TRANSCRIPT
- Victoria formalises Australia's first Aboriginal treaty into law
- At least 37 people killed after a bus plunged into ravine in southern Peru.
- Sinner powers past Zverev to reach the ATP Finals semis.
Australia has signed its first treaty with Aboriginal people, with Victoria's landmark agreement now formalised as law.
The 34-page treaty, negotiated between the state and the elected First Peoples' Assembly, acknowledges the enduring connection of Aboriginal Victorians to the land, stating: "This Country was never empty, never unclaimed."
It recognises the violent and oppressive history following European colonisation, citing findings from the Yoorrook Justice Commission on massacres, cultural destruction, forced child removals and economic exclusion, which saw the First Peoples' population in Victoria fall by nearly 90 per cent within two decades.
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Andrew Gardiner says the passage of the treaty laws mark an important turning point, giving First Nations communities a chance to shape their own future.
"The legislation passed in Parliament has been an opportunity for government to show they're willing to walk with us on treaty, and changed our future - our determined future, our self-determining future. It isn't for government departments to tell us what our needs are. Its what we say - our elders and our communities say what our needs are."
The United Nations human rights chief has described the treaty as a historic moment, underscoring Australia's long-standing exception among British-colonised nations in failing to formalise agreements with Indigenous peoples.
The Prime Minister says the Liberals are walking away from climate action because they don't believe in science or cheaper energy bills.
A majority of the party's M-Ps want to scrap the net-zero target, ending months of bitter internal debate over climate policy.
Shadow Minister Sussan Ley is announcing the decision today following a five-hour partyroom meeting in Canberra yesterday.
The plan under discussion includes abandoning the 2050 net-zero goal, extending coal-fired power, and considering nuclear energy - a move backed by the party's conservative faction.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Liberals' internal divisions are costing Australians.
"They're walking away from climate action, because they fundamentally do not believe in the science of cliamate change. They're also walking away from reliable and affordable energy - renewables backed by storage and backed by gas for firming capacity. Australians cannot afford to keep paying the price of Coalition in-fighting when it comes to climate policy and energy policy."
At least 37 people have died and dozens were injured after a bus plunged into a 200-metre ravine in southern Peru's Arequipa region.
The fatalities included 36 at the scene and one who later died in hospital, with the injured including three children.
The bus, travelling from Chala ((chah-lah)) to Arequipa, struck a van before careening off the highway.
Local photos showed the overturned bus amid scattered debris at the bottom of the ravine.
Twenty-six victims are receiving medical treatment, while three are in a serious condition.
The Japanese Ambassador to Australia, Kazuhiro Suzuki, has called for a strategic "equilateral security triangle" involving Australia, Japan, and the United States.
Ambassador Suzuki's remarks on deepening strategic trust and cooperation come as Australia and Japan are significantly expanding their defence ties.
That was highlighted by the Australian government's recent decision to select Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to construct the Australian navy's new warship fleet.
To sport now and in tennis...
Reigning champion Jannik Sinner has advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 ATP Finals with a ruthless 6-4, 6-3 win over third seed Alexander Zverev.
The World Number Two extended his unbeaten run on indoor hard courts to 28 matches, the sixth longest streak in the Open Era.
Sinner broke Zverev in the final game of the first set and again in the second, maintaining composure while the German struggled under pressure.
"It was a very, very close match. But no, he had break chances in the first and second set. Well, I served very well and felt like, you know, he changed a couple of things tactically. I was ready at times, so I'm happy how I handled the situation. But yeah, it was a very close match. But still, very happy how I handled the important moments."
The win keeps Sinner's year-end Number One hopes alive, though Carlos Alcaraz can secure the top ranking by defeating Lorenzo Musetti today.
Zverev now faces Felix Auger-Aliassime in a knockout match to stay in the tournament.
