Australia

Australia’s Governor General visits Samoa Family Health Association

The delegation also toured the soon-to-be launched diagnostic pathology lab based at SFHA.

A statement said “The Governor-General and Mrs. Hurley had the privilege of engaging with health practitioners and volunteers at SFHA to learn more about their meaningful work.”

“This included meeting with SFHA’s Executive Director Lealaiauloto Lia’i Si’itia, board member and church representative Reverend Asalele Lefauaitu, and youth champion Gutu Fa’asau.”

Russian embassy: Australia blocks new Canberra site over spying risk

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said intelligence agencies had given "very clear security advice" on the move.

Laws specifically drafted to halt construction were rapidly passed on Thursday after legal attempts to block the Canberra development failed.

The Kremlin said it was "yet another unfriendly action" which Russia would "take into account" in the future.

Australia was following the "Russophobic hysteria that is now going on in the countries of the collective West", said spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Ten people killed in wedding bus crash in Australia

The passengers were returning from a wedding at a winery on Sunday night when their coach overturned on Wine County Drive near Greta in Hunter Valley, New South Wales.

Police say they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The driver of the bus, a 58-year-old man, has been arrested.

NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said the guests were travelling to Singleton "presumably for their accommodation". The crash occurred around 23:30 local time.

Australia commits to support sustainable development in Samoa

A statement issued by the government confirmed that these development include investing in health, education, governance, and climate resilience. Australia is proud to partner with Samoa by increasing our development assistance to an estimated AUD$53.5 million in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Australian High Commissioner, Emily Luck, said, "Guided by the Pathway for the Development of Samoa and supported by our Bilateral Partnership Arrangement, Australia is committed to working alongside Prime Minister Fiame and the Samoan Government to support Samoa's development aspirations.”

MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo dies aged 46

Zonfrillo died in Melbourne on Sunday, MasterChef Australia confirmed on Monday afternoon.

"Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef family," a statement from the program said.

"Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son."

Australia to accelerate missile build-up as defence industry anxiously awaits review recommendations

The public version of the Albanese government's long-awaited Defence Strategic Review will confirm cuts to several projects such as new Army vehicles, while funding more immediate priorities that deliver "impactful projection" well beyond Australia.

An unclassified 110-page version of the "National Defence" document, prepared by former defence chief Angus Houston and former minister Stephen Smith, will be released on Monday, two months after being handed to the prime minister.

Princess Mary to make whirlwind trip back to Australia

The Danish royal family has released a statement on its official Instagram account confirming that Mary will visit Australia, Vanuatu and Fiji from April 23 to 28.

The visit is to “highlight the consequences of climate change in the Pacific region”, the English translation of the statement reads.

Princess Mary will spend time in Sydney on April 28, where she will participate in an event with Danish business representatives involved in “the green transition in Australia”.

She will also visit a number of projects related to construction and transport.

Welfare and wellbeing of Samoan seasonal workers in Australia important

According to the ministry, this has always been, and remains a coordinated and highly invested multi-stakeholder effort, including the Samoan Country Liaison Officer, Samoa Head of Mission & Consulate in Australia, Government of Australia and various Australian based agencies as well as local communities.

MCIL issued a statement in light of the concerning number of unsubstantiated information about the temporary worker scheme being circulated via various social platforms.

Covid-19 pandemic and safe return home

Melbourne overtakes Sydney as Australia's biggest city

Sydney has proudly held the title for more than 100 years.

But with populations rapidly growing on Melbourne's fringe, the city limits have been expanded to include the area of Melton.

The latest government figures, from June 2021, put Melbourne's population at 4,875,400 - 18,700 more than Sydney.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines a city's "significant urban area", by including all connecting suburbs with more than 10,000 people.

Australia announces budget support for Samoa

This was announced by Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific, and Samoa's Finance Minister.

The Ministers also announced a new eight-year partnership focused on Samoa's economic growth and governance priorities.

Called 'Tautai - Governance for Economic Growth', it will support Samoa's continued economic recovery from Covid, jointly delivering projects to improve livelihoods for Samoans.