Key Points
- Remaining Israeli hostages, Palestinian detainees to be released
- Superannuation changes aimed at making system “fairer”
- Australian women’s cricket team beats India at Women’s World Cup
TRANSCRIPT
Families are preparing for reunions with loved ones, with the imminent release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees in Israel.
As part of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, 48 Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Moshe Lavi is the relative of Israeli hostage Omri Miran.
"Yeah, we've been preparing logistically over the past few days. Where are we going to meet? What are we going to say once it happens? And also preparing the girls. They have two daughters, Roni and Alma, four years old and two years old. We had to try and frame it in a way that they understand that their daddy might be returning home soon."
In the West Bank, Yousef Shamasneh says he is waiting for the release of his sons, Abdel Jawad and Mohammad Shamasneh.
"I swear to God, the 34 years have been extremely difficult — very, very hard. Even though many prisoner exchange deals were made over the years, they were always excluded. But thanks to God, today, He has willed their release, and we are truly happy and grateful for that."
---
The federal Treasurer says changes to superannuation policy aims to make the system better and fairer.
The low-income superannuation tax offset will be raised from $500 to $810.
The eligibility threshold will be lifted from $37,000 to $47,000 effective from July 1 in 2027.
For 3.1 million Australians eligible for the offset, the change is projected to add around $15,000 to the superannuation balance by retirement age.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers also announced changes to tax concessions for Australians with higher super balances.
"For earnings on super balances between 3 and 10 million dollars, the rate remains 30 per cent. The rate for over 10 million dollars becomes 40 per cent. So, this is still a concessional tax arrangement, but it is better targeted. It will still only impact only half a per cent of Australians."
---
The federal government's controversial decision to approve an extension to a gas plant in Western Australia is being challenged in the Federal Court.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has launched the legal challenge, arguing the minister left critical details out of his decision on Woodside's North West Shelf extension, one of the world's biggest liquified natural gas projects.
The extension to 2070 has prompted backlash from conservation groups, and First Nations communities concerned about impacts on ancient rock art.
Adam Beeson is the general counsel at the Australian Conservation Foundation.
"The Australian Conservation Foundation is challenging the lawfulness of the minister's decision. The minister decided that the climate change impacts of this project were not relevant to his decision to approve this project. We think that was wrong, and if successful, this case could reshape the way that climate impacts are assessed in Australia. We also think the minister made legal mistakes when he waved through this project because he didn't understand with any precision what gas will actually be processed at this facility."
---
One in six Australian children are living in poverty - defined as households earning half the median Australian household after-tax income - $584 a week for a single adult and $1226 a week for a couple with two children.
That's the finding of a new report* by the Australian Council of Social Services and the University of New South Wales.
The report shows poverty has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also found 3.7 million people, or 14.2 per cent of the population, were living in poverty in the years 2022-23, equating to one in seven Australians.
That includes 757,000 children.
ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie, says the federal government needs to take urgent action to address inequity and the impacts felt by the poorest Australians.
"Costs are affecting many people but if you're on a low fixed income, JobSeeker for example is just $401 per week. If you're trying to get private rental out in the market, you simply cannot afford to pay. We could immediately lift the adequacy of social security payments, and dramatically decrease the rate of poverty in this very wealthy country. We could make sure that we're regulating the increase in rents. And growing the supply of low-income housing."
---
To sport - Australia has recorded the highest run chase in women's O-D-I history against India, at the Women's Cricket World Cup.
Chasing down India’s mammoth 330, skipper Alyssa Healy made 142 from 107 deliveries. It is the sixth ODI century of her career.
That set the team up to claim the win.
Healy says it feels great.
"If you have been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I have had no rhythm whatsoever. I have been struggling to find it and I didn't really know where it went before I came into the World Cup. But I think once you step out in the field, your competitive instincts kick in - and you kind of lock into getting into the contest. And that was a really enjoyable experience. And like I said, it was my day today."
The victory moves Australia back to the top of the standings, overtaking England. India remain in third place.
