China believed to be behind major cyber attack on Australian governments and businessesShareFederal Government agencies believe that China is the nation behind ongoing cyber attacks on Australian institutions, including hospitals and state-owned utilities, in recent months.Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australian organisations, including governments and businesses, were currently being targeted by a sophisticated foreign "state-based" hacker.While Mr Morrison said the Government would not take the formal step of publicly naming which state, senior sources confirmed China is...…China believed to be behind major cyber attack on Australian governments and businessesShareFederal Government agencies believe that China is the nation behind ongoing cyber attacks on Australian institutions, including hospitals and state-owned utilities, in recent months.Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australian organisations, including governments and businesses, were currently being targeted by a sophisticated foreign "state-based" hacker.While Mr Morrison said the Government would not take the formal step of publicly naming which state, senior sources confirmed China is...WW…

Facebook, Google to be forced to pay for news as part of new mandatory code of conduct to support traditional news mediaShareFacebook and Google will have to pay traditional news media to publish their content under a new code of conduct developed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that could be implemented by the end of this year.The to govern commercial dealings between tech giants and news media companies.The draft version of the code has been released by the ACCC and will be open to consultation until the end of August with legislation expected to be introduced...…Facebook, Google to be forced to pay for news as part of new mandatory code of conduct to support traditional news mediaShareFacebook and Google will have to pay traditional news media to publish their content under a new code of conduct developed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that could be implemented by the end of this year.The to govern commercial dealings between tech giants and news media companies.The draft version of the code has been released by the ACCC and will be open to consultation until the end of August with legislation expected to be introduced...WW…

ShareTrade Minister Simon Birmingham has confirmed the Government has called the Chinese ambassador after he made "threats of economic coercion" over Australia's push for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.Ambassador Jingye Cheng suggested the Chinese public may boycott Australian products or decide not to visit Australia in the future if the Commonwealth Government continued its push for an independent inquiry."Maybe also the ordinary people will say why should we drink Australian wine or to eat Australian beef?" he said in an interview with the Australian Financial Review.Senator...…ShareTrade Minister Simon Birmingham has confirmed the Government has called the Chinese ambassador after he made "threats of economic coercion" over Australia's push for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.Ambassador Jingye Cheng suggested the Chinese public may boycott Australian products or decide not to visit Australia in the future if the Commonwealth Government continued its push for an independent inquiry."Maybe also the ordinary people will say why should we drink Australian wine or to eat Australian beef?" he said in an interview with the Australian Financial Review.Senator...WW…

SharePrime Minister Scott Morrison says the loss of nearly 600,000 jobs in April is "devastating" for Australian families and communities affected by government restrictions and business shutdowns.The comments come after the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced ."Almost 600,000 jobs have been lost, every one of them devastating for those Australians, for their families and communities," the Prime Minister said."A very tough day, terribly shocking, although not unanticipated."Mr Morrison said Australians should prepare themselves for similar announcements as the impact from the...…SharePrime Minister Scott Morrison says the loss of nearly 600,000 jobs in April is "devastating" for Australian families and communities affected by government restrictions and business shutdowns.The comments come after the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced ."Almost 600,000 jobs have been lost, every one of them devastating for those Australians, for their families and communities," the Prime Minister said."A very tough day, terribly shocking, although not unanticipated."Mr Morrison said Australians should prepare themselves for similar announcements as the impact from the...WW…

Finance Minister warns other Coalition staffers involved in lewd Parliament sex acts will be sackedShareAny Coalition staffers found to have committed lewd sex acts in Parliament will be sacked, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has warned.Channel Ten and The Australian newspaper reportedly obtained videos and images of sexual encounters filmed inside Parliament HouseFour Coalition staff members were reportedly involved, with one allegedly committing a lewd act on the desk of a female Liberal MP.In a statement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed a staffer "at the centre of the...…Finance Minister warns other Coalition staffers involved in lewd Parliament sex acts will be sackedShareAny Coalition staffers found to have committed lewd sex acts in Parliament will be sacked, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has warned.Channel Ten and The Australian newspaper reportedly obtained videos and images of sexual encounters filmed inside Parliament HouseFour Coalition staff members were reportedly involved, with one allegedly committing a lewd act on the desk of a female Liberal MP.In a statement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed a staffer "at the centre of the...WW…

Facebook to reverse news ban on Australian sites, government to make amendments to media bargaining codeShareFacebook will walk back its block on Australian users sharing news on its site after the government agreed to make amendments to the proposed media bargaining laws that would force major tech giants to pay news outlets for their content.It follows days of negotiations between the government and the social media company, including discussions between Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg."Mark Zuckerberg said to me today [restoring pages] will occur in coming...…Facebook to reverse news ban on Australian sites, government to make amendments to media bargaining codeShareFacebook will walk back its block on Australian users sharing news on its site after the government agreed to make amendments to the proposed media bargaining laws that would force major tech giants to pay news outlets for their content.It follows days of negotiations between the government and the social media company, including discussions between Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg."Mark Zuckerberg said to me today [restoring pages] will occur in coming...WW…

Controversial backbencher Craig Kelly quits Liberal Party to sit on the crossbenchShareControversial backbencher Craig Kelly has quit the Liberal Party.Mr Kelly handed his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Scott Morrison during today's party room meeting.He said he would sit on the crossbench but will continue to provide supply for the government — meaning he will vote with the government on bills or legislation related to the budget.He also said he would vote with the government on all policies that were taken to the last election.Mr Kelly was and for spreading misinformation about...…Controversial backbencher Craig Kelly quits Liberal Party to sit on the crossbenchShareControversial backbencher Craig Kelly has quit the Liberal Party.Mr Kelly handed his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Scott Morrison during today's party room meeting.He said he would sit on the crossbench but will continue to provide supply for the government — meaning he will vote with the government on bills or legislation related to the budget.He also said he would vote with the government on all policies that were taken to the last election.Mr Kelly was and for spreading misinformation about...WW…

More Australian timber exports to China blocked as pressure grows to take trade dispute to World Trade OrganizationShareChina's attack on Australian trade is continuing, with timber exports from two more states blocked and the number of meatworks waiting to resume trade growing to eight.An official notice from China's Customs authority, issued earlier this month, notified Australian exporters a pest had been detected in shipments of logs from South Australia and Tasmania, but did not specify what type.It declared China would refuse to accept timber those states from December 3 and said it...…More Australian timber exports to China blocked as pressure grows to take trade dispute to World Trade OrganizationShareChina's attack on Australian trade is continuing, with timber exports from two more states blocked and the number of meatworks waiting to resume trade growing to eight.An official notice from China's Customs authority, issued earlier this month, notified Australian exporters a pest had been detected in shipments of logs from South Australia and Tasmania, but did not specify what type.It declared China would refuse to accept timber those states from December 3 and said it...WW…

ASIC chair James Shipton steps aside pending outcome of investigation into $118,000 tax advice billShareThe chair of Australia's corporate watchdog ASIC will step aside after it was revealed the organisation paid more than $118,000 for him to receive personal tax advice.James Shipton has agreed to repay the money for the advice, which he received after he relocated to Australia from the United States to head up ASIC in 2018.In a statement, Mr Shipton said he had told Treasurer Josh Frydenberg he would stand aside pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the matter,...…ASIC chair James Shipton steps aside pending outcome of investigation into $118,000 tax advice billShareThe chair of Australia's corporate watchdog ASIC will step aside after it was revealed the organisation paid more than $118,000 for him to receive personal tax advice.James Shipton has agreed to repay the money for the advice, which he received after he relocated to Australia from the United States to head up ASIC in 2018.In a statement, Mr Shipton said he had told Treasurer Josh Frydenberg he would stand aside pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the matter,...WW…