Australia’s Most Mentioned Issues in the News (April 16 – 22, 2016)
Editor’s Note: Welcome to this weekly recap of Australia’s news, powered by iSentia
As of Thursday night, a 60 Minutes crew were reportedly on their way home to Australia, after being released from custody in Lebanon along with Sally Faulkner, following the failed abduction of Faulkner’s children from their father, Ali Elamine. Elamine has dropped the charges, reportedly after Faulkner gave up custody of the children. Nine Network CEO Hugh Marks has announced an internal review into the events that lead to the crew’s arrest.Australians are likely to head to the polls in a double dissolution election on 2 July, PM Malcolm Turnbull confirmed on Tuesday, after the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) legislation was again rejected by the Senate. Turnbull said he would make the official request to the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove following the Federal Budget, which is due the first week of May. Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have reportedly flown out of Australia on a private jet following their appearance in a Gold Coast court on Monday, with Heard issued a $1,000 one-month good behaviour bond after she did not declare her two pet dogs, Pistol and Boo, to quarantine in 2015. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has described the couple’s apology video, recorded and made public this week, as not “something they would’ve willingly wanted to do”. The Turnbull Government has axed the Gillard Government’s Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, after legislation passed the Senate with crossbench support on Monday evening. Many truck owner-operators had vociferously opposed the Tribunal’s increase in minimum pay rates, claiming the move would make it impossible for them to compete with larger companies, while the TWU claimed the RSRT was necessary to improve road safety and reduce driver deaths. Employment Minister Michaelia Cash announced the Government will fast track a federal scheme that will seek to cover outstanding entitlements for the employees of failed businesses, as administrators of Queensland Nickel seek to liquidate the company that owes workers $74 million. The Federal Government will reportedly pursue former QN owner and MP Clive Palmer and his businesses to recover the payments. Quote of the week: "I don't know. Ask Prince." – Eric Clapton, when asked how it felt to be the world’s best guitarist.
