Biden administration finalises rule on religious liberty protections
United States RNS Nine agencies of the Biden administration have finalised a new rule that officials say will improve religious freedom by protecting the rights of beneficiaries of social services funded by the government. In particular, the rule will affect those receiving help from the many social service providers that are faith-based and will ensure […]
Australian PM focused on workplace reform as he marks 100 days in office
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was focused on jobs and workplace reform as the country faces economic challenges in the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a speech in Canberra to mark 100 days of Labor government, Albanese said his government had a growth agenda that was pro-business […]
Australia swears in new Labor PM ahead of Quad meeting
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia’s Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as the country’s 31st Prime Minister on Monday, promising a “journey of change” as he vowed to tackle climate change, rising living costs and inequality. Labor returns to power after nine years in opposition as a wave of unprecedented support for the Greens […]
Analysis – Australian women unleash new political force on climate, integrity
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Professional women and voters concerned about climate change unleashed a third force in Australia’s election, taking a swath of seats that ended nine years of conservative rule even as votes for the winning Labor Party fell. Women who left successful careers in business, medicine and media to enter politics as independents were on […]
Updated: Australia ousts conservatives after nine years, PM Morrison concedes
Last updated: 8am, 22nd May, 2022 (AEST)Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia’s Labor Party was set to end almost a decade of conservative rule as the government was swept away in Saturday’s election by a wave of support for candidates who campaigned for more action on climate change and may hold the balance of power. Partial results showed […]
Australian voters head to polls in close-run election
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australians were voting in a national election on Saturday, with opinion polls showing the opposition Labor Party narrowly ahead of the ruling conservative coalition although a strong showing by climate-focussed independents could mean a hung parliament. Centre-left Labor held a decent lead going into the campaign after nine years in opposition, but recent […]
Updated: Cost of living in focus as Australia’s election race hits final stretch
Updated: 6:30pm (AEST)Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison criss-crossed the country in a final day of campaigning, insisting he could still win Saturday’s election despite polls pointing to a change of government or hung parliament. Morrison and Labor Opposition leader Anthony Albanese targeted marginal seats in the final 48 hours of the six-week campaign […]
Australia PM sets general election for 21st May
Melbourne/Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia will hold a general election on 21st May, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday, triggering a campaign expected to be fought over cost-of-living pressures, climate change and questions of trust and competence of the major parties. Morrison played up economic uncertainties and security threats in announcing the election, saying this […]
Religious discrimination Bill needs amendments, will impact state laws, Australian parliament told
Sydney, Australia The Australian Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill needs to be amended before being passed, according to the Labor Opposition. And Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie says he will not back the proposed legislation as it will undermine the state’s “strongest anti- discrimination laws in the country”. Queensland Labor MP Graham Perrett, a practising Catholic, […]
Australia staring at election cliff-hanger as poll predictions fall flat
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia’s two major political parties are locked in a tight contest with more than one-third of votes counted in the national election on Saturday, running counter to pre-election opinion polls that had predicted a change in government. Early counting showed a small swing to the governing Liberal-led conservative coalition, according to Australian Electoral […]