
Midday News Bulletin 9 May 2025
TRANSCRIPT:
Australian Catholics react to the election of a new Pope;
India and Pakistan accuse each other of a spate of drone attacks as tensions continue to escalate;
Los Angeles launches a beautification program ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The Australian Catholic community has welcomed the election of the new Pope, American Cardinal Robert Prevost who will be now known as Leo the fourteenth. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has said the new pontiff is known for being approachable and willing to listen. Catholic Social Services Australia executive director Jerry Nockles says Pope Leo's appointment has come at a critical time when the world is yearning for compassionate leadership. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese has released a statement inviting the pontiff to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, and declaring his government will continue its strong relationship with the Holy See. "This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere. May the papacy of Pope Leo the fourteenth advance the cause of peace and social justice for all humanity." Religious researchers say the swift election of the new pope could be a promising sign for unity within the Church as it moves forward. 69 year old American Robert Prevost - now known as Pope Leo the fourteenth - was selected after just four rounds of voting. The new pontiff is seen as being aligned with the progressive values of the former Pope Francis. But President of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago Barbara Reid says it is unusual to elect a cardinal from a country with major secular influence, and she and her colleagues were surprised. "We didn't think that the cardinal electors would lean toward choosing an American, but of course Pope Leo XIV, as Father John just said, has the heart of a Peruvian as well and has deeply endeared himself to the church in Latin America and has exercised his ministry these last several years on behalf of the whole world church while he's been in Rome." India and Pakistan are accusing each other of a spate of drone attacks, as the neighbouring countries enter a third day of strikes and reprisals. Pakistan's army says it has shot down 28 Indian drones, while New Delhi has accused Islamabad of launching raids with drones and missiles, and claimed it destroyed an air defence system in Lahore. On both sides of the conflict, waged in Kashmir, at least 48 people are dead. The fighting comes two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which Pakistan has denied. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has slammed the demotion of Ed Husic from Labor's new second term Cabinet. Mr Keating has released a statement calling Mr Husic's expulsion as the Cabinet's sole Muslim member an appalling denial of the former Industry Minister's diligence. He says it also represents a contempt for what he has described as the measured and centrist support provided by the broader Islamic community at the general election. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has defended Anthony Albanese's decision ahead of the Labor caucus meeting in Canberra today to endorse the new slate. "Only 30 spots are available. Inevitably there are more people who could serve as really effective ministers... And it can be tough, but we need to balance stability with renewal." Liberals M-P Sussan Ley has confirmed she is nominating to be the new leader of the Opposition party. Ms Ley has told Channel 7 she is running because the Liberals need a new approach. "It's about making sure that I am listening to my colleagues and that I demonstrate to them that we want a strong approach that includes everyone." Sussan Ley will be competing for the job against Angus Taylor and Jacinta Price - who has defected from the Nationals to the Liberals in order to bid for the top role. Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie has told Sky News she is disappointed by the Senator's defection. "We're a tight team. We're a close knit team. We fought many battles together, and whilst we're strong coalitionists, we are very, very separate parties, and so it's very disappointing news." Queensland has appointed a new coroner who will focus on fatalities in the state's multi billion dollar mining sector. North Queensland barrister, Wayne Pennell, has been named to the role. Seven people have died in Queensland mines since 2022, but Natural Resources Minister Dale Last says some families have been waiting years for answers about what happened to their loved ones. Los Angeles has launched a program that it says will beautify the city ahead of the next Olympic Games in 2028, months after a series of devastating fires that reduced entire neighbourhoods to ash. LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover says the Games will also be a unifying event, with these Olympics the first time the city will also host a Paralympics. ParalympIic athlete Natalia Mayara says that is an important milestone.
"The LA 28 Games really has the opportunity to reshape the conversation about disabilities and really show everybody that the Paralympic Games is all about elite competition."
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SBS Australia
3 hours ago
- SBS Australia
'A gift to the people of Victoria': here's what mob think of Yoorrook's truth findings
As Victoria's truth telling commission hands down its final reports, First Nations leaders across Victoria are reflecting on the landmark findings. Among the key findings, two stand out: that genocide and crimes against humanity were committed against Aboriginal people in Victoria as a result of colonisation. Commission recommends state redress Jill Gallagher is the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Credit: Supplied: VACCHO Reading the report was an emotional experience for Aunty Jill Gallagher, the CEO of Victoria's peak Indigenous health organisation and a former Treaty Commissioner. The Gunditjmara woman is one of the many who gave evidence before the Yoorrook Commission. 'I was very impressed with all the Aboriginal people that told their stories, but also told their stories on behalf of their Elders and their ancestors," she told NITV. Yoorrook's final recommendation was for the state government to provide redress to Aboriginal people through the state-wide and local treaty processes. It would include economic and non-economic loss for genocide, crimes against humanity, and the denial of freedoms. We don't have access to the bank of mum and dad. Aunty Dr Jill Gallagher AO In just one example of economic exclusion, Yoorrook heard evidence that nearly $290 billion worth of gold has been extracted from Victoria since colonisation began - with none of that wealth being shared with the Aboriginal people whose lands it was taken from. For Aunty Jill, redress is one of the most important issues raised by the report. "My mum is still alive and she lived on a mission here in Victoria and she was not allowed to own property, she was not allowed to create wealth for her family or her community," she said. "We don't have access to the bank of mum and dad. "The only thing my mum can afford to leave me when she goes are her values: honesty, integrity, and strong in culture. Aunty Jill urged the state government to back the report and consider its recommendations, to help heal the wounds of the past. Treaty more important than ever: First Peoples Assembly As the democratically elected representative body for Indigenous people in Victoria, the First Peoples Assembly said Yoorrook's findings demonstrate the importance of treaty. Many of the report's 100 recommendations would need to be implemented via the treaty process - with the Assembly of a state-wide treaty. 'This is a gift to the people of Victoria and I hope they will take the opportunity now to read our truths," said Ngarra Murray, one of the Assembly's co-chairs. Ngarra Murray (left) and Rueben Berg of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria giving evidence during hearings by the Yoorrook Justice Commission related to land, sky and waters. Credit: JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE The Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman said treaty negotiations were focusing on the future of the Assembly, and embedding it within the state's parliamentary structure. The other co-chair of the First Peoples Assembly, Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg, told NITV that the initial state-wide treaty would focus on that issue, with many of Yoorrook's recommendations across other areas to be looked at in future talks. 'Many of the things that have been identified by Yoorrook we intend to take forward in future conversations and to make sure we have mechanisms to hold the government accountable,' he said. Senator Lidia Thorpe Independent Senator for Victoria, Lidia Thorpe, told NITV it was important that genocide against First Nations people was recognised by a formal truth telling inquiry. 'Its about time that genocide is acknowledged to have been committed against our people in this country. We have been saying this for decades and decades," she said. The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman said the Yoorrook recommendations regarding self-determination, the continued mandate of the First Peoples Assembly to hold the state government accountable, and the return of stolen land were important. 'There's been a lot of stolen wealth through resources extraction ... that's gold, minerals, even water that's been sold off, and others have benefited, and their families have benefited. "Where are we left? We're left to be the poorest people in our own country," Senator Thorpe said. "I see churches are mentioned to give land back and so they should be - churches have played a role in harming our people." In the name of reconciliation, which is part of their faith, they should be giving that land back. Senator Lidia Thorpe Senator Thorpe also said there needed to be truth telling inquiries in all jurisdictions, and that the federal government must lead the process. 'Truth telling is fundamental to this nation maturing and moving forward ... truth telling does not take away from anybody, it actually enhances people's lives," she said. 'It is indisputable' Yorta Yorta man Ian Hamm is the chair of the First Nations Foundation and chair of The Healing Foundation's Stolen Generations Reference Group, and is himself a survivor of the Stolen Generations. "An enormous sense of relief is probably the first part of it, but the second part is finally our story is being told," he said. "The argument over 'Did stuff happen?' is done - we are done with that. This is documented, it is factual, it is indisputable." Ian Hamm urged politicians to be generous with the report. Mr Hamm also gave evidence to Yoorrook, and he urged parliamentarians from all sides of politics to approach the recommendations of the final report with generosity and good faith. "Having been in the public services of the Commonwealth and the state of Victoria for over 30 years ... the hard work is just about to begin," he said. "It will not be an easy task, it will be a difficult task, but it is not one we should shy away from." How has the government responded? Premier Jacinta Allan has not ruled out implementing any of Yoorrook's recommendations, telling reporters on Tuesday her government was carefully considering the report. "The government will take time to consider the depth of the recommendations, and I'm just not going to rule things in or out through a press conference,' she said. Premier Jacinta Allan has not ruled out any of Yoorrook's reccommendations. Credit: James Ross/ AAP photos Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE Ms Allan made history as the first head of government to appear at a truth telling inquiry in Australia last year, where she admitted she was ashamed and distressed by how little she knew of Indigenous massacres - only learning of some details while preparing to give evidence. 'I would certainly encourage all Victorians to take a moment or two to look at the Yoorrook Royal Commission to learn some difficult truths, to learn some of the history of our state, to learn as I have through this process about the impacts of colonisation,' she said this week. While her government is considering its response to the 100 recommendations in Yoorrook's final report, it has previously only accepted a handful of recommendations from the inquiry's 2023 interim report into the state's justice system. Just four of the 46 recommendations of that report were accepted in full, with another 24 supported "in principle". The Premier has also promised to formally apologise to Indigenous people in Victoria, however no date has been set.


SBS Australia
3 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Ep.376: Nige has waited 16 years to see his wife again. But he may never do so
DOWNLOAD the script in Italian and English side by side. English A cooking class is underway at a small café in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Warrandyte. Chef Nigethan Sithirasegaram ((NEE-GATE-AN SIT-RAH-SAY-GRAM)), known to friends and family as 'Nige', is preparing a feast from his homeland Sri Lanka. For the 49-year-old, cooking is a vital connection with his Tamil culture. 'I'm going to teach lamb curry, one of the iconic curries in Sri Lanka and also cook beetroot Curry and also raita, rice, the full package meal. When I'm cooking here, actually I'm really proud everyone likes my food. ' And that means a lot to Nige who fled Sri Lanka in 2009 at the end of the civil war, leaving behind his wife and young son. '16 years, almost 16 years [ago] I left my wife. Every day is very torture and the painful. I'm struggling and also panic. I want my family with me all the time.' As a Tamil, Nige fears he can never return to Sri Lanka. He now has a permanent protection visa in Australia, and has applied for a spouse visa for his wife Thusa, who remains in Sri Lanka. '[It's] A very hard time. My wife asks me every day 'when you take me to Australia?' It's very painful for me and also painful for her. ' Immigration is a hot election issue. The federal budget predicts net migration of 260,000 in the next financial year. Asylum Seeker resource centre deputy CEO Jana Favero. 'It's really disappointing. What we should be doing is increasing in our humanity and our generosity and our compassion. It's really a tactic used by politicians that are playing into fear and division.' With almost 140-million people forcibly displaced worldwide, according to the UNHCR, Jana Favero calls for an earlier pledge to increase Australia's humanitarian intake to 27-thousand places. 'Australia can and should do more to increase our humanitarian intake in response to global catastrophes that are happening around the world. If you have a look at what's happening in Gaza, in Yemen, in Sudan... We've had many conversations with the Albanese government about their commitment to increase the places to 27,000, but [we] only have them at 20,000. This is insufficient, and we should do more. We feel that the figure should actually be 50,000.' For Nige, who worries daily about his wife's safety, the long wait is agony. 'It's really killing my heart. I know the situation; [for] a single woman [to] survive in Sri Lanka in [the] east part or [the] north part is really hard. So, that [is] situation for my wife, it's so breaking [my] heart.' As a Tamil born in Sri Lanka's east, Nige grew up as conflict raged between government forces and the Tamil Tigers. His earliest memories are of fleeing violence. '[For] My whole life, [I saw] war and bombing and disaster. I'm Tamil, so they suspect me and also they tried to kidnap me. I saw lots of torture equipment, lots of civilian kidnapping and killing them on the street, dead bodies. That's why I escaped from Sri Lanka without my wife and son'. At the end of the war and fearing for his life, Nige fled to Singapore and then Malaysia. What followed was a harrowing 46-day boat journey to Australia. 'The fuel is not enough, fuel run out. And also the boat is [a] very old boat and wooden boat. Also very big storm and rough sea. Many people got seasick. Then finally the Australian border posts took to me Christmas island.' Nige spent the next six years in various Australian detention centres. '[The time in the] Detention centre is [a] very hard time because we can't go outside. I'm really struggling [in the] detention centre [for] six years, mentally and physically'. At the Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre in Broadmeadows in 2014, Nige met café founder Derek Bradshaw and the connection would change his life forever. 'We had a house out the back of our café that we decided that we wanted to use to try and support people to get the start that they so badly needed after coming out of detention. And Nige went on to cook and that's when we started doing our Tamil feasts. ' A decade later the pair remain good friends and in 2023 Derek Bradshaw obtained a student visa for Nige's son, Ruksi. Being reunited with his dad was a day the teenager will never forget. 'Touching him, hugging him. It's so crazy: when I see him, I have a hug and it's all the feeling about my dad. It's like feeling in real life in front of my eyes and I can feel it. This is my dad!' It was a great moment for Derek Bradshaw, too. 'When we picked up Ruksi from the airport he looked at me and said, 'this is the best day of my life', and sorry, I'll get emotional, but as a father of four kids, I just cannot imagine the trauma and the grief that Nige has gone through. ' Nige and his son Ruksi now live in north Warrandyte rent free, thanks to the generosity of a local couple Reg Ellery and Olive Aumann. 'Our children had left home Nige's been living with us since 2016. He's a wonderful, wonderful man and his son's a wonderful young fellow. ' Nige and Derek Bradshaw continue to host Tamil feasts at the 'Now and Not Yet' Café, raising raise funds to resettle refugees and asylum seekers. 'When you hear the stories and understand the atrocities that they are escaping - civil war and genocide and things that [happen] if we're in those situations, we would absolutely run and escape as well. I'm proud that this sort of sacred community space has become a space where people feel loved when they walk through the doors, that people come in here and connect with others.' Nige is also working in aged care while he waits for his wife's visa to be granted. Jana Favero says the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre already supports more than 7,000 people seeking safety. 'We need to invest in family unification so that people can be with their families. That story is extremely sad. And what's sad is that family reunion probably will be one area that is cut, which would be absolutely devastating not only for that individual but for tens of thousands of others who are waiting to be with their family. For now, all Nige can cling to is hope. 'This process takes a very long time. I don't know what's the reason. I don't know still how long I'm going to be wait. Every day is painful. But I believe one day, me and [my] wife [will be] reunited in Australia.' Italian In un piccolo caffè nel verdeggiante sobborgo di Warrandyte a Melbourne è in corso una lezione di cucina. Lo chef Nigethan Sithirasegaram, conosciuto da amici e parenti come 'Nige', sta preparando un banchetto tipico del suo Paese natale, lo Sri Lanka. Per il 49enne, la cucina è un legame vitale con la sua cultura tamil. 'I'm going to teach lamb curry, one of the iconic curries in Sri Lanka and also cook beetroot Curry and also raita, rice, the full package meal. When I'm cooking here, actually I'm really proud everyone likes my food. ' E questo significa molto per Nige, che è fuggito dallo Sri Lanka nel 2009 alla fine della guerra civile, lasciando in Sri Lanka la moglie e il figlio piccolo. '16 years, almost 16 years [ago] I left my wife. Every day is very torture and the painful. I'm struggling and also panic. I want my family with me all the time.' In quanto tamil, Nige teme di non poter più tornare in Sri Lanka. Ora ha un visto di protezione permanente in Australia e ha richiesto un visto per coniugi per sua moglie Thusa, che rimane in Sri Lanka. '[It's] A very hard time. My wife asks me every day 'when you take me to Australia?' It's very painful for me and also painful for her. ' L'immigrazione è un tema elettorale caldo. Il bilancio federale prevede una migrazione netta di 260.000 persone nel prossimo anno finanziario. La vice direttrice generale del Centro risorse per i richiedenti asilo, Jana Favero: 'It's really disappointing. What we should be doing is increasing in our humanity and our generosity and our compassion. It's really a tactic used by politicians that are playing into fear and division.' Con quasi 140 milioni di sfollati in tutto il mondo secondo l'UNHCR, Jana Favero chiede un impegno anticipato per aumentare l'accoglienza umanitaria australiana a 27mila posti. 'Australia can and should do more to increase our humanitarian intake in response to global catastrophes that are happening around the world. If you have a look at what's happening in Gaza, in Yemen, in Sudan... We've had many conversations with the Albanese government about their commitment to increase the places to 27,000, but [we] only have them at 20,000. This is insufficient, and we should do more. We feel that the figure should actually be 50,000.' Per Nige, che si preoccupa quotidianamente della sicurezza della moglie, la lunga attesa è un'agonia. 'It's really killing my heart. I know the situation; [for] a single woman [to] survive in Sri Lanka in [the] east part or [the] north part is really hard. So, that [is] situation for my wife, it's so breaking [my] heart.' Nato nello Sri Lanka orientale, Nige è cresciuto mentre infuriava il conflitto tra le forze governative e le Tigri Tamil. I suoi primi ricordi sono quelli della fuga dalla violenza. '[For] My whole life, [I saw] war and bombing and disaster. I'm Tamil, so they suspect me and also they tried to kidnap me. I saw lots of torture equipment, lots of civilian kidnapping and killing them on the street, dead bodies. That's why I escaped from Sri Lanka without my wife and son'. Alla fine della guerra, temendo per la sua vita, Nige fuggì a Singapore e poi in Malesia. Seguì uno straziante viaggio in barca di 46 giorni verso l'Australia. 'The fuel is not enough, fuel run out. And also the boat is [a] very old boat and wooden boat. Also very big storm and rough sea. Many people got seasick. Then finally the Australian border posts took to me Christmas island.' Nige ha trascorso i sei anni successivi in vari centri di detenzione australiani. '[The time in the] Detention centre is [a] very hard time because we can't go outside. I'm really struggling [in the] detention centre [for] six years, mentally and physically'. Nel 2014, nel centro di detenzione per immigrati di Melbourne a Broadmeadows, Nige ha incontrato il fondatore del caffè Derek Bradshaw e conoscerlo ha cambiato la sua vita per sempre. 'We had a house out the back of our café that we decided that we wanted to use to try and support people to get the start that they so badly needed after coming out of detention. And Nige went on to cook and that's when we started doing our Tamil feasts. ' Un decennio dopo i due rimangono buoni amici e nel 2023 Derek Bradshaw ottenne un visto di studio per il figlio di Nige, Ruksi. Il ricongiungimento con il padre è stato un giorno che l'adolescente non dimenticherà mai. 'Touching him, hugging him. It's so crazy: when I see him, I have a hug and it's all the feeling about my dad. It's like feeling in real life in front of my eyes and I can feel it. This is my dad!' È stato un grande momento anche per Derek Bradshaw. 'When we picked up Ruksi from the airport he looked at me and said, 'this is the best day of my life', and sorry, I'll get emotional, but as a father of four kids, I just cannot imagine the trauma and the grief that Nige has gone through. ' Nige e suo figlio Ruksi vivono ora a nord di Warrandyte in affitto gratuito, grazie alla generosità di una coppia locale, Reg Ellery e Olive Aumann. 'Our children had left home. Nige's been living with us since 2016. He's a wonderful, wonderful man and his son's a wonderful young fellow. ' Nige e Derek Bradshaw continuano a ospitare feste tamil al 'Now and Not Yet' Café, raccogliendo fondi per il reinsediamento di rifugiati e richiedenti asilo. 'When you hear the stories and understand the atrocities that they are escaping - civil war and genocide and things that [happen] if we're in those situations, we would absolutely run and escape as well. I'm proud that this sort of sacred community space has become a space where people feel loved when they walk through the doors, that people come in here and connect with others.' Nige lavora anche nel settore dell'assistenza agli anziani mentre aspetta che venga concesso il visto alla moglie. Jana Favero afferma che il Centro risorse per richiedenti asilo sostiene già più di 7.000 persone in cerca di sicurezza. 'We need to invest in family unification so that people can be with their families. That story is extremely sad. And what's sad is that family reunion probably will be one area that is cut, which would be absolutely devastating not only for that individual but for tens of thousands of others who are waiting to be with their family. Per ora, tutto ciò a cui Nige può aggrapparsi è la speranza. 'This process takes a very long time. I don't know what's the reason. I don't know still how long I'm going to be wait. Every day is painful. But I believe one day, me and [my] wife [will be] reunited in Australia.' Report by SBS News Listen to SBS Italian every day from 8 am to 10 am. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

ABC News
3 hours ago
- ABC News
The University of Tasmania confirms up to 13 academic jobs will be cut as part of arts, humanities restructure
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has confirmed a dozen jobs will be lost as part of a restructure of its arts and humanities courses. UTAS has said the proposed changes, flagged in May and which include the creation of a combined school of humanities and social sciences, were sparked by financial challenges and declining student enrolments across a range of arts and humanities offerings. On Thursday, the College of Arts, Law and Education's interim academic lead, Lisa Fletcher, said the creation of a combined school of humanities and social sciences would enable "a more coherent offering for our Bachelor of Arts students". Professor Fletcher said "two distinctive schools across the creative arts" would also be created as part of the restructure. Those will be the school of creative and performing arts, the home for art and theatre, and the re-establishment of a stand-alone conservatorium of music. Professor Fletcher said the final structure had been informed by five weeks of consultation, and that the university was "deeply committed to the viability and the strength of our disciplines across the creative arts and humanities and social sciences". She said there were "no courses being discontinued", but that some "adjustments" were being made to programs within the Bachelor of Arts. "Adjustments" include combining politics and international relations into a single major, and no longer offering German. The university's Indonesian offerings were initially flagged as being at risk, but will continue for at least six months. Professor Fletcher said roughly a dozen roles would be lost through the restructure, through a combination of targeted and voluntary redundancies. The voluntary redundancy process is underway. "We need to be committed to a viable offering across creative arts, social sciences and humanities, and in the proposal there are a range of redundancies proposed, up to 12 [full-time equivalent positions]," Professor Fletcher said. She said the redundancies would come from academic roles. "We will need to achieve those savings at the scale of around 12 to 13 FTE [full-time equivalent]," she said. National Tertiary Education Union division secretary Ruth Barton said the job losses were devastating for staff. "It's a great blow to the university and I think to the Tasmanian community," Dr Barton said. "These are people who have spent up to 40 years at the university, 25-40 years many of them. Dr Barton said staff feedback from the consultation period had not been reflected in the final product. "Staff have said that they need to have these jobs retained, they need to have these disciplines retained, they need to have an organisational structure that reflects what staff want. Instead they've had one imposed on them." Tasmanian University Student Association president Jack Oates-Pryor said student voices had not been sufficiently heard during the consultation process. "Of course we see key university leaders valuing student feedback and responses, responding to those emails directly. "However, that's not structural integration and embedding of student voice into this decision-making," he said. "Students are fundamentally impacted by these decisions that are being made. Professor Fletcher said the university's consultation process had been "genuine" and directly influenced the final plan. "And we will continue, and are committed to continuing, to work with our students and our staff to listen and to hear from them," she said.