Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warns major supermarkets that their profits are been looked into, Dangerous weather puts Victorian emergency services on high alert, Socceroos prepare for Asian Cup challenge.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warns major supermarkets that their profits are been looked into.
- Dangerous weather puts Victorian emergency services on high alert.
- Socceroos prepare for Asian Cup challenge.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there is an ongoing review of the record profits made by major Australian grocery stores, at a time when most people are struggling to keep up with cost of living prices.
Both Woolworths and Coles reported profits in excess of $1 billion each for 2023, with both supermarket giants seeing an increase compared to the previous year.
Mr Albanese says the government will look at making the code of conduct for supermarkets mandatory, depending on the outcomes of the review.
The Prime Minister says big businesses cannot be profiting at the expense of their customers.
"We know that at a time when people are doing it tough, the big supermarket chains have been making record profits. And we know that there's something out of sync there. And we say to all of the supermarkets and to big business, they have a responsibility to look after their customers and my government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary."
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Authorities in Victoria are warning people to brace for the hard weather ahead as clean-up efforts continue in other parts of the state already hit by the heavy rainfall.
Watch and act alerts are in place for the Goulburn River from Seymour to Shepparton, as well as Bendigo and Bullock creeks downstream of Minto.
Moderate flooding is expected at McCoys Bridge over the weekend and into next week, according to the Vic Emergency website.
State Emergency Services say they have doorknocked about 300 homes, due to fears they could be dealing with floods by early Friday.
Chief Operations Officer of the Victoria State Emergency Services Tim Wiebusch has urged people not to use their vehicles in the storm.
"We've doorknocked 300 properties where we're going to see water potentially in their streets and also cutting off a number of access roads in that area. So, again, our key message: do not attempt to drive through floodwaters. It could very well be the last decision you make. But also that people may see water come on to their properties, but we're not expecting any inundations above floor with this flooding around Shepparton and Mooroopna this time around."
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New South Wales police say an alleged plot to kill the members of a controversial rap group was likely motivated by a conflict between an organised crime gang and the would-be victims.
Detectives have arrested the accused co-ordinator of a criminal cell allegedly behind multiple contract kidnappings and a plan to target Sydney-based drill rap group ONEFOUR.
Four members of the group were the alleged targets of the defeated murder plot.
The accused criminal cell co-ordinator has been arrested in a raid at Cartwright in Sydney's southwest on Thursday morning.
The 26-year-old is expected to be charged with a range of conspiracy, drug and firearm offences.
Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux says investigators have identified that the crime cell has taken on a contract to murder the four high-profile men.
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Blue suede shoes and jumpsuits have adorned the platform at Sydney's main train station as hundreds of Elvis fans gathered for the nation's biggest celebration of the rock & roll king.
The crowd, full of outfitted fans, awaited the annual "Elvis Express" at Central Station on Thursday morning before making the six-hour rail pilgrimage to the Parkes Elvis Festival, which runs until Sunday.
Besuited Elvises and Priscillas of all ages waited while live performers played covers of the singer's iconic songs.
New South Wales tourism minster John Graham has told SBS that these types of events help boost the state's finances.
"This is injecting hundreds of thousands of dollars into the New South Wales economy, as people slip on a jumpsuit and head out to the middle of New South Wales. I's pretty hot out there but people are having a fantastic time. It's a remarkable festival. If you haven' t got there this year, make sure you get there next year."
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In football,
The Socceroos are only two days away from the opening game of their 2023 Asian Cup campaign against India.
Graham Arnold's men are highly optimistic ahead of the challenge and are hoping that they can do better than in the 2019 version of the tournament, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan remains doubtful as he is still struggling to recover from a facial injury that he suffered last December.
Midfielder Connor Metcalfe, who will be participating in his first major tournament as a member of the Socceroos, says the experience of the older players is invaluable.
"What they did at the World Cup, the boys, was unbelievable. I think they'll bring that experience into this tournament now. And for me personally, representing you country is unbelievable. Whether it's a friendly or for qualifying matches. But when it's a tournament it's feels like it's just different. Each game really matters. So I can't wait to play."
