Morning News Bulletin 18 November 2024

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TRANSCRIPT
Businesses selling essential products to be be legally required to accept cash payments
Federal government urged to assist an Australian citizen convicted on national security charges in Hong Kong
Will Brown crowned Supercars champion
The federal government says it will introduce a requirement for businesses to accept cash for essential items such as fuel and groceries.
The government says the measure aims to ensure Australians can still use cash for payments, amid the trend of moving to digital payment methods.
The change is set to come into effect in 2026, with more details to be given next year.
The Albanese Government is also releasing the Cheques Transition Plan to phase out the use of cheques.
Under the Plan, cheques will be stopped being issued by June 2028, while they will no longer be accepted from October 2029.
**
Activists are calling on the federal government to do more to assist an Australian citizen due to be sentenced this week for his role in Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy movement.
Gordon Ng is one of what’s known as the Hong Kong 47 – a group arrested and tried on national security charges.
The 45-year-old was convicted of subversion under Hong Kong’s National Security Law.
Now, dozens of people have rallied outside Sydney’s Town Hall ahead of his sentencing.
The Australian Government has repeatedly been denied access to provide Mr Ng with consular assistance, because China’s citizenship laws do not recognise dual nationality.
One of the protest organisers, Jane Poon of Hong Kong-Australia Link, says these efforts from the government are not enough.
“We believe it’s not enough. It’s not just ‘we’re concerned at his situation’. We need the government to do much more to help Gordon out. We just cannot let it go. We need to do much more for them until they get released.”
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is to attend the G-20 Summit in Brazil, following his meeting with APEC leaders in Peru.
Mr Albanese says he has hailed inclusive trade and investment at the APEC forum, as the meeting is shadowed by US president-elect Donald Trump who favoured protectionist policies.
Chinese president Xi Jinping also met outgoing US president Joe Biden, saying China is ready to work with Mr Trump’s administration.
Mr Albanese also had an informal catch-up with Mr Biden, but he wouldn’t reveal details of their conversation.
Mr Albanese says climate change and cost of living were high on APEC Agenda.
“There’s a great deal of consensus here at the APEC meeting, from countries who are all committed to working together to address global inflation challenge, to address supply chain security, food security, advancing renewable energy, and dealing with the challenge but also opportunity of climate change.”
**
Qatar has condemned the attack by Israel’s military on a school in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp.
Health officials say rescue operations are ongoing at the United Nations-run Abu Assi school, where people are believed to be trapped under the rubble.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials.
In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says: “This attack led to casualties and injuries and is considered an extension of the occupation’s policies targeting defenceless civilians and civilian facilities.”
The Gaza health ministry says 43,799 people have been confirmed dead since October 7 attack more than a year ago.
**
Russia launched its largest airstrikes on Ukraine in nearly three months, firing 120 missiles and 90 drones in an attack that killed at least seven people.
The attack has also caused severe damage to the power grid, triggering emergency power cuts across regions from Volyn, Rivne, and Lviv in the west to Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia in the southeast.
A citywide blackout in Odesa has halted public transport and disrupted water supplies.
Marina Martynenko is the spokesperson for the Odesa Region Emergency Service.
“We have opened 45 invincibility points at fire stations in the city of Odesa and in the Odesa region. People can charge their electronic devices here, drink hot tea, receive basic food. There are also kids’ corners where children can draw, read illustrated books.”
**
Now in sports, Will Brown has won his maiden title, the 2024 Supercars Championship.
The Toowoomba-born driver passed Tickford Racing teammates Cam Waters and Thomas Randle to win Triple Eight’s third title in four seasons.
Teammate Broc Feeney took the chequered flag, but two time penalties meant Brown took the ultimate victory.
The newly crowned supercars star says he is excited to end the season with a championship.
“Oh a surreal moment, I think the race was even better. I don’t even know what happened, I was like, oh why he made me turn around? After I turned in, and he just got me, I was like, oh I just got there and had some fun and the drive, didn’t know I win the race…yeah it was surreal, it felt like a championship today after that drive…and everyone being here, what a cool day.”