The UN says Abbott’s ‘turn back the boats’ policy may be breaching international law.
The United Nations refugee agency has informed the ABC that Australia may be breaching obligations under the Refugee Convention and International law with its ‘turn back the boats’ policies.
Speaking to ABC radio yesterday, Babar Balloch, a spokesperson for the UN, said turning asylum seeker boats around was ‘very concerning’ and ‘could place Australia in breach of its obligations under the Refugee convention and international law.’
“If people who are in need for international protection seek a country’s safety, then they must be allowed to go through a process which helps to determine if these people are in need,” Mr Balloch said.
Both Prime Minister Abbott and Immigration Minister Scott Morrison have refused to comment.
Las Vegas hypnotist found dead in Sydney.
The body of touring America hypnotist Dr. Scott Lewis was found outside a unit block in the Sydney city yesterday. Police believe that the Las Vegas showman fell from an eleventh floor balcony.
Dr. Lewis, who was in Sydney performing ‘The Illusionsts 2.0’ at the Opera House, was reported missing when he failed to meet a bus to take him to rehearsals.
Police are treating the death as suspicious.
If you or a loved one need to talk to someone, please consider calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Tropical Cyclone Ian aftermath in Tonga.
With one person dead, Tropical Cyclone Ian has caused much devastation throughout the Pacific Island nation. The extent of the damage is currently unclear, however the islands of Ha’noa and Foa are expected to be the most damaged.
New Zealand foreign affairs minister Muarry McCull informed media that they would make ‘$NZ50,000 immediately available for assistance’.
NSW Government urged to make Maths compulsory for senior high school students.
The New South Wales State government is considering making Maths compulsory for year 11 and 12 students. Adrian Piccoli, the Education Minister, is said to be considering the option, once a report is finalised in the lower house. The subject hasn’t been compulsory for more than ten years in NSW, but as the Coalition reviews the national curriculum this could change.
Former Israeli Prime Minister dies after eight year coma.
Ariel Sharon, the former Prime Minister of Israel, has died after an eight-year coma at the age of 85. The former commander of the Israeli Army suffered a stroke in 2006 whilst he was still in office. He was kept in a vegetative state until his health deteriorated earlier this month. US President Barack Obama has described Mr. Sharon as ‘a leader who dedicated his life to the state of Israel’.
His funeral will be held on Monday
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Top Comments
What is the reasoning for compulsory maths for the HSC? Maths is already compulsory until year 10, which affords enough knowledge for what the majority use in everyday life post school. It is a requirement for a large number of university courses and therefore has very large enrollment as is. We tell our students to choose subjects which they have an interest in and want to learn, so why force those whose talents lie in ther areas to do this subject?
I was forced to take maths after one of my elective classes got cut and I hated it. It was General Maths and obviously easy enough, but I would rather not have done it since it had no relevance for my uni course (marketing/PR) and it was torture for me as I'm not one of those people who can easily do maths (or physics or chemistry, etc).
I find it unusual that you do not need maths. Marketing would deal with Data Mining and the use of statistics to evaluate this data to determine future marketing strategies.
Of course maths needs to be compulsory in years 11 and 12. The concept that one doesn't need to know how to use differential equations post school is flawed. It's about students learning analytical thought processes and preparing them for university. Bad luck if they don't want to do it.
If you haven't noticed, Australia's performance compared to other countries has dropped dramatically in the last decade. Surely letting kids take the easy way out and not study mathematics is a direct cause?
I have a degree in applied mathematics, so I'm a bit biased, but we are failing to adequately educate our kids.
Hmm, good point. I mean, I did maths for my HSC so I guess I'm set and won't fail if any of my subjects do touch upon data and statistics...
Why should year 11 & 12 students have to do Maths? Why? By the time you're doing senior maths it's with an expectation that you need it for your career with the introduction of calculus and other "specific" maths topics that nobody will use EVER unless they get into engineering, surveying, science, teaching maths? All the basics have been covered. I HATED having to do maths for my HSC. I was in the top class up until Year 10 but I had no wish to take it further as it had no relevance to my future career in the arts. It took the place of other subjects that would have been more beneficial and enjoyable. Surely all subjects taken in senior years should be based on career aspirations or what students have an interest in to help them attain the highest marks possible?? Not just to satisfy a curriculum that the government say is right for everyone.