What we learned today – Tuesday 21 May
We are wrapping up the blog for tonight. Here’s what made the news:
Telstra has announced it plans to cut 2,800 jobs from its workforce as part of changes to its enterprise business.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has confirmed the government has received clearance for two government assisted-departure flights to New Caledonia, where at least 300 Australians are stranded.
Queensland’s chief health officer declared a public health alert over the mental wellbeing of teenagers.
The prime minister weighed in on ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants, reiterating previously outlined government positions. Peter Dutton said Australia should “stand shoulder to shoulder with President Biden” who condemned the warrants.
A high court decision in Britain to allow Julian Assange to appeal his extradition to the US is a “small win” for the WikiLeaks founder but he should be freed now, the union for Australia’s journalists said.
The government announced the launch of a new network that will link cancer services across Australia, called the Australian comprehensive cancer network (ACCN).
Two Australian Palestinian men have been arrested after occupying the roof of a University of Queensland building yesterday afternoon.
The shadow education minister, Sarah Henderson, has said universities should ‘bring in the police’ to end pro-Palestine protests at campuses.
The competition watchdog has urged the Albanese government to support new airlines to enter Australia’s aviation market and help existing smaller operators expand, as it rues the likelihood that budget carrier Bonza will collapse.
NDIS minister Bill Shorten stoushed with premiers over the NDIS, saying “they’re wrong” about proposed changes to the legislation.
ANZ said it was investigating an issue affecting some customers unable to access their ANZ app or online banking.
About 7,500 staff and students have been caught up in a cyber-attack at Western Sydney University.
Updated
Australia becomes fourth country to sign a global HIV declaration
Australia has become the fourth country in the world to sign a global HIV campaign, as the government vows to eliminate transmission of HIV in Australia by 2030.
Along with the US, Canada and Vietnam, Australia has now committed to the principles of the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) call to action.
“U=U” is an evidence-based principle that when a person living with HIV is on effective antiretroviral treatment for HIV, they will reach an undetectable viral load and will be unable to transmit the virus to sexual partners.
Australia becomes fourth country to sign on to the global undetectable equals untransmissible (U=U) declaration for HIV pic.twitter.com/kgztXidQFh
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) May 21, 2024
The health minister, Mark Butler, said:
We are confident that embedding U=U into our approach to HIV will accelerate progress towards national and global goals to end the HIV epidemic.
This would be an achievement that all Australians could be proud of. Our nation can lead the world by showing the once impossible goal of eliminating HIV transmission is achievable.
The government has made an investment of $43.9m in the budget to fund better prevention of HIV, access to testing and information, reduced stigma, and training on HIV for the health and support workforce.
Updated
