TRANSCRIPT
- Australians could soon find it easier to get refunds when their flights are delayed or cancelled under new reforms
- A new law for workers on the 'right to disconnect' come into effect
- In sports, British cyclist Adam Yates wins stage nine of the Vuleta a Epsana
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The role of an airline ombudsperson is being created as part of reform of the aviation sector.
The ombudsperson will enforce a passenger rights charter to ensure timely refunds and possibly cash compensation for delayed and cancelled flights.
Airlines will have to "show cause" when they report their reasons for a flight's delay or cancellation, as part of regular reporting to the government.
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says the charter and complaints mechanism is about providing a better opportunity for continuous improvement.
"What we all want to see is, in fact, that customers get what they pay for. You've bought a ticket. If the flight doesn't go - or the flight doesn't go when you expect it to go - you should expect that is the service that is provided. So really this is about providing remedies to consumers who have found it very difficult to pursue these issues. And also getting continuous improvement in our airlines and our airports."
The government also plans to establish new minimum standards for airlines to make their services accessible to people with a disability.
Legislation to create the ombudsperson role will be introduced next year - with the full package of reforms to be operational by 2026.
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The biggest political gathering of the Pacific region is taking place in Tonga.
The five-day Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is being attended by more than 1000 delegates from both member countries and other nations, as well as civil society organisations.
Founded in 1971, the Forum has 18 members, including Australia.
This year's annual meeting will consider adding two new members: American Samoa and Guam.
Discussion topics will include restoring unity in crisis-hit New Caledonia.
Climate change is another issue which will be raised, with Turkiye seeking to put forward a rival bid to Australia's - for the 2026 UN Climate Change conference, COP31.
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Australia's top scientist is set to head a taskforce on monitoring the country's methane levels.
Chief scientist Cathy Foley has been appointed by the federal government to lead an expert panel looking at new approaches to ensure accuracy in the monitoring and measurement of the amount of methane being released into the atmosphere.
The expert panel has been created following recommendations published by the Climate Change Authority in its review on the national framework for how greenhouse gas emissions are reported.
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Business groups say they have concerns about how the new right-to-disconnect laws will be applied.
A new law has come into effect from today giving the workers the right to disconnect from work - unless doing so is unreasonable.
This could include refusing to monitor, read or respond to work communication outside of paid work hours.
The legislation is meant to ensure employees are paid for every hour they work, instead of the average 5.4 hours a week they currently perform without pay, according to the Australia Institute.
The CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar, says more clarity is needed on what is reasonable.
"Does it mean that they have the right not to respond? No, it’s not a blanket right. Of course, it has to be reasonable. It has to be on reasonable grounds. And I think at the moment there’s a real lack of certainty about what determines whether that action is reasonable or unreasonable, and I think that’s something that we really won’t know how that is going to be interpreted until we start to see some test cases coming forward."
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In cycling, Britain's Adam Yates went all alone to win stage nine of the Vuelta a Espana - as Australian Ben O'Connor finished third and held onto his overall lead.
Yates was part of an early breakaway group, but with 58 kilometres still to race he went alone - and held off the challenge of Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, who finished one minute 39 seconds behind.
Yates says it was gruelling - and he is glad to come away with the stage win.
"It is so hot out there. From the last climb, I was cramping full. And I didn't know if I could go (on). You know, I have had a lot of bad luck over the years on Tours. And I really didn't know if I could make it. I just went full gas. We really had nothing to lose. Full gas. And didn't stop until the end of the (finish) line."
O'Connor says he is satisfied with the team's performance in the stage.
"I am super happy with how we were as a team. I think we were really, really composed. I think we led from the front when we needed to. And Felix was excellent on the final climb. It shows that we're here to still fight."
After a rest day, stage 10 will begin, involving a 160-km ride from Ponteareas to Baiona, before another mountain stage.
