TRANSCRIPT:
- Australia says it expects China to monitor its Talisman Sabre military exercises with the US;
- Queensland launches an inquiry into the CFMEU;
- Jack Graham from the West Coast banned for four matches by the AFL integrity unit.
A series of military exercises known as Talisman Sabre have gotten underway in Queensland.
Australia's Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy says it expects Beijing to closely monitor the drills to be conducted with the US and dozens of other allies, even as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese begins a six day tour of China that will focus on economic and security issues.
The launch has also been overshadowed by reports that Australia has rebuffed US calls to declare what role the nation would play in a potential war with China over Taiwan.
Washington is reportedly pushing both Japan and Australia to clarify their positions - but Pat Conroy says Australia won't automatically follow the US into a future conflict, or pre-commit its troops.
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Ukrainian cities have come under sustained missile and drone attacks for the second night in a row.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia launched nearly 600 drones and 26 missiles, killing two people and wounding 20 in Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast, Lviv and Lutsk in the west, and in the capital Kyiv.
President Zelenskyy says he is continuing to seek support in its fight against Russia, and is close to securing agreement on new Patriot missile systems.
"A significant number are being shot down by our defenders, but unfortunately not all. In addition, the Russian military is increasingly "using hundreds of special drone decoys that imitate Shaheds in every wave of attacks. Their goal is to overload our air defences and make it harder to intercept Shaheds. This is a deliberate and vile form of terror."
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Anthony Albanese says he is right behind a new campaign to encourage more Chinese tourists to come to Australia.
He says Tourism Australia's newly launched global campaign, Come and Say G'day, will drive growth in visitor numbers Down Under, with the country already the number one long haul destination from China.
The push comes after Beijing put Australia back on its approved destination list for organised tour groups.
The PM says encouraging more Chinese tourists in Australia's best interest.
"Last year alone Chinese tourists spent more than 9 billion dollars in Australia. That's jobs for Australians, particularly in regional communities. The agreement that was signed today will focus on growing these tourism numbers back to our 2019 record of 1.4 million and beyond."
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The Queensland government has announced an inquiry into the state's CFMEU.
The announcement follows the release of a damning report into the controversial building union's Queensland branch, which found it was ruthless in pursuit of political, industrial and financial power.
Premier David Crisafulli says a commission of inquiry is the most powerful tool the government has to shine a light on a broken system and a culture of intimidation.
"To ensure that what we have seen comes to an end. The bullying, the intimidation, the standover tactics, the way that women and children have been treated, workers... a drive to push down productivity in this state."
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An exhibition has gotten underway at the Tate Modern museum in London featuring Indigenous artist Emily Kam Kngwarray.
More than 80 artworks spanning her 19-year career are on display.
Lead curator Kelli Cole says that each piece shows how deeply connected she was to her Indigenous identity - and that they hope the exhibition will raise her profile in European art circles.
Art critic Tabish Khan says the exhibition is a watershed moment, as more museums show the work of First Nations artists.
"I think it's a reflection of a few things. Number one, that we've neglected these artists and not really shown them, focusing more on Western art history. And two, a recognition that these are cultures that are very much in tune with nature. And part of the problem with the world is the fact that we haven't been in tune with nature. And now we're realising that mistake a bit too late. And these are artists who knew about this from the get-go and we should appreciate what they're telling us in their art."
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The AFL has handed a four-match ban to West Coast player Jack Graham for using a homophobic slur to an opponent during the round 17 match against GWS.
The penalty follows an AFL integrity unit investigation, prompted by the incident being self-reported by Graham to his club.
A two-time premiership player with Richmond before joining the Eagles, 27-year-old Graham will not be eligible to play for West Coast for the next four weeks and he will undertake Pride in Sport education.
He has released a club statement saying he is very remorseful for the word he used.
