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Morning News Bulletin 29 November 2024

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TRANSCRIPT
Dozens of bills pass the Senate, including a social media ban for children under 16
Russia strikes Ukraine’s power grid leaving at least one million people without power
Craig Foster among four people added to Football Australia’s Hall of Fame
Dozens of bills have passed through the Senate in Labor’s last-minute effort to churn through as many as 40 pieces of legislation in one day.
Among them, a trio of controversial migration bills, with Greens senators calling out “shame” as the result was confirmed.
They create powers for the Australian government to pay third countries to receive non-citizens, and new powers to search for drugs and confiscate phones in detention.
Also passed was a social media ban for under 16s, marking some of the toughest social media controls in the world.
Labor and most of the Coalition pushed it through, with all the independents voting against the bill.
And all five of Labor’s Future Made in Australia bills passed with some amendments, enabling a $23 billion package over the decade aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and onshore production of green hydrogen and processed critical minerals.
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Prime Minister Albanese says he fully expects parliament will return in February.
It comes amid speculation an early federal election will be called.
Speaking during an interview on ABC 730, Mr Albanese says Labor’s proposed tax incentives to encourage greater production from manufacturers will be considered by the Senate in February, sparking this exchange with host Sarah Ferguson.
FERGUSON: “So that means you are confirming there will be a sitting of Parliament in Feburary?”
ALBANESE: “Well that’s certainly our plan.”
FERGUSON: “That’s not a confirmation is it?”
ALBANESE: “Well, I don’t give election dates or variations to the questions.”
FERGUSON: “That’s not, sorry, that’s not confirming an election date, that’s confirming a sitting in February or not.”
ALBANESE: “We fully expect to be sitting in Feburary and we’ll continue to do the two objectives, everything aimed at how do we make life better for Australians.”
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Russia’s army has attacked Ukraine’s energy grid leaving at least one million people without electricity.
Ukrainian officials says the attack cut power to three western regions of the country.
Russia’s strike took place over several hours with drones and missiles targeting various locations.
President Vladimir Putin says his country launched 90 missiles and 100 drones in response to Ukraine’s attacks.
In other developments, United States President Joe Biden says his administration is urging Ukraine to boost the size of its military by allowing people as young as 18 to serve in the military.
Ukraine’s current conscription age is 25.
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Police have charged a second man in relation to anti-Israel graffiti and and property damage in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last week.
19-year-old Thomas Stojanovski will remain in custody, after being accused of torching one car and vandalising several others with anti-Israel slogans.
20-year-old Mohammed Farhat was arrested and charged on Monday at Sydney International Airport.
Police estimate the damage bill at more than 100-hundred thousand dollars.
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Opposition Senate leader and foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham has used his valedictory speech to thank his family, friends and Senate colleagues for their support over his 17-year-long political career.
The speech follows Senator Birmingham’s surprise announcement yesterday that he will be retiring from politics after the next federal election.
He entered parliament in 2007 and has served as trade, finance and education ministers in previous coalition governments under Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison.
Senator Birmingham thanked his constituents and wished his fellow senators well in his final address.
“President, this too shall pass. It’s an ancient Persian proverb. Now, it is time for my parliamentary service to also pass. Professionally, I will leave here just short of 18 remarkable years as a senator for the great state of South Australia. Poltics should never be about the titles you’ve held but what you do with them. I hope to be judged to have left a positive legacy. Those of you who have the honour of continuing in this place carry a great responsibility. Do good. Make a positive difference. Thank you and farewell.”
Michaelia Cash is set to take Mr Birmingham’s role as the opposition leader in the Senate.
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In football.
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster has headlined four inductees into Football Australia’s [FA] Hall of Fame.
Foster was named alongside female refereeing trailblazer Jenny Bray, prominent football administrator Ian Holmes and football pioneer the late Alex Pongrass were inducted ahead of the Matildas’ game against Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
F-A chairman Anter Isaac labelled the inductees remarkable figures whose legacies on Australian football will endure for generations.

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