Thursday's news

14 Mar 2013

The Papal Conclave elects the first Jesuit Pope, Adam Giles takes over as NT's Chief Minister, Jayant Patel found not guilty and HMAS Childers rescues 77 suspected asylum seekers.

New Pope

The Papal Conclave has elected the first Jesuit Pope, 76-year-old Jorge Bergoglio, who has chosen the name Pope Francis. As an Argentinian Cardinal, Bergoglio was known for modernising the church in his country and for his own humility, riding the bus to work, cooking his own meals and visiting the local slums. SMH Online reports that the new Pope believes that the central business of the church is social outreach rather than doctrinal battles. ABC News Breakfast reported this morning that, while fellow Jesuits believe Bergoglio to be a traditionalist, he has said condoms may be permissible to prevent HIV transmission. Watch Pope Francis address the crowd of more than 100,000 people who gathered at the Vatican.

Australia’s first Indigenous head of government

While in Japan promoting his state’s gas and education industries, Terry Mills has been ousted from his position as Northern Territory Chief Minister, following weeks of instability and two previous leadership challenges. Incoming Chief Minister Adam Giles is Australia’s first Indigenous head of government, having garnered the support of 11 of the 16 Country Liberal Party MPs. Read more.  

Patel not guilty

Former surgeon Jayant Patel was acquitted of manslaughter yesterday by a Supreme Court Jury. His barrister Ken Fleming will be asking for the remaining manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and fraud charges to be dropped, and for Patel’s bail conditions to be relaxed. On the other side, patient advocate Beryl Crosby hopes that the Department of Public Prosecutions will continue. Read more and watch footage of Patel leaving court yesterday, and see the ABC News timeline for details of the case over the 10 years since concerns were first raised about his performance at Bundaberg Base Hospital in 2003. 

Suspected asylum seekers rescued

Approximately 60 nautical miles north of Ashmore Island, a group of 77 suspected asylum seekers has been rescued by the HMAS Childers. The boat they had been in broke up for unknown reasons, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says it did not receive any distress calls. The Age has more.