TRANSCRIPT
- The start of 2025 marked in Australia and around the world
- Cabinet papers reveal the thinking of former prime minister John Howard on laws ruling out same-sex marriages
- And in Tennis, Novak Djokovic defeats Rinky Hijikata at the Brisbane International
Australians have marked the start of 2025 with fireworks and parties.
More than a million people have gathered at the main vantage points around Sydney Harbour for the city's world-famous fireworks display.
These revellers told SBS, they're happy with the show - and feeling positive about the new year.
German tourists: "Happy new year! We came from Germany and just doing our working holiday visa so...Just driving from Adelaide to Sydney one-and-a-half days because we want to see the fireworks. Christmas and fireworks, yes."
Male voxie: "Absolutely excited yeah. It is one of the best ones in the world. And it is a shame to miss. Anyone who misses it and is living in Sydney - and so yeah."
Female voxie: "It's a bucket list moment, isn't it?"
Children's voxie: "Happy new year!"
Sydney's first baby to be born in 2025 was delivered at 12.32am at the Royal Hospital for Women.
NSW health authorities say both the mother and baby boy were doing well.
Police arrested 36 people for offences including assault, affray, robbery and knife possession.
---
After a year of ongoing conflict and political instability, cities around the world are set to ring in 2025.
Countries in the Asia Pacific were among the first to do so.
In Japan, hundreds of locals and tourists crowded the grounds of Tokudai-Ji temple in Tokyo at midnight to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
At the stroke of midnight, people used a rope to swing a wooden pole against the huge bell.
(Sound of bell)
The tolling of bells at midnight is an ancient tradition for Buddhists, who believe that humans are born with 108 worldly desires and that these are removed when a bell is struck 108 times.
In Syria, people gathered at Marjeh Square to make a new year's wish.
Mahmoud Abdulhamid was among them.
"Free Syria is very beautiful. Syria is so beautiful when it is happy and green. The green color will be the color for 2025. I hope as one of the traders in Damascus and Syria, that Syria will be well; and in the new year, Syria will be strong, and free."
---
Former Prime Minister John Howard says it was necessary to change the Marriage Act in 2004 because it was 'unthinkable' that a marriage would not be between a man and a woman.
In 2004, same-sex marriage was legalised in parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada.
The Howard government's amendments specified that marriage was between a man and a woman and outlawed the recognition of same-sex marriages entered overseas.
He says he felt it was the government's duty to clarify the definition.
"The idea that we did that to prejudice the debate is nonsense. The reason we did it was that we were told by the Attorney General at the time, Phillip Ruddock, with very sound advice, that we had a choice. The Parliament of Australia could define marriage, or it could be left to judges to define marriage. Now I hold the strongest possible view that these, those sorts of decisions should be made by the people of Australia or their elected representatives."
In 2017, the Marriage Act was amended to allow same-sex marriage in Australia.
---
Engineered stone will be seized at the border as the next step of the government's crackdown on the dangerous material begins.
The product commonly used for bench tops can cause silicosis, an irreversible and sometimes fatal lung condition.
The new laws will prohibit materials that contain more than 1 per cent of crystalline silica from entering the country.
The ban is the last step on banning the material, with domestic use, supply, and manufacture outlawed since July last year.
Federal government frontbencher Jason Clare says the move is about protecting workers.
"This is the stuff used to make kitchen benchtops that kills people. That causes silicosis. This is the modern day asbestosis. This is killing Australian workers and that is why we're stopping the importation of it."
---
In Tennis, Novak Djokovic's quest for a 100th ATP title and the foundation for another Australian Open push has started seamlessly with a straight-sets defeat of Rinky Hijikata.
The Brisbane International top seed beat the local hope 6-3 6-3 in 74 minutes, starting fast then finishing the world No.73 as the finish line loomed.
Djokovic says it was a solid match.
"I think he served well. He made me work particularly in the second set for my win. For my win, since 3-all in the second. I think I raised my game. And broke my serve twice - and really ended up the match in style. I think serving helped a lot. I have been working on it. So great to see that I am able to get at least one or two free points on it. Helps a lot. On the surface like this. It's a good start. A good start to the season, no doubt."
