TRANSCRIPT
- Uncertainty over when Gaza hostages will be freed
- At least 10 homes destroyed in bushfires in Perth
- Paramedics in New South Wales threaten strike action
Officials in Israel say none of the hostages in Gaza will be freed before Friday.
A temporary pause in the fighting was expected.
Under the proposed deal, 50 Israeli hostages will be released by Hamas and 150 Palestinian women and teenagers held in Israeli jails will be freed.
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The Prime Minister has backed the government's decision to issue visas to people fleeing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Anthony Albanese has echoed Foreign Minister Penny Wong's assurances that all visas granted have gone through the normal channels.
He said the visas are temporary and subject to security checks that have been in place "for a long period of time".
"Look Australia has appropriate security checks for our visas, and there have been some 800 granted to Palestinians and something like 1800 granted to Israelis. We have an appropriate visa system and security system in place. It’s the same that has been in place for some time."
Ms Wong says the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been prioritising the return of Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families, and the number evacuated so far is more than 120.
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The Deputy Premier of Western Australia says at least ten homes have been lost to a fire raging in Perth's northern suburbs, after hundreds of families were forced to evacuate.
Emergency Services Minister Steven Dawson warns of a long, hot summer ahead.
"It's been a difficult night up in Wanneroo. Now I want to say we have a huge amount of resources devoted to the fire-fighting that is taking place in the northern suburbs. We have our large air tanker that will continue to drop retardant and build containment lines. It will be supported and has been supported by several other fixed and rotary aircraft. We have more than 150 personnel on the ground, and the department has been working closely with other state government agencies."
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A constitutional expert says the lack of scrutiny of immigration detention laws is likely to lead to more High Court challenges.
A Chinese refugee known as S151, who arrived on a student visa in September 2001, is seeking a court declaration that a curfew and electronic tracking bracelet amount to punishment.
The new measures were included in legislation which Labor and the Coalition fast-tracked through parliament last week, in response to a High Court ruling on indefinite immigration detention.
University of New South Wales Professor of Law George Williams says parliament has not had the opportunity to hear from experts, and the "problematic" and rushed process will likely lead to further challenges.
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No formal offer has been made to increase the pay of New South Wales paramedics despite months of negotiations as the system faces widespread industrial action by frustrated workers.
Health Minister Ryan Park has refused to put a time limit on discussions with union representatives that have taken place over most of the year.
The Australian Paramedics Association New South Wales says one group plans to begin a seven-day action immediately, and members would refuse non-emergency patient transfers that could otherwise be taken by health department transport services.
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In sport,
Cricket Australia has opted to turn the annual Prime Minister's XI match into a legitimate selection trial, as they look to replace David Warner.
Normally an unofficial opportunity for rising talent, selectors have picked a genuine Test second XI for the four-day match against Pakistan at Manuka Oval in Canberra, beginning December 6.
Among the potential talent Marcus Harris remains the likely frontrunner to replace Warner, once the veteran retires following his home Test at the S-C-G in early January.
