The government to announce its long awaited policy on migration to Australia; the result of Sweden's national elections decided by the narrowest of margins; the Swans prepare for their do-or-die clash with Fremantle.
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TRANSCRIPT
- The government to announce its long awaited policy on migration to Australia
- The result of Sweden's national elections decided by the narrowest of margins
- The Swans prepare for their do-or-die clash with Fremantle
The federal government will unveil its long-awaited plan for migration today.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is due to unveil the details at the National Press Club in Canberra, more than a month after his initial appearance was cancelled at the last minute over cabinet disagreements about the changes to be announced.
It's expected Mr Burke will announce that Labor will target family visas for foreign students and the work rights of those on bridging visas, but that has not been confirmed.
He has already flagged some changes during Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday.
"The more tools that are available, the better we can target the system. The best form of outcome there will be if we are able to sort our way through for a legislative option. In the absence of that there are still more levers that the governemnet will be able to use and I'll be making those announcements tomorrow."
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The New South Wales Premier has defended the passage of a bill that governs Crown land in the state, which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights groups say is a regressive step.
The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council says a number of aspects of the bill undermine Aboriginal land rights, including what's called 'retrospective' changes that could mean past Crown land dealings are validated that otherwise would have been legally ineffective.
It says only 0.2 per cent of land owned by the state government has been transferred to Aboriginal ownership under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act.
But Premier Chris Minns says he feels the changes introduced by the legislation are needed.
"We don't want to be antagonistic to land councils. We believe it has been an important reform for our state. It has led to Indigenous businesses. It is an important part of our Closing the Gap architecture. But we want it to work for another 50 years - not to be just swept away because community land unfortunately, can no longer be used as a result of land claim. We think this is more consistent with the original plan for Frank Water's legislation from 1984."
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Sweden's centre-left opposition has defeated the incumbent right-wing governing bloc by the slimmest of margins in the country's national elections.
Public broadcaster SVT says that's the conclusion they have drawn, after counting of 99 percent of the votes in Sunday's parliamentary ballot.
Fewer than 27,000 votes separate the country's main political blocs as counting draws to a close, with parties led by opposition leader Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats looking set to win 175 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag.
The right-wing governing bloc of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, which includes the far-right Sweden Democrats, is on track to win 174 seats.
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European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has offered Canada historic EU associate status - the first of its kind.
President von der Leyen says new partnerships are needed in what she says is an increasingly hostile world.
The move has come as Canada's relationship with its largest trade partner, the United States, turns increasingly fractious in recent months.
The Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre, Fabian Zuleeg, says the Trump administration's aggressive approach to relations with Canada is driving it to look at strengthening other relationships.
"Clearly, the Trump administration has made rather aggressive moves, both on Canada and the EU: Canada as the 51st state of the United States... These are clearly actions by the president which have pushed Canada and the EU closer together."
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Australia has broken into the world's top ten for gender equality for the first time, climbing to eighth place in a major global ranking.
The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report compares 148 countries across areas including economic participation, education, health and political representation.
Australia has risen from 43rd place in 2022 to its highest-ever ranking of eighth.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the result shows progress is being made, but more work is needed on issues including wages, gender-based violence and women's health.
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To sport,
The Sydney Swans say they have the depth to overcome their depleted line-up in tomorrow night's AFL preliminary final against Fremantle.
The Swans are preparing to face the minor premiers at the SCG, with a place in the Grand Final on the line.
They'll do so without the five players who have been suspended over the Pullman Hotel incident last month, plus captain Callum Mills, who was injured in their last game against the Brisbane Lions.
Sydney forward Logan McDonald says the team has prepared all season for players to step up when needed.
"Like we've spoken about all year our game plan is we'll build our system around no individuals it's built around the roles and we've got full confidence, all pre season now it's going to take a full squad mentality to do anything this year and the boys that have come in have really bought in to that and we still think we've got enough talent across the park to be able to win the game."
