Documents suggest WA election staff recruitment was outsourced after a hit to WAEC's reputation in the 2021 poll.
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ABC News
24 minutes ago
- ABC News
What would declaring a toxic algal bloom as 'national disaster' mean for SA
It was an infamous justification which sparked widespread criticism. "I don't hold a hose, mate." The quip by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires left an indelible mark on his legacy, as communities on the ground confronted devastation. Six years on, the comment has resurfaced — this time in reference to what has been described as an "underwater bushfire" causing mass destruction along South Australia's coastline. The toxic algal bloom, first detected off the Fleurieu Peninsula, has been ravaging marine life across the state over the past four months, threatening coastal ecosystems and disrupting local tourism, fishing and aquaculture industries. "I urge the Prime Minister and [SA Premier] Peter Malinauskas to not allow this to become their 'We don't hold the hoses, mate' moment, South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said on Friday. Senator Hanson-Young wants Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to declare the algal bloom a "national disaster" — a move supported by the SA government. But what difference could such a declaration make? According to Senator Hanson-Young's office, a "national disaster" declaration is akin to a "national emergency" declaration. Federal laws which passed in 2020 allow the governor-general to declare a national emergency if the prime minister was satisfied an event was "causing harm that is nationally significant in Australia or in an Australian offshore area". The legislation has a broad definition of what constitutes nationally-significant harm, listing "harm to the life or health of animals or plants" and "harm to the environment" among the criteria. State and territory governments can request a national emergency declaration in writing and, if granted, a declaration can last up to three months. University of Adelaide research fellow Dr Phillipa McCormack said the purpose of the legislation was to recognise the Commonwealth's role during emergencies. "State governments can sometimes struggle to respond effectively, quickly enough, and at the scale that's needed to those kinds of extreme events," Dr McCormack said. "This legislation recognises that mismatch between the experience of the event and the resources to deal with it. "But the Act does limit it to those nationally-significant contexts." If an emergency declaration is in force, federal laws can be modified in "specified ways". "Provisions that may be modified include those requiring a person to provide a signature or to report matters to a Commonwealth agency," the Act states. According to the SA government, a "national disaster" declaration can also unlock federal funding through the National Emergency Management Agency's "Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements". These cost-sharing arrangements between the Commonwealth and state governments provide financial assistance to disaster-affected communities. Funding could come in the form of clean-up and recovery grants, personal hardship assistance, community recovery funds, or concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers. Politicians and some coastal community members. At a community meeting at Port Vincent last week, locals called for a disaster declaration, arguing Commonwealth support was needed. On Friday, Senator Hanson-Young said a "COVID-style recovery package" would help affected communities. "Businesses are crippling, communities are hurting, they're alarmed and our environment is under huge attack," Ms Hanson-Young said. The SA government has backed calls for the algal bloom to be declared a "national disaster", with state Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven noting the event had caused "very significant impacts" to the state's fisheries and environment. "We would certainly appreciate the federal government agreeing with what we have been advocating, which is that this is a national disaster," Ms Scriven said on Friday. "We hope that they will come to see it in that light." While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in China last week, his ministers defended the federal government's response to the algal bloom. Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the government recognised the bloom was "very serious for South Australians", adding that he would "certainly consider" any assistance request from the state government. But he also stressed that the bloom was occurring in state, not Commonwealth, waters. "I think the reality is that state governments do have primary responsibility for state matters including in state waters, and federal governments have responsibility for federal matters including things in Commonwealth waters," he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday. "I think we do need to be careful to not have a system where Canberra just blunders in and tries to take over the situation that is being managed by the South Australian government."
ABC News
24 minutes ago
- ABC News
Peter Ryan
The ABC is deeply saddened by the death of our great friend and esteemed colleague Peter Ryan. After a distinguished 45-year career in journalism Peter retired from the ABC last month due to ill health. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peter's family. A tribute to Peter on his retirement can be read here: Listen to The World Today's tribute to Peter Ryan Watch here: After 45 years, business reporter Peter Ryan has called time on his career Peter's many career highlights include being the ABC's Washington Bureau Chief, head of TV news and current affairs in Victoria, Executive Producer of Business Breakfast , founding editor of Lateline Business , which later became The Business, and Business Editor. Since 2016 he has held the role of Senior Business Correspondent. In 2017 Peter won a Walkley Award for his expose on the Commonwealth Bank scandal. His coverage contributed to the calling of the banking Royal Commission and in 2018 he was the National Press Club finance journalist of the year for his coverage of the commission. In 2022 he was recognised with the Order of Australia medal for his significant service to journalism. ABC Director, News Justin Stevens: Peter leaves a significant legacy. Through his mentorship, friendship and professionalism he directly touched the lives of many at the ABC. Through his journalism he had a profound impact on the lives of Australians and our society. It was a privilege to know him and work alongside him. Peter's parting words of advice: Peter Ryan shares his highs and lows from 45 years So what have I learned from 45 years in journalism? This is for younger and older colleagues alike. When I look back at my start on Sydney's Daily Mirror in 1980, as an 18-year-old straight out of school, we were still printing newspapers off hot metal. People were smoking in newsrooms and there was a lot of yelling as deadlines ran down to the wire. My parents were absolutely delighted when I was finally hired by the ABC in 1984. Our TV always seemed to be stuck on Channel 2, we were forced to watch the 7pm news every night and I had to listen to AM and PM in the kitchen. I'd love to be with you all there, but one strong message I have is, never let anyone tell you the good old days were really that good – that's a bit of a myth. I'd like to thank the ABC for taking so many risks with me over the years, giving me my dream of a foreign posting in Washington and then into big editorial roles. But for me in the end it's all about being a reporter out in the real world telling it as it is. I'm always chuffed when I hear people tell me you're able to take complex issues and break them down into three good parts. When someone tells me that, that's more important than a whole lot of awards. A few words of editorial advice. Avoid cynicism – be passionate. A good team can often be a very small team – I've worked in some of the best. Be proactive – come to the table with a great story so no one else comes up with a dud that might waste your time. Work closely with top people – shut up and absorb like a sponge. Maintain a fastidious contact book – some low-profile contacts could soon move into higher powered roles or more importantly work in backrooms where the big decisions are often made. Show up to work early and prove that you're ready to take on the big story of the day. Try to have a Plan B in your back pocket just in case your original brilliant idea doesn't go anywhere and the EP comes walking your way. Finally: Be kind and caring to people who need it. Media contact Sally Jackson, ABC Communications
ABC News
24 minutes ago
- ABC News
Dutch defence chief warns Australia to increase military capability
The Netherlands' chief of defence has warned Australian leaders the country needs to counter China's military rise by increasing its own defence capability. General Onno Eichelsheim, visiting Australia for the Talisman Sabre defence exercises, warned the threat posed by China to the Indo-Pacific is not unlike that Russia poses to Europe. And he says "naivety" should not allow Australia and other countries to avoid preparing for the risk of conflict in future. "You should look at the facts that are around you … if Russia tells us that they want to have more, more influence, than take that seriously," he said. "And if you see in this case in this region, China building up, take it seriously and get ready for something that you hope will never happen. "If you prepare for war, you can avoid war. And that's how we look at it." The Netherlands recently agreed to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of its GDP, alongside most other NATO countries. The decision came in part due to pressure from the United States for NATO countries to provide more for their own security. Australia has faced its own pressure from the United States to lift defence spending to the same level. General Eichelsheim said 3.5 per cent of GDP would provide the Netherlands with the capability the country needs, given the security situation in Europe. He said while the focus on GDP percentages was not important, there was no doubt Australia would need to do more. "It's not about the percentage, it's about the capabilities," he said. "But inevitably, I think Australia has to increase its capabilities as well, if you look at the region, and the build-up in this case of China. "Also, if they need to help out Europe, which [Australia is] actually already doing — if you look at the war in Ukraine, and supporting us there." In April General Eichelsheim issued an order to the country's 76,000 defence personnel, both uniformed and civilian. The top-ranking Dutch military official warned they needed to increase their readiness and be ready for rapid deployment. He said the message was sent for two reasons: that a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine might need to be protected, and that it might lead Russia to shift its attention elsewhere. "We know that [Russia has] the ability, if there is a ceasefire, they can move within one or two years to other locations where they can threaten, for instance, the Baltic States," he said. "So we need to be ready to defend that line as well. And that is not that much time, to be honest." The Netherlands is one of 19 countries taking part in the Talisman Sabre defence exercises, which are jointly organised by Australia and the United States. The Dutch defence personnel taking part are also joined by other European militaries like France, Germany and Norway. Asked why the Netherlands is taking an interest in the region, and how he views the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, General Eichelsheim said he has real concerns. "We worry about the amount of capabilities that China is building up," he said. "Those are not capabilities that you only use for protecting yourself. There are also quite a lot of offensive capabilities in it. "Leaving it only to the US versus China is also not a good idea — so we've increased our partnerships a lot with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and also the Philippines." The Albanese government has pushed back on the United States' calls for significant increases in defence spending, arguing spending is already rising quickly. The prime minister has argued Australia will set its own defence policy, and made the case that specific capabilities should be funded, rather than funding targets set and pursued. Asked about whether pressure might come from other allies rapidly increasing defence spending as a share of GDP, Defence Minister Richard Marles said those countries can see what Australia is doing. "We understand there is a process of international benchmarking, but ultimately every country, when it goes through its own processes about what kind of defence force it needs to build, does so based on assessing its own strategic need," he said. "And that's exactly what we're doing and I think countries can see that we are engaging in that process, it's an ongoing process and a process which up until this point has yielded the biggest peacetime increase in Australia's defence spending."
