TRANSCRIPT
- Reaction to Australia's 4.6 billion dollar deal with UK industry to help deliver AUKUS submarines on time
- NSW joins Queensland and Victoria in banning gay conversion therapy
- Oscar Piastri says he is remaining realistic when it comes to his results at the Australian Grand Prix
The federal opposition says it supports the government's $4.6 billion deal with UK industry to ensure Australia's new nuclear-powered submarine fleet arrives on time.
The money will help expand Britain's production of the nuclear reactors that will eventually be installed into Australia's new submarines, under the AUKUS deal with the UK and US.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham says the deal is about "getting the best technology that can give our navy the best capabilities to have submarines that won’t be able to be detected easily into the future."
Greens’ defence spokesperson, David Shoebridge, says he doesn't think it is a good idea for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
He says the taxpayer money should be spent on other areas, including addressing housing affordability.
"How could we get a worse deal out of AUKUS? Tens and tens of billions of dollars have already been committed to the US and the UK. Money we desperately need for climate adaption, schools and housing. And we're also opening up the country to receive their nuclear waste - high-level nuclear waste. This is an extraordinarily bad deal. And a bad deal for Australia and Australian taxpayers."
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Twenty-four faith groups have signed a joint letter to the federal government, rejecting the recommendations in a report by the Australian Law Reform Commission.
The report recommended the government repeal section 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act, which allows religious schools to discriminate against people on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status.
In the letter, the faith groups say they're "deeply disappointed" with the recommendations, saying they "prevent the overwhelming majority of faith-based schools from preferring persons who share and authentically live out their faith".
The letter's signatories include: the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, the Australian National Imams Council, the Australian Jewish Association and Christian Schools Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government is considering its response to the Law Reform Commission, but in the meantime wants to see a respectful discussion on the issues, including on two draft bills that have yet to be made public.
"We have reached out. I have made it very clear from very early on in this process. In meetings that I have had with faith leaders and others - that this needed to be, needs bipartisan support because they don't want this to be an issue in which we go through the old culture wars. I think Australians don't want to see culture wars and division out there. I want this to be an opportunity for unity going forward."
Opposition legal affairs spokeperson Michaelia Cash says the federal opposition "will negotiate constructively with the government to try and secure a position which takes faith communities forward".
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Supporters of a ban on gay conversion therapy say new laws outlawing the controversial practice in NSW will "save countless lives".
The state has joined Queensland and Victoria in banning the practice after a bill outlawing the so-called therapy passed parliament's upper house following an all-night sitting.
The laws, opposed by some religious groups, criminalise gay-conversion practices with a penalty of up to five years in jail.
The legislation will take 12 months to take effect.
Anna Brown, from Equality Australia, says she welcomed the move.
"This is an historic day. And this law will save lives. This is the first major reform for our communities in nearly a decade and we thank the parliament for standing up for our community - and standing up for our protection and equality. It also shows that the government shouldn't be afraid of LGBTI reform. Parliament united overnight in a marathon sitting. And stood up for our rights and our humanity."
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Australia's rainbow lorikeet has won the title of the most commonly spotted bird in the country.
More than 60,000 citizen scientists participated in BirdLife Australia's 10th annual Aussie Bird Count.
During one week last October, participants recorded seeing 3.6 million birds.
Rounding out the top five bird species spotted were the Noisy Miner, Australian Magpie, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and Welcome Swallow.
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In Formula One, Australian driver Oscar Piastri says he doesn't see himself as a favourite for a podium position on Sunday's Grand Prix in Albert Park.
Piastri says he believes his team are more likely to fight it out with Mercedes for third place.
Red Bull and Ferrari seen as the top teams competing for the first two spots.
There are hopes also for fellow Australian, Daniel Ricciardo - although he hasn't managed to start the year in the way that he wanted.
Australian drivers have been unable to reach a top-3 finish at the Melbourne Grand Prix in recent years despite having the home advantage.
