TRANSCRIPT
Donald Trump has declared there will be no exceptions to his proposed steel and aluminium tariffs, despite reassuring Prime Minister Anthony Albanese an Australian exemption was under consideration.
"Protecting our steel and aluminium industries is a must and today I'm simplifying our tariffs on steel and aluminium so everyone can understand exactly what it means. It's 25% without exemptions or exceptions. That's all countries, no matter where it comes from; all countries."
The Prime Minister had earlier confirmed he had spoken with the U-S President about the tariffs.
He described the phone call as warm and friendly, and said he had an optimistic view of Australia's chances for an exemption.
"What I envisage is continuing to act - to respond diplomatically. That's how you get things done. My government has got a record of getting things done in Australia's national interest. I'll continue to do so."
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Australia's Health Minister says there is still work to do to improve bulk billing rates, which remain at concerning levels for doctors and patients.
Data released today ((Tues)) indicates just under 78 percent [[77.5%]] of all GP visits were bulk billed in December 2024, and that every state and territory now has more bulk billing rates.
But media reports suggest Cleanbill data shows bulk billing rates are actually dropping, especially for the under 35 age group.
Mr Butler has told Channel 7 the issue has been his most significant concern as health minister.
"What we have done has made a difference. There's no question about that. But I know we need to do more and we'll be talking obviously as we come to the election about other plans to stregnthen Medicare. Your viewers would be surprised I think, to think that the Labor party that created Medicare and has fought for it for 40 years, wouldn't be taking to the election a very strong Medicare policy."
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The major banks have been banned from closing regional branches for the next two years amid concern about the availability of face to face financial services in regional Australia.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the banks have agreed to a moratorium on branch closures until the end of July 2027, with NAB accepting a new agreement and Commonwealth Bank and Westpac extending their previous arrangements.
Some 36 per cent of bank branches in regional Australia have shut their doors since 2017.
The Treasurer says the government felt action was necessary to stop that decline.
"Banks have a responsibility to regional Australia, and we are making sure that they are meeting their responsibilities. This is all about making sure that banks stay open in the bush."
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At least six communities in Queensland have been isolated by floodwaters after some areas received a drenching in the last 24 hours.
Etheridge Shire Mayor Barry Hughes says the communities between Georgetown and Normanton could be facing between three to four days of isolation after more than 300mm rain fell, given the amount of water already in the catchment systems.
It's understood a huge convoy of trucks were finally able to access Ingham and Cairns early this morning to re-supply the towns - but there are renewed concerns that the Bruce Highway has once again been cut by the ongoing rain.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has told Channel 9 he is confident they can overcome these setbacks.
"I've never seen anything like it in my time - and I've been through a lot of these events. It has been a really, really good team effort; it really has. It just tests your spirits and your resolve in these. And north and far north Queenslanders have risen to the challenge, what has been thrown at them, the likes of which we have never seen before."
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Relatives of hostages held in Gaza have briefly blocked the main highway in Tel Aviv following Hamas' announcement it was delaying the next ceasefire mandated release.
Hamas says it has suspended the exchange because it believes Israel has broken the terms of the ceasefire - but there is also widespread anger over Donald Trump's statement that Gazans would have no right of return in the event of a US takeover.
The Israeli relatives have in turn accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging the agreement, and not doing enough to bring their loved ones home.
Mohammad Yusuf of Khan Younis says Palestinians have begun stocking up on whatever supplies they can because concern is growing the deal could fall apart under these circumstances.
ARABIC THEN ENGLISH VO: "There is no safety, because any flaw in the agreement leads to the return of war and the threat of a return of war. People, due to the many things they faced during the war, have become afraid of anything from any statement, from both sides, whether from the enemy or the ruling authority in Gaza."
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A child has been fatally stabbed at a South Korean primary school.
Police say the seven year old had been rushed to hospital but was unable to be saved after being found with stab wounds in the neck and face at the school in the city of Daejeon.
They say a woman in her 40s is also being treated for stab wounds.
The woman is understood to be a suspect in the attack.
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World Athletics have unveiled plans to introduce swab tests for all track and field athletes competing in elite women's categories.
The proposal is part of a new policy on transgender athletes and those with differences of sexual development, which is being developed by a gender diversity working group within the world governing body.
It's understood the testing will look for the S-R-Y gene, which is almost always on the male Y chromosome and is used as a highly accurate proxy for biological sex.
Advocates for the testing say competitors who have undergone male puberty before transitioning have an unfair advantage, while activists say there is no evidence to support that argument.
