TRANSCRIPT
- The federal opposition promises to add a section on attitudes to Jewish people to the Australian citizenship test
- Stranded astronauts return home after nine months in space
- Australia's first openly gay football player Josh Cavallo says he has faced a torrent of abuse
The federal opposition promises to add a section on attitudes to Jewish people to the Australian citizenship test; stranded astronauts return home after nine months in space; and in sport, Australia's first openly gay football player Josh Cavallo says he has faced a torrent of abuse.
The Coalition says if it wins the federal election, it will add a section to the Australian citizenship test that quizzes those applying about their attitudes to Jewish people.
Opposition Immigration spokesperson Dan Tehan has told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper the change is needed to deal with a recent surge in antisemitism.
It comes as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton suggests there needs to be a national referendum that would give the government the power to strip Australian citizenship from dual citizens if they are found guilty of serious crimes, such as terrorism or paedophilia.
Constitutional experts have questioned whether such a move would breach the constitution's separation of powers principle*, and government ministers have criticised the idea.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has condemned Mr Dutton's referendum proposal as "racist dog-whistling".
He claims the proposal is simply a distraction from issues that are pushing Australians to the brink.
"Peter Dutton's already starting his dog-whistling to cover up for the fact he has absolutely no plans to make people’s lives better, zero plans to address the housing and rental crisis or the massive cost-of-living crisis pushing people to the brink. Instead he just starts racist dog-whistling, trying to find any excuse other than coming up with policies that are actually going to make people’s lives better."
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the latest phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be first step towards proper peace in Ukraine.
Mr Trump and Mr Putin have had what the Russian government describes as a detailed and frank exchange, lasting more than 90 minutes.
Mr Putin has agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure for the next 30 days - but has stopped short of agreeing to a full ceasefire, expressing concerns Ukraine could use a full 30-day truce to re-arm itself and mobilise more soldiers.
The US says further negotiations will begin immediately, and take place in the Middle East.
Speaking after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Mr Scholz says Ukraine must be involved in these negotiations.
"The ceasefire now announced regarding attacks on energy infrastructure can be an important first step along the way to peace. The next step must be a complete ceasefire for Ukraine and as quickly as possible. Of course it is clear, and we both agree on this too, that there must be no decision without Ukraine and over the heads of the Ukrainians."
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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have safely arrived back on Earth nine months, after being stranded on the International Space Station.
A faulty Boeing spacecraft upended what was supposed to be a roughly week-long test mission.
The two veteran astronauts were strapped inside their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, along with two other astronauts, embarking on a 17-hour trip back to Earth.
Ground crew have celebrated the safe landing, that occurred off the coast of the U-S state of Florida.
"And splashdown. Crew 9 back on Earth. Copy splashdown, we see main chutes cut. Nick, Alex, Butch, Sunny, on behalf of SpaceX, welcome home."
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In sport, Australia's first openly gay football player Josh Cavallo says he still receives multiple death threats every day and would find it difficult to encourage other footballers to come out.
The Adelaide United midfielder came out in October 2021 and says that despite support from his club and coaches, his openness about his sexuality has brought him continuous negative comments.
Cavallo told the FIFPRO's 'Footballers Unfiltered' podcast, the homophobic messages have become part of his reality since coming out.
"All the negativity, all the things that come your way. There are multiple, multiple death threats that come my way daily still. And it is quite sad to see. I have a very strong support network. I have my good days, I have my bad days, but I am free. I go to bed. I put my head on the pillow. And I am happy. I am Josh Cavallo. I am the footballer. I am also the gay footballer. And I am super proud to say that because I never knew what the capability and the ability and the reach that this had by posting a video like that."
Despite this, Cavallo says he wishes he came out earlier, rather than waiting until he was 21.
