TRANSCRIPT:
- The A-C-T approves voluntary assisted dying laws;
- A Newscorp senior executive issues a challenge for the regulation of social media;
- Michael Maguire debuts as New South Wales coach for tonight's State of Origin opener.
The A-C-T has given the green light to voluntary assisted dying laws, two years after a federal ban on the issue was overturned.
The legislation enshrining a multi-step process was approved by Labor, the Greens and a handful of Liberal MPs, including Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee.
Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne has called the passage of the bill an extraordinary moment for the territory and the nation.
She says the new law will not become a replacement for palliative care, which the government has pledged will be prioritised for patients.
"This bill does set a new standard of fairness, a new standard of respecting autonomy, a new standard of decision-making at the end of someone's life. And I hope that it provides comfort to so many who have been waiting, and wanting."
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Labor and the Coalition have both accused the Greens of encouraging violence as they seek to raise support for Palestinian acts of war.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Greens have spread misinformation as part of their opposition to Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says the Greens have condoned rather than condemned vandalism attacks on the offices of members of Parliament.
He also says the actions of the Greens have lead to the discrimination of members from the Jewish community.
"As we know, the Greens political party didn’t wait for advice or evidence or security briefing. They’re out there condemning the Israelis immediately and without hesitation. And now we see on university campuses, the hatred directed toward people who are academics who are students, not because of views that they hold or causes that they support, but because they are a Jewish faith."
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New figures show the Australian economy has slowed - and it's being propped up by spending on major events like concerts and travel.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures on G-D-P [[or gross domestic product]] mark the lowest through-the-year growth since 1992, outside the pandemic.
The figures show people are spending more on essential goods and services and households are able to save less money.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the slow growth is a cause for concern for the government, but he's brushed aside talk of a potential recession.
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The Minister for Australia's N-D-I-S has moved to reassure the public after revelations that over $2 billion of government funding hasn't been used for genuine needs.
A number of providers are being accused of giving cash to criminals for drugs and encouraging them to engage in fraud, with reports showing funds were used for holidays or to purchase a luxury vehicle.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Bill Shorten says it may take a while to clean up the scheme but the process is moving forward smoothly.
"I think the next two to three years we will see significant improvement. But we're seeing improvements right now. I'll give you four facts. One, there's now north of 500 compliance investigations underway. There's 220 specific investigations, which are more serious, underway. There's 20 prosecutions in the courts and there's another 12 sitting with the directors of public prosecution to proceed with."
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Social media companies have been accused of acting above the law in Australia in a fiery speech at the National Press Club in Canberra.
Newscorp executive chair Michael Miller says social media has fuelled issues like cyberbullying, revenge porn, doxxing, eating disorders and mental health concerns - but that some tech giants are not being held accountable.
He's told the Club it is time to change that.
"These tech giants, especially the social media networks, such as Meta, TikTok and X, operate outside our legal system. We know the collective damage they cause. To our young and elderly. Businesses, big and small. To our democracy and to our economy. How long is Australia going to allow them to operate as a protected species? It's been long enough. And this address is about what we can do about it. It's time."
The Newscorp comments come as Australia's online regulator confirms she's made the decision to discontinue proceedings in the Federal Court against X over a violent video showing a Sydney stabbing.
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A mayor in Australia's biggest military city, accused of misleading voters about his army service, has taken a leave of absence amid calls for his removal.
Townsville mayor Troy Thompson has posted a message on social media saying he's taking a break for mental health reasons while the Crime and Corruption Commission investigation takes place.
Townsville Council passed a motion of no confidence in the mayor earlier today, and has now written to Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon, asking her to suspend or dismiss Mr Thompson.
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Michael Maguire will make his debut as the coach for New South Wales in tonight's State of Origin series opener.
The Blues are aiming to wrestle back the Maroons' two-year grip on the shield under Billy Slater.
Maguire's reputation took a hit when he was sacked by the Wests Tigers - but being the coach for New South Wales is being seen as a chance for him to restore his name.
