The Israeli Ambassador to Australia denies claims of breaches to international law by the Israeli military; Jim Chalmers says the government is doing its best to combat growing inflation; Alex de Minaur front and centre in Australia's upcoming summer of tennis.
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TRANSCRIPT
- The Israeli Ambassador to Australia denies claims of breaches to international law by the Israeli military
- Jim Chalmers says the government is doing its best to combat growing inflation
- Alex de Minaur front and centre in Australia's upcoming summer of tennis
Israel's ambassador to Australia has denied claims the Israeli military's bombardment of the Gaza Strip breaches international humanitarian law.
Amir Maimon has addressed the National Press Club today amid an intensified bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip which the Palestinian Health Ministry says has killed 5,791 Palestinians including 2,360 children.
This follows an October 7 attack by Hamas militants where 1,400 people were killed in Israel in a sharp escalation of a long-standing conflict.
Earlier today, United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres claimed Israel's bombing and the blockade of supplies into Gaza is a clear violation of its duty to protect civilians.
"I am deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza. Let me be clear. No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law."
However, when pressed on these claims, the Israeli ambassador says the IDF is in full compliance with international law.
"I think that the current situation is in line and in full compliance with the international law. You don't measure the adherence of a nation to the international law by the toll of casualties on the other side, you measure it by its compliance to the law, by its determination to avoid - as Israel is doing - harming innocent Palestinians."
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is doing its best to keep inflation down amid global crises and supply chain issues that continue to impact the markets.
This comes as the Australian Bureau of Statistics released its latest consumer price index today showing prices have risen 1.2 per cent over the three months to September, making a 5.4 per cent increase over the past 12 months.
These numbers came in a little above expectations due in part to a significant rise in petrol prices due to supply issues from the world's major fuel exporters.
Mr Chalmers says he's confident that the federal government's economic plan is preventing the worst effects of volatile global markets.
"We would like inflation to be lower. We would like some of these other indicators to be better but they are much better than they would otherwise be because of the economic plan that we have rolled out in a considered and methodical way."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a new $2 billion boost to the critical minerals industry will help foster local manufacturing jobs and promote Australia as a leading exporter.
He has announced a doubling of financing for mining and processing projects that will support high-tech manufacturing and supply chains for United States car-makers and battery factories.
Electric cars, wind turbines, smart phones and satellites all depend on the reliable supply of critical minerals and rare-earth elements that Australia has in abundance, but China dominates the supply.
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Western Australia's corrective services commissioner has been replaced after the death of an Indigenous teen who self-harmed in the youth wing of an adult prison.
Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia says commissioner Mike Reynolds will make way for Brad Royce, an assistant commissioner from W-A Police.
Officers discovered 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd in the Unit 18 youth detention facility at Perth's Casuarina Prison on October 12, after he contacted them through the intercom.
He was taken to a Perth hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
Minister Papalia says Brad Royce is the perfect man for the commissioner job as a cultural shift in the department is necessary.
"He has in the past set high standards and expected them to be delivered. He's an excellent leader and someone known to be able to affect cultural change and that's why he's been appointed."
Clevelend Dodd's death is being investigated by the Department of Justice and the coroner.
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And in sport,
Alex de Minaur will be front and centre when the Australian summer of tennis kicks off with the opening sessions of the United Cup in Perth.
The world number 13 Australian will take on the 18th-ranked British player Cameron Norrie in the opening Group C fixture at RAC Arena on December 29.
And with 2022 Wimbledon doubles champion Matt Ebden the veteran player John Millman as well as women's specialists Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez at their disposal, Australia is set to make an impressive showing at the tournament.
The prize money for the United Cup sits at $15 million.
