☕️ Government’s first test of hate symbol laws

On today’s podcast, we discuss the Government’s first test of its hate symbol laws, after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed it is investigating six reports of protesters displaying banned symbols, including Hezbollah flags, at a Melbourne rally over the weekend. You can listen to that episode here.

“The experience of isolation for years in a small cell is difficult to convey...It strips away one’s sense of self, leaving only the raw essence of existence. I am yet not fully equipped to speak about what I have endured, the relentless struggle to stay alive, both physically and mentally.”
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange speaking publicly for the first time since his release in June.

15
The number of recommendations made by the ‘Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism’. Following the release of the review, ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “I am sorry for any and all racist behaviour and past harms experienced by our Indigenous and CALD [Culturally and Linguistically Diverse] employees, either currently or formerly employed.”

1967
Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first Black Supreme Court judge in the U.S.

Negotiations are underway between the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) and the State Government.

Last week, 10,000 nurses and midwives walked off the job for 24 hours. The union is calling for a 15% pay increase and superannuation backdated to 1 July.

On Tuesday, the union announced nurses and midwives will receive an interim 3% wage increase, backdated to 1 July 2024.

In May, the NSWNMA asked the State Government for a 15% pay increase, penalty rates for night shifts, and improved working conditions.

The Government offered a 10.5% pay rise over three years, which the union rejected.

In June, Victorian nurses and midwives negotiated a 28.4% pay increase over four years from the State Government. The new agreement included penalty rates and improved working conditions.

The NSW Industrial Relations Commission recommended the NSWNMA should enter four weeks of “intensive negotiations”. Union members accepted this recommendation on Tuesday.

This period will consist of meetings between the union, State Government, and the Ministry of Health.

The union said during these negotiations, there is an agreement that ensures nurses and midwives can “focus on patient care and not other duties”.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

Austria’s far-right party is on track to win its first-ever general election.

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) was founded by a group of former Nazis after WWII.

The FPÖ received almost 30% of the vote after a national election on the weekend.

However, it doesn’t have enough votes to govern as a majority.

In the lead-up to the election, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl spoke about becoming “Volkskanzler” — a term associated with Hitler, meaning “people’s chancellor”.

A group of former Nazis established the FPÖ in 1956. Despite its origins, the party denies it holds any Nazi ideologies today.

The right-wing party’s popularity began to increase after it appointed a new leader in 1986, Jörg Haider — the son of former Nazi party members.

In recent years, the FPÖ has become known for hardline immigration policies, and its pro-Russia and anti-Islam stances.

Austria holds a national election every five years to determine the makeup of its lower house.

Ahead of Sunday’s vote, the Austrian Parliament was led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s centre-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).

In the lead-up to the election, the FPÖ criticised ÖVP’s handling of COVID-19 and cost-of-living pressures.

The far-right party has platformed its hard-line anti-immigration and tax-relief policies as an alternative to the People’s Party.

The FPÖ vowed to strengthen border control and introduce stricter asylum laws.

It campaigned under its “Fortress Austria” proposal — an election promise to remove “uninvited foreigners,” to create a more “homogeneous” nation.

The party has also criticised continued funding for Ukraine.

The FPÖ finished Sunday’s election with 29.2% of the vote — making it the most popular party in Austria for the first time. It’s also the first time a far-right party has won an Austrian election since WWII.

The current ruling party, the ÖVP, lost its majority after securing 26.5% of the vote. The centre-left Social Democrat party came in third with 21%.

However, the FPÖ is not expected to win enough of Austria’s 186 seats to form a majority Government.

55-year-old Kickl has represented the party since 2006 and became its leader in 2021. Kickl said he will seek to form a coalition with minority parties.

However, the future of the party and Kickl’s leadership remain uncertain after several political groups ruled out working with the far-right leader.

The leader of the centre-left Social Democrat Party Andreas Babler warned that a “democratic state cannot be created with such a party,” and that it’s up to the fellow parties to “prevent an FPÖ chancellorship.”

ÖVP Secretary-General Christian Stocker told voters his party “would not enter into a government with Herber Kickl.”

Outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer thanked voters as he conceded his party’s loss.

The ÖVP leader promised that “even after the election, we will stand by what we promised our voters beforehand.”

In a post to social media, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she was “delighted” with FPÖ victory.

She called the election result “a triumph of the [Austrian] peoples.“

It follows a recent global trend towards right-wing parties.

In November, far-right leaders took power in Argentina and the Netherlands within days of each other.

Far-right parties also performed strongly in the European Union (EU) elections in June.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

The must-see destination for all overseas travellers

Though TikTok might be great for discovering hidden spots and unique experiences, Smartraveller should be the first destination for all Australians planning to travel overseas. It provides essential information to help you make sure your trip goes safely and smoothly.

For every type of traveller

Travel has changed a lot in the 21 years since Smartraveller launched, but staying safe overseas is as important as ever. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or heading overseas for the first time, Smartraveller offers much more than just destination risk ratings. With country-specific advice on over 175 destinations, you can access local travel and cultural tips, health information, visa requirements, and guidance on what to do if you need help overseas.

Visit Smartraveller.gov.au, act on its travel advice, subscribe for free updates, and follow their social media to stay informed.

Australian scientists are a step closer towards developing a breakthrough pregnancy-safe epilepsy medication.

Valproic acid is commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy. However, it’s been linked to spinal cord defects and other complications in newborns, when taken by pregnant women. Now, University of Queensland researchers have identified a drug that could reverse the harmful side effects of valproic acid.

Scientists said it means “co-treatment” of epilepsy using both drugs could open “safe access to an extremely effective treatment for women with epilepsy.”

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Achol Arok.

We’ve all had bad workouts before. I mean, I’m not entirely sure many of us often have good workouts. But this story takes the idea of a bad workout to a whole different level.

You see, an investigation has been launched by Tufts University (a college in the US) after nine lacrosse players ended up in hospital following a training session. The session was led by a graduate of the university who had experience with the U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land teams. According to reports, the training session was both voluntary and supervised.

But days after the training, numerous players became diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, and later, nine were hospitalised. For those unfamiliar, rhabdomyolysis is a medical condition often caused by traumatic injury that results in muscle breakdown. It can also be caused by drugs, infections or toxins. The university said the investigation will “determine exactly what happened before, during, and after the workout”. Ouch.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is investigating six reports of protesters displaying banned symbols, including Hezbollah flags, at a Melbourne protest over the weekend. Last year, new laws passed Parliament banning public displays of hate symbols, including terrorist organisations. This is now expected to be the first test of the Government's hate symbol laws.