| | | 04/12/2023 Industry linked to NT emissions decision, Cop28 president under fire, new risk test for migrants |
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| | | Good morning. We begin today with revelations the Northern Territory government ditched a net zero emissions policy for new onshore gas projects after the industry objected to it. Documents sourced by Guardian Australia show that NT officials consulted with the gas industry – but not other stakeholders or the public – before walking away from the proposal. The United Arab Emirates’ Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the Cop28 president, is facing stern criticism after saying there is “no science” for a phase-out of coal, oil and gas to reduce global warming, and that it would take the world “back into caves”. Scientists say his remarks are verging on climate change denial. Also overseas, Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility after a US warship and two other vessels in the Red Sea were reportedly attacked by drones. And we take a close look at why so many vape stores are opening, even as their main product is about to face import bans. |
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 | Australia | | ‘Unacceptable risk’ test | Under proposed new laws, people freed from immigration detention will be re-detained if a court agrees they pose an unacceptably high risk of committing a “serious violent or sexual offence”. | Fossil fuel sector | Documents have revealed that the NT government has abandoned a proposal to set net zero emissions requirements for new onshore gas projects after the industry objected. | NDIS funding | Bill Shorten is seeking to defuse a growing row with state and territory governments over funding for the NDIS, as disability advocates urge leaders not to treat the community as “political footballs”. | ‘No sympathy’ | Six months from now, vape stores will have to close or sell something else. Despite this, thousands of the shops have opened throughout Australia and are flourishing since those reforms were announced. | Extreme weather | Two years after silt and mud trashed them, Northern Rivers schools have risen from ruin to be better than ever after mammoth community recovery efforts. |
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| | | Lenore Taylor | | Editor, Guardian Australia |
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| | Thanks for subscribing to this newsletter. Before you move on, I wonder if you would consider making a contribution to our end-of-year fundraiser. As we look ahead to the challenges of 2024, we’re aiming to raise $300,000 to power more rigorous, independent reporting.
This year, our journalism held the powerful to account and gave a voice to the marginalised. It cut through misinformation to arm Australians with facts about the referendum and exposed corporate greed amid the cost-of-living crunch. It sparked government inquiries and investigations, and continued to treat the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves.
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| Full Story | | How to avoid burnout Many Australians feel overworked and overwhelmed at this time of year. Impending deadlines, cost-of-living pressures and the lead-up to the holiday season can combine to cause burnout. Jane Lee speaks to clinical psychologist and the Modern Mind columnist Gaynor Parkin about what you – and your boss – can do to help protect your physical and mental health. | |
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| In-depth | | Being in the right is not worth much if the Albanese government allows the opposition to bully it into making laws that won’t stand up in court, says chief political correspondent Paul Karp. Labor has allowed itself to be bid up by the Coalition, strapping those released from detention with ankle bracelets and curfews – something already being challenged in court. If Labor wants to break a high court losing streak, it must take the drafter’s pen away from Peter Dutton. |
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| Not the news | | Each month our critics pick 20 new songs for our Spotify playlist. Read about 10 of our favourites for December – including a slinky new single from Kamilaroi musician Thelma Plum, an antagonistic guitar offering from the Tasmanian exploratory post-punk duo The Native Cats, and a lascivious, playful piece of electro-funk from indie pop singer-songwriter Holiday Sidewinder. |
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| What’s happening today | New South Wales | Delegates are converging for the three-day AI in Education Forum in Sydney. | ACT | The French minister for europe and foreign affairs, Catherine Colonna, is due to address the National Press Club of Australia. | New South Wales | The scheme meeting for Origin Energy’s potential takeover by a Brookfield-led private equity consortium is set to resume. |
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| Brain teaser | And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow. | |
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| Contact us | If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email. If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email customer.help@guardian.co.uk |
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| | | Power high-impact journalism into 2024 | | In 2023, Guardian Australia journalism exposed misinformation, held the powerful to account and gave a voice to the marginalised. Our work armed Australians with facts about the referendum, exposed corporate greed amid the cost-of-living crisis, and helped spark numerous investigations and inquiries.
Now, as we look to the momentous challenges ahead, we are aiming to raise an additional $300k to support more independent, rigorous journalism.
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| | 2 | We are independent and have no billionaire owner controlling what we do, so your money directly powers our reporting. |
| | 3 | It doesn’t cost much, and takes less time than it took to read this message. |
| | If you can, make the choice to support us with a year-end contribution from $1. Whether you choose to give a little or a lot, your funding will power our journalism in 2024 and the years to come. Thank you. | | |
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