TRANSCRIPT:
- Pro-Palestinian protests as prime minister prepares to address A-L-P Victorian state conference
- France accuses Azerbaijan of provoking fatal riots in New Caledonia
- Blues Coach Michael Voss insists injury not behind 52-point thrashing by Sydney
Pro-Palestinian protesters have have interrupted a Labor state conference in Victoria as internal tensions simmer over the Israel-Hamas war.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan are expected to address hundreds of branch members and union delegates converging on Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne.
A group of pro-Palestine protesters breached security, entered the course and could be heard chanting outside the main room where speeches were being given.
Several motions related to the conflict are scheduled for debate this afternoon, including one calling for an "end to military co-operation with Israel".
Outside the conference, a delegate from construction union CFMEU was among those calling support for pro-Palestinian motions.
"I'm not long at big speeches because I'm used to toolboxes on building sites, but rest assured, we're not going to go in there and not say anything. We have motions on the ground, we'll keep fighting for people to be able to live free, to be able to not be bombed by weapons that have come from Australia, and we hope that everyone keeps fighing, thank you."
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The United Nations has said aid deliveries by land are best way to combat the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after United States officials confirmed say the first trucks have begun supplying aid via a temporary pier.
With Gazans facing hunger, the US military has said trucks carrying humanitarian assistance have began moving ashore via the long-awaited pier which the US Central Command, or CENTCOM said was anchored to a Gaza beach.
The US military has said in the coming days around 500 tonnes of aid is expected to enter Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of a looming famine.
U-N Spokesman Farhan Haq says it will continue to assist deliveries via the pier, but says it cannot meant to replace existing land crossings, which have been subject to frequent delays and closures.
"At the end of the day, the basic point is, will we be able to get enough aid in to keep people alive? We've made it very clear that unless things change dramatically for the better, the answer is no and people will die."
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A 17-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after an alleged stabbing in Brisbane.
Police allege two males had an altercation in the suburb of Acacia Ridge on Friday, before the 17-year-old brought out a knife and stabbed a 19-year-old man multiple times.
He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The accused has been charged with one count each of attempted murder, threatening violence, and possession of a knife in a public space, and is set to face Brisbane Children's Court today.
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France has blamed Azerbaijan for riots in the French-ruled Pacific island of New Caledonia by flooding social media with what it said were misleading photos and videos targeting police.
Hundreds of police reinforcements have cracked down on rioters protesting a contested electoral reform after three nights of upheaval in which at least five people have been killed.
Azerbaijan's foreign ministry has denied allegations made in a French government report identifying Azeri social media accounts spreading anti-French propaganda in the country where members of the Indigenous Kanak community have long supported independence.
While the number of violent incidents reported in the region has fallen, hundreds of Australians are believed to be trapped in the country.
Dr Maxwell Winchester and his partner Dr Tiffany Winchester spoke to Channel 9 from a holiday resort.
"It's not easy, we're on day six now of being trapped here. There's no real confirmation, they're saying maybe Tuesday we might get out, but we've had four flights get cancelled already, so we just hold up every time, and we're disappointed every time one gets cancelled."
**
In AFL, Blues coach Michael Voss has dismissed missing players as an excuse for their 52-point thrasing by Sydney last night.
Carlton kicked the first four goals at the S-C-G on Friday but conceded 14 of the next 16 as they were hammered 117 to 65 by the Swans, the fourth defeat in their last six starts.
The Blues will drop out of the eight if either Collingwood or Fremantle win today.
Injury-ravaged Carlton are set to regain some players next week, but speaking to Fox Sports, Voss rejected an injury list stretching to double digits was a reason for his team's performance.
"It was pretty clear in terms of the game itself, it just wasn't us, it wasn't our identity, we just didn't bring what we've brought to these contests over the course of the last 12 months, and we fell really short. Sydney, credit to them, they're top of the ladder for a reason."
