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The Recap

Join the upstart editorial team as they Recap the big news stories of the week.

If you weren’t paying attention this week, we’ve got you sorted.

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Government announces $100 million package to help domestic violence

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is cracking down on domestic violence across Australia, announcing a $100 million investment into help and training services. $36.5 million will be spent over three years to provide more training for police, social workers and emergency staff. The government will also put in place GPS tracking of abusers, will install safety buttons for women to call for help, and distribute 20,000 phones to those fleeing safety. More than $20 million will be allocated to support services for Indigenous women and communities with a history of domestic abuse. The announcement was met with criticism as earlier this year, the Abbott government cut $271 million in grants to social services, including support for women suffering domestic violence. Turnbull stated the important role parents play to fight against domestic violence. “We have to make it as though it was un-Australian to disrespect women,” he said.

If you, or someone you know, is facing domestic violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (737 732) or visit their website, here.

Turnbull reveals new cabinet of ministers

Earlier this week, Turnbull announced his new cabinet. Some people remained in their roles, namely Julie Bishop as deputy prime minister and foreign minister. However, there were many other changes. Turnbull has been praised for his more modern cabinet, which includes more female representation. It contains five women, including Michaelia Cash as minister for women and Marise Payne as the first female defence minister. In addition, Scott Morrison has replaced Joe Hockey as treasurer and Western Australian, Ken Wyatt has become Australia’s first Indigenous Australian frontbencher, as assistant minister for health.

WA committee approves freeway over Indigenous site

A Western Australian government advisory committee has deregistered an aboriginal heritage site on the northern banks of Bibra Lake. The committee also reversed a previous decision to not build a freeway, which will overlap the site. The decision has been met with outrage as the aboriginal site was found to contain more than 2,000 artefacts and is believed to be 5,000 years old.

 

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Chris Brown could be denied entry into Australia

Minister for women, Michaelia Cash, has dropped hints that American singer, Chris Brown, will have trouble getting an Australia visa for his upcoming tour. She addressed controversy around his scheduled visit during the announcement of the government’s $100 million women’s safety package. Cash hinted that the music star, who was convicted in 2009 over the assault of his former girlfriend and pop star Rihanna, could have his visa rejected. “This is a government that is not afraid to say no. We are not afraid to say no to those wanting visas who commit domestic violence,” she said.

Australia’s top consumer launches probe against Volkswagen

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are investigating the Volkswagen diesel scandal, but the German company remain silent on how many cars could be affected. The ACCC said it has begun exploring “to determine if consumers might have been exposed to misleading claims”. Volkswagen is yet to release information on which Australian cars would be affected, despite the company’s German headquarters advising that 11 million vehicles worldwide had been equipped with software that cheated emissions tests. This means that most diesel versions of the Golf hatch, Tiguan SUV and Passat sedan and wagon, made between 2009 and 2015, release up to 35 times more emission that what is legally allowed. Volkswagen have advised owners not to be alarmed, but health experts warn not to leave the car idling when retrieving things from the boot, because the exhaust emissions could be harmful.

Barbie gets her period and throws party

Barbie has always come readily available with handbags, heels and sunglasses, but now she comes with her period too. Lammily, also known as the Normal Barbie, was created by Nickolay Lamm, who released a period party accessory kit for the dolls. The kit includes one educational pamphlet, one pair of underwear to fit Lammily, 18 reusable coloured sanitary pads and liners, and one calendar with dot stickers. Lamm said the doll would educate young girls about menstruation, which is still taboo in society. “I just don’t think that something as core to a women’s life and health as menstruation should be seen as embarrassing in any way, shape, or form,” he said.

 

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Rugby World Cup

The Wallabies have beaten Fiji 28-13 in their first game of the Rugby World Cup. David Pocock’s superb two tries powered the Wallabies to victory. The two-time champions will now look ahead to playing Uruguay and Wales in the last two pool matches, which will decide who moves on to the quarter-finals stage.

Jason Day

Jason Day has become the youngest ever Australian golfer to hold the world No. 1 ranking. 27-year-old Day won the BMW Championships trophy in Illinois and has won four out of his last six tournaments. Day’s coach and long time mentor, Colin Swatton, believes Day could become the best Australian golfer of all time. “I think he can be another Greg Norman or even another Tiger Woods in the sense he can dominate his competitors,” he said.

AFL finals

Hawthorn are through to their fifth preliminary final in a row, after thumping Adelaide last Friday night by 74 points. Luke Hodge set the tone early with the first goal, and went on to become the man of the match with 24 disposals and four goals. North Melbourne had a convincing 26-point win over Sydney Swans on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium. It is the first time in six years that the Swans have not won a final. Adam Goodes announced his retirement from AFL after the game. upstart staff writer, Rudi Edsall, says Goodes should be proud of his legacy. Fremantle play Hawthorn tonight, while West Coast take on North Melbourne on Saturday night. You can listen to upstart’s preliminary finals preview here.

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Journalists pardoned by Egypt

Despite the pardoning and release of Al Jazeera journalists, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, it is not clear if Australian journalist, Peter Greste has also been pardoned. Egypt’s state news agency, Mena reported that a third journalist from the case had also been pardoned, however there are several foreign defendants in the case who avoided jail because they were overseas at the time of the original arrest. Although his own future is uncertain, Greste was visibly shocked, overjoyed and emotional when he learned his jailed colleagues had been freed.

Elle wants you to #BeTheCover

Fashion magazine, Elle Australia, has published a magazine with a reflective cover, encouraging readers to be the cover star. The cover, and accompanying #BeTheCover hashtag, have been embraced by social media, with many praising the magazine’s pro-body acceptance message.

Most diverse Emmys ever still attracts controversy

Despite being the most diverse ceremony in the history of the awards, the 67th Primetime Emmys attracted controversy after Game of Thrones won the Outstanding Drama Series award over Mad Men. People took to social media to voice their disapproval over the fantasy series winning over Mad Men’s final season. However, the awards ceremony was praised for the diversity of its winners, with African American women, Viola Davis and Uzo Aduba, winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series respectively. Jeffrey Tambor also won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of a transgender character in Transparent.

 

Audio produced by: Rudi Edsall.

Feature image: Jake Stevens.

Joely Mitchell, Tam Kendi, Ewa Staszewska, Tijan Biner, Johanna Brasier and Ethan Miller are the editors of upstart this semester. They are all third-year Bachelor of Journalism students at La Trobe University. You can follow them on Twitter here: @joelymitchell@tamkendi@EwaStaszewska@tijanb, @JohannaBrasier and @ethanmiller1994.

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