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Australia news live updates: Craig Foster says treatment of asylum seekers ‘a stain that will live with us forever’; 23 Covid deaths recorded Australia news live update: Hillsong leader Brian Houston resigns; nation records 23 Covid deaths
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Suspended global pastor Brian Houston has resigned from the Hillsong Church following revelations of his alleged mistreatment of women, AAP reports. Some more tributes to Ash Barty from politicians
“We would like to advise you that Pastor Brian Houston has resigned as Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church and the board has accepted his resignation,” the global board said in a statement on Wednesday. The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has responded to the news of Ash Barty’s shock retirement from tennis.
“We understand there will be much emotion at this news, and we all share these feelings. Irrespective of the circumstances around this, we can all agree that Brian and (his wife) Bobbie have served God faithfully over many decades and that their ministry has resulted in millions of people across the world being impacted by the power, grace, and love of Jesus Christ. He said:
“As you can appreciate, there is still much to be done and our church leadership continues seeking God for His wisdom as we set the course for the future. The suspended global pastor Brian Houston has resigned from the Hillsong church following revelations of his alleged mistreatment of women.
“We acknowledge that change is needed. We have committed to an independent review of our governance structure and processes, understanding that this is a time of humble reflection and we are committed to doing what is necessary to ensure God is honoured, and our eyes are fixed on Jesus.” The global board said in a statement on Wednesday:
The resignation follows an apology issued by the church on Friday over allegations of Houston’s conduct towards two women.The resignation follows an apology issued by the church on Friday over allegations of Houston’s conduct towards two women.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein will be in isolation for seven days after one of his family members tested positive to Covid-19, AAP reports. The Tasmanian premier, Peter Gutwein, will be in isolation for seven days after one of his family members tested positive to Covid-19, AAP reports.
Gutwein on Wednesday released a statement, saying he had returned a negative rapid antigen test and would continue to work from home where possible.Gutwein on Wednesday released a statement, saying he had returned a negative rapid antigen test and would continue to work from home where possible.
“The Deputy Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, will undertake those duties and responsibilities that I would normally perform as premier during Question Time and for matters before the parliament,” Gutwein said. “The deputy premier, Jeremy Rockliff, will undertake those duties and responsibilities that I would normally perform as premier during question time and for matters before the parliament,” Gutwein said.
It comes after nearly 20 Tasmanians who had Covid-19 were incorrectly told they had tested negative on their PCR tests.It comes after nearly 20 Tasmanians who had Covid-19 were incorrectly told they had tested negative on their PCR tests.
Tasmania’s Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks confirmed 19 people were on Tuesday wrongly notified. Tasmania’s health commander, Kathrine Morgan-Wicks, confirmed 19 people were on Tuesday wrongly notified.
The department said the error was corrected within three hours.The department said the error was corrected within three hours.
Morgan-Wicks said the RHH Laboratory was improving its system to ensure another mistake won’t happen.Morgan-Wicks said the RHH Laboratory was improving its system to ensure another mistake won’t happen.
“On behalf of the Department of Health, I apologise for the error and for any inconvenience caused to the recipients of the incorrect results,” she said.“On behalf of the Department of Health, I apologise for the error and for any inconvenience caused to the recipients of the incorrect results,” she said.
Tasmania reported 1825 new cases on Wednesday. Tasmania reported 1,825 new cases on Wednesday.
There were no further deaths but 32 people are in hospital. There were no further deaths but 32 people were in hospital.
Labor says it “welcomes the commencement of Australia’s Defence Force Space Command”.Labor says it “welcomes the commencement of Australia’s Defence Force Space Command”.
The defence minister, Peter Dutton, announced yesterday that the new space command within the air force had begun operations, a move first flagged last year.The defence minister, Peter Dutton, announced yesterday that the new space command within the air force had begun operations, a move first flagged last year.
Labor’s defence spokesperson, Brendan O’Connor, issued a statement today saying it backs the move.Labor’s defence spokesperson, Brendan O’Connor, issued a statement today saying it backs the move.
For more on what the new head of the space command said, see yesterday’s story:For more on what the new head of the space command said, see yesterday’s story:
One in 20 Australian university students have been sexually assaulted since starting university and one in six have been sexually harassed, a survey of 43,819 students has found.One in 20 Australian university students have been sexually assaulted since starting university and one in six have been sexually harassed, a survey of 43,819 students has found.
The findings come from the National Student Safety Survey, which was released by Universities Australia this afternoon. It follows a survey in 2016, which found higher rates of sexual assault and harassment, but was criticised for not using a best practice approach to sexual harassment research. The questions in the 2021 survey were changed to ask about behaviours which would be considered sexual harassment or assault, rather than asking people to nominate whether they have been sexually harassed or assaulted.The findings come from the National Student Safety Survey, which was released by Universities Australia this afternoon. It follows a survey in 2016, which found higher rates of sexual assault and harassment, but was criticised for not using a best practice approach to sexual harassment research. The questions in the 2021 survey were changed to ask about behaviours which would be considered sexual harassment or assault, rather than asking people to nominate whether they have been sexually harassed or assaulted.
Rates of sexual assault and harassment were highest among non-binary, trans, First Nations and disabled students. Thirty per cent of all students had been sexually assaulted at least once in their life — but for non-binary or gender-diverse students that figure was 56.1%. Students who lived in student accommodation were also more likely to have been impacted, with 6% reporting having been sexually assaulted in the past 12 months, and 19% reporting being sexually harassed.Rates of sexual assault and harassment were highest among non-binary, trans, First Nations and disabled students. Thirty per cent of all students had been sexually assaulted at least once in their life — but for non-binary or gender-diverse students that figure was 56.1%. Students who lived in student accommodation were also more likely to have been impacted, with 6% reporting having been sexually assaulted in the past 12 months, and 19% reporting being sexually harassed.
Those figures are still lower than in previous reports, a fact that Universities Australia say may be attributed to fewer people being on campus due to Covid.Those figures are still lower than in previous reports, a fact that Universities Australia say may be attributed to fewer people being on campus due to Covid.
The report also found a spike in online harassment, particularly in private messages sent over Zoom. The Universities Australia chair, Prof John Dewar, said the survey results were “distressing, disappointing and confronting”.The report also found a spike in online harassment, particularly in private messages sent over Zoom. The Universities Australia chair, Prof John Dewar, said the survey results were “distressing, disappointing and confronting”.
Max Walsh, a highly influential economics journalist who rose to lead the Australian Financial Review and was a popular commentator on Channel Nine, has died aged 84.Max Walsh, a highly influential economics journalist who rose to lead the Australian Financial Review and was a popular commentator on Channel Nine, has died aged 84.
The former editor-in-chief and chief political correspondent of the AFR died on Wednesday morning with dementia, the AFR reported.The former editor-in-chief and chief political correspondent of the AFR died on Wednesday morning with dementia, the AFR reported.
Walsh played a significant role in the opening up of the Australian economy in the 1980s and was editor-in-chief of the former Fairfax financial daily when it was profitable in the 1970s and 80s.Walsh played a significant role in the opening up of the Australian economy in the 1980s and was editor-in-chief of the former Fairfax financial daily when it was profitable in the 1970s and 80s.
He wrote about politics for the Sun-Herald and the Bulletin and enjoyed a second career as a regular contributor on Channel Nine’s now defunct Sunday program.He wrote about politics for the Sun-Herald and the Bulletin and enjoyed a second career as a regular contributor on Channel Nine’s now defunct Sunday program.
He was described as “the great oak of Australian journalism” by former Nine Sunday journalist Jennifer Byrne.He was described as “the great oak of Australian journalism” by former Nine Sunday journalist Jennifer Byrne.
Walsh is survived by his wife, Geraldine, daughters, Flicc and Sophie, and grandson, Xavier.Walsh is survived by his wife, Geraldine, daughters, Flicc and Sophie, and grandson, Xavier.
Barty, a three-time grand slam champion, is just 25, but says she is spent:Barty, a three-time grand slam champion, is just 25, but says she is spent:
Here’s Emma Kemp’s full report:Here’s Emma Kemp’s full report:
The women’s tennis world No 1, Ash Barty, has announced her retirement from tennis in an Instagram video with her friend Casey Dellacqua.The women’s tennis world No 1, Ash Barty, has announced her retirement from tennis in an Instagram video with her friend Casey Dellacqua.
She says winning the Australian Open feels like the perfect way to go out.She says winning the Australian Open feels like the perfect way to go out.
She’s holding a press conference tomorrow.She’s holding a press conference tomorrow.
Foster points to the prime minister’s comments regarding taking in refugees from Ukraine, and says it’s a “cynical lie” to suggest they can go to the front of a queue because there is no queue.Foster points to the prime minister’s comments regarding taking in refugees from Ukraine, and says it’s a “cynical lie” to suggest they can go to the front of a queue because there is no queue.
He says Australia’s ability to combat the human rights transgressions in other countries is hampered by our own.He says Australia’s ability to combat the human rights transgressions in other countries is hampered by our own.
He says he hopes the “I Stopped These” boat on the prime minister’s desk will be replaced one day.He says he hopes the “I Stopped These” boat on the prime minister’s desk will be replaced one day.
Foster pleads with media to cease using the government’s language around its treatment of asylum seekers:Foster pleads with media to cease using the government’s language around its treatment of asylum seekers:
Foster argues Australia is full of care and compassion, but highlights the weaknesses:Foster argues Australia is full of care and compassion, but highlights the weaknesses:
He says Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers will be a stain forever.He says Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers will be a stain forever.
The human rights activist and former Socceroo Craig Foster is giving the National Press Club address today.The human rights activist and former Socceroo Craig Foster is giving the National Press Club address today.
He says Australia’s refusal to look back on its history is at the heart of inequities today:He says Australia’s refusal to look back on its history is at the heart of inequities today:
With that, I will pass the blog on to Josh Taylor who will keep you company for the rest of the afternoon.With that, I will pass the blog on to Josh Taylor who will keep you company for the rest of the afternoon.
The ACT’s Covid update has just been released. There have been 1,314 new cases detected, roughly half from rapid antigen tests and half from PCR tests.The ACT’s Covid update has just been released. There have been 1,314 new cases detected, roughly half from rapid antigen tests and half from PCR tests.
There are 42 people being treated with Covid in hospital including one person requiring intensive care.There are 42 people being treated with Covid in hospital including one person requiring intensive care.
There have been no further deaths.There have been no further deaths.
The Queensland education minister, Grace Grace, has confirmed all six schools that have remained closed due to flooding – Milpera state high school, Aviation high, Rocklea state school, Milton state school, One Mile state school, and St Helens state school – are hoping to reopen on site in time for the start of term two.The Queensland education minister, Grace Grace, has confirmed all six schools that have remained closed due to flooding – Milpera state high school, Aviation high, Rocklea state school, Milton state school, One Mile state school, and St Helens state school – are hoping to reopen on site in time for the start of term two.
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers from around Australia today, as the country records at least 23 deaths from Covid-19:Here are the latest coronavirus numbers from around Australia today, as the country records at least 23 deaths from Covid-19:
ACTACT
Deaths: 0Deaths: 0
Cases: 1,314Cases: 1,314
In hospital: 42 (with three people in ICU)In hospital: 42 (with three people in ICU)
NSWNSW
Deaths: fiveDeaths: five
Cases: 24,115Cases: 24,115
In hospital: 1,162 (with 44 people in ICU)In hospital: 1,162 (with 44 people in ICU)
QueenslandQueensland
Deaths: sevenDeaths: seven
Cases: 10,476Cases: 10,476
In hospital: 252 (with seven people in ICU)In hospital: 252 (with seven people in ICU)
VictoriaVictoria
Deaths: 11Deaths: 11
Cases: 10,471Cases: 10,471
In hospital: 243 (with 23 people in ICU)In hospital: 243 (with 23 people in ICU)
The Victorian Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick has been designated a close contact and will miss parliament this week.The Victorian Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick has been designated a close contact and will miss parliament this week.