What we learned today, Tuesday 14 March
Thanks for following along on the blog today, on what was a huge day of news. Here’s a wrap of the main highlights:
The Aukus deal between Australia, the UK and the US dominated the news cycle today, with prime minister Anthony Albanese making the announcement in San Diego alongside the other world leaders. The agreement will see Australia acquire, operate and eventually build nuclear-powered submarines as part of a program costing an estimated $268bn to $368bn between now and the mid 2050s.
Amid the myriad of responses and reactions, Labor accused opposition leader Peter Dutton of using the plan as ‘excuse’ to back NDIS cuts, while foreign affairs minister Penny Wong hit back at claims from China that the submarines will fuel an arms race.
You can read a comprehensive explainer on the Aukus deal below:
Outside of the Aukus announcement, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that La Niña is over and that there is a 50% chance of an El Niño this year.
Sydneysiders were hit with even more train delays today, following a network-wide shutdown last Wednesday. Reports emerged that an internal Transport for NSW document from more than a year ago warned of “obsolete” system components.
Thanks to archival footage, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh’s links to Australia have been revealed. The Everything, Everywhere All at Once star won a beauty pageant at Melbourne’s Moomba festival and was crowned Miss Moomba in 1984, shortly before starting her acting career.
Record major flooding at Burketown in Queensland is starting to ease and is expected to continue this over the coming days, but is likely to remain above the major flood level tomorrow. Floodwaters are delaying people returning to their homes to begin cleaning up, while three-quarters of the homes in Burketown have water over their floorboards.
Updated
Ferry operator fined $75k over polo pony deaths
Spirit of Tasmania ferry operator TT-Line and the former Australian polo captain Andrew Williams have been fined a combined $90,000 over the deaths of 16 horses, AAP has reported.
The polo ponies were discovered dead in their converted refrigeration transport trailer following an overnight Bass Strait crossing from Tasmania to Victoria in January 2018.
TT-Line was found guilty in October of 29 animal welfare law breaches, while Williams pleaded guilty in July to 17 counts of breaching the animal welfare act.
During sentencing in Burnie magistrates court on Tuesday, TT-Line was fined $75,000 and Williams $15,000.
The magistrate Leanne Topfer said although there was no intent on the part of TT-Line in relation to the outcome, the company did nothing to check whether the horses were correctly individually stalled.
She said Williams, who has been working with horses for three decades, failed in his duty to the animals.
TT-Line has appealed the guilty ruling in the supreme court of Tasmania.
Updated
