TRANSCRIPT
- The National Children's Commissioner says the social media ban on under 16s won't make the platforms any safer
- Anthony Albanese refuses to detail how the power to deport people to third countries will be used
- Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster joins Australia's Test squad
The National Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, says the social media ban on under 16s won't make the platforms any safer.
The government's ban has passed the Senate and will come into force at the end of next year to give the social media companies time to comply or risk facing fines of up to $50 million dollars.
Under the ban, people under 16 won't be permitted to use platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook,
Messaging apps like WhatsApp and sites like YouTube that don't require users to log in are exempt from the ban.
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The Reserve Bank Governor, Michele Bullock, says inflation needs to be brought down in a sustainable way before there can any movement on interest rates.
Inflation is at a three-year low but Michele Bullock says it needs to stay within the bank's target range of between 2 and 3 per cent for a while yet before the bank can move on rates.
While inflation has fallen is 2.1 per cent, the RBA Governor says a measure, known as the trimmed mean inflation rate, is a more accurate measure because it strips out volatile assets.
That rate is at 3.5 per cent.
Governor Bullock says it's critical inflation is brought down otherwise cost-of-living pressures will only intensify.
"If we fail to bring inflation down in a sustainable way, cost-of-living pressures willonly compound and monetary policy would need to remain restrictive for longer."
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Woolworths insists its shelves are not beginning to run bare as warehouse workers enter a second week of strike action.
Up to 1500 employees across a number of Woolworths distribution centres in Victoria and New South Wales walked off the job indefinitely on November 21.
They are fighting for a pay increase, along with an end to a performance framework the United Workers Union says is pushing staff to sacrifice safety standards in pursuit of faster work.
Woolworths insisted all stores were still receiving regular stock deliveries, but some were getting their goods less frequently than previously scheduled.
No product limits were in place apart from eggs, which had been rationed for some time following bird flu outbreaks in NSW and Victoria.
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The Prime Minister has refused to detail how the power to deport people to third countries will be used.
Labor's package of migration legislation passed the Senate last night with minimal debate, with support from the Coalition.
The changes to the Migration Act would give the immigration minister powers to impose blanket visa bans on countries, ban items like phones from detention centres, and pay third countries to accept deported non-citizens.
Mr Albanese has refused to answer how those powers will be used.
JOURNALIST: "How soon do you intend to strike a third country reception arrangement? Which countries could we pay to take non-citizens from Australia? And will you guarantee that you'll only do such deals with signatories of the Refugee Convention?"
PM: "We'll implement our legislation. We'll implement our legislation."
JOURNALIST: "Are there any safeguards or is it all bets are off?"
PM: "You get one".
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A bushfire north of Perth is threatening a number of towns on the coast, with the fire front now within two kilometres of Cervantes.
More than 200 firefighters are trying to contain the blaze but face hot and windy conditions with temperatures set to climb to 37 degrees.
The fire has destroyed more than 68,000 hectares of bushland.
The towns of Wedge and Grey in Western Australia's wheatbelt are also under threat.
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Russia's army has attacked Ukraine's energy grid leaving at least one million people without electricity.
Ukrainian officials says the attack cut power to three western regions of the country.
Russia's strike took place over several hours with drones and missiles targeting various locations.
President Vladimir Putin says his country launched 90 missiles and 100 drones in response to Ukraine's attacks.
In other developments, United States President Joe Biden says his administration is urging Ukraine to boost the size of its military by allowing people as young as 18 to be conscripted into the military.
Ukraine's current conscription age is 25.
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Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster will join Australia's Test squad next week ahead of a possible Test cricket debut for Australia against India in Adelaide next week.
The 30-year-old is coming into the squad as cover for Mitch Marsh who is injured after the first Test loss.
Webster says he's looking forward to the opportunity.
"I've done it all in the last 10 years at the top and in the middle. I dare say the role will be somewhere between that five and even role with the bat and some overs as well. Predominantly seem up with him. We've got the spin department covered."
