Australia announces additional aid for Nepal in the aftermath of deadly floods; last-minute withdrawals as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting gets underway in Palau; boxing legend Tony Mundine has died at the age of 75.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Australia announces additional aid for Nepal in the aftermath of deadly floods
- Last-minute withdrawals as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting gets underway in Palau
- Boxing legend Tony Mundine has died at the age of 75
The Australian government has announced a further $3 million in aid for Nepal, on top of an initial package of $5 million, following the deadly floods in the country.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the items will be delivered with $2 million of the additional funding - along with other humanitarian support.
The Royal Australian Air Force will transport the first batch of these supplies from Queensland in the coming days.
Senator Wong says the government is still trying to find out the status of 42 Australians missing in Nepal.
The President of the Nepalese Association of Victoria, Sudip Shrestha, says it has been a tough time for families waiting for news on their loved ones.
"Supporting people in need, I think that’s the main priority, and the second priority is letting everyone know that we have to unite together for Nepal."
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At least eight people have died and 17 are missing after a ferry capsized off the coast of Cyprus.
Authorities say the privately owned ferry immediately started taking on water after it left the popular seaside resort town of Kyrenia en route to the Turkish port of Tasucu in the eastern Mediterranean.
The ferry is understood to be one one of several shuttle sea services that link the unrecognised Turkish Cypriot state of north Cyprus with Turkiye.
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Palau's president says this week's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is an important opportunity to ensure the region's people are at the centre of policy solutions on climate change.
Palau's President Surangel Whipps Junior says as the host nation of the meeting, he is hoping to see productive discussions that lead to action to boost resilience in the Pacific and tackle the region's issues:
" Our goal is to provide a welcoming space for Pacific leaders to work together in unity and with partners based mutual respect, always focused on the needs of our people."
The event has been marred by the departure of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who has flown out less than 24 hours after arrival when a no-confidence motion was lodged against him by Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga.
There had been hopes that Australia could continue negotiations with the Solomons on a security treaty on the sidelines of the summit.
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been booed at an anti-immigration rally in Melbourne after she declined to attend the event.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched towards Victoria's Parliament House before being addressed by several prominent right-wing activists, including anti-immigration influencer Hugo Lennon.
The group booed the mention of Senator Hanson, who Mr Lennon said declined an invitation to attend.
This comes as One Nation faces pressure to specify details of its migration policy after differing figures were cited by various members.
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Western Australia Labor Premier Roger Cook says there will be a review into the outcome of the by-election in the seat of Secret Harbour, which has now changed hands to One Nation.
The party's candidate Luke Herdegen defeated Labor’s Georgia Tree after preferences.
Herdegen says the result sends a signal nationally that One Nation can win what are deemed safe Labor seats.
Mr Cook says cost-of-living pressures were clearly a major concern for voters in Secret Harbour - and the state Labor party will do all it can to make sure the best policy ideas are put forward to voters.
"We know that byelections always throw up an interesting cocktail of concerns and anxieties and issues for the community. And they're always difficult for incumbent governments. We've never taken the community for granted, which is the reason why we continue to work hard in all our electorates. This electorate will be no different to any other. All our seats have to be won. And we will have to work hard everyday to earn and maintain the trust of the people of Western Australia."
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Indigenous Australian boxing champion Tony Mundine has died of a heart attack at age 75.
Born in Baryulgil, northern New South Wales, Tony Mundine was the first Australian to fight in four different weight divisions, challenging for the world middleweight title in 1974.
The father of former boxer and NRL star Anthony Mundine leaves a significant boxing legacy, recording 80 wins throughout his career.
His son Anthony posted a tribute to his father on social media, saying he will return from Saudi Arabia to attend the funeral.
