Angus Taylor defends the Coalition's immigration policies amid heavy criticism; A Canadian who sailed on a hantavirus-hit cruise ship tests positive for the disease; and in football, Sam Kerr scores a winning goal for Chelsea in her last game for the club.
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TRANSCRIPT:
- Angus Taylor defends the Coalition's immigration policies amid heavy criticism
- A Canadian who sailed on a hantavirus-hit cruise ship tests positive for the disease
- Sam Kerr scores a winning goal for Chelsea in her last game for the club
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has vowed to win back the voters the Coalition is losing to One Nation.
Last weekend, One Nation claimed a historic by-election win in the New South Wales seat of Farrer, ending the 77-year hold on the seat by the Coalition.
Mr Taylor used his budget reply speech this week to outline the Coalition's immigration policies, promising the "biggest cut to migration in Australia’s history".
The plan includes: linking migration to housing completions, reinstating temporary protection visas; and barring non-citizens - including permanent residents - from accessing 17 types of welfare payments.
The policies have been strongly criticised by migrants and advocates, particularly those from the Chinese and Indian communities who choose to be permanent residents because dual citizenship is not recognised by their birth countries.
They have called the policies unfair and divisive.
Mr Taylor has tells SBS News, exemptions would apply in compassionate circumstances, but that permanent residents need to make a choice.
"Our very generous welfare safety net should be for Australian citizens. This will all be grandfathered, by the way. So when people come to this country and they don't want to give up their citizenship of another country, that's a choice they make. But there are consequences in choices too, and that will be clear and upfront to people if they want to come to Australia."
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused organisers of an anti-immigration march of peddling hate and division.
Police say they arrested 43 people among the tens of thousands who marched through central London, where two separate rallies were held on Saturday.
One was organised by anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, while the other was a pro-Palestinian demonstration unrelated to the anti-immigration rally.
The British government barred 11 people it described as “foreign far-right agitators” from entering the country ahead of the protest organised by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Concern over immigration, including the arrival of asylum seekers on small boats, has weighed on Mr Starmer’s popularity, with the Labour Party losing almost 1,500 councillors in recent local elections.
This voter says he takes issue with changing demographics of the country.
"The demographic of this country is changing, without us being asked about it. Most elections in the recent times have been asking to stop the immigration, the illegal immigration into this country and the demographic change."
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A Canadian who sailed on the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for the disease.
Officials in the province of British Columbia say the individual is in stable condition - and is among four Canadians isolating on Vancouver Island.
They say the four people have not come in contact with the public when they were transferred from their flight.
British Columbia’s provincial health officer, Dr Bonnie Henry, says authorities have protocols in place to deal with this situation.
"One individual started to develop mild symptoms, including a fever and a headache two days ago. Protocols were followed. Late last evening, the BCCDC Public Health Lab reported that the tests on the individual who had these mild symptoms was positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus. Clearly, this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for."
The Andes strain of hantavirus can cause severe lung illness, but health authorities say the risk of wider spread remains low.
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NOTE: A spoiler alert: Please turn down the volume for the next 45 seconds as we reveal the winner of this year's Eurovision song contest.
Australia's Eurovision performer Delta Goodrem says she is blown away by the support she has received throughout the competition.
Bulgaria won the competition for the first time, with Australia placing fourth.
Israel placed second, despite five countries boycotting the song contest over Israel's military operation in Gaza.
The UK came in last place.
Delta says she gave it her all.
"You know I got to fly out of a piano. I got to use the smoke and the fire. And again to feel that love and support for my music and me as an artist - that is something that is. It has still be a huge milestone to be part of. And you know the top four, I'm thrilled. It's a variety, spice of life."
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To sports, and in football, Sam Kerr has played her final game for Chelsea in the Women's Super League, scoring a winning goal against Manchester United.
She leaves the club as the joint all-time top scorer - 116 goals to her name.
The 32-year-old has spent six-and-a-half-years with the club, winning five Women's Super League titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups.
She tells Sky Sports, she will always cherish her time with Chelsea.
"Honestly, the biggest honour to play for this club. I have so many amazing memories and I will carry these memories with me forever. I think you know Chelsea and London will always be home to me now. My little boy was born here and I have so many great friends and an amazing club. It is going to be hard to leave but only good things to say about the club and the people here."
