The World Today

A new report from a coalition of health and human rights groups has expressed frustration in the nation's inability to effectively tackle indigenous disadvantage in Australia. The Close the Gap Campaign, which has support from Oxfam and the Human Rights Commission, has slammed current progress in its ninth annual report. It comes less than a month after the Federal Government's own report card on Closing the Gap revealed only one of its seven targets was still on track.

The Syrian war is entering its 7th year this week; what began as a protest that sparked a civil war is now an intractable international conflict. The carnage has forced nearly half the men, women and children of Syria to leave their homes, fuelling the world's worst refugee crisis since World War II. One of those Syrians, Rifai Tammas, is now living in Australia and speaks to The World Today of his experience and the human cost of conflict.

Scientists are hoping to raise $1 million a year from philanthropic and corporate donors for a new trust to fund research into Australia's wildlife. The Native Australian Animal Trust has been launched by the University of Melbourne for long-term research into native animals and the effects of development and invasive species on them, as well as discovering new species. The trust's first research focus will be on animals in northern Australia.

One of the most exciting events of Australia's art year took place last night, with an auction of some of the country's most recognisable masterpieces. The Gould Collection of Important Australian Art included 74 pieces, including Sidney Nolan's 'Outlaw' and 'Burke Lay Dying', Charles Blackman's 'The Friends', and Brett Whiteley's 'Galah'. The owner of the collection, Rob Gould, is a well known and highly respected art dealer with a particular nose for Australian art.

The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the gas industry operates with the benefit of a 'social licence' from the Australian people, and it should act to address a looming shortage. Mr Turnbull has stopped short of endorsing a gas reservation policy, but he's warned gas operators that the Government can control the level of gas which is exported overseas. The Opposition says a reservation policy, where a percentage of gas production is set aside for domestic use, must be considered.

South Australia is open for business, calling for expressions of interest from businesses wanting to build Australia's largest battery storage plant. The battery facility is a key plank of the Government's $500 million plan to secure supply and decrease the cost of electricity in the state. Already discussions have been had with a number of companies, both locally and overseas, but the Government is welcoming all bids, large and small.

In the Northern Territory, more than 600 workers on the multi-billion dollar Inpex gas project have lost their jobs. The company shedding the jobs is Laing O'Rourke, and it's warning that at least 200 subcontractors will also be affected.

How would you feel about a long weekend, every weekend? Or maybe an early mark every day? That's the conversation Greens leader Richard Di Natale wants to start as part of the party's policy initiative on the future of work. But at least one prominent figure in the financial services industry has told The World Today that it's clear the Greens leader hasn't thought this idea through.

Survivors and their families have warned a cloud will continue to hang over Bathurst unless an inquiry is held into sex abuse in the town. A Royal Commission public hearing is unlikely to be held in Bathurst, but Greens MP David Shoebridge has suggested a special commission of inquiry could be held.

The Federal Court of Australia has found the disgraced wellness blogger, Belle Gibson, engaged in misleading and deceptive behaviour. Gibson built a social media empire around claims she cured her own brain cancer through nutrition and holistic medicine. But in a ruling in Melbourne today, a federal judge found Gibson breached consumer law and could be personally fined hundreds of thousands of dollars.