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TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Sam Dover.
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The federal government says the prices of 30 essential items, including flour, milk, cereal and fresh fruit will be capped in regional and remote areas of Australia.
The government has announced it will help close the gap in health and wellbeing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, told the ABC the price limits aim to reduce the cost of living in these remote areas.
"Well, this is actually more about reducing the extra cost in remote and regional Australia. It's largely due to food supply chains. You would have seen - and we do currently - with flooding, with extreme temperatures. We see roads cut off. We see bridges collapse. There are usually lots of issues that create difficulties for those food supplies to get into our communities across the country."
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Meanwhile, Australian politicians are deciding how to respond to news that United States President Donald Trump will bring in 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.
Mr Trump also says the US plans to impose two-way tariffs on countries that put any import duties on US goods.
The federal government says it is attempting to confirm that Australia will not be subject to these tariffs, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese scheduled to talk with Mr Trump.
Nationals leader David Littleproud says it will be a test for Anthony Albanese and ambassord to the US Kevin Rudd.
"We have a very compelling story. We just signed a cheque for over $500 million for AUKUS, we are actually coming forward with the good for the United States in terms of that AUKUS agreement, we are paying our own way, but this is a test, this is a test to see whether Anthony Albanese's previous remarks and Kevin Rudd's previous remarks about President Trump has done this nation harm."
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Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the federal government will consider further options to help those on low incomes who are dealing with housing stress.
A new report by the Grattan Institute finds that some retirees are being left behind as home ownership becomes more difficult to achieve.
Two-thirds of retirees who are currently renting live in poverty, including more than three out of four single women who live alone.
The report's lead author, Brendan Coates, says the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance must be increased by 40 to 50 per cent.
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In Tennis, Australian Alex De Minaur has been beaten by Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz in the Rotterdam Open final, telling the audience he has learnt a lot from the tournament.
World-number-three Alcaraz won the title, defeating de Minaur in three sets 6-4 3-6 6-2.
After his performance in the tournament, De Minaur now rises to number six on the official rankings — the equal highest of his career.
He says he is growing as an athlete and a person all the time.
"For my team, they have been there from the very beginning. We're pushing for bigger and better things. We've made great improvements. To everyone that is here - and to everyone who is back home, family, friends. A lot of improvements in my game over the last couple of year. And I am going to keep pushing for more. And it has been two years now with this runner up trophy (crowd laughs). I am hoping I will get my hand on the winner' one one day. So thank you guys! (crowd roars in approval)"
That is SBS News in Easy English, I'm Sam Dover.
