The threat of South Australia’s bushfire has eased overnight, being reduced from ‘watch and act’ to ‘advice’ level.
The blaze, which has been dubbed the “Pinery fire” has seen no increase in the area in the past 24 hours and CFS has claimed that 75 per cent of it has been contained. Authorities have confirmed that at least 35 homes have been destroyed and that risks to the public are still present.
GST increase to fund SA health crisis
South Australia’s Premier Jay Weatherill has encouraged a GST increase as a solution to the state’s health funding crisis. Mr Weatherill yesterday said that taking GST to 15 per cent will increase revenue in order to support Australia’s health care needs while also encouraging the Commonwealth to keep extra GST, which would be used on cutting company tax. Mr Weatherill plans to present the idea to his state and federal counterparts in a fortnight, as part of a broader tax scheme.
Firefighter dies after Hunter blaze
A NSW firefighter has died after suffering a suspected heart attack while trying to subdue a blaze in the Hunter region. Fellow firemen assisted him until emergency services arrived, however NSW (Rural Fire Service) RFS said that he died in the ambulance on his way to John Hunter Hospital. RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has refused to expose the man’s identity, saying it would be inappropriate at this early stage. The NSW Rural Fire Service is currently providing assistance to the man’s family.
Pregnant woman assaulted in Sydney’s west
A pregnant woman has been attacked at Seven Hills in Sydney’s west early this morning. Police have said that the 24-year-old woman was attacked outside her Federal Road home at 1:30am by three males. One male from the trio allegedly threatened her at knife point and punched her in the stomach while the others tried to gain entry into her home. The men then fled, using her 2007 grey Holden Sedan as a quick getaway. The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene for shock.
Bill Shorten rules out harm to Australian economy
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has asserted that Labor’s ambitious climate action policy will not impede on Australia’s economy. The action policy, which aims to cut emissions by 45 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 is part of Labor’s longer term plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, the government is skeptical and has said that the policy could cause another carbon tax – Compiled from online news sources by Sophia Rambaldini
Top photo from StephenMitchell’s Flickr photostream.
About the author
