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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- US President Trump says Iran's new leadership have been very reasonable as more US troops arrive in the region
- Iranian parliament considers leaving Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
- And in sport, Melbourne Storm player Tui Kamikamica is in hospital following a suspected stroke
United States President Donald Trump says Iran's new leadership have been very reasonable as more US troops arrive in the region.
Mr Trump says the US and Iran have been meeting both directly and indirectly, after Pakistan said it was prepared to mediate "meaningful" talks between Tehran and Washington.
Pakistani officials say talks between regional foreign ministers have covered ways to bring an early end to the war, and potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
Speaking to reporters, Donald Trump has said regime change has been achieved.
"I think we've had regime change. But you can't do much better than that. The regime that was really bad, really evil was the first one that was done. The second was appointed and they're gone. They're all dead, other than one who may have a little life in him. And then, they really are the third group and the third group of people that seem to be much more reasonable. It truly is regime change."
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The Prime Minister says he wants President Donald Trump to acknowledge what he called the 'devastating impact' of the war in the Middle East.
Anthony Albanese told the ABC's 7.30 programme that the world needs to see an end point, and said he wanted to see more certainty about the US objectives in Iran.
" I want to see any objective of what is to be achieved by further conflict rather than negotiation. And I want to see an end or a de-escalation, to the conflict there."
Mr Albanese says the original stated objective of the attack on Iran was to stop them getting a nuclear weapon, which he says has been clearly achieved.
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Iran's parliament is reviewing a possible departure from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran's foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made the announcement, while insisting that Iran has not and will not seek nuclear weapons.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty recognises the right to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy so long as nuclear weapons are not pursued.
In his statement, Mr Baghaeri asked what benefit there was in joining a treaty in which they are not allowed to benefit from its rights, and also allows other members to attack its nuclear facilities.
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Afghanistan and Pakistan have traded heavy fire, just days after announcing a temporary pause in fighting.
The clashes have escalated tensions in the region as Pakistan offers to host talks between Iran and the US in the coming days.
Both sides used heavy weapons and artillery, striking areas in Afghanistan's Kunar province and Pakistan's neighbouring Bajur district.
A spokesperson for Kabul's Taliban administration says at least one person was killed from Pakistan's fire, with another 16 injured.
The Pakistani military did not respond to media requests for comment.
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers has sidestepped questions about how the government plans to offset the costs of new fuel measures.
The measures are projected to cost $2.55 billion, while saving consumers 26 cents per litre on petrol and diesel, and cutting costs for trucking companies by 34 cents in the litre.
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has suggested the cuts will add to the problem of national debt, as Dr Chalmers prepares to hand down a federal budget in May.
The treasurer says the costs will be managed in that budget.
"We've found 114 billion dollars worth of offsets in less than four years, which is the kind of responsible economic management which would be unrecognisable to those opposite, Mr Speaker. Now when it comes to additional savings in the budget, we're at the end of March now. The budget is in the second week of May, and we'll continue to work through all of those decisions and deliberations in the considered and methodical, but decisive way that has been a hallmark of the responsible economic management under this government."
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Independent ACT Senator David Pocock says the government's fuel excise cuts are poor policy and will not serve the country well.
Senator Pocock cited economist Richard Holden, who says the move will drive demand and potentially drive up inflation and interest rates.
Accusing the government of capitulating to coalition pressure, he says this won't end well.
"This is short term policy making that will result in long term pain. Independent economist Saul Eslake has said the move increases the chances of a rate hike. And this morning my office met with representatives from the transport industry. Who said clearly, 'this will hurt the industry.' So it's bizarre that you have the coalition saying 'we need more fuel in the regions, we need fuel for farmers.' Thing I strongly agree with. And at the same time they’re pushing a policy which is going to increase demand in metropolitan areas."
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To sport,
Melbourne Storm player Tui Kamikamica is in hospital following a suspected stroke.
The club has confirmed the Fiji-born 31-year-old had a medical episode on Monday, and that he is in recovery after undergoing treatment.
Kamikamica's immediate playing future remains unclear.
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