A dozen warnings in place as bushfires ravage NSW

10/11/2019

(Translation appears in Arabic Section)

Sydney - M E Times Int'l: There are fears properties have been damaged or destroyed by several out-of-control blazes burning across New South Wales. There are 12 emergency warnings in place, as firefighters try to gain the upper hand on the inferno Friday night.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) says at least 100 homes have been destroyed, as an unprecedented bushfire emergency grips the state.

The RFS also said three people were unaccounted for, but that there were no confirmed fatalities yet.

Albanese vows to restore ‘respect and trust’ in the Labor Party

Canberra: Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has responded to the Labor Party’s 2019 federal election review outlining the party's direction moving forward. Speaking to the National Press Club, Mr Albanese acknowledged the review was a “thorough, honest - and for Labor people - sometimes uncomfortable read”. He assured those who voted for Labor, and those who didn’t, that his party is “listening to them” following the shock loss on May 18. “The message to us is that too many people were confused or even frightened by our policies or didn’t trust us to implement them,” he said. “We failed to present a clear and concise narrative that explained an optimistic sense of what our country could become.” The Labor leader said he was “going to change that”. “I am going to change the culture of our party and ensure we are worthy of the people’s respect and trust.” He said without respect and trust, the party “can’t achieve anything and won’t deserve to”. “Due to the lack of a coherent narrative, the confusion caused by too many policies, the raising of fear campaigns - some based on outright lies - the Australian people didn’t have the confidence to elect Labor. It’s all outlined in the review document,” he said.

Drought plan backlash over water, loans

Canberra: The Morrison government is facing questions over two key elements of its drought plan - a revamped loan scheme and making water available from the Murray system to grow fodder.

The drought package also includes interest-free farming loans, and loans of up to $500,000 for small businesses dependent on agriculture.

Pastoralists' Association of West Darling vice president Lachlan Gall said some farmers would be reluctant to take on more debt.

"We just don't know how long the drought is going to go," he told press.

It takes up to nine months to receive a cheque from growing a crop, one year to turn a profit from sheep, and 18 months for cattle.

"When the drought breaks it rains out of the sky but it doesn't rain cash," Mr Gall said.

Labor agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said "rebadged loans" weren't the answer.

"Farmers don't want more debt ... we wanted a national drought plan," he said.

'This isn’t the last drought announcement by Scott Morrison'

Canberra: The Australian's political editor Andrew Clennell says if the drought doesn't break soon then “this isn’t the last drought announcement by Scott Morrison”. A new lifeline is being offered to farmers struggling through the crippling drought, with the government poised to announce at least $300 million in additional funding. Farmers will be offered interest-free loans as part of the Morrison government's long-awaited $1 billion bush stimulus package. Mr Clennell said the prime minister has managed to find a way to at least “please most of the Nationals for a little while, maybe a month, but then we will see it all fired up again”. “Until you get rain people aren’t going to be happy still unfortunately for Scott Morrison,” he said.

Morrison 'strongly committed' to improving relationship with China

Bangkok:  The Prime Minister Scott Morrison pays a visit to Bangkok, Thailand from 3 to 4 November and attended the 14th East Asia Summit and 3rd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit alongside some of Australia’s key international partners, who are vital to a secure and stable region, and the investment and trade that support jobs and our economy.

China's Premier Li Keqiang says Beijing is ready to work with Australia to keep the relationship on track. It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison sat down with the Chinese leader for 45 minutes on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bangkok.

He also hosted a Business Breakfast with both Australian and Thai business leaders to advance Australian jobs and opportunities abroad, and engage with those Thai businesses that are investing in Australia and those looking to increase their investment.

Also he attends a dedication service for the Hellfire Pass Memorial to honour the service of the brave Australians who were imprisoned there during the Second World War.

The East Asia Summit is the premier leaders’ forum for discussing the strategic challenges facing our region, providing a valuable platform to work with our ASEAN partners and the broader Indo-Pacific to ensure our region remains peaceful and prosperous.

Terrorists exploit crypto-currency: Dutton

Melbourne: Terrorists are exploiting crypto-currencies to fund their deadly missions, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has warned.

Mr Dutton says the anonymity of the online currencies allows extremists to escape scrutiny.

"The anonymity afforded by such technologies enables terrorist financiers to obfuscate their activities," he told a counter-terror conference in Melbourne on Thursday.

"The increasing use of digital and crypto-currencies, stored-value cards, online payment systems and crowd-funding platforms provide new channels through which terrorism may be financed."

He says countries need to stay ahead of modern financing measures, while also warning terrorists continue to use traditional methods, like ransom money and fraudulent charities.

Home buyers step up as investors wane: ABS

Sydney: Loans to owner-occupiers increased in both number and overall size in September as the amount borrowed by property investors waned, the Australian Bureau of Statistics says.

The number of new commitments for owner-occupier dwellings rose by 34,410 - or 3.6 per cent - during the month, and grew by 3.2 per cent for a total value of $14.24 billion.

Conversely, the value of investor lending slipped by 4.0 per cent to $4.7 billion during the month, after climbing by 5.7 per cent in August.

Digital Driver’s Licence Rolled out Statewide

Sydney: NSW drivers can now use a Digital Driver’s Licence (DDL) on their smartphone for proof of identity, proof of age and at roadside police checks.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello announced the statewide rollout at Norths Cammeray, following successful trials in Dubbo, Albury and Sydney’s Eastern Beaches.

“We’ve always put the customer at the heart of everything we do. Opal card and Service NSW have revolutionised the customer experience. The Digital Driver’s Licence is the latest way we are making life easier for the people of this state,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“More than 550,000 people have already downloaded the digital licence, with 97 per cent giving it the thumbs up. In the suburb of Blacktown alone, 4,733 people have chosen to go digital.”

Appointment of Two Department Secretaries

Canberra: I am pleased to announce that on 6 November 2019 the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), appointed two new secretaries to departments of the Australian Public Service: Mr David Fredericks has been appointed to lead the Department of the Environment and Energy, and Mr Simon Atkinson has been appointed to lead the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development. Both appointments are for five years, commencing on Monday 11 November 2019.

I congratulate them both and look forward to working with them in their new roles.

Dementia Australia chairman "heartbroken" by aged care report findings

Sydney: Chairman of Dementia Australia Graeme Samuel says he is “heartbroken” by an interim report into the aged care industry that described the system as “cruel”, “harmful”, and a “tale of neglect”. “It’s very difficult to control the emotions,” he told reporters, adding he was “heartbroken, ashamed, and angry” at the findings. “I’m a part of a community that after 18 reviews over the past two decades, has still allowed our aged people to be treated in this most disgraceful manner. “It can’t continue.” The interim report was released on Thursday.

NSW govt seeks asbestos waste levy removal

Sydney: The levy on disposing of dangerous asbestos waste up to 250 kilograms would be dropped under a NSW government proposal.

Up to eight per cent of illegally dumped waste across NSW is asbestos waste, the government said, adding that it posed a threat to health and the environment.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said he wants to make it easier and cheaper for people to lawfully dispose of such waste by removing the levy on up to 250kg of separated, bonded and wrapped asbestos waste.

Currently there is a $143.60 per tonne levy on waste in metropolitan areas and $82.70 per tonne in regional areas.

Respect and Recognition for Australian Veterans

Canberra: Australian Defence Force veterans will be able to access thousands of special discounts as businesses across the nation say ‘thank you for your service’.

The new Veteran Card released recently by the Morrison Government will be available to all veterans as a practical demonstration of respect and recognition for their service.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester was officially launched the Veteran Card, which gives Australian business owners the opportunity to practically demonstrate thanks and respect for those who have served.

The Prime Minister said Australians had a great deal of respect for those who have served our nation in the uniforms of the Navy, Army and Air Force, and through the Veteran Card, veterans would have access to more than 10,000 offers from around 500 businesses, both over the counter and online.

Abbott asked to register as agent of foreign influence

Sydney: Former prime minister Tony Abbott has reportedly been asked to register as an agent of foreign influence under controversial national security laws. The Australian reports the request to Mr Abbott came in August, a day before he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference. The conference included prominent political figures such as Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage and British political activist Raheem Kassam. Mr Abbott was informed that as a former cabinet minister he had a lifetime obligation to register any activity undertaken on behalf of a foreign principal. Mr Abbott labelled the request "absurd". The Attorney-General concedes the actions taken by his department does not represent effective enforcement of the legislation.