Evening News Bulletin 4 November 2024

Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with

SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
The decision to dump Queensland’s truth telling inquiry labelled divisive and disappointing.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the Sydney Marathon joining the world’s Majors will be a boon for tourism.
And in sports, Australia sends Pakistan in to bat at the MCG.
—-
The Chair of the Board of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation says he’s deeply disappointed in the decision of new Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to scrap the state’s truth telling inquiry.
Professor Steve Larkin, a Kungarakan man, says that ending the inquiry is a divisive action.
The truth telling inquiry formally began last July and was set to run for three years.
Professor Larkin says stolen generation survivors have told him the truth telling process is a healing experience, and the decision to end it will add to their suffering.
“His decision effectively adds to their pain and misery and trauma that they’re already suffering from a result of that their experiences as children, and that they’ve carried through to as adults. So it’s very disappointing, and what’s also disappointing is that we don’t see any alternative being provided by him as to if he’s going to abolish the inquiry, then what’s the next step?”
—-
NSW Premier Chris Minns is highlighting the economic benefits expected to flow from a decision by the World Marathon Majors organisers to name the Sydney Marathon as the seventh in its elite series, beginning next year.
It’s the first race to be added since Tokyo in 2013 and Mr Minns says the Sydney Marathon has grown from around 5,000 a few years ago to more than 20,000 this year.
The Premier says when Sydney stages its first Marathon Major event next August it will showcase the city on a global stage and support tourism.
“The economic impact on the city is fantastic, three hundred million dollars over a decade, but you could just imagine the number of people that see Sydney on television or attend the city as a spectator or a participant who will want to bring their family and friends in the years ahead. I think a multiplier on that is much, much bigger, and we’ll be able to see the tourism benefits of being one of the majors in the years ahead. This is another example, if we needed it, that Sydney is back.”
—-
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has congratulated Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu on her re-election victory, which she says will pave the way for a “European future”.
The country bordering war-torn Ukraine went to the polls on Sunday amid fears of Russian interference, with reports of attacks, provocations and attempts at destabilisation.
President Sandu’s victory against her more pro-Russian opponent is the second sign in recent weeks the country will continue to lean towards Europe.
A fortnight ago Moldovans narrowly backed joining the European Union in a referendum that passed by a razor-thin margin.
—-
The Department of Home Affairs has revealed in Senate Estimates that a Palestinian is in immigration detention after their visa was revoked onshore on character grounds.
The timing of the visa cancellation appears to have occurred since the last sitting week, ending October 10.
Department officials confirmed the person had their visa cancelled, but would not go into further detail on legal grounds.
The Department confirmed 3,041 Palestinians have had visas granted since October 7 2023, to October 15 2024 – with 7,252 visas refused.
Liberal Senator James Paterson is probing for more information saying there is “enormous public interest in these cases”.
—-
And in sport …
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has elected to send Pakistan in to bat at the MCG as he plays his first one day international since Australia’s stunning 2023 World Cup triumph.
Cummins won today’s toss for the first of three 50-over matches to launch the international summer and preferred to bowl first.
Pakistan have landed in Australia amid off-field turmoil after respected white-ball coach Gary Kirsten quit his position without actually taking charge in a one day international.
Attacking wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has become Pakistan’s new white-ball captain ahead of this series.