What we learned today, Friday 29 November
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Here are the main stories:
Leaked sections of a report outlining an overhaul of New South Wales’ gambling policy have confirmed “a clear win” for the gambling industry.
In light of a slew of bills passed last night, prime minister Anthony Albanese says Labor is “working hard to make Australians’ lives better”.
The leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt, says he believes a minority government is possible at the next election.
6 News founder Leo Puglisi says the under-16s social media ban will “restrict young people’s creativity”.
Shadow communications minister, David Coleman, says enforcing the under-16s social media ban will be the Coalition’s ‘number one priority’ if elected.
Independent senator Tammy Tyrrell said the bill “isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”
Murray Watt says that if social media companies don’t “play ball” on the ban, Labor can “go after them.”
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has said it is concerned about the “rushed” under-16s social media ban.
The retiring opposition leader in the Senate, Simon Birmingham, said he was confident in Dutton.
The vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, Mark Scott said the university “did not get everything right” during pro-Palestine encampment.
Western Australia’s emergency services commissioner, Darren Klemm says bushfires north of Perth in the state’s wheatbelt remain out of control.
Queensland premier David Crisafulli launched a 100-day review to determine which stadium will host the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Parks and environment organisations say they were blindsided by the Victorian government’s review into Parks Victoria, announced late on the last sitting day of state parliament.
Updated
Airlines that misuse Sydney airport flight slots face heavy fines
Airlines will be slapped with fines of almost $100,000 for misusing valuable flight slots at Australia’s busiest airport, AAP reports.
Reforms passed by federal parliament on Thursday aim to increase competition in the airline sector at Sydney airport after allegations carriers were deliberately cancelling services to maintain valuable slots at terminals.
Under the changes, the federal transport department will be responsible for the slot management scheme at Sydney airport and will have the power to force airlines to provide information about their misuse.
Carriers will be fined $99,000 if they apply for slots with no prospect of them being used, not properly using them or not meeting slot requirements.
The transport minister, Catherine King, says the changes will help to level the playing field.
“Our reforms directly address these issues, allowing better access for new entrants and cracking down on airline misbehaviour,” she says.
Slots at Sydney airport are limited to 80 take-offs and landings an hour.
The laws will allow for the number of flights an hour at Sydney airport to be increased if there is bad weather.
If flight landings or take-offs are affected by weather, the cap will be lifted to 85 flights an hour for two hours.
But the number of flights in total will not increase and will still be subject to the airport curfew.
Updated
