Latest news with #CommonwealthofAustralia
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 2 July
Fiji/Australia - visit Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is leading a delegation on a high-level visit to Australia this week. The Fiji government said Rabuka will meet with the Fijian diaspora in Canberra and Brisbane and tour some significant Australian institutions and sites that reflect the ties between the two nations. As part of the visit, discussions would focus on strengthening border and ports capabilities, deepening security cooperation, and reinforcing regional solidarity in support of a safe, stable, and resilient Blue Pacific. On Tuesday, Rabuka met with Sam Mostyn, governor-general of the Commonwealth of Australia, where they reaffirmed the enduring strength of the renewed and elevated Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership. Rabuka also reiterated Fiji's support for Australia's bid to host COP31. Vanuatu - information Vanuatu's Parliament has passed an amendment to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, exempting all decisions made by the Council of Ministers (COM) from public disclosure. The amendment, introduced during the first ordinary session of Parliament this year, has drawn concern from civil society leaders, media organisations, and transparency advocates. Vanuatu Daily Post reported a major concern for critics is the delay in releasing the Citizenship Report from the Commission of Inquiry, recently submitted to Justice Minister Job Andy. A government source warned shielding Cabinet decisions from scrutiny could damage public confidence, adding that when decisions are made behind closed doors, without accountability, it opens the door to abuse of power. In New Zealand, the Official Information Act allows people to request government documentation, including correspondence. Samoa - babies In Samoa, a church leader has called on the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) to only give 1000 tala (US$366.28) to babies whose parents are married - and not to babies born out of wedlock. Preaching at the HRPP manifesto launch in Savai'i last week, Reverend Tuigamala addressed their proposal to give money to every newborn baby. He said such promises must be carefully reviewed through a spiritual lens. HRPP deputy leader Lauofo Fonotoe acknowledged the reverend's comments and confirmed that the party has taken note of his concerns. Tuigamala also raised concerns about the state of Samoa's prayer buildings, urging for their restoration as a sign of national spiritual alignment. Fiji - dynamite Dynamite and a detonator normally used by mining companies have been found on a farm in Sigatoka, Fiji. The dynamite stick, mining blast cables and detonator were found by a farmer at the weekend. Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, said they were found inside a water tank about 200 metres away from his house. The scene has been cordoned off and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces have been asked to investigate.
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Australia says it supports US strike, calls for return to diplomacy
FILE PHOTO: Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia Penny Wong addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Kent J. Edwards/File Photo Australia says it supports US strike, calls for return to diplomacy SYDNEY - Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday that Canberra supported the United States strike on Iran and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. "We support action that the U.S. has taken to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," Wong said in a television interview with Seven Sunrise. In a series of television and radio interviews on Monday, Wong said the strike was a unilateral action by its security ally the United States, and Australia was joining calls from Britain and other countries for Iran to return to the negotiating table. "We do not want to see escalation," she told reporters in Canberra. There are around 2,900 Australians in Iran and 1,300 in Iraq who are seeking to leave. Australia closed its embassy in Tehran on Friday, after Wong spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Australia has suspended bus evacuations from Israel after the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but is making preparations for potential evacuations if air space in Israel re-opens, Wong said. Australia said it has sent two defence planes to the Middle East in non-combat roles to assist civilian evacuations. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Sunday he was examining the evidence surrounding Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called for a return to dialogue, Radio New Zealand reported. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Australia shuts down Tehran embassy as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia Penny Wong addresses the \"Summit of the Future\" in the General Assembly hall at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 23, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo SYDNEY - Australia said on Friday it had suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran, citing "a deteriorating security environment" as Israel hit Iran's nuclear facilities again, and the week-old air war showed no sign yet of an exit strategy from either side. Israel launched a sweeping aerial campaign against Iran last Friday, calling it a preemptive strike to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied any such plans and retaliated by launching counterstrikes on Israel. "The Australian government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents ... based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement. Consular staff are being deployed to neighbouring Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran, Wong said. "We remain in close contact with other partner countries. At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed," she added. Australia's ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, would remain in the region to support the government's response, Wong said. More than 1,500 Australians and their families in Iran have sought assistance to leave the country, official data showed. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Roof takes win
A house in Whanganui, on which the grandstand roof from the nearby recreation grounds landed during a gale. — Otago Witness, 23.6.1925 Wanganui, June 12: A rather sensational happening occurred in Hatrick street this afternoon.A southerly gale of wind of great violence developed in the afternoon and blew down many fences and trees, several large macrocarpas being uprooted. However, a feature of the gale was the lifting bodily of the roof of the grandstand on the recreation grounds, carrying it along about 30 feet and depositing it en masse on the roof of the residence of Mr W.L. Young. Those in the vicinity at the time state that there was no noise other than that caused by nails when being drawn from their sockets by the violence of the wind. In its transit the flying structure knocked over the drawing room brick chimney. Mrs Young and her maid, who were in the house at the time, received a great fright as the heavily-weighted roof came down on the roof of the dwelling. It was a different matter to remove the structure with such a gale blowing, and a large staff of workmen were engaged, and by use of heavy ropes they secured it safely. In addition to the damage to the chimney and the top of the dwelling a good deal of damage was done to the corrugated iron roof which was penetrated by some of the heavy beams and projections of timber. It was very fortunate that the flying roof was carried in the direction it was. Had it been swept into Guyton street among traffic somebody might have been killed. NZ a beacon of defence spending London: In written reply to a question by Major Hore-Belisha, who asked how much money has been contributed in respect of the current year towards naval defence; what proportion this bears to their total import and export trade and per capita of their population, and how these figures compare with Great Britain's contributions, Mr Ormsby-Gore states that the amounts provided in the Estimates for the year 1924-25 are: United Kingdom £55,800,000; expenditure per head £1 4s 10d; amount spent on naval defence for every £1000 of total import and export trade, £25 3s 9d. Canada 1,400,000 dollars; per head 0.13 dollars; for every 1000 dollars of import and export trade, 0.74 dollars. Commonwealth of Australia £2,318,164; per head 8s; for every £1000 of import and export trade, £8 14s; in addition £3,000,000 for naval construction and £1,500,000 for defence generally. New Zealand £523,079; per head 8s; for every £1000 of total import and export trade, £5 5s 8d. Union of South Africa £142,035; per head, 1s 9d; for every £1000 of total imports and export trade, £1 0s 1d. A city thrice holy Where in the world is there a city with anything like Jerusalem's record for the observance of the Sabbath Day? Although Christians claim Jerusalem as their ''Holy City,'' it is just as sacred to the Jews, who flock to its synagogues and ''Wailing Wall.'' It means just as much to the Moslems, who worship in the Mosque of Omar and venerate the Temple Area. As there are three distinct faiths in Jerusalem there are also three Sundays in the week. There is the Christian Sunday, when all Christian shops are shut and all other shops are open. Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, when all Jewish places of business close their doors. Friday is the Moslem day of prayer, when the faithful go to service in the mosque. While this system is convenient for the forgetful housewife, it causes many complications. In Jerusalem a man's religion is of more consequence than his nationality. — ODT, 13.6.1925 Compiled by Peter Dowden
Sydney Morning Herald
02-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Harbour City gains unexpected cheerleader in Melbourne's lord mayor
One immutable fundamental of federation relations that founded the Commonwealth of Australia – state-on-state rivalry – was upended recently when Nick Reece, lord mayor of Melbourne, undertook a whistle-stop tour of Sydney ... and liked it. 'Sydney and Melbourne are the two best cities in the world!' Reece said glowingly of the northern metropolis on a LinkedIn post (but not in an official media release, as far as we could tell). Talk about undermining 124 years of slow burn resentment towards the Harbour City nurtured by our bitter, envious friends to the south. Reece also blew smoke in the direction of some of NSW's most prominent power players (though the state's unofficial premier, Peter V'landys, was missing). NSW Premier Chris Minns was 'a seriously smart guy … he also has an incredible knowledge of rugby league'. But Reece kept it real, musing that Minns might be lucky enough to score an invitation to the AFL Grand Final, which will be a non-event to most Sydneysiders, what with the Swans' season of woe. Loading Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore was a 'legend' who had 'copped a bit over the years' but was someone who deserves 'huge credit for her vision and determination'. He also name-checked Business Sydney's Paul Nicolau and Crown Resorts chairman John Borghetti, and mused that Melbourne had 'much to learn' from the Vivid festival, which should send chills down the spine of our snobbier southern neighbours. Still, Reece managed to straddle a line between enthusiastic guest and Melbourne advocate, ready to heap praise on his hometown. So when meeting hospitality baron Justin Hemmes, he cannily pointed out that while he loved his tour of The Ivy, the billionaire manbun's biggest project was Parkade in Melbourne, the next target of Merivale's imperial ambitions.
