John Hewson says we should sack the NACC
GUEST: John Hewson, professor at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and former Liberal opposition leader.
John Hewson, professor at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and former Liberal opposition leader.
PRODUCER: Catherine Zengerer
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ABC News
25 minutes ago
- ABC News
Tasmania signs Marinus Link deal with the Commonwealth
Nick Duigan And I'm very pleased to say that as of last night, I was able to sign that new deal, having received advice, and that has resulted in a significantly better deal for Tasmania. Leon Compton Okay, let's talk about that. That's news that is new to Tasmanians as you talk to them this morning. You've signed a deal that commits Tasmania to Marinus. It'll now go ahead. Nick Duigan It's a really historic day, Leon. This is a massive deal for Tasmania and our future energy security, our energy supply, but also the Tasmanian bottom line and, you know, prosperity for our state. Marinus represents, I think, a game-changing circumstance for our state. In terms of the new deal that's been negotiated with the Commonwealth, it includes a grant of some $346 million GST free for the north-west transmission development. It also includes capping Tasmania's equity position at $103.5 million, which has already been committed, so Tasmania will pay no more equity into Marinus Link. But importantly, Tasmania will retain its seat at the table. We'll continue to have a position on the board and we will maintain our reserve rights on various matters that are important to the state, so that's a key consideration. And there are a number of other things that we have also secured in terms of another $650 million potentially of concessional finance for Tarraleah should that project go ahead, taking that number up to $1.3 billion and some other concessions as well. So look, that is the new deal. The old deal was pretty good. The new deal is fantastic because, as I say, Marinus is a game-changer for Tasmania. Leon Compton Minister, notwithstanding the sensitivity of negotiations, the partners in this are all state entities. You promised to show Tasmanians and you didn't. Would it have been better to show Tasmanians exactly what was on the table as you promised for 30 days before signing this deal? Nick Duigan I think in a perfect world, it's important to recognise, Leon, that these negotiations with the Commonwealth have been going on for months and it was, you know, the original timeline would have had us signing a new shareholders agreement and a new FFA agreement prior to the 1st of July, at which point we had hoped to share the whole estate business case publicly. That didn't occur, so these negotiations continued. You know, obviously then you've got the election being called, which obviously adds complication to that, but the necessity to continue to negotiate with the Commonwealth and protect Tasmania's position, I think, was the most important thing. As I say, I signed that deal last night and it has improved Tasmania's position, you know, by circa half a billion dollars and that's going to, you know, substantially offset, whatever, you know, any cost to Tasmanian customers and that's the piece that we've been working really hard on.
SBS Australia
2 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Pro-Palestinian Harbour Bridge protest case to face Supreme Court at midday
Thousands of people were expected to join the Sydney Harbour Bridge procession on Sunday opposing Israel's bombardment of the blockaded enclave, before police confirmed they would not permit it. Organising group Palestine Action Group Sydney has vowed to rally regardless, without specifying where, of the court outcome, ending a Facebook post with "whatever happens, see you on Sunday". Premier Chris Minns, who has blamed demonstrators for draining police resources for nearly two years in their facilitation of weekly protests in the city's centre, said he "cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos". NSW has a permit system that allows protest participants to block public roads and infrastructure, but police can go to court to deny permission. But in an open letter, lawyers have again questioned NSW's protest laws and argued they run contrary to Australia's civil rights obligations under an international treaty. "As a party to the core United Nations human rights treaties, Australia has recognised that freedom of assembly is a fundamental human right and, in consequence, NSW must protect it," Australian Lawyers for Human Rights vice president Kerry Weste said. "The right of peaceful assembly extends to all gatherings for peaceful purposes, wherever they take place. and regardless of whether they occur in the form of demonstrations, protests, meetings, processions, rallies, sit-ins, candle-lit vigils or even flash mobs." The bridge has previously been shut including for a reconciliation rally in 2000 which attracted more than 250,000 people, a World Pride event with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's participation and a Hollywood film production. The number of Palestinians killed during Israel's post-October-7 assault on the enclave is more than 60,000, according to local health authorities. Since the war began, the Gaza health ministry has recorded 156 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, most of them in recent weeks, including at least 90 children. Dozens have also been killed by Israeli fire across the enclave in the last 24 hours, including 12 people among crowds who had gathered to receive aid, Gaza health authorities said. The Israeli military said its troops had fired warning shots to disperse crowds, and had not identified any casualties. Confronted by rising international outrage over images of starving children, Israel said on Sunday it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and designate secure routes for convoys delivering food and medicine. SBS News reported this week that Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon and deputy chief of mission Amir Meron were called in for a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
SBS Australia
2 hours ago
- SBS Australia
What is Garma? And why is it important?
"So it's a great honour to welcome you all here today..' Around 2,000 people each year descend on Gulkula, a sacred place perched on top of an escarpment on the lands of the Gumatj clan in the Northern Territory. They are here for the Garma festival, the largest cultural exchange on the First Nations calendar. The 2025 theme is 'Rom ga Waŋa Wataŋu, or 'The Law of the Land, Standing Firm' in one of the local Aboriginal languages, Yolŋu Matha. The word 'Garma' means "two-way learning process" - and it's an invitation for non-Indigenous leaders to meet with and listen to First Nations voices on issues affecting them. Visitors are given a traditional welcome before guests are invited to the Bunggul ceremonial grounds, for the ritual opening ceremony. It's the start of a four-day festival with a packed schedule of agenda-setting political discussions and cultural celebrations. The annual event was conceived by the Yothu Yindi Foundation with the aim of improving standards of living for all First Nations people, as the late Djawa Yunupingu explained at the 22nd Garma festival: "As I have said many times, all of our countrymen are linked together by our songlines. These songlines join us all and though so much has been taken, so much power remains in all of us. We can feel what has been taken from our countrymen, we can feel your pain and we stand together with you to find that pathway to unity." Politicians, academics, and community figures highlight the major issues of the year at the Garrtjambal Auditorium - a key location at Garma. Politicians from all sides are invited. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he sees Garma as a cornerstone for First Nations politics, and a space where politicians, academics and community leaders highlight and discuss key issues. "We will not abandon substance for symbolism or retreat to platitudes at the expense of progress." But it's not just a place for leaders. As the sun sets each night, there's an eruption of movement on the sands of the sacred Bunggul site, a ceremonial close to the day's proceedings. The sounds of the Bilma or clapsticks echo through the leaves of the surrounding stringy bark forest. Music, dancing, and yarning continues throughout the night, as many make the most of the magic of the festival. Deeper in the bush among the stringy-bark trees hangs the Gapan Gallery, an outpost of the Yirrkala art centre print studio. Yothu Yindi Foundation CEO, Denise Bowden, says Garma is an invitation for ordinary people to experience a cultural exchange like no other. "Music and dance and art, song, a love of learning of a different culture. It's a really healthy platform upon which we can get through some challenging discussions." Guests experience a rich cultural immersion. From weaving workshops to wood carving, traditional art, music and dance is the heartbeat of the four day festivities. Denise Bowden says Garma has become an important part of Australian life. "I would never have thought it to grow to such an extent that it has now and we are very fortunate to be able to now take four days to share with the nation how important Garma has become."
