Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes PM Albanese condemning extremism after a church attack, the Bureau of Meteorology saying El Nino will be over soon, Australia boosting integrated air and missile defence, Australia mulls first National Environmental Agency, and Protesters arrested after blocking roads across Melbourne.
Nation
PM Albanese condemns extremism after church attack
“This is a disturbing incident. There is no place for violence in our community, there’s no place for violent extremism,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said after a 15-year-old boy was detained following an attack at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed during a live-streamed sermon. The attack led to violence on the streets near the Assyrian church. Scores of police tried to disperse the crowd during which officers were injured, and vehicles were damaged. The stabbing has been declared a terrorist incident, 1 News reported.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/16/australia-pm-condemns-extremism-after-disturbing-church-attack/
El Nino to end soon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology has declared El Nino over, Sky News reported. The climate driver has been active since September last year. However, it’s now entered a neutral phase and is expected to remain that way until July at least. It’s believed Australia will return to a La Nina before the end of the year. This might see wetter conditions for parts of the east, north and centre.
Defence
Australia to boost integrated air and missile defence
Australia is joining the US and Japan in developing systems for shielding territory from air and missile attacks, ASPI reports. The news comes as the Department of Defence and Royal Australian Air Force are under pressure to move faster in implementing such a capability. Hypersonic threats and the risk of increasingly sophisticated long-range missiles adaptable to both nuclear and conventional attack should also require the US, Japan and Australia to work together to counter strategic risks as part of an effort to strengthen US extended nuclear deterrence.
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-next-step-in-integrated-air-and-missile-defence/
Environment
Australia mulls first National Environmental Agency
Australia plans to set up an independent regulator to hold businesses be held accountable for environmental breaches, Bloomberg reported. The Environment Protection Agency will audit companies — including those in the nation’s crucial mining and energy sectors — to ensure they comply with regulations, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said in a press release. It will be able to issue so-called stop-work orders to those breaking the law, and through courts issue maximum fines of $780 million and prison sentences of seven years.
Regions
Protesters arrested after blocking roads across Melbourne
More than a dozen pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested after unleashing chaos across Melbourne as part of protest action in cities around the world, 9 News has reported. Protesters gathered at city landmarks today, including a group that grew at Melbourne Central. Leaders of the international group “A15 Action” called on supporters to blockade key sites, such as ports, train stations and parts of central business districts in major Australian cities today. About 100 protesters also held unannounced demonstrations at Parliament House, Hoddle Street, Flinders Street and at a defence facility in Port Melbourne.
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