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TRANSCRIPT
- The prime minister to deliver a rare televised address to the nation on the local impacts of the war in the Middle East
- Donald Trump says the US attacks on Iran will end in two or three weeks
- Celebrations as Nestory Irankunda scores two goals to help the Socceroos win against Curacao
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is to deliver an Address to the Nation at 7pm Eastern Daylight time to be broadcast live across all TV and radio networks simultaneously.
In the address, the Prime Minister is expected to outline the Government’s response to the Middle East conflict and encourage Australians to play their part, including by saving fuel for the areas and industries that most need it.
The Prime Minister's office notes that previous prime ministers' National Addresses have been made on topics including the COVID-19 pandemic and Global Financial Crisis.
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President Donald Trump says the US will be done attacking Iran in 2 to 3 weeks.
Mr Trump recently has vacillated between insisting there is progress in diplomatic talks with Iran and threatening to widen the war.
He says the US may strike a deal with Iran before the next few weeks are up; but if that doesn't happen, the US military could launch further attacks, including targeting bridges.
He also says the US should not have responsibility for ensuring maritime traffic moves through the Strait of Hormuz unimpeded.
"I think that the people understand it. We'll be leaving very soon. And if France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, they'll go up through the Strait and the Hormuz Strait... What happens to the Strait, we're not going to have anything to do with because these countries, China, China will go up and they'll fuel up their beautiful ships and they will leave and they take care of themselves. There's no reason for us to do it."
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The federal government has announced measures to help small businesses hit by cost pressures and supply chain disruptions triggered by the war in the Middle East.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Australian Tax Office has agreed to provide temporary relief for small businesses that are unable to meet their tax obligations due to fuel supply issues.
The measures include: more generous payment plans, remission of interest and penalties, and support in varying PAYG instalments where there has been a downturn in taxable income.
Mr Chalmers says treasury has modelled scenarios on the potential impacts of the war so the government can co-ordinate and form the best response.
"This war can't end soon enough. But the consequences will linger for longer. And that is why in the interim, we're working very closely together to try and shield Australians from the worst the world can throw at us. And part of that work is going through a whole range of scenarios and modelling to help inform the work that we're do from hour to hour and day to day. But also to inform the budget forecasts."
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Families hoping to get away over Easter are unlikely to get cheaper petrol before the long weekend - and those in regional Australia could be waiting weeks for relief.
The federal government has cut wholesale fuel prices by 26 cents a litre in a bid to head off the worst economic effects of the Middle East war.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury says the change would not be felt straight away because service stations needed to sell all their older, higher-taxed stock before bringing in the cheaper fuel.
He says that process could take a day or two for high-turnover metro stations to two or more weeks for some regional sites.
Nationals MP Sam Birrell says he welcomes the cut to the fuel excise, and he hopes petrol stations pass on the cut.
"I think it will have a meaningful impact. And that is why we suggested it last week. I live in a regional area (electorate of Nicholls in northern Victoria). People spend an enormous amount on fuel. And 20 cents, 25 cents less per litre is significant. The issue that we have is the government did not offset it with anything. So I worry that that might be inflationary. But anyway. It's a good thing that it is coming off."
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An American freelance journalist has been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
US officials say they believe one of the suspects is linked to an Iran-backed militia.
The US State Department says it had warned the journalist of security risks and is working to ensure the American's release "as soon as possible".
Iraq's interior ministry says security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping.
One of the news outlets that employed the journalist has named her as Shelly Kittleson.
Al-Monitor says it is deeply alarmed by the kidnapping - and calls for her safe and immediate release.
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In football, Nestory Irankunda has scored twice to help propel the Socceroos to a 5-1 win against Curaçao in Melbourne.
The 20-year-old has been named player of the FIFA Series, something which he says has only motivated him to continue to improve ahead of the World Cup.
Irankunda celebrated scoring the Socceroos’ fourth and fifth goals with a Michael Jackson-style dance, as well as backflips.
Born to a Burundian mother in a refugee camp in Tanzania, Irankunda was called up to Australia's national side at just 17 years of age in 2023.
He has told Channel Ten, he dedicates his goals to his family.
"The goals were for them. We'll just say that. The goals were for them. And obviously for my mother and my dad that are in the stands; and my two younger sisters; and my two older brothers. And also my group (fans). It's great to score in front of family again. And I just enjoy playing in front of the crowd. They hype me and they hype the team as well."
