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(AUSTRALIA) National Press Club 2022 Report: Key moments from Scott Morrison’s first address #AceNewsDesk report

#AceNewsReport – Feb.03: Mr Morrison took a softer tone in his actual speech, admitting that he “hasn’t always got everything right” and that he was prepared to take some of the blame levelled at him during his last three years in the job.

#AceDailyNews NPC Report: As hundreds of anti-vaccine mandate protesters surrounded the building during his address, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was grilled on a range of topics — from the rising cost of petrol and bills, to whether women working in Parliament are any safer now than they were a year ago.

Scott Morrison wearing a suit and tie standing at a podium with the national press club logo behind him
Scott Morrison said he wished he had called in Defence to run the vaccine rollout sooner.(ABC News: Adam Kennedy)

But when asked if he would apologise for some of his decisions — including leaving to go to Hawaii during the 2019/2020 summer bushfires and not securing enough rapid antigen tests ahead of last Christmas — Mr Morrison sidestepped the question.

Instead, he said: “We’re all terribly sorry for what this pandemic has done to the world and to this country.”

Here are some of the other key topics he was asked about.

Defence involved in vaccine rollout

While the Prime Minister didn’t say the “s” word (sorry), he did concede that if he had his time again he’d have done the vaccine rollout differently.

“If I had my time over, I would have put [the rollout] under military operation from the outset, and not later in the year,” he said.

“As we went through those early months and we had the challenges that we had with the Health Department … I took the decision to send in General (John) Frewen and change the way we did it.

“[We] set up a change in the command structure, how logistics were managed, how it was planned.

“And it worked but I wish I’d done that earlier, and that’s a lesson.”

Mr Morrison also said the confusion around whether and when aged care patients could be taken to public hospitals was another issue that proved difficult during the outbreaks in 2020.

Frewen, a bald man, is wearing army military uniform standing behind microphones and in front of an Australian flag.
Lieutenant General John Frewen was brought in to oversee the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.(ABC News: Adam Kennedy)

Treatment of women

Another question directed to the Prime Minister was what changes had been made to make parliament and political offices safer this year than they were last year.

It’s timely given Parliament is set to resume for the first time this year next week, and how the revelations by Brittany Higgins at the beginning of 2021 put the treatment of women in the highest offices front and centre.

Mr Morrison said that to him, the most important difference this time around was the independent complaints body that was in place for anyone who was previously too worried about coming forward.

“That, I think, assists everybody who works in that building,” he said.

“That process that we examined closely, that let down so many a year ago and before, has been significantly changed and for the better.

“We have learnt from those times and I believe it’s safer today than it was a year ago.”

He said he would continue to make sure the processes the government had adopted, including additional counselling support, were working, and that he would tweak them if need be.

Last year, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins was tasked with doing a wide-ranging review into the workplace culture within Parliament and the public service, finding it had a “boys’ club” culture of “bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault”.

Unemployment rate prediction

Mr Morrison took the opportunity to spruik the difference in the unemployment rates between now and when he was last at the National Press Club a year ago.

“Unemployment is at 4.2 per cent. When I stood here a year ago, it was 6.6 per cent,” he said.

.DO NOT PUB Rachel Pupazzoni image template
Hospitality staff are in high demand across the country.(ABC News: John Gunn)

He went further, saying the government was predicting unemployment could get below 4 per cent in 2022.

“I believe we can now achieve an unemployment rate with a 3 in front of it this year,” he said.

“Our goal is to achieve this in the second half of 2022.”

The government has acknowledged that getting unemployment below 4 per cent to get enough pressure to have wages begin to rise.

Cost of living

The Prime Minister was also quizzed on what his government would, or could, do to ease the rising cost of living for millions of Australians.

The government did forecast that the cost of things like petrol, house prices and living expenses would outpace wage growth in last year’s forecasts.

Mr Morrison said that was why good economic management “was more important than ever”.

“How you manage inflation, principally, is particularly how you manage the national finances — they are things we have control over,” he said.

“On home ownership, it’s always hard to buy your first home, it’s terribly hard.

“That’s why, at the last election, we came up with, I think, some very effective programs.

“We can’t manage what happens to house prices, but we can help people get into homes.”

When asked whether he could say how much a loaf of bread, a litre of petrol and a rapid antigen test cost, Mr Morrison replied that:

“I’m not going to pretend to you that I go out each day and I buy a loaf of bread and I buy a litre of milk.”

“The point is that I do my job every day to ensure that those things are as affordable as they possibly can be for Australians every single day.”

#AceNewsDesk report ………..Published: Feb.03: 2022:

Editor says …Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency is not responsible for the content of external site or from any reports, posts or links, and can also be found here on Telegram: https://t.me/acenewsdaily all of our posts fromTwitter can be found here: https://acetwitternews.wordpress.com/ and all wordpress and live posts and links here: https://acenewsroom.wordpress.com/and thanks for following as always appreciate every like, reblog or retweet and free help and guidance tips on your PC software or need help & guidance from our experts AcePCHelp.WordPress.Com

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(AUSTRALIA) Great Barrier Reef Report: Country will spend A$1bn (£520m; $700m) over nine years on improving the water quality and other aspects of the ailing condition PM says #AceNewsDesk report

#AceNewsReport – Jan.31: PM Scott Morrison argued the new investment would have broad benefits: There are 64,000 jobs that depend on that reef,” Mr Morrison said on Friday: And so its health is about the economic health of that region, as well as the natural health of that region.”

#AceDailyNews BBC (Australia) News Report: Scientists have welcomed the money but warn it does not tackle the reef’s overriding threat of climate change: A climate laggard among rich nations, Australia is often criticised for not doing more to prevent coral bleaching caused by warmer seas

So why is the Great Barrier Reef in trouble?

A diver on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems

It will fund projects that reduce erosion and pollutants entering the sea, and other conservation efforts – such as combating illegal fishing and coral-eating starfish.

Mr Morrison is expected to call a general election in May and will hope to retain key seats in Queensland, where the reef is located. He said the new money added to A$2bn in existing commitments. 

But Friday’s announcement also comes days before Australia is due to update Unesco on its plans to preserve its natural wonder.

Last year the government successfully lobbied to keep the reef off Unesco’s official list of World Heritage sites “in danger”, drawing controversy after unprecedented back-to-back coral bleaching events.

Renewed criticism followed Friday’s announcement. The Australian Conservation Foundation said improving water quality was important “but without climate action the reef is doomed”. 

The Australian Marine Conservation Society said tackling erosion was “a gap that needed to be addressed” but called on the government to “drastically increase their climate ambition”.

“Currently areas of the Great Barrier Reef are on high alert for a major bleaching event, which is unprecedented during the La Nina weather pattern,” it said in a statement. 

Bleaching occurs when under-stress corals expel the algae living within them that gives them colour and life. They can recover but only if conditions allow it.

Australia has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions, but its 2030 commitment – a 26% cut on 2005 levels – has been criticised as weak.

It has defended itself by arguing it is on track to meet its commitments – a claim previously disputed by the UN – and that climate change is a global issue.

Stretching over 2,300km (1,400 miles) off Australia’s north-east coast, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world.

#AceNewsDesk report ………..Published: Jan.31: 2022:

Editor says …Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency is not responsible for the content of external site or from any reports, posts or links, and can also be found here on Telegram: https://t.me/acenewsdaily all of our posts fromTwitter can be found here: https://acetwitternews.wordpress.com/ and all wordpress and live posts and links here: https://acenewsroom.wordpress.com/and thanks for following as always appreciate every like, reblog or retweet and free help and guidance tips on your PC software or need help & guidance from our experts AcePCHelp.WordPress.Com

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(AUSTRALIA) JUST IN: Victoria Police Report: Serial conman Peter Foster has been arrested, six months after he failed to appear in a Sydney court over an alleged Bitcoin fraud #AceNewsDesk report

#AceNewsReport – Dec.08: Last year he was arrested in Queensland and extradited to New South Wales, where he allegedly went on the run after being given bail: He was arrested in the state of Victoria on Tuesday……

#AceDailyNews says that according to BBC (Australia) News Report: Peter Foster an Australian conman caught after six-month manhunt: Mr Foster, 59, is accused of defrauding a Hong Kong man of A$1.7m (£900,000; $1,2m) in cryptocurrency: Mr Foster has previously been involved in high-profile previous scams, most notably involving former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie Blair, in 2002.

Australian conman Peter Foster is handed to Fijian police after being discharged from a Suva Hospital after ending a seven day hunger strike, Fiji, 6 November 2006
Australian conman Peter Foster, pictured in 2006

Mr Foster is accused of posing as a man called William “Bill” Dawson as part of an online scam.

Police have alleged he received money from the Hong Kong man in several tranches between April 2019 and January 2020, in amounts ranging from about A$125,000 to $890,000.

He faces multiple charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, and publishing false or misleading material to obtain an advantage.

At the time he went missing, he was on strict bail conditions that required him to surrender his passport, wear an electronic ankle bracelet, and not use the internet or a mobile phone.

He was also barred from leaving his Sydney home unless it was a medical emergency or he was seeing police or his lawyers.

Mr Foster was declared a fugitive after failing to appear in court on 20 May.

The Australian Federal Police arrested him on Tuesday near the town of Gisborne, about an hour north-west of Melbourne.

#AceNewsDesk report ……….Published: Dec.08: 2021:

Editor says …Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency is not responsible for the content of external site or from any reports, posts or links, and can also be found here on Telegram: https://t.me/acenewsdaily all of our posts fromTwitter can be found here: https://acetwitternews.wordpress.com/ and all wordpress and live posts and links here: https://acenewsroom.wordpress.com/and thanks for following as always appreciate every like, reblog or retweet and free help and guidance tips on your PC software or need help & guidance from our experts AcePCHelp.WordPress.Com

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(AUSTRALIA) Tribute Bert Newton: The Australian entertainment industry is paying tribute to Gold Logie-winning television star, who has died aged 83 in his hometown of Melbourne #AceNewsDesk report

Amen 🇦🇺🙏

#AceNewsReport – Oct.31: Nine’s Director of Television Michael Healy described Newton as a “giant of our industry, entertaining generations of Australians across our television screens”.

#AceDailyNews says according to an ABC News Report: Bert Newton remembered as ‘giant of the industry’ and ‘ultimate entertainer’ The charismatic host had a career spanning more than six decades, dating back to the early days of Australian broadcasting.

Bert Newton
Bert Newton has been remembered as an icon of Australian television.(Kristian Dowling: Getty Images)

“He brought unbridled joy and laughter into our homes as part of so many programs, partnerships and formats.

“He was loved by us all at Nine and we wish Patti, Lauren, Matt and their families our sincere condolences at this sad time.”

Veteran broadcaster John “Burgo” Burgess said Newton was an icon who would leave an “immeasurable” void behind.

Comedian Adam Hills said it was “sad news for any Australian”, adding that Australian television would not be where it is now without the larger-than-life entertainer.

“Bert Newton was the ultimate entertainer. Australian TV wouldn’t be what it is without Bert,” he tweeted.

“It’s up to us all to take what he taught us, and keep his spirit alive. Enormous love to his family. Take a bow, Bert. You deserve the applause.”

Bert Newton with a yellow vest and black hat looks curiously next to Thomas the Tank Engine
Bert Newton dressed up as the Fat Controller to entertain children in Melbourne in 2015.(AAP: Tracey Nearmy)

TV presenter Rove McManus also paid tribute, saying he had “lost a mentor and a friend” as Australia “lost an icon”.

Stand-up comedian Denise Scott said Newton had made fun of himself years ago to raise money for a friend who was dying of cancer, describing him as “the best”.

Australia’s political leaders have also paid tribute to Newton, with former Labor leader Bill Shorten noting his legendary status as a “world class entertainer” in their shared home of Melbourne and current leader Anthony Albanese saying his heart went out to his family.

Health Minister Greg Hunt also tweeted, saying Newton lit up Australian screens with laughter and joy for decades.

“He was a part of very fabric of our television landscape and a key part of the continuing evolution of the silver screen.”

#AceNewsDesk report ……………..Published: Oct.31: 2021:

Editor says …Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency is not responsible for the content of external site or from any reports, posts or links, and can also be found here on Telegram: https://t.me/acenewsdaily all of our posts fromTwitter can be found here: https://acetwitternews.wordpress.com/ and all wordpress and live posts and links here: https://acenewsroom.wordpress.com/and thanks for following as always appreciate every like, reblog or retweet and free help and guidance tips on your PC software or need help & guidance from our experts AcePCHelp.WordPress.Com

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(AUSTRALIA) Melbourne Magistrates Court Report: Man faces court over the murder of Maryam Hamka in Brighton on Apr.11: #AceNewsDesk report

#AceNewsReport – Aug.28: A man has faced court over the murder of Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka: Ms Hamka, 36, was last seen on April 10 as she was leaving a supermarket on Albert Street, Brunswick at 5:30pm: Her family reported her missing five days later……

#AceNewsDesk reports that a man faces court over the murder of Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka: Toby Loughnane, 41, from Brighton, faced a short hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, charged with murder: Court documents show Mr Loughnane is accused of murdering Ms Hamka in Brighton on April 11.

Missing woman Maryam Hamka
Maryam Hamka was reported missing five days after she was last seen.(Supplied: Victoria Police)

The court heard Mr Loughnane is charged with separate family violence offences against Ms Hamka, which his lawyer, Sam Norton, described as “serious allegations of violence”.

He said those charges “have a nasty element to them”.

Mr Norton applied for those charges to be suppressed, but the request was denied.

Mr Loughnane did not apply for bail and is due back in court in December.

Missing Person Squad detectives on Wednesday have charged a man following the suspicious disappearance of Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka.

A 41-year-old Brighton man has been charged with one count of murder.

He will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 27 August.

Maryam was last seen leaving a Woolworths store in Albert Street, Brunswick at 5.30pm on Saturday 10 April.

She is described as being 165cm tall, with a thin build and long black hair, brown eyes and an olive complexion.

The 36-year-old was last seen wearing a black dress and had told family she was intending to visit a friend in Brighton.

Maryam was reported missing to police on the Thursday 15 April.

She is yet to be located and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police are also continuing to appeal for information in relation to a red 2015 Mazda 3 hatchback with distinctive damage to the front left guard.

The vehicle has been seized by investigators, however police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the car between Tuesday, 13 April through to Thursday, 15 April 2021.

Investigators believe that during this period, the vehicle made a number of trips to and from the Brighton area and was being driven by a sole male occupant during this time.

An image of a similar vehicle, as well as photos of Maryam, have also been re-released.

Detectives are appealing to anyone with information about the vehicle or regarding Maryam’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Natalie Webster: Media Officer: 96655

Reviewed 25 August 2021

#AceNewsDesk report ………Published: Aug.28: 2021:

Editor says …Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency is not responsible for the content of external site or from any reports, posts or links, and can also be found here on Telegram: https://t.me/acenewsdaily all of our posts fromTwitter can be found here: https://acetwitternews.wordpress.com/ and all wordpress and live posts and links here: https://acenewsroom.wordpress.com/and thanks for following as always appreciate every like, reblog or retweet and free help and guidance tips on your PC software or need help & guidance from our experts AcePCHelp.WordPress.Com