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TRANSCRIPT:
Truck drivers will receive fast-tracked support amid reports hundreds of petrol stations have run out of fuel because of the war in the Middle East.
The federal government will amend the Fair Work Act to allow drivers and transport businesses to make emergency applications for a contract chain order in response to spikes in fuel prices.
Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth says the changes will help spread costs more fairly across the supply chain and support a critical industry.
She has told Channel Nine the fuel supply taskforce coordinator appointed last week is also working hard to ensure adequate supply.
"States and territories are responsible for distribution. We are working with them. Obviously, in some places demand has far exceeded what they were expecting - so what we are doing is working with states and territories to ensure that we are responding and getting fuel where it is needed to go. We are doing that work."
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The United States says it's been in talks with Iran to end the war in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has told reporters that US envoy Steve Witkoff and his son in law Jared Kushner have held talks with an unnamed Iranian leader.
"So they called. They want to make a deal. And we are a very willing to make a deal. And it is got to be no more wars. No more nuclear weapons."
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has emphatically denied Mr Trump's remarks.
Iran's state media presenter has read out his statement on air.
"In reaction to Trump’s false claim, the Speaker of the Parliament emphasized that no negotiations have taken place with the US. Mr. Qalibaf (shared) a message on social media saying that “our people demand the complete and humiliating punishment of the aggressors.” And mentioned that “all officials stand firmly behind their leader and people, until this goal is reached,” and that no negotiations have taken place with the US. Mr. Qalibaf emphasized in this message that fake news has been spreading in order to manipulate the financial and oil markets, and this is an attempt to escape the quagmire that the US and Israel have been trapped in."
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Crossbench MPs say Iranian refugees in Australia who have been waiting up to eight years on temporary visas should be granted permanent protection.
Ferdos says she has been recognised as a refugee from Iran but is part of a group of 700 people who have to reapply every six months for temporary protection visas as a result of immigration policies applied in the past.
"I'm 23 years old, an Iranian refugee who came here with my family about 14 years ago. And I live in Australia for nearly 8 years now. I work as an employment consultant myself. I have been in that sector for four years and I change peoples' lives every single day. And I am appealing to the Albanese government to change our lives. Grant us permanent protection. And it is just not right. We want to move on with our lives."
The calls from the group of refugees follow the federal government earlier this month granting humanitarian visas to seven members of the Iranian women's football team.
Ultimately only two decided to remain in Australia, while the others opted to return to Iran.
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Australia and the European Union have agreed on a trade deal after eight years of talks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the agreement is worth $10 billion a year to the Australian economy and will involve the elimination of tariffs on Australian exports, including wine, seafood and horticulture.
"This is a significant moment for our nation as we secure an agreement with the world’s second largest economy, the Australia-European Free Trade Agreement will lower trade and investment barriers between Australia and EU, a market of around 450 million people."]]
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen says they have also agreed on a new security deal.
She says all the new agreements benefit both sides.
"Because we are both confronted disinformation and wide attempts to erode public trust. Here to we must build the collective resilience of our societies. So I am very much looking forward to deepening our co-operation."
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London mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned an arson attack on ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity.
The four ambulances belonging to the Hatzolah Northwest group were set on fire in an incident that Metropolitan police are investigating as an antisemitic hate crime.
Though it has not been classified as a terrorist incident, counter-terror officers have been put in charge of the investigation.
Mr Khan says those responsible must be found.
"Hatzolah are volunteers who come together to provide a public service for everyone. The idea that somebody would attack somebody because they're Jewish or they would attack Hatzolah is perverse."
