Key Points
- 70 ADF members fly into NSW flood zones
- 12 die in largest air strike on Kyiv
- Matildas ready for Argentina friendly
TRANSCRIPT
Seventy Australian Defence personnel are preparing to join recovery efforts in New South Wales, after more than 300 properties were destroyed by flooding.
An estimated 10,000 properties were hit by floods in the Hunter and mid-north coast regions, after a month's worth of rain fell in a matter of days.
From Monday, those who have lost income from the flooding will be able to apply for financial support via My Gov online.
Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, says the government will support those who have lost in the floods.
"I think it's really important to again reiterate, at a time of disaster, the Australian people need to come together, and that is what you will see, modelled from the Prime Minister all the way down to the local Mayor."
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New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says personal hardship payments of $180 per individual or $900 per household will soon be available to residents in flood-affected communities.
He says it has been devastating to see the damage firsthand over the last few days in Taree, Maitland, Raymond Terrace and Gillieston Heights.
"Residents are going to do it very tough - not just in the next few days, but in the next few weeks. This is a major massive clean-up - one of the largest clean-ups in New South Wales history. I also want to announce that recovery centres will be located in five locations. They can help with replacing ID, legal assistance, insurance - particularly insurance applications; and crucially at a time like this, mental health support as well."
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A resolution on whether the Nationals can rejoin with the Liberals - resuming their Coalition agreement could come as early as today.
Nationals party room expected to meet on Monday or Tuesday, as talks continue.
The Nationals last week announced an end to the Coalition agreement, citing disagreement over four policy demands.
Former Nationals leader and sitting Riverina MP Michael McCormack, who was part of a minority that did not support the Coalition break-up, says he hopes the partnership can be repaired.
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An interim ban on the sale of machetes will take effect across Victoria from Wednesday noon after a gang fight shut down a major Melbourne shopping centre.
Shoppers were sent running from Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north on Sunday afternoon, after a violent brawl erupted between rival gangs armed with machetes.
While an Australian-first ban on carrying a machete in public won't be brought forward from September 1, an interim ban on machete sales will be imposed.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says the decision not to fast track the ban was based on advice from Victoria Police.
"I also want to be clear that there will be no exemptions to allow the sale of machetes during this ban period. It's a total ban on all sales everywhere, right across Victoria, and we're doing this today as quickly as possible, because we must never let the places where we gather, the places where families come together to meet, to shop, to enjoy the peace of their weekend, become the places we fear."
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General Practitioners in New South Wales will soon be able to treat and diagnose ADHD, in changes aimed at addressing barriers to the often expensive and lengthy process.
An ADHD diagnosis can be lifechanging, but the costs of assessment and diagnosis can cost upwards of $5000.
Ongoing treatment with a psychiatrist can cost $500 every few months.
Under new changes, GPs across the state will be able to provide ongoing prescriptions for those already diagnosed and a smaller number will be able to diagnose and initiate medication.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park says this is what the community has asked for.
"We have heard loud and clear that this is an issue when it comes to ADHD. We've also heard loud and clear that GP's can play an important role in the solution of this problem."
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At least twelve people have been killed and dozens injured, in what is being described as Russia's largest aerial attack of the war on Ukraine so far.
Russian forces have launched 367 drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, in attacks Ukrainian officials say killed three children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made calls on social media for the US to speak out against the attack.
US President Donald Trump says he is absolutely considering putting sanctions on Russia.
“Yeah, I'll give you an update. I'm not happy with what Putin's doing. He's killing a lot of people. And I don't know what the hell happened to Putin. I've known him a long time. Always gotten along with him. But he's sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don't like it at all. Okay? We're in the middle of talking, and he's shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don't like it all."
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To sport now, the Matildas will feed off the energy of their trio of UEFA Women's Champions League winners, as they look to celebrate interim coach Tom Sermanni's 150th match in style.
Sermanni will lead Australia for the 150th time when the Matilda's host Argentina at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, in the first of two international friendlies.
Arsenal stars Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross are set to arrive in Melbourne fresh off their historic 1-0 triumph over Barcelona in Lisbon.
Their roles in the first Argentina clash are yet to be determined.
