TRANSCRIPT
- The Prime Minister insists 'terrorism' was an appropriate label used to describe a Sydney church stabbing
- The largest democratic exercise ever undertaken begins as Indians head to the polls
- Women's State of Origin announces the first ever three-game series
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected a proposition that the 'terrorism' label has been used selectively, saying it was appropriate to use in the case of the church stabbing attack in Western Sydney.
In an exclusive interview with SBS World News, Mr Albanese was asked if Saturday's attack at a Bondi shopping centre should have been been classified as misogyny-driven terrorism, given that the attacker appeared to target women.
The Prime Minister says it is not the role of politicians to define these things.
"We know that Monday's incident was ideologically motivated and that has been determined by the security agencies and I support the police making the declaration that they did. It was important on Saturday that information go out as soon as possible that occurred, including on Sunday morning the information that this was an incident involving mental health."
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The largest democratic exercise ever undertaken begins in India today [[FRIDAY]], with the start of parliamentary elections to decide the country’s lower house, known as the Lok Sabha.
Voters will cast their ballots over 44 days and seven stages, in an election widely expected to see the return of current Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP.
Political analyst and India expert Robyn Jeffrey told SBS News Mr Modi has dominated the campaign.
"This election is really about one thing. It’s about Modi, Modi, Modi. Mr. Modi, I think, if he were not leading the (Bharatiya Janata Party) party, it would be, in racehorse terms, a much more interesting race that was being run. But with him leading the party, with the current favourable rating he has amongst the citizens of India, he is the issue. He is the issue and most voters seem to approve."
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An unsung hero of the Bondi Junction stabbing attack is being recognised with the Prime Minister confirming the injured Pakistani security guard will be offered a permanent visa.
Muhammad Taha was taken to hospital after confronting attacker Joel Cauchi during his stabbing rampage on Saturday [[13th April]], which killed six people.
While French construction worker Damien Guerot was offered a permanent visa for his heroics, Mr Taha had questioned whether he should be extended a similar offer for his efforts.
Mr Taha is reportedly in Australia on a graduate visa that is due to expire.
Asked on 5AA Adelaide whether a similar offer of citizenship or visa would be put to Mr Taha, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the move.
"Yes, we certainly will. He confronted the perpetrator, Joel Cauchi, on Saturday and it just shows extraordinary courage. These are people who were putting themselves in danger in order to protect Australians they didn't know - just people going about, doing their shopping. That's the sort of courage that we want to say thank you to, frankly."
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An investigation is underway and a family is in mourning after a 10-year-old boy took his own life in state care in Boorloo, Perth.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, died last Friday [[12th April]] in Perth.
He and a number of his siblings were placed in state care about two years ago and at the time of his death he was living with a relative.
His parents hadn't seen the child for eight months but family advocates say they were working to have the family reunited.
University of Western Australia researcher and social justice campaigner Gerry Georgatos told NITV the government needs to account for why family reunification did not occur despite the parents turning their lives around.
"Department of Child Protection should be brought to account as to why - with all its power imbalance of being able to do whatever it wants - it didn't facilitate meetings, visitations with the parents, siblings and with the child. Four children were removed from the family and every effort by the family to do what's right has been met - a year-long clean slate in terms of substance misuse and stabilisation. All of that being met, why - after a year of stability - they weren't reunified is beyond words."
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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This year's Women's State of Origin rugby league series will definitely end with a winner, with a third game in the series announced.
Last year, there were only two games, with Queensland and New South Wales winning one apiece.
At the 2024 series launch in Brisbane it was announced there will be three games played for the first time.
Sky Blues star Jamie Chapman told 4-B-C it'll be a blockbuster series.
"Very exciting time to be a women playing professional rugby league, especially witht three games this year. There's nothing compares to Origin and I just think it's so tough, and there's so much rivalry."
