TRANSCRIPT
- Indigenous leaders reflect on the one-year anniversary of the Voice referendum
- King Charles says it is up to Australia to decide whether it becomes a republic
- The Wallaroos win their first piece of major tournament silverware
A year on from the failed Voice Referendum outcome, Alyawarre woman Aunty Pat Anderson wants to focus on the positives and community.
The leading First Nations health advocate was an architect of the Voice to Parliament campaign, and co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue, promoting the goals stated in the landmark 2017 document, the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The statement called for Voice, Treaty and Truth to help realise Indigenous rights, with measures such as a First Nations Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling.
Australia is now the only Commonwealth nation that does not have a treaty with its Indigenous peoples.
Aunty Pat Anderson says lies and misinformation impacted the result of the referendum campaign, but advocates are still determined to move forward.
Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo says truthtelling - and improving the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians - is an ongoing task.
"Absolutely heartbroken. I know that (is a strong feeling on this anniversary). But I have seen so much of that spirit that led us to winning equal wages in this country where we were once only paid in rations. Native title and land rights - and the steps toward justice that we have had. The right to vote. And so for those reasons, I am feeling hopeful. I know we always take Nos and turn them into Yes - as a people. It will be the same here. We just need our allies to get behind us. So that is what gives me hope."
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King Charles says it is up to the Australian people to decide whether the country remains a constitutional monarchy or becomes a republic.
Ahead of the King's visit to Australia next week, the Australian Republic Movement has exchanged letters with Buckingham Palace officials who were writing on the King's behalf.
The contents of the letters have been reported in the Daily Mail, with King Charles expressing the view that whether Australia becomes a republic is a matter for the Australian public to decide.
The trip to Australia by King Charles III and Queen Camilla will mark Charles' 17th visit to our shores, ahead of their visit to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
It is the most extensive overseas trip by the pair since the 75-year-old was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer back in February.
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A new report is calling for a change to the system of calculating speeding fines, with Australia urged to look at the Finland example.
No matter what wage you earn, if you get a speeding fine, the amount is the same for all offenders.
A report by the Australia Institute, supported by Uniting Vic Tas and Financial Counselling Victoria, finds Australia's system is less equitable than in Finland where the fine is calculated based on a driver's income - and whether they have dependants.
Executive officer at Financial Counselling Victoria, Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope, says the flat rate effectively criminalises poverty, pushing low-income Australians into further financial difficulties, but at the same time not having any financial impact on the wealthy.
He says a proportional fine system, like that used in Finland, is an important step in creating a fairer system.
The report says some Australian states are already moving in that direction, such as in New South Wales where there is already a Centrelink discount.
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Stargazers have described their excitement at seeing a comet as bright as the Southern Cross making its way towards Earth for the first time in 80,000 years.
The comet, called C/2023 A3, was discovered last year and is named for the observatories in China and South Africa that spied it.
It came from what’s known as the Oort Cloud well beyond Pluto.
The journey of the space rock will be visible through the end of October, clear skies permitting - although the closest pass is this weekend.
New Zealand-based astronomer Ian Griffin says watching the approach of the comet has been amazing.
"The comet was visible in the morning sky over New Zealand over the last few weeks. It's just gone really close to the sun which has melted a lot of the comet and created a huge tail and over the next week or so, it's going to appear in our evening sky after sunset and, hopefully if it keeps going, it's going to be a magnificent sight. It should be visible with the naked eye, certainly visible with binoculars and something to look out for."
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In sports, Australia women's national rugby union team has officially qualified for the Rugby World Cup.
The Wallaroos beat Scotland, with a 31-22 win in the WXV2 tournament decider.
It is the team's first major piece of silverware, showing the side is continuing to make progress under the coaching of former English international Jo Yapp.
Scotland's head coach, Bryan Easson, told Stan Sport, the team had been looking to defend the title they won in Cape Town last year - but it was not to be.
"We obviously wanted to win this competition, but four out of five games have been positive. Some good players coming through, a real challenging of the script. So we have got to look at it as a positive in terms of overall. Obviously, disappointed today. But well done to Australia."
The Women's Rugby World Cup will be held in England in August and September next year.
