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☆ Australia antitrust watchdog to oversee domestic air travel sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Qantas plane takes off from Kingsford Smith International Airport, following the coronavirus outbreak, in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Qantas Airways Ltd FollowSYDNEY, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Australia will ask its competition watchdog to monitor domestic passenger flights in a bid to boost competition in a sector dominated by national carrier Qantas, which is under scrutiny for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will monitor prices, costs and profits in the domestic air passenger sector, according to a joint statement from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Transport Minister Catherine King on Wednesday. "A competitive airline industry helps to put downward pressure on prices and deliver more choice for Australians facing cost-of-living pressures," the statement said. "ACCC market scrutiny will help ensure airlines compete on their merits, bring to light any inappropriate market conduct should it occur, and provide continued transparency at a time when new and expanding airlines are still trying to establish themselves."

Persons: Loren Elliott, Jim Chalmers, Catherine King, Alan Joyce, Lewis Jackson, Muralikumar Organizations: Qantas, Kingsford Smith International, REUTERS, Rights Companies Qantas Airways Ltd, SYDNEY, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, Transport, Qatar Airways, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

The Offshore Alliance union said it had called off strikes originally planned for Thursday at the U.S. energy major's Gorgon and Wheatstone projects in Western Australia, which supply around 6% of the world's LNG. Workers have showed "incredible patience" with Chevron, Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said in a statement, blaming the company for trying to back away from the tentative deal agreed last month. "There was some real compromises by Chevron at the 11th hour that enabled a deal to be re-struck and strikes withdrawn," energy analyst Saul Kavonic said. Kavonic said the agreement would end the risks of strikes across Australia's largest offshore LNG projects. The Offshore Alliance, a coalition of the Australian Workers' Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, said workers would vote on the proposed enterprise agreements.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Gandy, Saul Kavonic, Kavonic, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Emily Chow, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Union, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Traders, Workers, Australian Workers ' Union, Maritime Union of Australia, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Australia, U.S, Asia, Norway, Sydney, Singapore, Bengaluru

Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Unions at Chevron's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia reaffirmed their plan to resume strikes this week as mediated talks continued on Monday, sparking angry comments from the company saying workers were being unreasonable. Australia's industrial arbitrator, the Fair Work Commission, mediated three days of talks last week and asked the Offshore Alliance to withdraw the strike plan while talks continued, Chevron said. The Offshore Alliance, a coalition of two unions, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chevron said unions continued to introduce new matters into the dispute and were withholding agreement on other issues pending member votes. Chevron said late on Sunday it was "extremely disappointed" by the vote to stick with the strike plan, against the arbitrator's request.

Persons: Chevron, Lewis Jackson, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Offshore Alliance, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australia

☆ Pro-Palestinian rallies in Australia over Gaza draw thousands
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Thousands of people attended pro-Palestinian rallies in Australian state capitals on Sunday despite police threats to curb them, amid tensions after the bloody Hamas incursion into Israel eight days ago. Pro-Palestine rallies were also being held on Sunday in state capitals Adelaide and Melbourne, where thousands protested, according to The Guardian Australia. Countries across the developed world are curbing pro-Palestinian protests out of concern the Israel-Hamas conflict could trigger violence at home. France banned pro-Palestinian protests on Thursday saying they were likely to "generate disturbances to public order". In Sydney, police arrested three men on Friday outside the Jewish Museum of Australia in Sydney for making Nazi salutes, media reported.

Persons: Amal Naser, Naser, Sam McKeith, Lewis Jackson, Muralikumar Organizations: SYDNEY, Palestine Action, Reuters, Police, Palestine Action Group, Palestine, Guardian, Jewish Museum of Australia, Nazi, Thomson Locations: Israel, Sydney, New South Wales, Palestine, Adelaide, Melbourne, Guardian Australia, France

☆ Australia cancels repatriation flights from Israel due to 'highly challenging' situation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Palestinians search for casualties under the rubble in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Australia has cancelled two planned flights to repatriate citizens from Israel and the Palestinian territories due to the "highly challenging" situation, the foreign affairs department said on Saturday. Repatriation flights scheduled for Saturday and Sunday will not depart as planned amid a "highly challenging and rapidly changing" situation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said in a statement on social media. Australia continues to work with citizens in the area to help them return home and will communicate about future flights, DFAT added. The first in the planned series of repatriation flights left on Friday local time, with over 200 Australians and their families arriving safely in London, according to SBS News.

Persons: Khan Younis, Abu Mustafa, DFAT, Lewis Jackson, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SBS News, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Australia, Israel, London

☆ Pro-Palestinian Rallies in Australia Over Gaza Draw Thousands
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Thousands of people attended pro-Palestinian rallies in Australian state capitals on Sunday despite police threats to curb them, amid tensions after the bloody Hamas incursion into Israel eight days ago. Pro-Palestine rallies were also being held on Sunday in state capitals Adelaide and Melbourne, where thousands protested, according to The Guardian Australia. Countries across the developed world are curbing pro-Palestinian protests out of concern the Israel-Hamas conflict could trigger violence at home. France banned pro-Palestinian protests on Thursday saying they were likely to "generate disturbances to public order". In Sydney, police arrested three men on Friday outside the Jewish Museum of Australia in Sydney for making Nazi salutes, media reported.

Persons: Amal Naser, Naser, Sam McKeith, Lewis Jackson, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: SYDNEY, Palestine Action, Reuters, Police, Palestine Action Group, Palestine, Guardian, Jewish Museum of Australia, Nazi Locations: Israel, Sydney, New South Wales, Palestine, Adelaide, Melbourne, Guardian Australia, France

[1/5] Voters are seen at the ballot box at the Old Australian Parliament House, during The Voice referendum in Canberra, Australia, October 14, 2023. "I sincerely hope that Australians, when they walk into that ballot box today, vote 'Yes'," Albanese said in Sydney, according to a transcript. Supporters of the proposal believe entrenching an Indigenous Voice in the constitution would unite Australia and usher in a new era with its Indigenous people, who account for 3.8% of the population and are its most disadvantaged, by most socio-economic measures. Another voter and 'No' campaigner, Greg Mason, doubted the usefulness of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Constitutional change requires a majority of votes both nationwide and in at least four of the six states.

Persons: Tracey Nearmy, Anthony Albanese, " Albanese, Michael Mahoney, Sydneysider Geoff Sumner, Greg Mason, Stefica Nicol, Praveen Menon, William Mallard, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Old Australian, House, REUTERS, Aboriginal, Australian, Stefica Nicol Bikes, Thomson Locations: Canberra, Australia, Sydney SYDNEY, Sydney, Torres, Melbourne, Perth, Beach

A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Negotiations over a stalled pay and conditions deal between Chevron and unions at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia made progress on Friday, but fell short of sealing an agreement to end months of labour disputes at the major export sites. Friday's talks are the second round being mediated by the FWC within the past month. The unions halted weeks of strikes in late September at the facilities that supply around 6% of the world's LNG after an earlier round of talks produced a deal. Weeks later, however, the unions accused Chevron of reneging on certain commitments and said they would resume strikes on Oct. 19.

Persons: Friday's, Weeks, Lewis Jackson, Susanna R, Alasdair Pal, Miral Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australia, Chevron, reneging, Europe, London

[1/3] PwC Australia Chief Executive Officer Kevin Burrowes listens during the inquiry into management and assurance of integrity by consulting services at Parliament House in Canberra, October 12, 2023. The global firm announced last month it had taken "appropriate action" against six staff outside Australia who received confidential information and should have raised questions. No confidential information was used for commercial gain, it said. Burrowes told senators PwC Australia had not been provided details about the international investigation and did not know where the staff worked or how they had been disciplined. An investigation by the U.S. accounting regulator, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), is underway and PwC Australia is providing further information to the body, a senior executive told parliament.

Persons: Kevin Burrowes, Mick Tsikas, PwC, Burrowes, Lewis Jackson, Sonali Paul Organizations: Australia, House, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Police, PwC, Public Company, KPMG Australia, Thomson Locations: Canberra, U.S, PwC Australia

A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Chevron and unions representing workers at its two liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia made progress in talks over pay and conditions on Wednesday and would meet again on Thursday, a union representative said. With workers threatening to resume strikes from next week at the facilities that supply around 6% of the world's LNG, Chevron and unions were holding negotiations before Australia's industrial arbitrator, the Fair Work Commission. Unions halted weeks of strikes at Chevron's sites in late September after an earlier round of talks produced a deal. However, unions subsequently accused Chevron of reneging on certain commitments and said on Monday they would restart strikes on Oct. 19.

Persons: Lewis Jackson, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, AS, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australia, Chevron, reneging

[1/4] Participants of a pro-Palestinian rally react outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, October 9, 2023. AAP Image/Dean Lewins via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Australian police said on Tuesday they were investigating a pro-Palestinian protest outside Sydney Opera House, after footage emerged of a small group appearing to chant anti-Semitic slogans at the demonstration. Around 1,000 pro-Palestinian supporters marched through downtown Sydney on Monday evening to the city's iconic Opera House, which the government had illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag following Saturday's attacks by Hamas which Israel says killed over 900. Unverified footage shared by the Australian Jewish Association and featured on Sky News appeared to show a small group outside the Opera House lighting flares and chanting "gas the Jews". Protest organiser Palestine Action Group Sydney defended its right to protest "apartheid" in Israel but said a small number of "vile antisemitic attendees" had no place in their movement.

Persons: Dean Lewins, Israel, Anthony Albanese, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Michael Perry Organizations: Sydney Opera House, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Sydney, Opera House, Gaza's Health, Australian Jewish Association, Sky News, Opera, Palestine, Group Sydney, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, South Wales, Israel

Night-shift workers at Chevron's Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities voted to restart strikes in the afternoon meeting, the Offshore Alliance, a coalition of two unions, said in a statement. The unions accuse the U.S. oil giant of reneging on a deal that ended strikes last month. Reuters reported on Thursday, the bulk of workers at the facilities had voted to strike. Chevron must be given seven business days notice before strikes can begin and unions said they plan to file the notice on Monday. A union representative who declined to be named said there are no talks currently scheduled with Chevron.

Persons: Wheatstone, “, Brad Gandy, Nilutpal, Lewis Jackson, Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Offshore Alliance, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, U.S, Bengaluru, Sydney

Chevron/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Chevron Corp FollowOct 5 (Reuters) - Chevron (CVX.N) has "reneged" on commitments made to Australia's industrial tribunal, unions representing workers at its two local liquefied natural gas (LNG) sites said on Thursday, weeks after both sides struck a tentative deal to end major strikes. Workers called off strikes less than two weeks ago after unions and Chevron accepted proposals on pay and conditions proposed by the country's industrial arbitrator. However, the Offshore Alliance, a coalition of two unions, said Chevron had "reneged" on its commitments. Members would meet on Thursday and Friday to discuss the issue, according to a statement posted on Thursday to social media. A union representative who declined to be named said they would recommend workers serve Chevron notice of intent to resume strikes.

Persons: Lewis Jackson, Urvi, Kim Coghill, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Companies Chevron Corp, Workers, Offshore Alliance, Commission, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Sydney, Bengaluru

☆ UK’s Motorway takes eBay approach for consumers to sell cars to dealers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

EBay also sells cars in the UK, though its own marketplace consists of consumers or dealers selling to consumers. The pandemic "acted as a massive accelerant" for Motorway because physical auctions were closed for months and dealers needed access to cars, Leathes said. In 2022, its auctions doubled to 1.7 billion pounds ($2.06 billion). That should double again this year, giving Motorway around a 5% share in a UK used-car market worth 80 billion pounds, Leathes said. Dealers can now use "wallets" for multiple transactions and Motorway now picks up around 30% of the cars it sells and delivers them to dealers.

Persons: Tom Leathes, Leathes, Nick Templeton, Templeton, Lewis Jent, Nick Carey, Nick Zieminski Organizations: eBay, Reuters, EBay, Index Ventures, Growth, BMW I Ventures, BMW, Dealers, Tesla, Thomson Locations: Britain, U.S, Leathes, CarShop

A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. Workers called off strikes less than two weeks ago after unions and Chevron accepted proposals on pay and conditions proposed by the country's industrial arbitrator, the Fair Work Commission. However, the Offshore Alliance, a coalition of two unions, on Thursday said Chevron had "reneged" on its commitments. A union representative who declined to be named said they would recommend workers serve Chevron notice of intent to resume strikes. Chevron and unions had made progress drafting the agreement, but differences remained over issues like reimbursement for meals or travel for training, according to a second union representative involved in the negotiations.

Persons: Weeks, Lewis Jackson, Urvi, Kim Coghill, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Companies Chevron Corp, Workers, Offshore Alliance, Commission, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, U.S, Sydney, Bengaluru

NEW ZEALAND OUT/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - An Australian constitutional referendum on Indigenous recognition is on track to be defeated amid strong opposition from older voters and those living outside cities, according to a poll published on Wednesday. Opposition is strongest among those in rural areas or on the outskirts of cities, where almost two-thirds of voters disapprove of the amendment, the YouGov poll found. A separate poll published on Tuesday showed a slight uptick in support for the proposal, with 43% intending to vote yes, compared to 49% for no. The referendum debate has divided opinions with supporters arguing the Voice will bring progress for Indigenous Australians, while some opponents say enshrining one group in the constitution would be divisive. Referendums are notoriously difficult to pass in Australia, with only eight referendums being approved since it became a country in 1901.

Persons: Lukas Coch, Amir Daftari, Lewis Jackson, Jamie Freed Organizations: Rights, Nations Australians, Indigenous, Thomson Locations: Canberra, Australia, Australian

☆ Australia state swings from bush fires to flash flooding in 24 hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Less than 24 hours since residents in parts of Australia's Victoria state fled bush fires, state authorities are now warning of flooding as heavy rain douses flames and lifts rivers in the southeastern state. First responders overnight rescued a farmer in the area who got trapped after driving through floodwaters, according to chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch at Victoria state emergency service. "But over these next 24, 48 hours, flash flooding, riverine flooding is really the key risk. Firefights are still working to contain bush fires in two parts of Victoria state but authorities said there was no immediate threat to nearby residents. State fire authorities said conditions eased overnight although several properties were lost and firefighters still worked to contain the blaze.

Persons: Tim Wiebusch, Lewis Jackson, Aurora Ellis Organizations: SYDNEY, Australian, of Meteorology, Meteorology, Thomson Locations: Australia's Victoria, Victoria, New South Wales, Bermagui, Sydney . State

SYDNEY, Oct 3 (Reuters) - A bushfire in Australia's Victoria state more than trebled overnight and authorities urged residents in a remote part of Tasmania state to evacuate as a spring heatwave fanned fires across the country's southeast. Across the Bass Strait in Tasmania state, residents on the northern edge of Flinders Island were told to evacuate from an out of control bushfire. Fires are being stoked by hot, dry winds across southeast as the country experiences an unseasonably hot spring. Australia began spring with its driest September on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with rainfall 71% below the 1961-1990 average. Conditions are expected to change rapidly in Victoria Tuesday afternoon, with heavy rains expected to help douse fires but potentially trigger flash flooding.

Persons: Jason Heffernan, Heffernan, they're, Lewis Jackson, Richard Chang Organizations: SYDNEY, Country Fire Authority, Meteorology, Greater, Thomson Locations: Australia's Victoria, Tasmania, Victoria state's Gippsland, Bass, Flinders, Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Greater Sydney Region, Sydney's

☆ Australia State Swings From Bush Fires to Flash Flooding in 24 Hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Less than 24 hours since residents in parts of Australia's Victoria state fled bush fires, state authorities are now warning of flooding as heavy rain douses flames and lifts rivers in the southeastern state. First responders overnight rescued a farmer in the area who got trapped after driving through floodwaters, according to chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch at Victoria state emergency service. "But over these next 24, 48 hours, flash flooding, riverine flooding is really the key risk. Firefights are still working to contain bush fires in two parts of Victoria state but authorities said there was no immediate threat to nearby residents. State fire authorities said conditions eased overnight although several properties were lost and firefighters still worked to contain the blaze.

Persons: Tim Wiebusch, Lewis Jackson, Aurora Ellis Organizations: SYDNEY, Australian, of Meteorology, Meteorology Locations: Australia's Victoria, Victoria, New South Wales, Bermagui, Sydney . State

☆ Bushfires in Parts of Southeast Australia Amid Spring Heatwave
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Lewis JacksonSYDNEY (Reuters) - A bushfire in Australia's Victoria state more than trebled overnight and authorities urged residents in a remote part of Tasmania state to evacuate as a spring heatwave fanned fires across the country's southeast. "It is quite a large fire spread across a large area. Across the Bass Strait in Tasmania state, residents on the northern edge of Flinders Island were told to evacuate from an out of control bushfire. Fires are being stoked by hot, dry winds across southeast as the country experiences an unseasonably hot spring. Australia began spring with its driest September on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with rainfall 71% below the 1961-1990 average.

Persons: Lewis Jackson SYDNEY, Jason Heffernan, Heffernan, they're, Lewis Jackson, Richard Chang Organizations: Country Fire Authority, Meteorology, Greater Locations: Australia's Victoria, Tasmania, Victoria state's Gippsland, Bass, Flinders, Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Greater Sydney Region, Sydney's

The latest Guardian Essential poll shows the yes vote rose two points to 43% over the past fortnight, while the no vote slipped two points to 49%. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that people tended to support the referendum once they understood the details of the proposal. Unlike New Zealand or Canada, Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, who make up about 3.2% of its population of 26 million. Indigenous groups were marginalized by British colonial rulers and are not mentioned in Australia's 122-year-old constitution. The referendum debate has divided opinion, with supporters arguing the Voice will bring progress for the Aboriginal community, while opponents say it would be divisive.

Persons: Rita Wright, Loren Elliott, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, They're, Lewis Jackson, Tom Hogue Organizations: Australian, REUTERS, Rights, Guardian, Triple M Hobart, Nations, New, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Canada

☆ Nigeria's Tinubu offers wage increase ahead of labour strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Felix Onuah | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria, arrives for the closing session of the New Global Financial Pact Summit, Friday, June 23, 2023 in Paris, France. Tinubu scrapped a decades-old subsidy during his inauguration in May and ended foreign exchange restrictions, which has led to soaring cost of living and angered unions. In a national broadcast marking 63 years of independence, Tinubu defended the reforms as necessary to put Africa's biggest economy on the path to recovery. That would take the minimum wage in Nigeria to 55,000 naira ($71) from 30,000 naira. But labour unions want Tinubu to reinstate the fuel subsidy and had previously demanded a minimum wage of 200,000 naira.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Lewis Joly, Tinubu, Tinubu's, Felix Onuah, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Daniel Wallis Organizations: New Global Financial, Rights, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Nigeria, Paris, France, Rights ABUJA

PwC sign is seen in the lobby of their offices in Barangaroo, Australia June 22, 2023. PwC Australia in May commissioned former Telstra CEO Ziggy Switkowski to review the firm's culture and governance after revelations a former partner had leaked confidential tax documents to colleagues to drum up work with global companies. Switkowski identified poor practices "uncorrected for many years", including a board stacked with longstanding PwC partners, a powerful CEO "not perceived to be accountable to the board" and a "whatever it takes" approach to making money. PwC Australia has not committed to releasing their reports publicly. PwC Australia said on Wednesday it would adopt, and in some cases already had, the report's 23 recommendations, which include appointing an external chief risk officer, revamping firm culture, and linking partner pay to ethical behaviour.

Persons: Lewis Jackson, Ziggy Switkowski, Switkowski, Kevin Burrowes, Switkowski's, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, PwC, Telstra, Facebook, Police, Thomson Locations: Barangaroo, Australia, PwC Australia

☆ Qantas charter unit's pilots vote in favour of protected industrial action
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Three pilot groups, including pilots from aircraft charter company Network Aviation, have been negotiating with Qantas management over wage policy revisions. A spokesperson for QantasLink, an airline brand of Qantas, termed the step towards industrial action by the AFAP as "disappointing". "We have already reached in-principle agreement with the two other unions representing Network Aviation pilots, and we're continuing to negotiate in good faith to secure new agreements with our turboprop pilots." There are contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions to customers if the union proceeds with the industrial action, the spokesperson told Reuters. The AFAP also flagged the potential industrial action might impact certain charter flight operations to large mines and oil gas projects in Western Australia.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Rishav Chatterjee, Lewis Jackson, Aishwarya Nair, Rashmi Organizations: Qantas, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Pilots, Network Aviation, Qantas Airways, Australian Federation of Air Pilots, Reuters, Network Aviation's, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Western Australia

☆ Australia's Byron Bay limits Airbnb-like rentals amid housing crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Popular Australian tourist destination Byron Bay will limit the availability of some properties for short-term holiday rentals, as authorities try to free up homes for residents amid a nationwide housing crisis. Byron Bay is a beachside destination popular with tourists and celebrities, and was featured in a Netflix reality TV series. "It's well known there has been an undersupply of housing, particularly affordable and diverse housing across the Byron Shire for many years," NSW planning minister Paul Scully said in a statement announcing the policy. "In the current housing crisis, it's important every available means to boost housing stock for the community is utilised." Parts of Byron Bay and nearby Brunswick Heads with "high tourism appeal" will continue without caps.

Persons: Byron Shire, Byron Bay, Chris Hemsworth, Paul Scully, Lewis Jackson, Miral Organizations: Popular, Melbourne, Netflix, Thomson Locations: Popular Australian, Byron, New South Wales, Victoria, NSW, Byron Bay, Brunswick, Australia, Berlin, Barcelona

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