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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin,
- Gas exporters face new rules to reserve supply for Australian homes and businesses
- A group of so called Islamic State-linked families arriving in Australia today from Syria
- And in sport, Matildas star Mary Fowler celebrates a Women’s Super League title with Manchester City.
The Federal Government has unveiled new plans to force gas exporters to divert 20 per cent of their product to the domestic energy market.
In a bid to drive down prices and avoid long term shortages, Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the east coast gas reserve will see one fifth of exports being set aside for use in Australia from mid-2027.
Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of LNG, a key fuel source in high demand as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply.
Chris Bowen says this policy does not mean that Australia will not stop supplying partners.
"We have consulted closely and worked closely with trading partners to ensure that it's well understood around the world that Australia will always be a reliable supplier of energy, but will be a reliable supplier of energy with Australian needs being catered for, and Australia needs being met. Australia has been the only gas exporting country in the world without some form of reservation. That changes under the Albanese government ."
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A group of so called Islamic State-linked families arriving in Australia today after years in a Syrian refugee camp are part of a larger group of about 30 women and children who have been trying to return after the 2019 toppling of IS.
Australian Federal Police say some of the women could be arrested on arrival, while the children are expected to undergo reintegration and counter-extremism support programs.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says federal police would be monitoring the cohort closely.
"As it relates to the parents I mean it was a shocking thing to do to go an join what is the most repugnant, horrible, ideological, violent terrorist organisation perhaps the world has seen. If there is action by NSW police and charges relating to those individuals upon landing in Australia, that is exactly what should happen."
Some of the women are believed to have travelled willingly to support their partners who wanted to fight for I-S while advocates for others say they were trafficked or only went overseas to keep their family together.
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Education Minister Jason Clare says consultation has begun on a possible national child care body to strengthen safety and standards across the sector.
The proposed Early Education and Care Commission could oversee reforms including a national worker register, mandatory child safety training, more spot checks and a CCTV trial in centres.
Mr Clare says the cost has not yet been finalised.
"That will be subject to consultation with the states and territories as we do the detailed design work on this commission - the budget papers next week will outline what I am saying right now that this consultation work has now begun."
The proposal will be discussed when education ministers meet in July.
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Southeast Asian leaders are preparing a contingency plan to deal with the fallout from the war in the Middle East.
ASEAN foreign ministers have met in the Philippines ahead of tomorrow’s leaders summit, with energy, trade and food supply concerns high on the agenda.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro says the region is already feeling the pressure.
“For ASEAN which imports around 66 per cent of its crude oil, this crisis meant a significant increase in fuel and energy costs which eventually lead to higher price for agricultural inputs, food and basic commodities."
The plan is expected to call for freedom of navigation, respect for international law and a coordinated regional response.
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President Donald Trump says the conflict with Iran could be over quickly, as Tehran reviews a new US-backed peace proposal.
US media reports say negotiators are close to a framework agreement aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran says the proposal is still under review, while warning Washington it won’t get through war what it failed to achieve through diplomacy.
Mr Trump says he does not consider the conflict a war.
Pakistan is helping mediate the talks, with reports Iran could respond to key US demands within the next 48 hours.
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Matildas star Mary Fowler has won the English Women’s Super League title with Manchester City.
City claimed the trophy without playing, after Arsenal were held to a one-all draw by Brighton.
The result handed Manchester City their first W-S-L crown in a decade.
Fowler celebrated with her teammates, while fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Arsenal were left frustrated.
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