Key Points
- Chris Bowen extends, expands payments to oil refineries to protect local supply
- Anthony Albanese, Tony Bourke heckled at Eid service in Western Sydney
- FIFA calls for World Cup tournament to be used to unite countries
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TRANSCRIPT
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced fuel security payments to domestic oil refineries will be enhanced, in the face of a global oil crisis.
Minister Bowen says the plan, which precedes the crisis, aims to make refinery operations viable and protect the local supply chain.
The payments have also been made more easily accessible after a six-month trial of the scheme.
He noted Australian oil refineries are crucial to domestic supply.
"It would have been better if we had entered this crisis with six refineries, which is what the Labor party left in 2013. But we have entered this crisis, this international crisis with two. And we are determined to keep these two."
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There are concerns policies being implemented to avoid a fuel shortage in Australia will not see the nation through the burgeoning global oil crisis.
In retaliation for attacks by the U-S and Israel, Iran has blocked passage of oil the Strait of Hormuz - a move that has seen supply shortages worldwide.
Supply chain expert David Leaney has told Channel 9 even if the conflict resolves soon, it would take months for supply chains to recover.
"If they cleared 60 mines a day, which is a rate of mine clearance that has never been achieved, that would still take 100 days to clear that Strait, before shipping could get through. After that, it's another two months before the supply chain around the world smoothes out."
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Cyclone Narelle has crossed the coast into far North Queensland.
The Queensland government says it has made landfall as a category four cyclone, close to the town of Coen, which has a population of 320.
Winds are intensifying, bringing with them rain and flooding, with storm surges expected to be felt as far south as Cairns.
Premier David Crisafulli says people in the affected area should not leave their homes, even if things seem temporarily calm.
"There is the prospect that the eye of the system might pass over the top of thew town of Coen. If this occurs, people will feel great intensity, and then, a lag. It's really important that people don't leave their homes if that occurs, because the back end of that system will be very, very intense as it goes through."
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With one day to go in the state election campaign, the South Australian Labor party looks set to easily retain government.
A Newspoll conducted for The Australian newspaper has Labor on a 40 per cent primary vote heading into tomorrow's election.
The Liberals need to win 11 additional lower house seats to re-take government and prevent Premier Peter Malinauskas from winning a second term - but the opposition Liberal party is polling at just 16 per cent while One Nation is at 22 per cent.
Not surprisingly, it's One Nation leader Pauline Hanson that the Premier has targeted in some of his final pre-election remarks.
"Pauline Hanson runs around, identifies a few problems, then gets back on her private jet - apparently owned by Gina Rinehart - and goes back to Queensland or wherever she came from."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke have been heckled at an Eid event in Western Sydney.
The pair were attending Eid prayers at Lakemba Mosque to mark the end of the month of Ramadan [[Fri 20 Mar]] when a small number of attendees interrupted the address by the secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, Gamel Kheir - saying the politicians should be ejected.
"Respect the place you're in, please."
"You have got to respect us."
“Sit down please."
Mr Albanese and Mr Burke did not speak to the crowd.
They stayed until the end of the address - and then left.
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A welcoming ceremony has been held in Iran for the country's women's football team, most of whom have arrived home.
Fans have carried flags and called the team members 'heroic' during the festivities.
Six players and one staff member had previously been granted humanitarian visas on the grounds they could face persecution if they return to Iran, but only two have remained in Australia.
The national team had also been branded as traitors after not singing the Iranian anthem during an Asian Cup match - but this player says they are committed to their country.
"Iran is our land, our family is here, we belong to it, I've returned, my family, my father, my mother, my land.”
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In football, the game's global governing body, FIFA, says the upcoming World Cup is an opportunity for the world to unite in peace.
Conflicts around the around, particularly the present war in the Middle East, hang over the tournament, with Iran's participation in doubt, and other countries possibly unable to travel to their qualifying playoffs.
But FIFA President Gianni Infantino says, although football can't solve wars, it can bring people together for the right reasons.
"What we will do, is use football and use the World Cup to bring people together, to build bridges, to foster understanding and peace between people from all over the world. The World Cup is a unique occasion and opportunity everyone in the world to come together in a joyful, peaceful atmosphere."
