The Newsroom recalls this week’s top stories.
ABCC and backpacker tax pass in senate
Two controversial pieces of legislation have passed the upper house in the last two days of parliament for the year following deals made between the Liberal coalition and other cross-benchers. The Australian Building and Construction Commission passed with the support of one nation, the Nick Xenophon Team and Derryn Hinch, but had been significantly scaled down.
Malcolm Turnbull was particularly pleased with the result given that the policy was why the double dissolution election was called. The Backpacker tax finally passed with the support of the Greens at 15 per cent, up from the 13 per cent the Labor Party pushed for.
Uhlmann " With all the amendments to ABCC and now the cost of the backpacker tax its hard to call it a win"
Turnbull " Its about delivery "— Rowan (@FightingTories) December 1, 2016
So Turnbull is spending $100m more so he can have a higher rate of #backpackertax. You can't make this up.
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) December 1, 2016
Mobile phone restrictions extended to all P-platers
P-plate drivers will no longer be permitted to use their mobile phones, with no exceptions for hands-free or speakerphone, following new restrictions imposed by the State Government. From December 1, P2 drivers (green P plates) will have the same restrictions as Learner and P1 drivers and motorcyclists. The new law means all Learner, P1, and P2 drivers are not permitted to use their phones under any circumstance, including BlueTooth GPS and music. The new restrictions are in response to the rise in deaths of P-plate drivers. In 2016 so far, 21 young people have died in crashes involving P-plate drivers. Penalties include four demerit points and a fine. Double demerits apply for mobile phone offences during holiday seasons.
Ben Fordham – Kristina Keneally Slams P-Plate Rules | 2GB https://t.co/qgtzUqN4f3 via @po_st Audio -Safer driving or harsh law? #Parenting
— Blue Book Art Robot (@ERN_Malleyscrub) December 1, 2016
50% of the people complaining about the new p plate laws are kids who don't even have their p's
— henza (@enzahayz) November 25, 2016
Print edition of Dolly folds
Iconic teen magazine Dolly will roll out its last print edition on Monday after 46 years. Bauer Media made the announcement on Wednesday, just seven months after reducing the mag to a bimonthly with a digital focus. Dolly helped launch the modelling career of Miranda Kerr and famously graced a young Nicole Kidman on it’s cover in 1983. Its no-holds-barred Dolly Doctor column has been a staple for Australian adolescent girls.
Bauer Media chief executive Nick Chan said in a statement a growing digital audience had led to the decision. “Dolly readers predominantly engage with the brand on digital and social platforms and they do so with greater frequency than is possible with a bimonthly magazine. This means it’s no longer feasible to continue publishing the magazine on a regular basis.”
The final issue of Dolly, with three different collectors covers, goes on sale December 5.
Sad to learn of passing of #Dolly magazine – a bible to so many generations of young Aussie women & where so many of us got our start. Vale.
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) November 30, 2016
Dreamworld to re-open
Troubled Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has announced it will re-open to the public on December 10 following an extensive safety review. Several rides will not be operating due to the review process.
CEO Craig Davidson insists the park is completely safe and recommendations have been implemented to ensure the safety of visitors.
The park will donate $25 for every ticket sold over the re-opening weekend to the Australian Red Cross.
#BREAKING: Dreamworld CEO says, "we've kept the families up to date with the opening." The theme park opens next Saturday ahead of holidays. pic.twitter.com/rqFvUwQI1N
— Kristina Costalos (@kcostalos) November 30, 2016
@Dreamworld_AU is under new management @BrendanDando @fourfingerpod @MichGrinter pic.twitter.com/ne005t2pTI
— David Plüshy (@DavidPlushy) December 1, 2016
Man walks free after spending $2 million of bank’s money
A Goulburn man who spent over $2 million dollars of a bank’s money on expensive cars, paintings, jewellery, and a framed Michael Jordan shirt has had his fraud conviction quashed.
Luke Brett Moore was jailed in February last year after it was discovered he took advantage of St George Bank’s system error that allowed him to make unlimited withdrawals of large sums of money from his account.
The former Centrelink recipient spent the money on items including signed photographs of Bob Dylan, Usher, Guns N’ Roses and Led Zeppelin, as well as an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage coupe and a 2001 Maserati Sedan.
However, on Thursday the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal quashed his conviction of fraud, finding no deception had taken place. The court noted Mr Moore, who is now studying for a law degree, had no viable means of ever repaying the debt. – Compiled from online sources by the Newsroom Team
Top photo of the Australian Senate from the Australian Parliament House website.
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