The Nationals say proposed $10 million fines for big supermarkets come too late; New special adviser on aid worker deaths in Gaza to find "proper answers"; And in cricket, Australian big-hitters propel their Indian Premier League sides to victory.
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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- The Nationals say proposed $10 million fines for big supermarkets come too late;
- New special adviser on aid worker deaths in Gaza to find "proper answers";
- And in cricket, Australian big-hitters propel their Indian Premier League sides to victory.
Nationals leader David Littleproud says he supports proposed fines on bad behaviour by big supermarkets, but says the changes won't come soon enough for consumers.
The Albanese government has today released former Labor competition minister Craig Emerson's interim report on the the Food and Grocery Code.
Dr Emerson's recommendations include making the voluntary scheme mandatory, giving the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission the power to enforce suggested fines of up to $10 million dollars.
But it falls short of backing joint calls by the federal Nationals and Greens to break up the big two supermarkets, Woolworths and Coles.
Speaking to the ABC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed Dr Emerson's criticism of a supermarket break up as a "populist" idea, which would not work in regional areas dominated by the big two.
He says he is confident the recommendations will reduce prices for consumers.
Mr Littleproud says he welcomes the recommendations, but they should have already been implemented.
"We made an offer to this government more than fifteen months ago to implement the recommendations that Dr Emerson has outlined today. These could already have been put in place. There are families that are going to the supermarket every day, that are making real choices, that are putting fresh produce onto the shelves because they can't afford it."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia wants "proper answers" on the Israeli strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Franckom.
Former chief of the Australian Defence Force Mark Binskin has been named as the federal government's special adviser on Israel's response the strikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.
Retired Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin is expected to advise on issues including arrangements for independent investigations, IDF policies and procedures for operational incidents, and mechanisms to hold those responsible to account.
The Prime Minister has told the ABC he expects the "full cooperation" of the Israeli government with Special Adviser Binskin's work.
"We have made it very clear that these deaths are utterly inexcusable and that action is needed to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. And we also want full accountability for these deaths. Now, the information Israel has provided so far on the investigation hasn’t yet satisfied our expectations."
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Australia, the US and UK are expectedly to imminently announce renewed talks about bringing new members into the AUKUS security pact.
The Financial Times has reported that defence ministers could announce as soon as today discussions on "pillar 2" of the pact, which could see countries like Japan and New Zealand join in joint projects.
Projects could include a commitment to developing quantum computing, artificial intelligence and cyber technology.
Talk around new members comes as US President Joe Biden pushes for Asian countries to be involved, as a deterrent to what the US sees as China's growing military and territorial assertiveness.
In a statement to Guardian Australia, a spokesperson for Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said new members will be decided and announced "trilaterally", but that Australia has already expressed its desire to engage with Japan and other "close partners" on AUKUS' pillar 2 projects.
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In cricket,
Australian big-hitters Tim David and Marcus Stoinis have both helped muscle their sides to victory in the Indian Premier League.
David hit an unbeaten 45 off just 21 balls to help propel Mumbai Indians to their first win of the season against the Delhi Capitals on Sunday.
Speaking after the match, he admitted being outshone by his teammate, West Indian Romario Shepherd, who hit six boundaries for 32 runs off their final over, as the Capitals' bowling attack slowed at the end of the innings.
"It definitely felt that way, throughout the middle, especially with some off-pace balls. It didn't feel like they were coming up, bouncing up as high, but again a brilliant finish there. I'm not sure how many we got in that last over, but I think every ball was a boundary so that's a perfect finish to really get us some momentum."
Later, all-rounder Stoinis blasted his eighth IPL half-century to set the platform for the Lucknow Super Giants, coached by former Australian coach and player Justin Langer, to beat the Gujarat Titans by 33 runs.
