Headlines: U.S. Congress votes to release Epstein files

Today's headlines include:

• Wages increased by 3.4% in the year to September, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
• The Australian Federal Police has told a Senate inquiry that rates of child abuse are worsening across the country.
• Both houses of the U.S. Congress have voted to force the release of all the files from the Department of Justice’s investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 
• And today’s good news: Hundreds of dachshunds have taken part in the annual Paris Sausage Walk to help support a local rescue organisation. 

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Orla Maher

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
From The Daily Os. I'm Emma Gillespie.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
I'm belief at Simon.

Speaker 1 (00:08):
It's Wednesday, the nineteenth of November. Here's what's making headlines
this evening.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Wages increased by three point four percent in the year
to September, according to new data from the Australian Bureau
of Statistics, with inflation for the same period at three
point two percent. This means wages have been increasing at
a slightly faster rate than prices. Annual wage growth remained
steady compared to the June quarter twenty twenty five, but
was slightly lower than this time last year. The ABS

(00:37):
said wage growth data will in part inform the Reserve
Bank of Australia when it meets for next month's cash
rate decision.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
The Australian Federal Police has told a Senate inquiry that
rates of child abuse are worsening online across the country.
Speaking in Federal Parliament today, Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney explained
that he didn't want to quote scare the public, but
that the crime of online child sexual exploitation is not
getting better. The inquiry into Early Childhood Safety was launched

(01:09):
after a spate of alleged abuse in childcare centers. McCartney
said the AFP will embrace technology as it continues cracking
down on online child sex offenders. However, he conceded quote,
we're always going to be unfortunately one step behind, with
more work needed to close that gap.

Speaker 2 (01:30):
Both houses of the US Congress have voted to force
the release of all the files from the Department of
Justice's investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In July, Republican Representative Thomas Massey created a discharge petition
that would see the introduction of a bill to the
lower House to release the files. Massey secured enough signatures

(01:53):
on the petition last week, despite pressure from US President
Donald Trump's staff on Republicans who signed it, showing days
Republican members of the upper House the Senate suggested they
would also support the bill despite his previous objections. Trump,
who is rumored to be mentioned in the files, told
reporters on Monday Local time that he would sign the

(02:14):
bill into law if it passed Congress. It passed the
Lower House four hundred and twenty seven votes to one
on Tuesday local time, with a Senate voting unanimously to
send it to the President's desk hours later.

Speaker 1 (02:29):
And today's good news. Hundreds of dashounds have taken part
in the annual Paris Sausage Walk to help support a
local rescue organization. The volunteer run event, now in its
sixth year, is also known as the March of the Dacksons.
Participants with two legs and four united for a march
down the River sen to raise money for a charity

(02:51):
that rescues foster's and rehomes sausage dogs. This year's walk
included dogs dressed in bearrats, jumpers, tutus, cowboy hats, and
of course plenty of hot dog costumes.

Speaker 2 (03:03):
That's the latest from the dally Oz newsroom. If you're
looking for something else to listen to, check out today's
Deep Dive to hear our interview with Opposition leader Susan Lee,
where we discuss why the Coalition has decided to drop
its policy of Australia achieving net zero by twenty fifty.

Speaker 1 (03:20):
And essentral listen, and another amazing interview by our very
own Billy FitzSimons. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another
deep dive, but until then, have a good one.

Speaker 2 (03:35):
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda
Bungelung Calcuttin woman from Gadigol Country. The Daily oz acknowledges
that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the
Gadighl people and pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Island and nations. We pay our respects to the
first peoples of these countries, both past and present.