TRANSCRIPT
- The extent of the damage caused by flooding in Queensland still unknown;
- New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon to arrive in Sydney today;
- And in cricket, an Australia duo break the record for the highest paid player in the Indian Premier League auction.
The extent of damage caused by flooding in far-north Queensland is being revealed as waters start to recede.
Many say it's the worst flooding the region has seen in close to a century, cutting off communities and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses.
The Bureau of Meteorology is now defending criticism of its warning system, with some saying they were caught off-guard by the deluge which came in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt has come to the defence of the national weather forecaster.
"There are sometimes weather systems that even with the best will in the world and the best possible science, can't be absolutely predicted, down to the precise detail. But the fact is that I was certainly seeing warnings, on the general media, on social media, from the Bureau of Meteorology, for days leading up to this event, that we were facing life-threatening flash-flooding. That was there for all people to see."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to visit the afflicted areas on Thursday to view the scope of the damage inflicted by the floods.
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The federal government has come under fire from the Opposition for not seeking a continued detention order that would keep convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika behind bars.
After two decades in prison, Benbrika, who was convicted of plotting to blow up the MCG in 2005, is a free man.
His release came after Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth ruled in the Victorian Supreme Court that he will be subject to strict conditions.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has slammed the government's handling of the situation.
"This is not good enough. And it's not good enough that the Prime Minister cannot reassure Australians about their safety in the lead up to Christmas. We lock the terrorists up, Labor lets them out."
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Chris Luxon is set for his first international trip as Prime Minister of New Zealand, touching down in Sydney today.
Mr Luxon will be hosted by his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese with the two leaders set to discuss a number of issues.
At the top of the agenda is the matter of deportations, with Mr Luxon declaring that it must be resolved.
Data shows the number of deportees from Australia to New Zealand has decreased significantly in the last couple of years, with many accrediting this to the change of government in Australia.
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The United States is under pressure not to veto an upcoming vote by the United Nations Security Council on a resolution calling for an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The vote has been postponed until today to allow for revisions.
The US has called on Israel to make the war more surgical and to take better care of civilians in Gaza.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his Labor government has put a focus on strengthening relations with other nations and especially those in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a speech to the Lowy Institute, Mr Albanese has said the government is investing in its foreign policy, hoping to reap the benefits of that investment.
He says this diplomatic approach is based on the belief that Australia has a significant role to play in global events.
"Through our first 18 months in office, our government's approach to Australia's foreign policy and our national security has been defined by a complimentary focus on investing in both our capabilities, but also investing in our relationships. Investing in our deterrence and our diplomacy. This reflects our recognition of Australia's interests."
The prime minister has said while the nation faced complex choices, it should not lose sight that this period of time remained one of profound opportunity.
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In cricket, Australian duo Mitchell Starc an Pat Cummins have smashed the record for the highest paid player in the history of the Indian Premier League auction.
Australia captain Pat Cummins was initially bought for a whopping $3.67 million by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the auction in Dubai on Tuesday night.
That amount was broken just a few hours later by teammate Mitchell Starc, who was snapped up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for $4.42 million, after a bidding war with the Gujarat Titans.
Cummins is set to team up with World Cup hero Travis Head after the explosive left-hander was also snapped up by the Sunrisers for $1.22 million.
