TRANSCRIPT:
- The federal government says Peter Dutton is making a mistake following an energy pledge.
- Calls for age restrictions to be imposed on social media platforms are reiterated.
- Australia in the box seat to top their T20 World Cup group.
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The federal government has responded to claims by Opposition leader Peter Dutton he will scrap key energy targets if elected.
Mr Dutton has promised if elected, the Coalition would scrap the Government's target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent before 2030.
He says they would opt instead to prioritise gas and nuclear power to help Australia reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
It would see Australia breach its signature to the Paris Climate Agreement, and join Iran, Libya and Yemen as the only countries in the world not abiding by the treaty signed in 2015.
Education Minister Jason Clare told Sky News he thinks Mr Dutton has made a mistake.
"I think any Australian who thinks climate change is real would think now that Peter Dutton is a real risk, a risk to investment, a risk to jobs, but just a risk that Australia will do nothing to tackle climate change. Even Tony Abbott didn't pull out of a global agreement on climate change, and he thinks it's crap. This makes Tony Abbott look like Al Gore. And no wonder that you had a couple of liberal MPs in the last few weeks hot to trot, to bring Josh Frydenberg back."
While Nationals leader David Littleproud has told Channel Nine they're just being realistic.
"That's totally false to think that by us not meeting our 2030 target would see us kicked out of it. We are committed to our 2050 target. In fact, at the largest COP meeting in the UAE, most countries will fall short of their 2030 target. So what we've said is, let's be honest, let's look Australians in the eye and say not even this government's going to make their 2030 target because they can't get to 82 per cent renewables by 2030. There's not the supply chain to do it."
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The coalition has reiterated calls for age verification restrictions to be imposed on social media platforms.
It comes after the eSafety Commissioner dropped a case against X directing it to remove material depicting the stabbing of a priest in Wakeley.
Opposition spokesman for communications David Coleman says the Commissioner cannot force a social media platform to make global restrictions, so Australia needs to implement its own safety measures for children.
The Commonwealth is seeking advice about what a feasible and appropriate age ban would look like, and a $6.5 million age verification trial has been announced.
Mr Coleman told the ABC age verification is needed to protect Australian children.
"I think this is one of the defining issues of our era. I think that the mental health of Australian kids is being massively damaged by social media. If you look at things like the self-harm, hospitalization rates of girls, it's up dramatically in the last decade. There's no question in my mind that social media is playing a part in that, and the social media companies basically don't do anything about it."
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Dozens of evacuation warnings remain in place along the Hawkesbury River northwest of Sydney over an ongoing flood threat, while some people have been given the green light to return home.
Last night, residents in parts of Wisemans Ferry were told they could be isolated without power, water or other essentials as floodwaters at Sackville peaked.
Some 36 flood alerts remain along the river system, with emergency warnings in 12 communities flagging it's still not safe to return.
But the threat has started to ease in some areas, with residents in parts of Camden and Ellis Lane, about 65km southwest of Sydney, allowed home.
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Most of the European Union's 27 member countries, including France and Germany, go to the polls today to elect the next European parliament.
Italy became the first to cast votes for the EU's next parliament on Saturday, in a test of far-right leader Giorgia Meloni's strength at home.
The first polling stations have already opened in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the site of deadly rioting this month.
The two-day ballot in Italy, the EU's third-largest economy with 76 of 720 seats in the new parliament, could have big consequences.
While outgoing president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola has cast her vote in her home country of Malta.
"I'm hoping that democracy wins. We have been running for a long time on behalf of the European Parliament a campaign where we encourage every European Union citizen in each 27 member state to vote because otherwise others will decide for you. Today, tomorrow, you have the opportunity to do just that. The next five years will be very important with many challenges for the European Union. We have the opportunity to make a decision."
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And in cricket,
Australia are in the box seat to top their T20 World Cup group after a 36-run victory over defending champions England.
Legspinner Adam Zampa was a game-changer for Australia, dispatching openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt after they made a fast start.
Earlier, Australia's openers David Warner and Travis Head laid the groundwork for the side's 7-201 - the highest total at the tournament to date.
After winning the toss, England were left to rue letting Warner and Head off the leash early, finishing their 20 overs at 6-165.
