Kristina Keneally to take Sam Dastyari's Senate spot 18/1/2018 (Translation appears in Arabic section) Sydney: Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has put her hand up for the Senate spot left vacant by disgraced senator Sam Dastyari, after her two main rivals for the coveted job dropped away, in what one Labor insider called a "s---fight". "I have today indicated to the Labor Party my interest in the Senate vacancy," Keneally told Fairfax Media on Wednesday.  "I am humbled to be considered and look forward to further discussions within the Labor Party. Official nominations for the spot close this Friday. Next month a joint sitting of the NSW state parliament will endorse the new senator. Keneally paid tribute to Dastyari's "commitment to public service and passion for the Labor cause" and wished him well. 
Sydney train strike means no rail transport and 'roadways will be a mess', minister says Sydney: Transport Minister Andrew Constance admits it will be impossible to find alternatives to move more than 1 million passengers on train strike day. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union announced the strike for Monday January 29, as it pushes for a pay rise of 6 per cent annually for four years. "Ultimately the roadways will be a mess. We will have no trains operating. It will be chaos and the union know that," Mr Constance said. "I can't pull buses out of thin air." The Minister again urged the union to reconsider the industrial action. "The best thing the union can do is make sure they not proceed with their strike action, allow the negotiations to proceed tomorrow and we go from there," he said. The NSW Opposition Leader criticises the Government's handling of the "shambolic" train crisis, as the Sydney Business Chamber says the strike planned for later this month could cost the state $100 million.  Barnaby rejects Australia Day change push Canberra: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has criticised the Greens for throwing their support behind the campaign to change the date of Australia Day. Greens councillors across the country who launched local campaigns to move the January 26 date have been told they can count on the full support and resources of the national organisation. Greens leader Richard Di Natale believes it's time Australia stops papering over an issue which, he says, has been divisive and painful for so many for 200 years. But Mr Joyce hit back, rejecting the push and accusing the party of dwelling on the philosophical.  Iranian Australians to protest in Canberra Canberra: Iranians from across Australia are coming together in Canberra to protest against the violent response to anti-government demonstrations in their home country. The demonstrations, which began in reaction to economic hardship in late December, resulted in 25 deaths and thousands of arrests after spreading to more than 80 cities across Iran. Progressive Iranians plan to gather outside the Islamic Republic's embassy on Wednesday morning to voice their opposition to the spread of an "atmosphere of repression" in the Middle Eastern country.  Aust vehicle sales jump 4.5% in December Sydney: New motor vehicle sales have risen, with sales in December up 4.5 per cent on the previous month and far higher than November's mere 0.1 per cent lift, official data show. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that 103,743 new vehicles were sold in December, seasonally adjusted, compared to 99,055 in November. In the year to December, total sales of new motor vehicles grew 6.7 per cent, higher than the previous year's 2.1 per cent change.  Most NSW beaches closed due to weather Sydney: Wild surf conditions and powerful swells have forced the closure of most patrolled beaches along the NSW coastline. Bondi, Manly and Maroubra are believed to be the only Sydney beaches still open on Tuesday, as well as Blacksmiths in Lake Macquarie. Dangerous conditions are expected to continue through the week, with Surf Life Saving NSW urging beachgoers to stay safe. |
