TRANSCRIPT:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismisses the Coalition's climate policy
- Donald Trump says Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files
- Australian Paralympic cyclist Paige Greco dies suddenly, aged 28.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed the Coalition's climate policy as "nonsensical", after the Liberal and Nationals parties abandoned net zero by 2050 emissions targets.
The Coalition says it remains committed to the Paris climate agreement, despite dumping net zero, as it signals a shift to campaigning on the issue of affordable energy, which includes investment in fossil fuel, particularly gas. Mr Albanese says it's hard to make sense of the policy, given that the objective of the Paris Agreement is to lay out a path to net zero.
"They say that they want to stay in Paris, but Paris is about the road to net zero, and you can't backslide, as Andrew Bragg said on Sky on Friday afternoon, and yet his leader is out there saying that's precisely what they're going to do. Now to stay in Paris, it's very clear that that they can only go forward, that is, can only be increased not decreased or got rid of. "
Liberal leader Sussan Ley [[Susan Lee]] says the Coalition won't set climate targets from the opposition but does intend to continue pursuing emissions reductions.
The leader of the New South Wales Nationals Party, Dugald Saunders, has announced he is resigning, effective immediately.
In a statement, he says he will remain as the local MP of the Dubbo electorate, but is stepping back from leadership duties to spend more time with family.
He says the timing also allows a new leader to be in place ahead of the next election.
Potential leadership contenders include Paul Toole, Gurmesh Singh and Steph Cook - although no formal announcements have been made.
Advocates have expressed their concerns about a new program aimed at moving children with autism or mild to moderate developmental delays off the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Thriving Kids program was announced in August, and while the scheme is yet to be fully designed, it aims to provide supports through mainstream community-based services.
The way the scheme will operate is now being examined by a parliamentary inquiry, after families and advocates expressed concerns at the lack of detail.
The chair of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand, Cheryl Koch told the inquiry service delivery must be reconsidered.
"Thriving Kids must be developed and implemented in ways that we can trust. And for it to be valued by the community it must be measured in terms of the wellbeing of the child. It cannot be focused on observation of reduced atypical behaviours or evidence bases that are developed from a deficit framed approach, as much of the existing base currently is. It requires robust reconsideration from ethical standpoint."
United States President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to vote in favour of the release of files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in a reversal of his previous position.
In a post on his Truth Social media network, Mr Trump said Republicans have nothing to hide, slamming the controversy over his former friend's criminal activities as a "Democratic hoax".
During the election campaign, Mr Trump had promised to release the files, and his subsequent refusal to do so has dogged the president for months, undermining support from his base.
A vote on whether to release the files is expected in the House of Representatives later this week, and Republican speaker Mike Johnson says he hopes the speculation abour Mr Trump will end.
“He had nothing to do with it. President Trump has clean hands. He's not worried about it. I talk to him all the time. He has nothing to do with this. He's frustrated that they're turning it into a political issue and it's not surprising because the Democrats have nothing else to talk about. What have they accomplished in 10 months? Epstein is their entire game plan. So we're going to take that that weapon out of their hand this week."
Australian Paralympic cyclist Paige Greco has died at the age of 28.
Her family confirmed her death after a sudden medical episode.
In a statement, mother Natalie Greco says she brought joy and pride to their lives and her passing has hit them hard.
Paige Greco was one of Australia’s most accomplished Para-cyclists.
She made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, winning Australia’s first gold medal of the Games, and breaking the world record in the Women’s C1–3 3000m Individual Pursuit.
