Latest news with #AustralianGovernment
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What's gambling cost? Advocates slam political inaction
Australia risks losing a whole generation of kids to gambling, as criticisms are levelled at the government for failing to implement reforms from a landmark report two years on. The "You win some, you lose more" parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts, chaired by fierce gambling reform advocate the late Peta Murphy MP, delivered 31 recommendations in 2023. The unanimously supported proposals focused on reducing harm, protecting children and applying a long-overdue public health approach to gambling in this country. But two years to the day, gambling reform advocates, health bodies and church groups say the federal government have been silent. More than 80 per cent of Australians want a gambling advertisement ban, and parents are sick of turning on the TV only to find their 10-year-olds discussing the game in terms of odds, Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said. "Smoking is legal, but kids shouldn't be seeing it. Same with gambling. People can gamble, but there's grooming of kids," Rev Costello told AAP. "We now have, with the two-year implementation (delay), a whole generation of kids who only think of NRL and AFL in terms of odds." Gambling harms lead to suicides, one-in-four 18-to-24-year-old young men are addicted, 600,000 underage Australians gambled last year, and domestic violence spikes threefold if there is gambling in a family, Rev Costello said. "This industry has been treated as having a normal social license when it's actually pushing very addictive products," he said. "We have literally given our kids over to sports betting companies as fodder for their profits." Vested interests, including the AFL and NRL, sports betting companies, and the commercial broadcasting networks, had stalled reforms, Rev Costello said. The nation's peak body for doctors, the Australian Medical Association, is demanding the government immediately action all 31 recommendations, accusing it of exposing millions of Australians to predatory betting companies. "Every day of delay means more Australians fall victim to an industry that profits from harm and despair," AMA President Danielle McMullen said. Wesley Mission chief executive Stu Cameron expressed deep disappointment in the government's failure to act on a bipartisan road map to tackle gambling harm. "Two years on, the silence from Canberra is deafening," Rev Cameron said. "While the government hesitates, lives are being torn apart." The three say the government must use their parliamentary mandate to make systematic reforms, including banning gambling ads, implementing a national regulator and treating gambling as a health issue. A spokesman for Communications Minister Anika Wells said she has had several meetings with harm reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes. He said the government had delivered "some of the most significant gambling harm reduction measures in Australian history", pointing to mandatory ID verification and banning credit cards for online gambling and launching BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register. Australians top the list for the world's highest gambling losses, placing $244.3 billion in bets every year. National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- News.com.au
Smart Traveller issues fresh travel warning for Thailand on security fears
The Australian government has issued a fresh travel warning for Thailand following the discovery of a bomb near Phuket International Airport. Smart Traveller, the government's travel advisory body, said Thai authorities had discovered the explosive device this week. 'There's an ongoing risk of terrorism in Thailand,' the advisory, released on Saturday morning, reads. 'Popular tourist areas may be the target of terrorist attacks anywhere across Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket. 'Phuket International Airport has increased security measures from June 26 and advised passengers to arrive well ahead of flights. 'This follows discovery of an explosive device near the airport this week. 'Thai authorities defused devices in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga this week and have made related arrests in recent days.' Phuket, renowned for its gorgeous beaches and vibrant night-life, is a major destination for Australian travellers. The government recommends Australian travellers exercise a 'high degree of caution' in Thailand overall due to security and safety risks. A 'reconsider your need to travel' warning is in place for the country's Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces in the far-south. 'Co-ordinated attacks have occurred in the southern provinces,' the advisory reads. 'The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could lead to an increased threat of attacks against Israeli interests in other regions. Be alert to possible threats. Take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities.' The government also advises travellers to be alert to political protests and drink and food spiking. 'Don't leave food or drinks unattended,' the advisory states. 'Stay with people you trust at bars, nightclubs and in taxis.' Thailand is also tightening its drug laws, travellers have been warned. The country has recriminalised cannabis three years after decriminalising the drug.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Australia lists online extremist network as terror organisation
Canberra: The Australian government on Friday listed Terrorgram - an online nationalist extremist network - as a terrorist organisation, emphasising that the listing is aligned with similar actions already undertaken by the United Kingdom and the United States against the same platform. "This group fosters and promotes an ideology that would seek to make some Australians feel unwelcome in their home, it is this extremist hatred which is not welcome and has no place in Australia," said Australia's Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Tony Burke. "This listing will give Australian police and security and intelligence agencies significantly more power to keep Australians safe and restrict the operation of extremists in our country. Online radicalisation is a growing threat but the government has tools at its disposal and we will use every one of them to keep Australians safe," he added. The Australian government's decision to list Terrorgram as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act 1995 was taken after consultation with national security and intelligence agencies. "Terrorgram is a nationalist and racist violent extremist organisation operating on decentralised and encrypted platforms, primarily Telegram. Terrorgram users create and distribute propaganda to inspire terrorist attacks on minority groups, critical infrastructure and specific individuals. Terrorgram advocates for and provides instructions on how to conduct a terrorist attack, and has successfully inspired terrorist attacks in the United States, Europe and Asia," the government detailed. The listing of Terrorgram under the Criminal Code complements the counter-terrorism financing sanctions already imposed on Terrorgram in February 2025 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs under section 15 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945. "By listing Terrorgram, the Australian Government is acting to keep Australians safe from terrorism and violent extremism. The Australian Government will continue to use all the tools available to prevent the rise of violent extremism, to confront racially motivated violence and to counter hate in all its forms. "Listing an organisation is an important deterrent for, and response to, terrorist activity. Under Division 102 of the Criminal Code it is an offence to be a member of, associate with members of, recruit for, train with, get funds to, from or for, or provide support to, a terrorist organisation. These offences are punishable by harsh penalties up to 25 years imprisonment," the government stated. Urging Australians to provide valuable information to assist security and law enforcement agencies identify potential threats and prevent them from developing, the Australian government said that it continues to work closely with international partners to combat terrorism and violent extremism globally.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
How nearly ONE THIRD of a country's population have applied to get a visa in Australia because of an Albo program
Amost a third of citizens in the Pacific nation of Tuvalu are seeking a landmark visa in the context of climate change to live in Australia as rising seas threaten their palm-fringed shores, official figures show. Australia is offering visas to 280 Tuvalu citizens each year under a climate migration deal Canberra has billed as 'the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world'. More than 3,000 Tuvaluans have already entered a ballot for the first batch of visas, according to official figures on the Australian program – almost a third of the nation's population. One of the most climate-threatened corners of the planet, Tuvalu will be uninhabitable within the next 80 years, scientists fear. Two of the archipelago's nine coral atolls have already largely disappeared under the waves. 'Australia recognises the devastating impact climate change is having on the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of climate vulnerable countries and people, particularly in the Pacific region,' Australia's foreign affairs department said. Australia and Tuvalu signed the groundbreaking Falepili Union in 2024, part of Canberra's efforts to blunt China 's expanding reach in the region. Under that pact, Australia opened a new visa category specially set aside for adult citizens of Tuvalu. Already, there are signs the program will be hugely oversubscribed. Official data on the program shows 3,125 Tuvaluans entered the random ballot within four days of it opening last week. 'This is the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world, providing a pathway for mobility with dignity as climate impacts worsen,' a spokesperson for Australia's foreign affairs department said. Tuvalu is home to 10,643 people, according to census figures collected in 2022. Registration costs A$25 ($16), with the ballot closing on 18 July. The visa program has been hailed as a landmark response to the looming challenge of climate-forced migration. 'At the same time, it will provide Tuvaluans the choice to live, study and work in Australia,' Australia's foreign affairs department said. But it has also fanned fears that nations like Tuvalu could be rapidly drained of skilled professionals and young talent. University of Sydney geographer John Connell warned that a long-term exodus of workers could imperil Tuvalu's future. 'Small states do not have many jobs and some activities don't need that many people,' he said. 'Atolls don't offer much of a future: agriculture is hard, fisheries offer wonderful potential but it doesn't generate employment.' The Falepili pact commits Australia to defending Tuvalu in the face of natural disasters, health pandemics and 'military aggression'. 'For the first time, there is a country that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, a health pandemic or military aggression,' Tuvalu's prime minister, Feleti Teo, said at the time. 'Again, for the first time, there is a country that has committed legally to recognise the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate changed-induced sea level rise.' The agreement also offers Australia a say in any other defence pacts Tuvalu signs with other countries, raising concerns at the time that the Pacific nation was handing over its sovereignty. Tuvalu is one of just 12 states that still have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei rather than Beijing. Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said last year that his country shared a vision for a 'peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region'. 'It shows our Pacific partners that they can rely on Australia as a trusted and genuine partner.'
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Climate exodus begins: Thousands of Tuvaluans seek Australia's landmark visa
SYDNEY, June 27 — Nearly one-third of citizens in Pacific nation Tuvalu are seeking a landmark climate visa to live in Australia as rising seas threaten their palm-fringed shores, official figures obtained by AFP show. Australia is offering visas to 280 Tuvalu citizens each year under a climate migration deal Canberra has billed as 'the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world'. More than 3,000 Tuvaluans have already entered a ballot for the first batch of visas, according to official figures on the Australian programme, almost a full third of the nation's population. One of the most climate-threatened corners of the planet, scientists fear Tuvalu will be uninhabitable within the next 80 years. Two of the archipelago's nine coral atolls have already largely disappeared under the waves. 'Australia recognises the devastating impact climate change is having on the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of climate vulnerable countries and people, particularly in the Pacific region,' Australia's foreign affairs department told AFP. Australia and Tuvalu inked the groundbreaking Falepili Union in 2024, part of Canberra's efforts to blunt China's expanding reach in the region. Under that pact, Australia opened a new visa category specially set aside for adult citizens of Tuvalu. Already, there are signs the programme will be hugely oversubscribed. Official data on the programme shows 3,125 Tuvaluans entered the random ballot within four days of it opening last week. 'This is the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world, providing a pathway for mobility with dignity as climate impacts worsen,' a spokesperson for Australia's foreign affairs department said. Tuvalu is home to 10,643 people, according to census figures collected in 2022. Registration costs A$25 (RM69), with the ballot closing on July 18. Domestic garbage being used to reinforce a sea wall against the rising sea on Funafuti Atoll, home to nearly half of Tuvalu's entire population of 11,500, as king tides threaten to inundate the tiny island nation. — AFP pic Not 'much of a future' The visa programme has been hailed as a landmark response to the looming challenge of climate-forced migration. 'At the same time, it will provide Tuvaluans the choice to live, study and work in Australia,' Australia's foreign affairs department said. But they have also fanned fears that nations like Tuvalu could be rapidly drained of skilled professionals and young talent. University of Sydney geographer John Connell warned that a long-term exodus of workers could imperil Tuvalu's future. 'Small states do not have many jobs and some activities don't need that many people,' he told AFP. 'Atolls don't offer much of a future: agriculture is hard, fisheries offer wonderful potential but it doesn't generate employment,' he added. The Falepili pact commits Australia to defending Tuvalu in the face of natural disasters, health pandemics and 'military aggression'. 'For the first time, there is a country that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, a health pandemic or military aggression,' Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo said at the time. 'Again, for the first time there is a country that has committed legally to recognise the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate changed-induced sea level rise.' The agreement also offers Australia a say in any other defence pacts Tuvalu signs with other countries, raising concerns at the time that the Pacific nation was handing over its sovereignty. Tuvalu is one of just 12 states that still have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei rather than Beijing. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last year his country shared a vision for a 'peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region'. 'It shows our Pacific partners that they can rely on Australia as a trusted and genuine partner.' — AFP
