson stated that doesn’t imply she is reluctantly attending:

I’m very blissful to be right here. As you will notice from the variety of parliamentary inquiries we seem earlier than I feel parliamentary inquiries are a basically necessary a part of the functioning of a democracy.

So we’re not reluctant in any sense. We simply thought that we weren’t the suitable individuals to be asking to be answering questions, however we’re right here and very happy to be joined by my colleagues, who’ve a mixture of actually rigorously honed cities and on the bottom expertise so we are able to go into these points just like the affect of consent legal guidelines, on consent training, universities and the way this stuff play out on campus.

Daniel Hurst

China-Australia relationship at ‘vital juncture’: ambassador

China’s ambassador, Xiao Qian, says his nation is able to work with Australia to step up dialogue in all areas.

He additionally argued that China’s army modernisation “is not going to pose a risk to some other nation”.

Talking at an occasion on the Chinese language embassy in Canberra this afternoon, Xiao stated the world was experiencing profound challenges, including, “China is firmly pursuing peaceable growth.”

The Chinese language embassy occasion was to mark the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese language Individuals’s Liberation Military. He stated the PLA had a “superb” historical past, together with “resisting overseas aggression”.

Xiao stated the China-Australia relationship was presently at a “vital juncture” of stabilization, enchancment and consolidation.

He stated it was time for the 2 sides to “keep on the suitable half to get alongside” and make “long run progress” within the bilateral relationship. All sides, he stated, ought to respect the opposite’s core pursuits.

NSW police taskforce to analyze spate of shootings

Tamsin Rose

A New South Wales Police taskforce has been shaped to analyze the latest spate of shootings after a person was killed n Sydney this morning.

Taskforce Magnus – led by the state crime command – has been created to analyze hyperlinks between the capturing stretching again to the loss of life of Alen Moradian in Bondi Junction on 27 June.

Police stated:

Preliminary inquiries counsel the frequent hyperlink between the shootings is battle arising from the alleged provide of prohibited medicine, notably within the south-west Sydney space.

Along with inspecting the circumstances and hyperlinks between the incidents, the taskforce will probably be answerable for ramped up exercise to focus on and disrupt these nonetheless believed to be in ongoing battle.

Police will present extra details about the taskforce and the latest shootings later right now.

Tim Mathieson to plead responsible to sexual assault, courtroom hears

Cait Kelly

Julia Gillard’s former associate, Tim Mathieson, will plead responsible to at least one cost of sexual assault, his attorneys instructed the Melbourne magistrates courtroom right now.

Mathieson is being prosecuted by Victoria police’s sexual offences and little one abuse squad.

The matter will probably be heard on 7 August.

Adeshola Ore

‘The function of native councils in important planning choices must be diminished’: Daniel Andrews

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has launched an announcement in response to the state’s anti-corruption watchdog report.

The report, printed right now, discovered Victorian MPs and two Metropolis of Casey councillors acquired massive quantities of cash and political donations to advance the pursuits of the millionaire property trade id John Woodman.

Andrews gave proof to the investigation in a personal listening to. The report made no opposed feedback or finings towards Andrews however accepted proof that the premier had requested a lobbyist to go on his remorse concerning the delay of a rezoning choice to Woodman

Within the assertion, Andrews says “extra work should be achieved”.

The Authorities will contemplate every of the report’s 34 suggestions and reply sooner or later.

The report’s suggestions embody winding again councils’ planning powers. Andrews had flagged this in his assertion:

The IBAC report’s 34 suggestions will probably be given acceptable consideration, however it’s the clear place of the Authorities that the function of native councils in important planning choices must be diminished and we could have extra to say on this matter.

Peter Hannam

Present coal cap ‘poor public coverage’: NSW Minerals Council

The NSW Minerals Council chief government Stephen Galilee stated he “notes” the federal government’s plan to begin a session on coverage choices past the present momentary coal cap, saying it was “poor public coverage”.

Galilee stated:

In relation to NSW coal royalties, the present preparations must be maintained.

The present preparations ship elevated royalties when coal costs are greater, as seen final monetary 12 months when a document $5.5bn in royalties had been collected throughout a time of document excessive coal costs.

Peter Hannam

NSW authorities to ‘modernise’ coal royalties whereas taking a look at worth cap extension

The NSW Labor authorities has begun session with the state’s coal trade a couple of “attainable new coal royalty system” in addition to an extension of the coal worth cap.

Catie McLeod, our colleague had an in depth have a look at the coal worth plans on this piece printed in a single day:

It’s clear the Minns authorities is taking a look at a spread of pressures on its finances – akin to whether or not to cancel the large Metro West rail mission – and therefore royalties are beneath scrutiny.

The earlier Coalition authorities checked out whether or not it ought to impose a windfall royalty regime just like Queensland’s, however we’re instructed the Nationals nixed the plan.

Regardless of vigorous advert campaigns from the mining trade, Queensland managed to show in a document surplus because of $15.3bn in coal royalties. NSW, in the meantime, is trying right into a deficit pit.

NSW treasurer Daniel Mookhey right now linked the assessment of the coal worth cap to the state’s royalty regime. The value had come “at a terrific price” to royalties, he stated.

Mookhey instructed a media convention this morning:

There will probably be no change to royalties within the 2023-24 12 months.

Upon the expiry of the cap [on 30 June 2024], there’s a query about whether or not or not the NSW coal royalty system is match for objective and is suited to fashionable circumstances.

In truth, there’s been no change for greater than a decade, he stated.

Amy Remeikis

‘We wish legislation language to be clear’: consent inquiry hears from sexual well being consultants

The consent inquiry is listening to from Sexual Well being Quarters which teaches consent and intercourse training, offering faculties with assets to have the ability to speak concerning the points. (SHQ additionally gives scientific counselling and training providers to academics, nurses, youth staff, counselors, allied professionals and little one safety officers).

Karen Molhuysen stated for a lot of faculties, it is regarded as all too exhausting. And after they go into faculties, due to the scattergun method to educating consent and intercourse ed, in addition to the paradox round a number of the legal guidelines, college students have lots of questions concerning the gray zones.

Molhuysen stated:

The fixed and protracted problem we’ve got is the legislation permits the paradox … every time we train about consent with younger individuals, we’re peppered with questions, ‘however what if’ and ‘what if’ and ‘what if’ and really disturbingly, we nonetheless hear generally, ‘however what if she doesn’t say no’.

We wish for our legal guidelines language, to be clear. And constructive. And to place the emphasis on communication between two individuals, not merely searching for the question within the absence of a no – it must be clear communication that each individuals concerned need to be doing what they’re doing, and each individuals are blissful.

Labor requires extra particulars on funding to PwC part-owned firm, Innowell

Henry Belot

Labor senator Deborah O’Neill, who’s main a senate inquiry into authorities consultants, has known as on former Coalition ministers to offer extra details about how a $33m non-competitive grant was awarded to a brand new firm part-owned by PwC.

Earlier this week, Guardian Australia revealed a start-up known as Innowell acquired the cash for a sequence of collaborative analysis trials right into a digital psychological well being platform after lobbying from then psychological well being commissioner, Ian Hickie, who was additionally a shareholder. PwC had a forty five% shareholding within the firm, which was co-founded by a PwC associate months earlier.

There is no such thing as a suggestion of wrongdoing by Hickie, whose work on psychological well being was praised by O’Neill, however the Labor senator has known as for extra element. O’Neill has additionally questioned why funding was directed to a for-profit firm part-owned by PwC, which was a significant political donor and had in depth contracts with the federal government.

O’Neill stated:

The place had been the probity officers whereas all this was occurring?

The earlier Coalition authorities wants to deal with questions on specific funding choices they made and the idea through which they made them.

The PwC presence is all over the place on this matter.