TRANSCRIPT
- Cash payments announced for those affected by mass power outages in far-west NSW
- Lidia Thorpe says she fulfilled her duties correctly when sworn in
- The Matildas gear up to face Switzerland under interim coach Tom Sermanni
Cash payments of up to $400 will be made to households and businesses in far-west New South Wales following a week of power outages and mass blackouts.
Supplies of pantry staples, fresh produce, food hampers and mobile cold rooms are also being distributed as part of a four million dollar financial support package.
A storm left about 20 thousand people without power last week and put pressure on the energy operator Transgrid to explain why it did not have a backup plan to prevent the outage.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and member for Barwon Roy Butler have travelled to Broken Hill today where they are meeting with community members.
"One of the things we know in a crisis, or in a difficult situation, is that people need accurate information, in a timely manner, they need to know how to access support that's really important in reducing anxiety and frustration in people and I know there’s been a ton of anxiety and frustration across the far west over the last week. So it's a really good measure to try and make sure we can reduce that."
Blackouts are expected to continue for at least another fortnight.
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Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe has backtracked after she suggested she purposely said hairs instead of heirs when being sworn into the Senate.
The Senator has faced criticism from the Opposition over the comments, with the Coalition questioning her eligibility to sit in the Senate.
It comes after her vocal protest against King Charles during his Australian tour attracted global headlines.
Ms Thorpe has rejected calls to resign, telling SBS she fulfilled her duties correctly when being sworn in.
"I spoke what I read on the card. Now my English literature and language isn't great. It's part of my resistance, if you like. So I read it and I spoke it. I signed the card that needed to be signed for me to fulfill my role as a senator in this country."
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Tobacco retailers in NSW could be facing double the maximum penalty if they don't comply with new reforms.
The legislation introduced in Parliament by NSW Health Minister Ryan Park is an attempt to crack down on the illegal selling of under-the-counter cigarettes.
Vendors will also need to provide a special tobacco-selling license and pay an annual fee which will be enforced by officers.
This move to curb the growing underground industry will bring NSW in line with states such as Victoria which have implemented similar reforms.
Mr Park says the legislation will not only send a message to retailers but also to consumers.
"We need to get tighter, we need to get greater control over this market and we need to send a very clear message like we have done with vapes, that selling illegal tobacco is wrong, it is harmful and if you engage with this process going forward you may be subject to not only enforcement but more importantly significant fines."
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A new survey has found newly arrived refugee and migrant communities have a poor understanding of Australia’s electoral process.
The survey, conducted by settlement support provider AMES, included 21 key cohort migrant and refugee groups in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
It found 62.5 per cent of community leaders say their community has no or little understanding of the electoral process.
Of the three tiers of government, local was found to be the most responsive to communities' needs - with federal government polling the worst.
AMES public affairs manager Laurie Nowell explains what that might mean for the upcoming federal election next year.
"It might mean people are reticent to getting enrolled to vote. I think it speaks to whether we want to be a truly inclusive society, and if we do, we need to make sure that people are able to easily take part in the political process and have a say in the policies and the governance that affect their lives. And let's remember that newly arrived communities are some of the most vulnerable."
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The Matildas are gearing up for their match against 2025 Euro host nation Switzerland eyeing a return to the top ten in the world.
Currently 15th in the world, the matches against Switzerland on Saturday morning and world number four Germany three days later will give them a good guide of what they need to do to improve.
Tom Sermanni has taken interim control of the Matildas and the team say they're happy with his input until a permanent successor to former coach Tony Gustavsson is confirmed.
Player Ellie Carpenter says she's looking forward to the games.
"He's come in, he's implemented what he thinks this team is world class at, what our strong attributes are. I'm really looking forward to these two upcoming games because it's a chance for us to get back out there and represent our country and start this new cycle."
