TRANSCRIPT:
- Farmers walk out of a post-budget speech over Labor's live sheep export ban;
- Students turfed from a second pro-Palestine encampment in Canberra;
- Former gold medallist Steven Bradbury makes headlines again - for an act of bravery.
Farming groups have staged a walk-out on the agriculture minister, as a demonstration of their fury over Labor's live sheep export ban.
More than a dozen farmers and leaders of several agricultural groups wearing "keep the sheep" T-shirts, walked out of Murray Watt's post-budget speech, after the Minister started talking about the ban.
Live sheep exports will come to an end in May 2028, in response to what Senator Watt has said are the industry's repeated failures to keep up with the community's expectations.
The Minister has dismissed the walkout as a stunt.
.
Victoria's parliament has banned keffiyehs inside the chamber.
Speaker Maree Edwards has deemed the scarves, a long-time symbol of Palestinian nationalism, as a political item of clothing.
Greens state party leader Ellen Sandell had sought to clarify whether the ruling was an ongoing ban, arguing that MPs had been allowed to show support for various causes and wear cultural or religious items such as jewellery in parliament.
She says the decision has made the Victorian parliament one of the only ones in the world to ban the traditional item.
.
Student organisers at another major Australian university have been told to vacate their pro-Palestine encampment.
The Australian National University in Canberra has told students to prepare to vacate the camp after a meeting was held with organisers earlier today.
Deakin University officials in Melbourne have also ordered protesters to vacate the premises.
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has criticised that decision.
"Deakin University's call to dismantle the student encampment is misplaced and thoroughly disappointing. Instead of trying to break up student protests, universities should be listening to the divestment demands of the Gaza encampments which are sweeping campuses across Australia and across the world."
.
U-S Secretary of State Antony Blinken has paid a surprise visit to Ukraine, to reaffirm his nation's support in its battle against the Russian invasion.
Blinken's trip is the first by a senior U.S. official since Congress passed a long-delayed $61 billion aid package.
Kyiv has been on the back foot on the battlefield for months as Russian troops have slowly advanced, taking advantage of Ukraine's shortages of troop manpower and artillery shells.
But Mr Blinken says more support is on the way from Ukraine's allies, and that Russia will be made to pay for the damage they have caused.
"And listen, I know this is a really, really difficult time. Your soldiers, your citizens, particularly in the Northeast and Kharkiv are suffering tremendously. But, they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, so much of the world is with you and they're fighting, not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world."
.
France has voted to allow long term residents of New Caledonia to vote in provincial elections - a decision that's sparked widespread rioting.
It's understood at least fifty local businesses and around 200 vehicles have been burned during the riots, while schools and the international airport have been closed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the federal government is keeping an eye on the situation.
He says Australians who are currently in New Caledonia should follow the consulate's instructions.
"Our consulate general in Noumea is advising Australians in New Caledonia to minimise movement, monitor the media and follow the advise of local authorities."
.
A statue of a controversial colonial premier has been vandalised in Tasmania.
The statue of Surgeon William Crowther was discovered spray-painted and cut off at the ankles, and has now been taken away from its site in Hobart.
Crowther is known for stealing the head of Aboriginal man William Lanne in 1869, and briefly serving as premier of Tasmania in 1878.
Hobart City Council CEO Michael Stretton has condemned the statue's destruction, while Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell says the removal of the statue brings great relief to the Indigenous community.
"Today is a great day for the memory of William Lenne, who's body was mutilated by this man, William Crowther, because of his race. Today, the Aboriginal community celebrate that justice has been done."
.
Former Olympic speed skater Steven Bradbury has made history again - this time for an act of bravery on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
He's received a commendation for brave conduct from the Queensland governor in Brisbane, for rescuing four teenagers from rough seas at Caloundra in March 2022.
