Key Points
- Prime Minister discusses Oscar Jenkins in Europe talks
- Victoria posts first post-pandemic budget surplus
- Three players to make their Origin debut with the Maroons
TRANSCRIPT
Anthony Albanese has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome.
The pair discussed Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, who has been sentenced to 13 years in a high-security Russian jail, after being captured fighting for Ukraine in December.
Mr Albanese thanked Ukraine for assistance in seeking Mr Jenkins' freedom, suggesting the possibility of a future prisoner swap with Russia.
The leaders also discussed additional aid to Ukraine, with Australia sending a fleet of retired tanks to the embattled nation.
Defence Minister Richard Marles says the vehicles are up to standard.
"We are confident about the performance of these vehicles and their utility for Ukraine going forward. It's why we were really pleased to be able to make this contribution to Ukraine."
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Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell says he will prioritise the benefits of Australian farmers in an upcoming discussion with his European counterpart tomorrow.
It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with European Commission President, Ursula von de Leyen, after Pope Leo's inauguration.
Australia pulled out from the negotiation on a free trade agreement with the EU in 2023, due to disputes on giving Australian farmers greater access to the E-U market.
Mr Farrell says he is hopeful the issues will be resolved, and a free trade agreement will be formed eventually.
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Victoria is expecting to post its first surplus since the COVID-19 pandemic, when Allan government delivers the state budget on Tuesday.
The surplus of $600 million, is smaller than the $1.6 billion forecast in the state's mid-year budget update last December.
The budget will include free public transport for Victorians under 18, thousands of public service job cuts and increased funding for school camps, sports and excursions.
The state's treasurer, Jacklyn Symes, also confirms there won't be new taxes for Victorians.
"I can confirm in tomorrow's budget that there will be no new taxes. What will be in the budget is a conformation of slashing stamp duty that we announced last week. Stamp duty for off the plan apartments, town houses and units, making sure that it fits with government's policy agenda of building more homes, helping first home buyers moving to homes, making sure downsizers got options so that there are larger family homes for the next generation."
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New laws come into effect from today, making it easier for tenants to keep pets in their home.
Landlords now need to provide a written response to a pet request within 21 days. If they do not respond, the request is automatically approved.
Strata by-laws that ban all pets are not valid and cannot be used as a reason to refuse a pet.
New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, says the change is needed.
"If you look at the productivity commissioner, who reported not long ago that we are losing twice as many young people as we are gaining every twelve months. That's particularly tough for New South Wales, given that we are the place where the majority of the largest number of inbound migrants coming to Australia. And if we are still losing as twice as many young people as we are gaining, it means that people are coming to Sydney, establishing themselves for a short period of time, and almost immediately moving."
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The Transport Workers Union is calling for Qantas to pay the maximum penalty.
The union says the national carrier illegally sacked hundreds of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the Federal Court found Qantas had breached the Fair Work Act.
After an unsuccessful appeal, hearings in the Federal Court will determine how much Qantas will pay in compensation.
National Secretary of the union, Michael Kaine, says the penalty handed to Qantas must reflect the seriousness of its actions.
"The TWU will be asking that the maximum penalty of 121 million dollars be imposed on Qantas. We have to send a very strong clear signal to Qantas and every other company in Australia that this can never, ever happen again to any Australian worker."
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Votes are being counted in Poland's presidential election, with a final official result not expected until late Monday local time.
Exit polls show Warsaw's mayor Rafal Trzaskowski narrowly ahead of rival, historian Karol Nawrocki.
But based on that result a second-round run-off would be required to decide the country's next president.
In Australia, around 3,800 Polish citizens cast their votes on Sunday.
Alfred, who lived in Sydney, told SBS Polish that he's voting for Poland's sovereignty.
"I'm voting to support the democracy in Poland, the democracy to understand the total independent Poland or sovereignty of Poland. I'm scared that we might lose it, because I can feel the push from the European community to create the super state, and we don't want (it]. We want independent states in European Union of course."
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Roosters centre Robert Toia and forwards Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero will make their debuts for Queensland in game one of the State of Origin series.
Toia, who has only played 10 games in the top grade, will be the least experienced player in the showcase next Wednesday.
Cameron Munster will partner captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, after missing last year's series due to injury.
Kalyn Ponga has been named at fullback.
