KINGS AUSTRALIA TOUR CONCLUDES ON A HIGH NOTE

AUSTRALIA NEWS

23rd October, 2024

By Oyenike

KINGS AUSTRALIA TOUR CONCLUDES ON A HIGH NOTE

On Tuesday, thousands gathered in Sydney to catch a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the iconic Opera House providing a stunning backdrop in the afternoon light. This event marked a successful conclusion to their royal tour of Australia, which had initially seemed uncertain due to the King’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Despite a notable protest in Canberra the day before, the atmosphere in Sydney was largely positive and supportive. Royal aides likely felt relieved to see the tour come to fruition, especially after having to adjust plans based on medical advice.

The visit was shorter than usual, with engagements designed to accommodate the King’s health, avoiding early mornings and late nights. Nevertheless, the royal couple’s schedule remained packed, including visits to various community initiatives and celebrations.

Throughout the tour, the King appeared to handle the demands well, showing no signs of his health issues. He was visibly touched by the warm reception from the public during his first official visit to Australia as monarch, despite the underlying republican sentiments and calls for Indigenous rights that accompanied the trip.

King Charles met the indigenous community in Sydney on his Australia visit

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FIRST PEOPLES’ ASSEMBLY TO RECOMMEND A PUBLIC HOLIDAY CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS HERITAGE IN STATE GOVERNMENT TREATY DISCUSSIONS

Residents of Victoria may soon see the establishment of a new public holiday focused on celebrating Indigenous heritage, as Aboriginal leaders participate in discussions with the state government about a treaty for the region. This holiday would commemorate the signing of a state treaty, which seeks to improve services such as health and education while promoting knowledge about land management and reinforcing Indigenous traditions.

Rueben Berg, a Gunditjmara man and co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, shared that the concept of a public holiday emerged from extensive discussions with local communities. He emphasised that this nation boasts the oldest continuous cultures globally, which is a significant reason to celebrate collectively.

During their dialogues with various communities throughout Victoria, numerous suggestions were presented. One prominent idea was to establish a day dedicated to sharing and honouring the culture of the First Peoples with all residents of Victoria.

Berg expressed a desire to continue the exchange and celebration of their cultures in this region, highlighting the importance of unity in recognising and appreciating the rich Indigenous heritage.

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Google search

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AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES TRAVEL DECLARATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR INCOMING PASSENGER CARD OPTION

Travellers arriving in Australia now have the choice to complete a digital version of the incoming passenger card as part of efforts to modernise the arrival process. The Australia Travel Declaration pilot program was launched this week, enabling selected passengers to forgo the traditional paper card required for personal and biosecurity information.

Instead, individual adult travellers participating in the pilot can submit the necessary information to border authorities up to 72 hours before their flight to Australia using their mobile devices. Currently, the pilot applies to specific Qantas flights from Auckland to Brisbane, with additional flights from Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown to Brisbane expected to follow soon.

Eligible travellers can fill out a form through the Qantas app, which generates a digital pass containing a QR code. This code is then sent to the traveller’s email, streamlining the process further.

This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and convenience for international travellers, making their arrival in Australia smoother and more modern.

Travelers arriving in Australia now have the choice to complete a digital version of the incoming passenger card as part of efforts to modernize the arrival process

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PILOT UNBELIEVABLY WALKS AWAY WITH MINIMAL INJURIES AFTER FLAMING AIRCRAFT CRASH NEAR BARALABA, CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

A serious plane accident occurred where the pilot narrowly escaped a grave incident with only minor injuries. The pilot escaped just moments before the aircraft burst into flames, located about two hours southwest of Rockhampton. Paramedics arrived at the scene on Duaringa Baralaba Road around 9:20 am on Wednesday after receiving reports of a fixed-wing plane down near Barnard.

The pilot, a man in his 30s, was reportedly operating a crop-dusting aircraft when it overturned. Remarkably, he managed to walk away with minimal injuries and was transported to Baralaba Multipurpose Health Service in stable condition.

Shortly after the crash, a fuel leak from the aircraft led to a fire. Queensland Police have responded but have transferred the investigation to Workplace Health and Safety for further oversight.

Currently, two crews from the Queensland Fire Department are at the site working to extinguish the flames.

The plane crash scene

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COALITION FOCUSES ON SINGLE-DETACHED HOMES IN AUSTRALIA’S OUTER SUBURBS AS THEY CHALLENGE LABOR ON HOUSING

Coalition strategists plan to intensify the battle against Labor regarding the housing crisis by targeting the preferences of middle and outer suburban voters. Their campaign aims to highlight a stark contrast to the federal government’s proposals for increased social and high-density housing in costly cities. While experts suggest a blend of both strategies may be necessary, voters will increasingly face a clear choice.

Recently, the opposition unveiled a significant policy initiative ahead of the upcoming election, following consultations with developers and local authorities. They propose a $5 billion fund to assist investors and councils in addressing infrastructure bottlenecks related to water, electricity, and sewerage.

The Coalition believes that the government’s emphasis on state-funded public housing may not resonate well with voters in key swing electorates. Shadow housing spokesman Michael Sukkar stated that their funding approach would not rule out infill housing projects but emphasised a preference for investing in infrastructure in newly developed areas.

The Coalition plans to allocate funds to local councils and other organisations to tackle specific regional challenges, potentially unlocking around 500,000 homes at an average policy cost. Sukkar noted that the focus on greenfield sites for detached housing presents the greatest opportunities based on discussions with numerous councils over the past few years.

The Coalition housing spokesperson Micheal Sukkar

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