TRANSCRIPT
- The federal government's expanded first home buyers scheme open from today
- Cascading impacts after the Taliban imposes a nationwide internet shutdown
- Australia prepares to defend its Women's Cricket World Cup trophy
The Greens party says it is concerned that the expansion of the first home buyers scheme is going to make the housing crisis more acute.
The party's housing spokesperson, Barbara Pocock, says it is likely to fuel more demand, driving up housing prices - and putting people into deep debt.
The Greens have urged the federal government to scrap the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil says the Albanese government has policies to increase housing supply, but it is important that the expanded scheme goes ahead from today.
"This is lifechanging stuff. And a genuine expansion of home ownership opportunities for that generation of Australians who are facing such a different housing market than their parents and grandparents faced. This is just a part of Labor's ambitious homes for Australia program. We have a 43 billion-dollar agenda. We're building more homes. We're getting renters a better deal. And today, particularly we're getting more young people around the country that amazing opportunity to get into home ownership."
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The family of a preschooler missing from an outback homestead face an agonising wait for news, as the search for the boy enters its fifth day.
Four-year-old Gus disappeared from his family's sheep station in the remote South Australian mid-north on Saturday afternoon.
A major search of the area is continuing today, as the boy's devastated family clings to hope he'll be found alive.
They earlier released a statement - read by family friend Bill Harbison.
"We're incredibly grateful to the South Australian police, the emergency services, and the many organisations, community members, and friends who have come together to help look for Gus."
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There are calls for internet and mobile phone data services to be re-connected in Afghanistan, after the Taliban ordered they be taken offline.
More than 43 million people in Afghanistan are now believed to be impacted by the shutdown which the UN says has left the country almost completely cut off from the outside world - affecting health programs, banking services and financial services.
The UN refugee agency has also been unable to reach its frontline aid workers who are helping with the response to the recent earthquakes that killed 2,200 people and flattened thousands of homes.
Melbourne-based Afghan community leader Liaqat Khan has told SBS Pashto the cut has caused considerable distress amongst the diaspora in Australia.
"This drastic measure triggers the severed critical communication link between Afghans living in Australia, across the globe, and their loved ones back in Afghanistan, causing profound disruption to families and social connections. We view this action as a stark infringement on fundamental freedoms and violation of human rights."
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Two official memorial services will be held today to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Bali bombings that killed 20 people, including four Australians.
One service will be held in Newcastle, the city where three of the Australian victims and ten of the locals injured came from.
The Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs, Tim Watts, will join survivors, their families and first responders for that service, while Australia's Consul-General, Jo Stevens, will host a second commemorative service at the Australian Consulate-General in Bali.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has released a statement paying tribute to the victims, saying that survivors and their families have shown courage and resilience on a day that is a difficult one for so many in Australia.
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To sport, and in women's cricket,
Australia begins its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in India today.
Australia is aiming to win consecutive O-D-I World Cups, which would be a first for Australia - or any country - since 1988.
Phoebe Litchfield told the Willow Talk podcast, she is anticipating a tough game.
"I think for me wherever I bat, I think at the top of the order it's about making the most of the power play. And really, if they give you balls to put it away - you put it away. And kind of get on top of it to then go big throughout the middle - and we have a role to get ourselves in and really go big. Because I feel it is hard to start in India sometimes. Depending on the surface, I guess. But yeah, that's probably where my brain goes."
