Australia to change citizenship test in November 17/9/2020 (See translation in Arabic section) Canberra - M E Times Int'l: From 15 November 2020, there will be an updated Australian Citizenship Test with a clear focus on Australian values. Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the test would be updated for the first time in more than a decade to include a dedicated section on Australian values. “Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens,” Mr Tudge said. “The updated Citizenship Test will have new and more meaningful questions that require potential citizens to understand and commit to our values like freedom of speech, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, the importance of democracy and the rule of law. “We are asking those who apply for citizenship to understand our values more deeply before they make the ultimate commitment to our nation.” The updated Citizenship Test will comprise 20 multiple-choice questions, including five questions on Australian values. A person will be required to correctly answer all five of the questions on Australian values, with a mark of at least 75 per cent overall, to pass the test. There will be no changes to the English language or residency requirements for citizenship.  Refugees’ mental health a concern, says new study South Australia: A NEW study by The University of South Australia has found mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and suicidality are widespread among people seeking asylum in Western nations, including Australia. The research, conducted by UniSA’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Group (MHSPRG), examined data from Australia, Europe, Canada and the United States, finding asylum seekers from all regions face numerous systemic mental health challenges. MHSPRG researcher Heather McIntyre says the team reviewed 25 studies of 3504 asylum seekers from 12 countries, and results indicate mental health problems are relatively common and often co-occur. “The experience of seeking asylum is unique and problematic when compared to other migration trajectories, and this review suggests harsh and restrictive immigration policy settings initiated by governments severely affect asylum seekers’ mental health,” McIntyre says. “Significantly, our review finds this population group experiences high rates of PTSD, anxiety and depressive symptoms, with 25-54 per cent of participants meeting criteria for at least two of these conditions.” The MHSPRG review also indicates self-harm and suicidality are linked to the asylum immigration process, reinforcing similar findings from other studies over many years. “Rejection of asylum seeker claims is a major driver (61 per cent) of suicidal thoughts and behaviour and presentation to psychiatric emergency services – uncertainty for the future and perceived burdensomeness all contribute to suicidal ideation and acting upon those thoughts,” McIntyre says. 
Morrison government will invest $1.9b toward emerging energy technologies Canberra: The Morrison government will invest $1.9 billion towards emerging energy technologies in order to reduce emissions and create jobs. Australia’s renewable energy agency will receive a $1.6 billion dollar boost to support the next generation of technologies including carbon capture and storage, and the development of hydrogen. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the focus will be to unlock future technologies which support traditional industries like manufacturing and agriculture while positioning Australia’s economy for the future. The government also insists it will remain on track to meet its 2030 Paris emissions reduction target. It comes after the Prime Minister laid out an ambitious plan for a gas-led recovery out of the COVID-19 recession, issuing a strong ultimatum to the energy sector. Mr Morrison demanded electricity generators provide a plan before April 2021 to fill a looming shortfall in dispatchable power due to the closure of the Liddell coal powerplant in the Hunter Valley. If private companies fail to deliver on this demand, he promised the government would build a new gas power plant to replace the Liddell power station. “If the energy companies choose to step up and make these investments to create that capacity, great, we will step back. If not, my government will step up and we will fill the gap,” Mr Morrison said.  Berejiklian flags potentially increasing returned travellers cap by 500 Sydney: New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has flagged the possibility of increasing the uptake of returned overseas travellers by 500, which would see the state receive about 3000 repatriated Australians a week. The federal government faced pressure to lift the 4000 person cap per week on returned travellers after it was revealed about 26,000 of 35,000 Australians currently overseas had expressed they wanted to return home. The premier consulted with NSW Police – who were charged with running the state’s quarantine programs – and was given the green light to increase capacity. Ms Berejiklian, however, said she would only go ahead with the move if the other states agreed to double their intake. Queensland received about 500 returned travellers a week, while Western Australia received 525. The issue will likely be on the agenda when national cabinet meets tomorrow, The premier also announced the state was hotspot free and there was no longer any reason for state borders to be closed to NSW. She welcomed the news that Queensland was revising down its border requirements with NSW from 28 days to 14 days of zero community transmission but said an issue as big as borders which affected so many people should not depend on a couple of cases. 
NSW Parliament approves police promotion changes Sydney: The NSW Government has successfully passed legislation to overhaul the way NSW Police officers are promoted to ensure the State’s best police officers are nurtured as the leaders of tomorrow. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the shake-up would establish a fairer, merit-based promotions system that would prioritise frontline experience. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the old promotions list which was implemented in 2006, was no longer fit for purpose. “This new promotions system eliminates the ‘next in line’ approach, and will recognise the specialisation of roles and the complexity of crime types to which modern law enforcement agencies need to respond. 
The Police Amendment (Promotions) Bill was introduced after the Promotions System Review sought feedback from almost 3,500 officers and found overwhelming support for an overhaul of the previous promotions system. More information on the Police Amendment (Promotions) Bill 2020 here. 
Police shut down protest at Sydney University Sydney: Police have shut down a protest at Sydney University yesterday as groups gathered in small numbers to protest education cutbacks and increased fees. Protesters remained in small groups below 19 and were socially distanced. A 34-year-old man was issued a $1000 fine for unlawful gathering after he was given several warnings to leave the area but did not comply.  'Closed borders cost jobs': Treasurer Canberra: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says New South Wales has been a standout in terms of its performance in managing the virus and keeping its economy open. “It’s the single largest economy in the country, it’s very important,” Mr Frydenberg said. He then went on to talk about the effects borders have on jobs. “We do know is that closed borders cost jobs.” August’s unemployment rate came in at 6.8 per cent, significantly lower than anticipated by economists. 
Unemployment drops to 6.8 per cent, more than 100,000 jobs added Sydney: Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen significantly to 6.8 per cent for the month of August, with more than 111,000 jobs were added in the month of August. The month prior, unemployment was at 7.5 per cent.  NSW eases restrictions for border residents Sydney: Restrictions on the NSW/Victorian border will be eased from today to allow residents to move freely within the border region. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the changes follow an easing of restrictions in regional Victoria recently announced by the Victorian Government. “I want to thank the border communities for their patience – we are able to ease restrictions on the border given the reduced risk of COVID-19 transmission in regional Victoria,” Mr Hazzard said. Mr Hazzard said under the changes introduced from today, the border region will also be expanded to include some areas around Pleasant Hills, Lockhart, Benalla, Bright and Mount Beauty. “Any person with an existing border region permit will be able to take advantage of these changes, which we hope will make day to day life a lot easier for border communities,” Mr Hazzard said.  'Elation' as regional Victoria reopens: Geelong Mayor Melbourne: Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher says she has confidence in everyone to do the right thing, so the region can enjoy the Summer months without lockdowns. Restrictions were eased overnight for regional Victoria, which includes Geelong, meaning the state’s strict lockdowns only apply to metropolitan Melbourne. “It’s starting to really open up and we’re weeks away from seeing the next step,” she told media. Ms Asher said she wants to have no lockdowns over Summer, as the region is popular during the period. “If that means a couple more weeks of restrictions, then that’s the price we have to pay to make sure we can have a normal summer.” |
