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TRANSCRIPT
- Treasurer says savings to outweigh spending and tax changes in the upcoming budget.
- Japan's Prime Minister in Canberra to meet Anthony Albanese.
- Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson hospitalised.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says next week’s federal budget will be his most restrained yet, with savings set to outweigh both spending and tax changes.
The government says changes to the NDIS will do much of the heavy lifting, with more than $35 billion in forecast savings, as it tries to slow growth in the scheme.
The Coalition says Australians are already under pressure from the cost of living and has warned against increasing the tax burden ahead of budget night.
Mr Chalmers says the budget’s fiscal strategy will be driven primarily by savings, rather than tax changes.
"There are more dollars in savings than dollars in revenue upgrades, there will also be more dollars in savings than dollars in tax reform. So the point that I'm making there is that savings and spending restraint is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the very responsible budget that Katie and I will hand down eight days from now. "
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Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has landed in Australia for her first visit as leader.
Ms Takaichi will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra with discussions expected to focus on a critical minerals deal and certainty around gas supplies.
A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute is urging Mr Albanese to ask Ms Takaichi whether Japan could offer Australia a 'plan B' in case there are issues with the AUKUS submarine treaty.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has told Nine's Today Show that while AUKUS remains the priority, Australia is working with Japan.
"We have a clear AUKUS plan that is our focus. Having said that, we obviously work will continue to work very closely with Japan, and you might recall that we have engaged with them. Increasingly, you might recall the Mogami frigates which the Deputy Prime Minister announced, so obviously we have a very close relationship across a whole range of domains."
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U-S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington’s blockade of Iranian oil exports and shipping routes is putting intense economic pressure on Tehran, as tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz.
He says the campaign is hitting Tehran’s ability to fund its military.
"We are suffocating the regime, and they are not able to pay their soldiers. This is a real economic blockade, and it is in all parts of government, all hands on deck."
Meanwhile, Trump has offered a plan to reopen the strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes, along with fertiliser badly needed by farmers around the world.
The U.S. has also warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, to transit the strait safely.
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A cruise ship at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak remains docked off the coast of Cape Verde.
The World Health Organisation says three people have died and one person remains in ICU due to a suspected Hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship, identified as the MV Hondius.
Around 150 passengers and around 70 crew members are on board, travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.
Six individuals have been affected in the outbreak.
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Controversy has erupted around one of the entries for this year's Eurovision song contest final.
Romania's song is called Choke Me - prompting some critics and sexual violence campaigners to call it dangerous and imprudent.
Singer Alexandra Căpitănescu has dismissed the stir caused by the song on the eve of the team's departure for Vienna.
She says the song is not about a man or romantic love, but the power to go beyond your limits and be the best versions of yourself.
If you or someone you know wants to talk about family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call 000.
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In sport, legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been taken to hospital after falling ill at Old Trafford ahead of the club's match against Liverpool.
Club officials say the 84-year-old was transported by ambulance about an hour before kick-off as a precaution, and that there is no immediate indication of a serious issue.
Ferguson, who won 38 major trophies during 26 years in charge before retiring in 2013, remains a regular presence at Old Trafford.
He previously suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2018 and has spoken about being fortunate to survive.
