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TRANSCRIPT
- A 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon goes into effect.
- Anthony Albanese warns of fuel supply impacts after Geelong refinery fire.
- Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger killed in car crash, aged 48.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says most fuel production is continuing after a major fire at Victoria’s Geelong refinery, as efforts ramp up to secure extra supply.
The Prime Minister was in Malaysia and cut his trip short to return home as firefighters battled the inferno.
This morning he toured the site of the blaze.
"This is an incident that obviously is regrettable, particularly given the timing in which it has occurred, but the advice that we've received today is that 80 per cent of diesel production is continuing, 80 per cent of aviation fuel is continuing. ... It's been slowed down just slightly because of the circumstances which are there. But 60 per cent of petrol production is proceeding today as well."
Mr Albanese went on to say that B-P has joined a government-backed scheme to boost fuel imports, with 100 million litres secured from Brunei and Korea during the past 24 hours.
The refinery, which supplies about half of Victoria’s fuel, was shut after explosions late Wednesday, with the fire burning for 13 hours before being extinguished.
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A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has come into effect, announced by U-S President Donald Trump, after weeks of fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The truce follows rare direct talks between officials in Washington and could support wider efforts to extend a broader Iran-U-S-Israel ceasefire.
Israel says it will hold its ground inside southern Lebanon, warning the truce is fragile.
Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, says the biggest challenge to the truce is Hezbollah.
"We will have to follow very carefully what's happening on the ground, and if we feel threatened, we will react. We are not going anywhere. We are holding our positions. ... We all know that the problem is not with the Lebanese government. The problem is with Hezbollah. And it will be challenging."
Fighting has continued up to the deadline, with rockets fired into northern Israel and Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
Hezbollah says any ceasefire must apply across all Lebanese territory and not allow Israeli freedom of movement, a stance that could complicate efforts to turn the pause into a lasting agreement.
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon following weeks of fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group.
The 10-day halt in fighting is seen as an important step that could support wider efforts to end the war between the U-S, Israel and Iran altogether.
A ceasefire with Iran is predicated on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world's fuel supplies pass.
Other conditions include Iran reducing its uranium enrichment program and not producing a nuclear weapon.
Mr Chalmers says he hopes that further dialogue will result in a more lasting ceasefire.
"The end of the war can't come soon enough. The consequences of this conflict on the other side of the world are already very serious for Australians, and they risk becoming severe. So we welcome the news that there will be more dialogue and ideally more progress towards an enduring ceasefire, the end of the war, and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz in an ongoing way."
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Demonstrators arrested during a heavy police crackdown could have charges dropped after the New South Wales Court of Appeal ruled controversial protest laws are unconstitutional.
The restrictions were in force on 9 February when a large protest opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit turned chaotic, with dozens pepper sprayed and beaten, 27 arrested and 10 charged.
Solicitor Nick Hanna, who represented the Palestine Action Group, says the ruling effectively ends the prosecutions, arguing they are unlikely to succeed and is urging police to drop them.
The laws were introduced after a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in December in which 15 people were killed.
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Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a car crash near Salzburg in Austria after his vehicle collided with a train at a level crossing in Nussdorf am Haunsberg on Thursday morning local time.
Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal and played a key role in their 1998 Premier League and F-A Cup double, during a crucial period under Arsene Wenger.
He was capped 33 times by Austria and later played across Europe, including a Serie A title-winning spell with Juventus.
Former teammate David Seaman says the news is devastating, describing 48-year-old Manninger as a 'massive player' for Arsenal and a close friend.
