TRANSCRIPT
- Australia's tax system blamed for growing inequality in new report
- At least 70 killed in a series of insurgent attacks in Pakistan
- Sydney FC coach excited about his latest signing
A new report blames Australia's tax system for contributing to growing inequality.
Anglicare Australia has examined the distribution of wealth over the past two decades and finds government policies surrounding tax and superannuation are contributing to wealth inequality.
Executive Director Kasy Chambers says reforms are needed to reverse the problem.
"The wealthiest Australians hold 90 times the wealth of those with the least. And then we thought well what's done that, what's driving that? So when we looked at where people were holding their wealth, it was really in superannuation and real estate investment. So then we looked at government policies over that time and, of course, we find that those government policies have fuelled that growth. They've fuelled people growing superannuation and investing in housing."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is headed to Tonga today for the annual Pacific Island Forum.
The three-day event looks at political and economic affairs in the region and has a particular focus on climate change.
With rising sea levels and intensifying natural disasters, several low-lying Pasifika nations will continue calling for a climate fund.
This year, United Nations security chief Antonio Guterres is attending to stress the need for climate justice and security.
Dr George Carter, a research fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University, says a focus on climate justice is important for Pacific nations.
"Yes, it'll be about the just tradition. It'll be about the green technology. It'll be about reducing emissions. But, it's also about something that Pacific countries have been calling for many years: climate justice. How do we seek redress at the impacts of climate change that have disproportionate impacts on women and youth. The intergenerational aspects of climate change."
Another topic expected to be discussed is the recent unrest in the French territory of New Caledonia.
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At least 70 people have died after separatist militants launched a series of attacks in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
The insurgents have targeted police stations, railway lines and even vehicles on busy highways in their attempt to seize control of the sparsely populated region.
The Balochistan Liberation Army has taken responsibility for the attacks, with an email sent to journalists claiming there were more assaults planned, although none had been confirmed.
The Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi says the attacks were part of a plan to spread anarchy throughout the area, confirming that security forces had killed 21 of the insurgents.
"One thing is sure that the entire leadership has decided to respond with full force. We are already in consultation with (the) Balochistan government. We are in contact with them and we are fulfilling all their requirements."
It comes as part of a long-term struggle to claim ownership over the Balochistan province, which is Pakistan's largest and most rich in natural resources.
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At least 30 people have been killed in floodwaters after a dam collapse in Sudan's Red Sea state, and up to 200 people are reportedly missing.
Sudan's leader, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has visited the site where it is believed the death toll will significantly increase.
Despite the deployment of resources, the extent of the damage remains significant, with reports of many villagers seeking refuge on hilltops.
The Arbaat dam, which provides water to Port Sudan, failed 40 kilometres north of the city amidst the ongoing conflict in the country that has been raging since April of 2023.
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Traditional owners in Western Australia's mid-west are celebrating after the creation of a new national park and joint management venture.
The state government has added more than 325,000 hectares to its conservation estate that will be an extension of the Kalbarri National Park.
The new reserves will be formally named and managed by Nanda Traditional Owners.
The new program forms part of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
Its aim was to expand the state's national parks by five million hectares in a bid to conserve the region's biodiversity.
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In football, Sydney F-C coach Ufuk Talay says he's excited to get the most out of new signing Douglas Costa who he believes will raise the bar for A-League Mens players.
As a world-class player known for his playmaking, dribbling abilities and accuracy, the Sky Blues are confident the former Juventus and Bayern Munich star will buck the recent trend of high-profile A-League signings failing to deliver the quality the competition needs.
Costa will join Sydney F-C as a marquee player for two seasons after being released early from his contract by Brazilian Serie A club Fluminense in July.
Talay says they're excited to incorporate the Brazilian into the team dynamic.
"When we look at Douglas, he's a world-class player. The great thing about him is that he can play in multiple positions. The reality is, we always set up the team to put the players where they can use their best attributes more often, so we'll find the way to get the best out of Douglas."
Talay is hopeful of having Costa available for Sydney's AFC Champions League 2 opener against Hong Kong team Eastern F-C on September the 19th.
