TRANSCRIPT
- Political debate continues over visas for Gaza refugees
- After a two-week delay, the new Sydney Metro set to officially open
- Belgium's Justine Ghekiere overcome with emotion after winning stage seven of the women's Tour de France.
Albanese government frontbencher Ed Husic has defended the federal government's approach to the screening processes attached to visas granted to refugees fleeing fighting in Gaza.
Earlier, this week Opposition Leader Peter Dutton issued a divisive call for a temporary total ban on migration from Gaza in a move, citing his concerns about the need for more stringent security screen checks.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed on Wednesday that since the 7th of October last year, the government had granted and rejected visas to Palestinians.
2,922 applications were approved. More than 7,100 had been rejected for various reasons, such as security concerns and applicants not being considered immediate family.
Speaking on Sky News Agenda, Mr Husic says Australia's security agencies has been conducting the same screening processes and checks as was in place under the Coalition government - and he urged Mr Dutton to stop playing politics over the issue.
"This is more about, importantly, Peter Dutton playing politics on this issue in the face of one of the worst humanitarian crises we've seen - and where Australians want to be able to say: if the security checks are being done, why aren't we helping people? If we were in that position, if we were parents trying to save our kids. We would hope other countries would chip in and help out."
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Almost a decade after Australia's biggest public transport project was initially proposed, the Sydney Metro is set to officially open tomorrow.
As past of the $21 billion project, a new Metro line will operate under Sydney Harbour, between Chatswood and Sydenham, connecting the booming North West region to the CBD.
The aim is to have ultimate ultimate capacity for a metro train every two minutes in each direction under the city.
New South Wales Transport Minister Jo Haylen says there is relief the project is finally being opened to the public.
"This is about passengers - and I know thousands and thousands of them are going to jump on board City Metro tomorrow. And I hope they enjoy this experience. Because I want people in our city to feel confident to use public transport - and to use it more often. That is how great cities of the world function well. And this is going to be a very exciting day for Sydney."
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At least one million medical staff in India have taken part in a national strike, demanding punishment for the person behind the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in eastern India.
Anger over the crime is showing no sign of dying down a week after a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered. The body of the victim was found on August 9 at a state-run hospital in the West Bengal city of Kolkata.
A police volunteer has been arrested in connection to the case, and the case has been handed over to the central agency of investigation.
In New Delhi, Gynaecologist Tripti Sharan says enough is enough.
"There is an anger that has been simmering for generations amongst doctors, amongst women, amongst all healthcare workers, of not being treated with respect by the public, media and government not treating us with the dignity that is due to us. You saw how the gruesome murder and rape was done, and later on every effort was made to shield the culprit. That is how it happens every time in India."
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In sports, Australia's youngest Olympic medallist Arisa Trew says she is already planning her next competition after returning home to the Gold Coast from Paris.
At her debut Olympics, the 14-year-old made history by winning gold in the women's park skateboarding - the first medal for Australia in that event.
She tells SBS Japanese, her love for skateboarding, means she has no plans for rest, with her attention now on upcoming competitions.
"I have a few more comps coming up so I'm just like hoping to learn some really good runs there. And learn some good tricks as well. And keep having fun and doing my best. The Olympics was really fun and a different type of experience for competition. Because I'm not really sure how to say it... skateboarding has different types of athletes. We're more chill and really different being with those type of people."
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In cycling, Justine Ghekiere has won Stage 7 of the Tour de France for women.
The Belgian cyclist rode away alone with 13 kilometres left on the stage as the day's breakaway fell apart.
She paced her effort perfectly to claim her first career road stage victory atop Le Grand Bornand.
She says she is still stunned that her tactic paid off.
"I really have no words. I am think I'm dreaming. It's crazy. When I took the last point, I was really dead. And I thought I will go at my own pace. Yeah, I could stay away. I can't believe it. I really can't believe it!"
Polish rider Kasia Niewiadoma is the race leader heading into the final day.
Sarah Gigante was the best placed Australian on the stage, crossing the line in 11th.
