Australia’s Most Mentioned Issues in the News (October 22 – 28, 2016)
Editor’s Note: Welcome to this weekly recap of Australia’s news, powered by iSentia
Four people died on Tuesday after a tragic accident on a theme park ride at Dreamworld in Queensland. As the story developed, media focused on Dreamworld’s response and safety record, as well as learning more about the victims. A coronial investigation is underway and the theme park announced and subsequently cancelled a memorial service today after being advised by Queensland Police that the area is still a crime scene. With less than two weeks until the US election, a man has been arrested after using a sledgehammer and pickaxe to US Republican candidate Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for felony vandalism. Trump has released a 30 second video advertisement speaking in Hindi, asking Indian-Americans to vote for him and US First Lady Michelle Obama has joined Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for the first time on the campaign trail in the state of North Caroline. It is nearly two weeks since the ground offensive towards Mosul, Iraq and UN agencies said the fighting has so far forced about 10,600 people to flee their homes. A senior US official said about fifty thousand Iraqi ground troops are taking part, as well as close to five thousand US troops, and that Islamic State fighters have tried to divert combat from the main front near Mosul by launching attacks on other cities. In Aleppo, Russian or Syrian warplanes are believed to be responsible for an airstrike in Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province that killed 26 people, including 15 schoolchildren on Thursday. The government has announced a proposed change to paid parental leave, saving $1.2 billion by preventing new parents from receiving the full 18 weeks of government-funded leave if their employer offers a more generous parental leave scheme. And the media spotlight has nearly faded on the dispute between Attorney-General George Brandis and Justin Gleeson, after Gleeson resigned as Solicitor-General on Monday. Quote of the week: “Most of my jewelry is made out of gummy bears and cotton candy… this isn’t my aesthetic, but I’ll wear it because you love me” – Miley Cyrus to fiancé Liam Hemsworth
