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TRANSCRIPT:
- The US President declares America's operation in Iran is close to completion;
- Anthony Albanese says war in the Middle East will not delay ambitious economic reform;
- Melbourne Storm's Tui Kamikamica begins rehab after a suspected stroke.
Donald Trump has given a televised address to the United States on the war in Iran, declaring the US military has nearly completed its goals - and that the conflict will soon be ending.
Amid a backdrop of a war-wary American public and sliding approval ratings, the US President has declared Iran's navy and air forces have been devastated, along with its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
He maintains the operation is expected to conclude within 2 to 3 weeks - but says the US is prepared for a substantial intensification of strikes without a ceasefire deal soon.
"We're going to hit them extremely hard. Over the next two to three weeks, we're going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing. Regime change was not our goal. We never said regime change, but regime change has occurred because of all of their original leaders' death. They're all dead. The new group is less radical and much more reasonable."
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken to the National Press Club in Canberra to deliver his own remarks on the conflict.
He's described the war as a "testing time" for Australia, drawing a clear line between sympathy for the mission's original goals and his commitment that the nation is not planning active involvement in the fighting.
He argues there is no clear case for a longer war - and that greater economic damage will be inflicted if the conflict drags out.
The PM says the situation must not delay reform in the upcoming May budget.
"Because we will not generate the same prosperity or create the same opportunities if we continue to rely on an economic model designed in a different time and built for a more predictable world."
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The PM has also made a major announcement at the Press Club on gambling reform.
A range of new rules will be introduced, including that celebrities and sportspeople will no longer be allowed to promote gambling on TV, radio or online as part of a long-awaited and wide-ranging crackdown on betting ads.
In addition, all gambling ads will be banned during live TV sport broadcasts between 6am and 8.30pm.
The Prime Minister says the new rules come into effect at the start of 2027 in a bid to limit gambling harm - especially to children.
"We are getting the balance right. Letting adults have a punt if they want to, but making sure that our children don't see betting ads everywhere they look."
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Australia's state and territory leaders have agreed on a plan to hand back G-S-T revenue to help protect motorists from surging fuel prices.
Under the agreement, the states and territories will forgo $400 million in additional G-S-T revenue generated by higher petrol costs.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook says that will fund an additional 5.7 cents a litre drop at the bowser, on top of the federal government's existing 26 cents a litre cut.
"That will provide significant cost of living relief to motorists, households, and industry. And there's a very important way that we can assist people deal with the challenges as a result of the conflict in Iran."
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India's parliament has approved a new bill that LGBTIQ+ groups fear will roll back key protections for transgender people.
The legislation narrows the legal definition of transgender individuals, and introduces a certification process that requires approval from medical boards - and additional hurdles for gender-affirming procedures.
Authorities say the changes are meant to strengthen safeguards against exploitation and trafficking.
But opposition leaders and rights groups argue the bill runs counter to a landmark 2014 Supreme Court ruling that recognised transgender people's right to self-identify.
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Australian space scientists are preparing for their first viewing of the Artemis 2 lunar voyager, after its successful launch from Florida earlier today.
The spacecraft is carrying components made by a South Australian machining company, making it the first time Australian made parts have been sent to the moon.
Tyson Jones is Mission Lead at Adelaide-based aerospace organisation Southern Launch.
He says they are providing support with tracking the space craft's speed and path.
"We aren't going to see it until around 1:00 AM tonight, and then there's going to be a few passes here and there as the vehicle transitions into their orbits and then out to the moon and back. So we're playing it by ear as to when we might be able to see this. We'll see it as it goes out and then we will probably catch it on the way back in as well."
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To sport and in NRL news,
Melbourne Storm's Tui Kamikamica has been discharged from Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a suspected stroke at home earlier in the week.
The 31 year old is expected to begin the next stage of his recovery at an inpatient clinic, with the club aiming for him to then integrate back into their own rehabilitation program.
The club has not put a timeline on the front rower's return to the field in a statement but a comeback in the short term appears unlikely.
