Zedlines Friday 5th December.

Reported by Ali, Andrew, Peta, Chris and Nick.
Blogged by Natasha Christian.


The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has announced new changes to the ABSTUDY eligibility criteria which will ensure Indigenous scholarship holders receive financial assistance.

The changes are designed to help to close the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians.

Numerous studies have highlighted that aboriginal students have lower graduation achievement rates.

A proposed preamble to the State Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Queenslanders has earned high praise from Aboriginal groups.

Premier Anna Bligh has called for bipartisan support of the proposal in time for the state's 150th anniversary next year.

The preamble would recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first people of the state, with Aboriginal activists believing the change would also aid the reconciliation process.

The achievements of several inspirational Australians were recognised at last night's National Disability Awards.

The awards, which help celebrate the 'International Day for People with Disability,' were presented at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.

The winner of the Community Contribution Award was 24 year old Sarah Cullen, who recently launched a support group for young stroke survivors and their carers.

A recent survey has found that two out of three Australians intend to cut back spending this Christmas, while the countries youth are expected to spend up big.

Despite the worlds current economic turmoil, thirty-seven percent of generation Y respondents say they plan to spend more this year than last.

The Queensland Fair Trade collective will run a Christmas Market this weekend at the Marymac Community Centre in Annerly.

Shannon Sheedy from the collective says the stallholders are passionate about what they sell.

The ancient art of Tai Chi is being promoted by health experts as an alternative treatment for numerous health problems.

Mastering the slow movements are said to not only reduce stress and improve physical fitness, but can also help those suffering from diabetes.

Physician Barbara Zuegg believes the increased circulation and stretching from the controlled moves, helps to maintain low and even blood sugar levels.

Today is International Volunteers Day and Volunteering Australia says more support is needed to ensure that demand for services can continue to be met.

Over five and a half million Australians volunteer their time, an estimated $70 Billion dollar contribution to the community.

Volunteering Austrlia Spokesperson Peter Cocks says he expects The Global Financial Crisis will effect the amount of time people can offer and demand on services in the welfare sector.

In international news, the anti-immigration movement continues to gain momentum in the United States.

The most recent survey conducted by the FBI shows racial hate crimes are on the rise.

The CEOs of two leading American car companies have announced they will work for a salary of just one dollar a year, if the US government gives them access to a loan.

A thirty-eight billion dollar loan is being proposed by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, who say that the recent financial recession in America has had an adverse affect on the car industry.