Latest news with #Government
7NEWS
an hour ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
‘Leave now': Australians ordered out of Iran as conflict with Israel heats up
The Australian Government has announced the suspension of operations at its embassy in Tehran, and urged all staff and their families to leave Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong released a statement early on Friday morning, and says the decision was made 'based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran'. 'We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe. Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place,' Wong said. 'Australia's Ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the Australian Government's response to this crisis.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran. DFAT will also continue to provide support through the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre, direct contact with Australian citizens who have registered on our crisis portal and updates to travel advice. Australians in Iran seeking consular assistance should call the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia, and 1300 555 135 in Australia. The move is in line with other nations who have also suspended operation of embassies in Tehran, including New Zealand and Switzerland. 'We are continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran, and we remain in close contact with other partner countries,' Wong said. 'At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed.' More than 2000 Australians have registered for assistance to depart Iran, up from 1500 yesterday. Health Minister Mark Butler told Sunrise the Australian Government is taking the issue seriously. 'It is a difficult and hard situation ... and we will be exploring every opportunity we can to support people getting out,' Butler said. 'Register so we have your name and contact details, and so when the opportunity arises you can get out.'
ABC News
an hour ago
- Business
- ABC News
Federal politics live: Technology to ban teens from social media ready to deploy, early report finds
An organisation tasked with testing the technology behind the federal government's social media ban says a preliminary report has found age verification is ready to deploy in Australia. Follow all the updates in our live blog.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Australia evacuates embassy in Iran
Australia has shuttered its embassy in Tehran and directed all Australian officials and their dependants to leave 'based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran'. All Australians in the country have been urged to leave if it is safe, or to shelter in place if it is not. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia's Ambassador to Iran will remain in the region 'to support the Australian Government's response to this crisis'. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is deploying consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran,' she said. 'We are continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran, and we remain in close contact with other partner countries. At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed.' There are currently some 1200 Australians seeking evacuation from Iran, with that number expected to rise as thousands of Australians remain stuck in the region. Australia's suspension of Embassy operations is concurent with similar measures taken by other countries, including New Zealand and Switzerland. Australians in Iran seeking consular assistance are urged to call the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia and 1300 555 135 (in Australia). More to come.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Business
- Associated Press
British sports get $1.2B from government to help host major events
LONDON (AP) — British sport is getting a cash injection of more than 900 million pounds ($1.2 billion) from the government to help with the staging of big events such as the men's European Championship soccer tournament and Grand Departs in the Tour de France. The money will also be used to help deliver a bid by soccer federations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to host the Women's World Cup in 2035, the government said Thursday in announcing the funding commitment. While more than 400 million pounds ($540 million) will go toward investment in new and upgraded grassroots facilities around Britain, the rest of the money will be spent on what the government described as 'major sporting events.' They include the men's Euros in 2028, staged alongside Ireland, as well as the Grand Departs of the Tour de France in men's and women's cycling in 2027 and the European Athletics Championships in 2026. 'Together, this strategic investment in sport will help to deliver on the government's mission to kickstart economic growth by creating jobs, driving regional prosperity and encouraging visitors to the UK,' the government said in a statement. 'It is also designed to reduce barriers to opportunity, bring communities together through shared national moments and showcase the best of the UK to the world.' ___ AP sports:
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Labour whip resigns over proposed welfare cuts
In a letter informing the Prime Minister of her resignation, the MP for Lewisham North said she understood 'the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill' but did not believe the proposed cuts 'should be part of the solution'. She said: 'I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the Government and fight for change from within. (1/2) With a heavy heart, I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as a whip. Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits. — Vicky Foxcroft 💙 (@vickyfoxcroft) June 19, 2025 'Sadly it is now (sic) seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. 'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances.' Ms Foxcroft, who previously served as shadow minister for disabled people, is the first frontbencher to resign over the proposed benefit cuts, and the second to go over policy issues following Anneliese Dodds' decision to quit as development minister over cuts to the aid budget. Rebel Labour MPs welcomed her decision, with Hartlepool's Jonathan Brash saying he had the 'utmost respect' for her 'principled stand' and Crewe and Nantwich's Connor Naismith saying it 'must have been an incredibly difficult decision but she should be commended for standing by her principles'. Responding to Ms Foxcroft's resignation, a Government spokesperson said: 'This Labour Government was elected to deliver change. The broken welfare system we inherited is failing the sick and most vulnerable and holding too many young people back. It is fair and responsible to fix it. 'Our principled reforms will ensure those who can work should, that those who want to work are properly supported, and that those with most severe disabilities and health conditions are protected.' Sir Keir Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system expected to save up to £5 billion a year. Legislation introduced into Parliament on Wednesday includes a tightening of the criteria for the main disability payment in England, personal independence payment (Pip). Ministers also want to cut the sickness related element of universal credit (UC), and delay access to it, so only those aged 22 and over can claim it. The package of reforms is aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work, but dozens of Labour rebels said last month that the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed 3.7 million people in England and Wales claimed Pip, up from 2.05 million in 2019, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion of claimants. Around 800,000 people are set to lose out on the benefit under the Government's proposals, according to an impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's legislation. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to universal credit are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. But Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole and one of the backbenchers opposed to the change, said the Government was 'rushing through' the changes and urged ministers to think again.
