Fiji PM rules out Chinese military base
Published 2 July 2025, 8:05 am
Fiji's Prime Minister has ruled out hosting any Chinese military base as the battle for defence regional supremacy unfolds across the Pacific. In a major address at the National Press Club in Canberra, Sitiveni Rabuka has also made a case for Australia to sign a formal treaty with Fiji as a way to further strengthen the diplomatic relationship.
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ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service reports rising number of LGBTQIA+ clients who 'fear for their life' if returned home
Holding hands, a kiss — they're simple and sweet displays of affection. But Sam* doesn't take them for granted. Sam comes from a country where being gay is considered "against the order of nature" and is enough to land them more than a decade in jail. They said it's a place where civilians "take matters into their own hands" and turn their neighbours in, where intimate details of someone's life are shamed in the media. It wasn't until Sam came to Australia as a teenager that they were free to explore their sexuality for the first time — albeit in secret from their parents. "I was more comfortable with just being myself and expressing that part of myself," they said. So, when their family's application for permanent residency was knocked back, and the possibility of returning loomed large, Sam took matters into their own hands. "I was like, 'no, I can't go back, I can't hide myself anymore,'" Sam said. LGBTQIA+ people with a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on their gender or sexuality can be considered refugees under Australia's Migration Act. Sam turned to the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service (TRLS), arguing to the Department of Home Affairs that being gay exposed them to serious harm. Their application for permanent protection was successful. "I felt like a weight was lifted off my back, like I was so relieved," they said. Sixty-seven countries criminalise people for their sexual orientation, with punishments ranging from months behind bars to a life sentence. In some places, it's the death penalty. TRLS principal lawyer Patrick O'Connor said the danger often extended beyond the state, to hostility from families and the community and systemic discrimination in employment, housing, health and education. Mr O'Connor said the service was representing a growing number of clients in similar circumstances to Sam — as were his interstate colleagues — the majority coming to the end of student, work or holiday visas. And he believed there could be many more with legitimate asylum claims — potentially hundreds in Tasmania alone — that hadn't come forward, likely out of fear of retribution or because they didn't understand Australia's domestic law. Mr O'Connor is seeking funding to dedicate a lawyer to this caseload, and to run community workshops around Tasmania providing general legal education to help people understand the law, and make them feel comfortable approaching the service. "There's a lot at stake for the applicant," he said. "Providing legal representation is critical, and is life-changing, and can make all the difference." More community outreach and legal support is something Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania also endorses. But she said it was vital all new arrivals, not just from the LGBTQIA+ community, were taught gender and sexuality discrimination was not tolerated in Australia. "All people who have diverse gender identities and sexual orientations are vulnerable in the community, but for those who are from migrant backgrounds, from refugee backgrounds and from asylum seeker backgrounds, they're extremely vulnerable," she said. "They may be particularly wary of connecting with their cultural community here because they know that their cultural community won't accept them and will discriminate against them. Ms Long said it was vital that services understood how various aspects of someone's identity — including country of origin, race, ethnicity, language, gender and sexuality — intersected and supported LGBTQIA+ migrants accordingly. For Sam, the new-found security has "opened up a whole world of possibilities". *Name has been changed.
SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Morning News Bulletin 5 July 2025
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News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Future NT 2025: Tivan, CDU, Tamboran Resources, Santos, Darwin Port, NT Government, Sitzler partner for Mindil Beach Casino Resort event
As the Northern Territory enters a new era under new leadership, the government has affirmed it is focused on rebuilding the economy – and private investment needs to play an integral role in this. The NT Government has outlined a plan for economic recovery – the Rebuilding the Economy Strategy 2025-2028 – which includes population and workforce growth targets, cutting red tape to ensure investor confidence and strengthening the Northern Territory's role in national economic growth, energy security and defence. For the fourth year, the NT News' annual Future Northern Territory advocacy program returns this month and will interrogate how the government's strategy is progressing, while also applying an aspirational lens to encourage long term vision and planning to ensure a prosperous NT for generations to come. While the government's strategy for the NT economy is important, private investment is pivotal to growth. This year the NT News is proud to partner with leading businesses working to grow the Territory including Tivan Limited, Charles Darwin University, Tamboran Resources, Santos and Darwin Port, as major partners alongside NT Government. Also joining this year's program are minor partners Airport Development Group and Sitzler. Supporting partner Mindil Beach Casino Resort will once again host the premier economic event in its popular pavilion venue. Content themes for the 2025 Future NT campaign include defence, energy, education, tourism, sport and workforce growth, with a call for leaders to set a bold vision for the decades ahead. Speakers at this year's event include NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, nationally renowned social researcher and demographer Mark McCrindle, Tivan Limited executive chairman Grant Wilson, Darwin Port CEO Peter Dummett, CDU Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Community Connection Dr Steve Rogers, and NT Department of Mining and Energy CEO Alister Trier, with more speakers to be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now for the event which will be held from 11.30am on Friday, July 18.
