Sydney Harbour Bridge set to close as protesters draw attention to Gaza

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2 days ago

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Sydney Harbour Bridge set to close as protesters draw attention to Gaza
Indigenous leaders praise the federal government's new economic partnership plan
The Wallabies win their third match against the British and Irish Lions Indigenous leaders have hailed the Prime Minister's announcement of an economic partnership with the Coalition of Peaks as a real step forward. Coalition of Peaks lead convener Pat Turner says the partnership is about putting Indigenous communities in control of their economic future, while National Native Title Tribunal chief executive Jamie Lowe says the funding shows the government is serious about supporting traditional owners. "Native title holders have been crying out for more resourcing to facilitate their cultural obligations and facilitate economic empowerment for years now. There's conjecture around whether it's enough, but it's a starting point. So we really welcome the announcement." Meanwhile, others like elder in residence at legal centre Knowmore, Aunty Glendra Stubbs, have expressed disappointment in a lack of any mention of a national truth-telling process in his address. Yolngu leader and chair of the Yothu Yindi Foundation Djawa Yunupingu has also said he wants a real economy for his people. "Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that the Yolngu people are not going to suddenly stop and rest and think, everything is okay." The United Nations says two key thresholds have now been crossed as the hunger crisis in Gaza draws nearer to an official declaration of famine. Ted Chaiban is a senior official with the UN Children's Fund and says over 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. That's an average of 28 children per day, and Mr Chaiban says choices made now will determine whether tens of thousands more children die. "And Gaza now faces a grave risk of famine. I know this is something that's been building up, but we now have two indicators that have exceeded the famine threshold. One in three people in Gaza are going days without food and the malnutrition indicator has exceeded the famines threshold with global acute malnutrition now at over 16.5 per cent. Today more than 320,000 young children are at risk of acute malnutrition." He says the aid being allowed into Gaza by Israel is 'a fraction of what's needed' despite a slight increase in the past week. Gaza's health ministry says the total death toll since October 2023 has passed 60,400. The Sydney Harbour Bridge will close to traffic today as thousands are expected to join a major protest over the war in Gaza. The Palestine Action Group is leading the rally, supported by politicians, unions and aid groups. It aims to highlight what the UN describes as worsening famine in Gaza. New South Wales Police tried to block the event in court, but the Supreme Court ruled it can go ahead. A large police presence will be in place, with the bridge shut to vehicles for most of the day. Acting Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales Police Peter McKenna says police are working with the Palestine Action Group to ensure the procession goes on safely. "As is the case, we respect the decision of the Supreme Court, and we will now be working with and have already reached out to the organisers of that protest to make sure that this operation, this this public assembly, goes ahead and as safely as possible." A similar protest is also set to take place in Melbourne at the King's Street Bridge in the CBD against the war in Gaza. An Australian-first plan to introduce a legal right to work from home for two days a week in Victoria has been criticised by business groups as divisive and political. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has promoted the plan as beneficial to both the economy and families, likening it to other significant workplace changes in recent decades including more women entering the workforce. But Australian Industry Group Victorian head Tim Piper has described it as 'pure political theatre' designed to wedge the opposition, and something that runs counter to both global trends and business best practice. Scott Vankeer from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce has tells SBS it could mean businesses would move interstate. "We would expect to be consulted over the next couple of weeks here, because it's quite concerning. And we think that the government needs to hear from our members and their concerns in terms of what could this mean for their growth, and employing staff in Melbourne and Victoria." The Wallabies have restored some national pride and avoided a dubious place in Australian sports history with a face-saving 22-12 third-Test win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney. Joe Schmidt's side overcame miserable conditions and the absence of key players to record a spirited and spiteful victory at Accor Stadium on Saturday. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage.
The Wallabies' win denied the Lions their bid to complete the first 3-0 series whitewash since 1904.