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TRANSCRIPT:
- Anthony Albanese defends the government's changes to the NDIS;
- Australia's petrol reserves climb to 46 days;
- Carlton coach Michael Voss says there's been amazing care and love shown for Elijah Hollands.
The Prime Minister has defended his government's plans to reduce the growth of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in part by cutting eligibility.
Around 160,000 people will be moved off the scheme, with the changes aiming to bring the cost of the NDIS down to $55 billion by the end of the decade.
Those who are no longer eligible are meant to be given support under new, state-run programs known as foundational supports - most of which are yet to be developed.
But Anthony Albanese says the government wants the NDIS to be in line with its original design.
"The NDIS was never intended to have classrooms where 4 in every 10 children were on the NDIS. The original purpose is what we are aimed at. We think that is very important and we'll work constructively with states and territories, importantly as well with providers, and with the community itself to make sure that we deliver appropriate care and I'm confident that that is what we will do."
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Australia has shored up its fuel reserves in the face of conflict in the Middle East, with 10 more days in its stocks than when the war started.
The federal government has released the latest acccounting of fuel stocks that shows there are 46 days of petrol on hand, with the United States, Argentina and Algeria among the countries providing fuel as the crisis drags on.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the government is doing all it can to maintain supplies.
"While we are facing international headwinds, and risk and uncertainties in the medium term, nevertheless nothing is being left on the field when it comes to ensuring that Australia is very well placed."
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German airline Lufthansa has decided to cut 20,000 short haul European flights during the Northern Hemisphere summer season, saying soaring jet fuel prices have made many routes unprofitable.
Jet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the conflict and production and transportation has slowed with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Lufthansa says it's reviewing it entire European schedule and will release more details later this month.
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The captain of one of the hundreds of ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz says his crew has been under constant stress since the war started.
Iranian forces have seized two container ships in the Strait and reportedly attacked a third, as the stalemate over passage through the waterway continues.
Captain Raman Kapoor says the situation is putting his crew under tremendous strain.
"It is, it is really disappointing. Since 54 days, we are here stranded inside this conflict zone. And, the most important, most concerning part is the uncertainty and helplessness and prolonged stays, delayed repatriations - all these points are very much concerning at the moment."
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Indigenous communities could ask the High Court to rule on the fundamental question of sovereignty, after the discovery of a landmark legal rule.
Research by Melbourne Law School's Olivia Barr has found a 1935 legal rule she says means there is an "open door" for the High Court to get involved in questions of Indigenous sovereignty.
It dates back to a 1970s case, Coe v Commonwealth, in which four High Court judges split two-two on the procedural question of whether the court should allow a trial on the issue.
Associate Professor Barr says the case did not go to trial because the vote was a stalemate, and everyone accepted the outcome and the assumption the High Court did not have jurisdiction.
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The first Asian elephant calf to be born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in nearly 25 years has made her public debut.
Two-month-old Linh Mai - or "Spirit Blossom" in Vietnamese - is one of an estimated 50,000 Asian elephants in the world, with the animal listed as endangered.
The zoo's elephant manager, Robbie Clark, says it has been rewarding for the team taking care of her 24/7.
"And she's confident. As she experiences new things and new milestones she's proving that she could be resilient and she's not too nervous, and she's ready for all that life has to offer."
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To sport and in AFL news,
Carlton coach Michael Voss says there's been amazing care and love shown for his player Elijah Hollands, who has been receiving treatment in hospital following a mental health episode during last week's game against Collingwood.
The AFL has requested Carlton explain what it knew about Hollands' mental state before he took to the field.
But Michael Voss says the matter is a private affair for the 23 year old.
"This can't be a public event. It's a private challenge but I don't think you should also leave out of here and say that there has not been amazing care, love, support, empathy, accountability throughout this whole process."
[[If you or someone you know needs support, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Men’s Referral Service is operated by No to Violence, and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.]]
