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Good morning!
Here is today’s trivia question: What does the acronym ‘GPS’ stand for?
Answer is in the titbit!
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “Thanks for having us back.”
Prince Harry when asked by 9News if he had a message for the Australian public on the first day of his trip to Australia with his wife Meghan Markle.
The stat: 50. The increase in the number of days with summer temperatures that Sydney experiences each year compared to 1990, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.
The big question:
Which of these environmental issues concerns you most right now?
Yesterday’s results: 38% of you said that housing affects your ability to focus on other life goals. 30% of you said that housing somewhat affects your ability, while 19% of you said that it doesn’t affect your focus at all. Another 18% of you answered “not really.” [1552 votes].
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
Australia will be among dozens of countries to attend emergency talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as the U.S. continues its blockade of the area. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy confirmed Australia will send a representative to an emergency summit in Paris, held jointly by the UK and France. One-fifth of the world's oil supply goes through the Strait of Hormuz, with its closure leading to increased fuel prices.The talks are aimed at finding a solution to open the vital shipping lane to traffic. The U.S. announced a naval blockade of the Strait after failed peace talks with Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned any Iranian ships approaching the blockade would be destroyed.
NSW Police has launched an internal investigation after claims a trainee raped a fellow police recruit. The alleged sexual assault took place at the NSW Police academy in Goulburn, and was reported on Sunday. A police spokesperson said the alleged victim, a female student at the academy, is receiving welfare support from staff, while a male has been suspended as the incident is investigated. NSW Premier Chris Minns called the reports very concerning and said his thoughts were with the alleged victim. No charges have yet been laid in relation to the incident.
Together with AAP.
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I’ve got 1 minute
Qantas has announced it will cut 5% of its domestic flights from 18 May.
The airline, which also operates budget carrier Jetstar, cited rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) National Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan said the cuts are “another indicator of how workers and passengers are forced to bear the brunt in times of crisis in aviation.”
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
As a result, global oil prices – a key component of jet fuel – have significantly increased.
Flight cuts
Qantas will temporary cancel 5% – or one in 20 – domestic flights across its Qantas and Jetstar networks.
The airline cited “continued volatility in fuel prices and the global economic conditions”.
Qantas told TDA the majority of the cuts will affect key routes between major capital cities in May and June.
Some regional routes, however, will be suspended for up to five months.
Response
Qantas will temporary cancel 5% – or one in 20 – domestic flights across its Qantas and Jetstar networks.
The airline cited “continued volatility in fuel prices and the global economic conditions”.
Qantas told TDA the majority of the cuts will affect key routes between major capital cities in May and June.
Some regional routes, however, will be suspended for up to five months.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, TK about TK.
💶 TK. You can sign up to TDA Finance here to make sure the explainer is in your inbox on Wednesday morning.
Good finds
🎧 With around 250,000 Australians living with epilepsy, chances are someone in your life has it. In this podcast episode, Emma sits down with Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia, to answer the questions people have about epilepsy, but maybe haven't known how to ask — from what a seizure actually looks like, to what it means to live with a condition most people can't see.
Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.
I’ve got 2 minutes
On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor introduced the Coalition’s immigration policy platform.
The ‘Australian Values Migration Plan’ includes extra funding for deporting visitors staying illegally, and more stringent visa screening processes to “put Australian values first”.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the policy is “entirely about sending a vibe to One Nation.”
Here’s what the policy includes.
Policy
In a speech at the Menzies Research Centre, Taylor outlined three main areas of the Coalition’s policy:
“Putting Australian values first”
Centred on the existing ‘Australian Values Statement’ which includes freedom of religion and speech, belief in a ‘fair go’, equality, and English as the national language;
Ensuring visitors to Australia are aligned with the statement and visa refusals for not upholding it;
Longer wait times for non-citizens to access social security; and
Making it obligatory for permanent visa holders to learn English
“Shutting the door to system abuse”
Establish a list of ‘safe’ countries whose citizens cannot apply for protection visas;
More funding to identify and deport non-citizens staying in Australia illegally; and
Remove state-funded legal assistance for appeals of visa cancellations.
“Show a red light to radicals”
Enhanced visa applicant screening, including via social media;
Integrated Australian Border Force, ASIO and AFP capabilities; and
“Real-time, risk-based visa vetting.”
Speech
Taylor said: “Immigration numbers are too high, and consequently Australians can see the country they love changing for the worse.”
“There’s a fact about immigration as old as history that we seldom speak about. When a country brings in too many people and the people with the wrong motivations, it's inevitable that the character of the country changes,” he said.
“We don't discriminate based on nationality, race, gender, or faith. But for an immigration program to work in the national interest, it must discriminate based on values.”
Opposition
Amnesty International called the policy “divisive, discriminatory, and lacking in humanity.”
Campaigner Zaki Haidari said there is “no need” for “Trumpian-like policies that seek to divide communities or stigmatise people based on where they come from.”
Immigration Minister Tony Burke said: “Not one line in the speech would deliver an extra job, create an extra house or keep anyone safer.”
“Millions of Australians will be asking why the Liberals have a problem with their parents, who don’t speak great English but are great Australians,” Burke added.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
Give me some good news
Marie-Louise Eta has become the first woman appointed to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five football leagues.
Marie-Louise Eta has become the first woman appointed to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five football leagues. The 34-year-old will take charge of Union Berlin on an interim basis in the Bundesliga (Germany’s top division). Eta, a former German youth international and Women’s Champions League winner, had already made history as the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach.
Reporting by George Finlayson.
TDA titbit
Four men have faced court in the Northern Territory over allegations they stole crocodile eggs in Kakadu National Park.
Collecting croc eggs is legal under certain circumstances, and involves a dangerous process where collectors are lowered from helicopters to nests in wetlands.
The men are accused of stealing hundreds at a time, affecting local Traditional Owners.
It’s not the first time some of these men have faced court - one of the accused (Sebastian Robinson) is the survivor of a fatal helicopter crash in 2022 on another egg collecting mission.
Crocodile wrangler and reality TV Matt Wright was sentenced to 10 months in prison (five without parole) in December after he was convicted of interfering with an investigation into that crash.
Robinson and three others will face court on egg-stealing charges in November.
Reporting by Lucy Tassell with AAP.
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Trivia question answer: Global Positioning System.
TDA asks
