TRANSCRIPT
- The Australian Federal Police Commissioner says criminals for hire may be behind some antisemitic attacks in Australia
- Calls for a wide-ranging ban on what's called forever chemicals
- In Tennis, American Madison Keys books a spot in her third Australian Open semifinal
The Australian Federal Police say it's important for the public to be aware of their investigation into the possibility that criminals may have been paid to commit antisemitic attacks in Australia.
An arson attack at a childcare centre close to a place of worship is the latest in a series of attacks, with cars set on fire, graffiti, and a Synagogue burnt down in recent months.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw says investigators are examining financial payments.
"So part of our inquiries include who is paying those criminals, where those people are, whether they are in Australia or offshore, and what their motivation is. There is still a lot of investigative work to be done, and we are not ready to rule anything in or out. Crime is globalised. Criminals are using a anonymising technology, and we know 70 per cent of criminals who target Australia are offshore."
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she is confident that Australia can avoid tough trade sanctions under the second Trump administration.
Ms Wong has met with the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.
She says the talks focused on the importance of the economic partnership between the two countries - and she downplayed concerns that Australia would be impacted by Donald Trump's vow to impose tariffs on all imports to the United States.
She ways it is normal for Australian officials to take time to navigate how to respond to the trade policies of each new US administration.
"This is no different. I'd refer you, for example, not only to the FTA negotiations, many years ago but I'd refer you to the first Trump administration and the challenges that had to be navigated by the then Turnbull government. What I can say to Australians is, we will work consistently, confidently, with a very clear focus on Australia's interests to navigate any trade issues."
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Experts say the federal government should consider putting in place a wide-ranging ban on a class of synthetic chemicals called forever-chemicals.
PFAS are are a class of synthetic chemicals found widely in household and industrial products and experts say they persist in the environment for long periods of time.
A 2021 study conducted by the Australian National University in three communities with known PFAS contamination, found a link between PFAS exposure and higher cholesterol levels.
Speaking to a Senate committe hearing into PFAS, water expert Dr Stuart Khan says PFAS chemicals are found everywhere and the most cost effective way to mitigate the issue is a widespread ban.
"We already know from studies around the world, studies, particularly studies in europe, you can measure PFAS in rainfall. So it's coming at us regardless. We can't control all of the sources, but we certainly don't want to exacerbate them by releasing more PFAS into the atmosphere."
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A new documentary traces the historic journey of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions and the repatriation of the fourth petition back to Country.
The Yirrkala Bark Petitions were prepared and signed by Yolngu people in 1960s and sent to the Australian Parliament in a formal attempt by the Yolngu to have their land rights recognised.
They became the first traditional documents by Indigenous peoples to be recognised by the Australian Parliament.
Professor Larissa Behrendt is the director of ‘One Heart, One Mind’ documentary.
She says the project came about due to the compelling story of the sole surviving signatory of the barks, Dhunggala Mununggurr, and she says it is reminder of the importance of the Bark Petitions for the contemporary rights movement.
'One Mind, One Heart' is available for viewing on SBS On Demand as part of a curated week of First Nations programming and coverage ahead of January 26.
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To the Tennis now, America's Madison Keys has earned a spot in her third Australian Open semi-final after defeating Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Keys' best result at a major was reaching the final of the 2017 US Open, while she also reached the last four at Melbourne Park in 2015 and 2022.
Also playing in the Women's singles semi-finals are Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa.
Formerly world number 2 and currently ranked 11, Spain's Paula Badosa says she feels she's back where belongs.
"Since I came back last year here in Australia, my goal, I said it here last January. I wanted to be the comeback of the year. I achieved that, and when I started this year, I also said I wanted to be, I want to be one of the best players in the world and prove that, show that and be consistent. So that's, that's my goal for this year also."
