TRANSCRIPT
- Federal government set to introduce the final piece of its industrial relations bill.
- The Israeli military conducts an internal investigation after reports of friendly fire in the October 7 attacks.
- And in football, Canberra United's Michelle Heyman to be included in the Matildas line-up ahead of the Paris Olympics.
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Today, the government is hopeful of negotiating support for the final piece of its industrial relation reforms.
Part two of the so-called 'closing loopholes' bill includes changing the definition of casual work, increasing protections for gig workers, and introducing provisions for a right to disconnect.
Support from the crossbench is needed to pass the bill.
But Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie says she is concerned about the impact on business.
"Businesses themselves are doing it really tough out there, and I don't see that getting any better throughout the year. And I just think, for somebody or a party that comes out and says we want to lessen red tape, I think that some parts of this bill have actually just put more red tape on top, and that is not what businesses in Australia need."
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A number of protesters from across Australia have descended on Canberra to call for the federal government to take greater action in ending the war in Gaza.
The protesters are demanding the government stop supporting Israel in their invasion and bombardment in Gaza which has killed over 27,500 Palestinians and left at least 1.7 million displaced according to Gazan authorities and the United Nations.
The area has been devastated by the ongoing conflict, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he is determined to wipe out remaining Hamas forces in the southern city of Rafah - an area previously designated as a "safe zone" for civilians.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt has called on the Parliament to act immediately.
"And it is vital that we act today and that standing and sessional orders be suspended and that this Parliament reverses its position in support of the invasion because people are dying and the situation is getting worse by the hour."
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The Israeli Defence Forces say they have begun an internal investigation regarding any potential violations of the law in their response to the October 7 raids by Hamas.
It comes after reports that civilians had been killed by friendly fire during the incursions.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that a house in the Kibbutz Be'eri area, which was one of the most hard-hit in the attack, was shelled by a tank, killing 12 Israeli hostages held by Hamas gunmen.
Israeli army spokesman rear admiral Daniel Hagari says this investigation will thoroughly examine the incident.
"We are currently in combat. I've also explained how deep the fighting is, in Khan Younis, in the north of the strip. The fighting is still intense. Alongside this we are preparing the method in which we will investigate ourselves and it is clear to us that we will investigate ourselves poignantly. We will turn every stone."
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A report from the Productivity Commission says the government will fail to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians unless it fundamentally changes its approach.
The Closing the Gap agreement aims to address the inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The three-year review found the government does not understand the scale or type of change required to meet their obligations.
The report made four key recommendations, including sharing power and decision making with First Nations communities, improving accountability, and rethinking government systems and culture.
In response to the report, the New South Wales Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Harris says his government will work with the state Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations and Aboriginal communities to design new policies and programs that will make a difference.
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In football,
Canberra United's 35-year-old striker Michelle Heyman is the surprise inclusion in Tony Gustavsson's Matildas squad for the upcoming qualifying play-offs to the Paris Olympics.
Heyman's teammate at Canberra, midfielder Chloe Logarzo has also returned to the squad after missing out on the 2023 Women's World Cup.
23-year-old Kaitlyn Torpey, who plays in the US for the San Diego Lions, will be looking to make her debut with the Matildas after being called to the squad for the very first time.
The Matildas are set to face Uzbekistan in a two-match tie with the winner qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris.
The first match will be held in Tashkent on February 24, while the return game will take place in Melbourne's Marvel Stadium four days later.
