TRANSCRIPT
- Optus and Telstra begin switching off the 3G network
- Western Australia has been named the best-performing state economy for the first time in a decade
- Coach of the Jillaroos says the Australian team will be at full-strength for the Pacific Cup final
Tens of thousands of mobile phones and devices operating on the 3G network will stop working, as the remaining major telecommunication companies begin switching off the 3G network.
Telstra and Optus say the move is being made to boost the speed, capability and reliability of their 4G and 5G system.
A range of technological devices will be impacted by the 3G shutdown, including older mobile phones that will no longer connect with emergency services and medical monitoring equipment.
Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland says those who need their device upgraded, should contact their service provider.
"The 3G switchover is a commercial decision taken by network providers and industry has undertaken significant efforts to identify and contact potentially affected customers and encourage them to check and upgrade their device. My department will continue to work with the telcos during the 3G switchover process to ensure this occurs in a safe and well managed way."
Optus says it has run a six-week awareness campaign - and offered 20,000 no cost handsets to select customers, including those experiencing financial challenges.
The company says staff in stores are trained to assist customers with the transition.
_
Western Australia has been named the best-performing state economy for the first time in a decade.
The state topped CommSec's State of the States report, which gauges their economic performance and momentum based on eight indicators.
The October quarter report shows the resource-rich state has come first in retail spending, relative unemployment and population growth.
_
The second hearing of the inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia is due to convene today in Canberra.
The inquiry was launched five months after the Opposition leader Peter Dutton vowed that if his party wins the next election, he will establish seven nuclear power plants across Australia, with two in Queensland.
The Nationals leader David Littleproud says he is optimistic about the plan, particularly after the Queensland election result.
"I think if David comes with me, even into my electorate in Kingaroy, he will see where one of the nuclear power plants is going to Tarong, is very popular, I have the courage and my conviction to say I want it to in one of my communities and I gotta say we've been working that community to make sure that they do have a future. Not the one that lasts for ten years with a solar panel or wind turbine, but last 80 to 100 years, so that they have jobs, and their kids have jobs, and their grand kids will have jobs, that's a legacy I've been giving a privilege to go to parliament to live to the next generation, that's what Peter Dutton and I get on the job and do, and I'm very confident that we can work with David."
_
Japan's ruling coalition has lost its parliamentary majority in the country's national election.
The Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled Japan for almost all of its post-war history, has had its seats in the lower house reduced.
With all but 20 of the 465 seats accounted for, public broadcaster N-H-K reports the party and its junior coalition partner have 209 of the possible 465 seats in the lower house.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan increased its seats in parliament by 45 - for a total of 143.
Party leader, Yoshihiko Noda, says he sees it as a successful election outcome.
"I think we can say we achieved our goal since we aimed for the Liberal Democratic Party to lose its parliamentary majority - and that is a great achievement. The total numbers are not out yet, and there might be some additional votes. Once the final results are out, I would like to call an executive committee and decide on what to do next."
_
In sport, Australia has booked a spot in the women's rugby league Pacific Cup final, after the Jillaroos defeated the Kiwi Fearns 14-0.
Players went into camp for the first three-match State of Origin series in mid-May, before joining their clubs for pre-season and a competition that stretched 11 weeks by grand final day.
Coach Brad Donald says there are injuries among the team's players that he hopes will resolve in the next fortnight.
"We've all got a few niggles. But it has been a long season. This has been the first time that we've seen three State of Origins. All of our squad played Origin except for one. A longer season - and I think that is probably why we're getting the quality of footy that we got today too. It goes with the territory. There are a few injuries. But we'll be right in two weeks' time."
