Australia’s Most Mentioned Issues in the Media (November 7 - 13)
Editor’s Note: Welcome to this weekly recap of Australia’s news, powered by iSentia
An asylum seeker was found dead on Christmas Island after he escaped from the Australian-run detention centre on Saturday morning. Riots followed the Iranian’s death, with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirming the damage bill to be over $10 million. Seven detainees believed to be involved have been moved to a Perth prison facility, including five New Zealanders, one Togan and one Afghan. Meanwhile, 14 asylum seekers, including seven children, have drowned after their boat sank off Turkey’s Aegean coast while trying to reach Greece. Turkey has reportedly surpassed North Africa as the main launching point for asylum seekers heading to Europe and currently hosts over 2.2 million people from the war in neighbouring Syria.Australia cruised to a 208-run win at The Gabba on Thursday, with an unchanged side set for today’s match in Perth, which is likely to be a sweltering 36 degree start to the second Test. David Warner scored a century in both innings, and New Zealander Kane Williamson is seen as the main threat after he scored a century in the first Test. Steven Smith received some criticism in the media for having a go at his new ball bowlers, who will have the benefit of the bouncy pitch.A Parliamentary Library study suggested it would be fairer on households to bring back the carbon tax than increasing the GST to 15%, as is currently “on the table” according to PM Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison. Morrison denied Australia has a “revenue problem” but has hinted at wider changes to the tax system, including superannuation concessions and addressing bracket creep. Former Cabinet Minister Eric Abetz called for the government to slash spending instead of looking to “gouge” more tax from well-off Australians.Dual England international Sam Burgess will return to the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs next year, after only one season in rugby union culminating in a controversial and unsuccessful Rugby World Cup campaign. Burgess had been heavily criticised by English fans and media following their loss to Australia which dumped them out of the tournament.Aung San Suu Kyi has won her seat in Myanmar’s election, with her National League for Democracy Party also taking 80% of seats declared so far, but still just short of a majority owing to the military controlling 25 per cent of the Parliament. In the wake of her win, Suu Kyi has called for national reconciliation talks with the military and said the president will “have no authority” and “will act in accordance with the decisions of the party”.Quote of the week: “I shook hands and I don't want to wash my hands. With both of them! I hope I will get lucky” – an Indonesian woman after meeting Australia PM Malcolm Turnbull and Indonesian President Joko Widodo
