Minister for Housing Clare O'Neill says the government stands by its decision to place the construction union into administration, as workers shut down construction sites today [[27 Aug]] to protest against the decision.
The minister says the industry needs a functioning and reliable union in order to address a critical housing shortage across the country.
It comes as Minister O'Neill is meeting with territory leaders today to discuss the issue, with the government looking to build 1.2 million homes over five years across the country.
She's told Channel Nine the government is trying to address the housing issue.
"We're in the middle of a housing crisis here, and the big answer to that crisis is that we need to build more homes. To do that, we absolutely need a construction sector, which is working as efficiently and fairly as possible, and that's a part of the picture here. More homes means more affordable housing for Australians. Today I am talking to states and territories about how we can meet that target, what they need from the Commonwealth, and what the Commonwealth needs from the states in order to make it happen."
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expressing deep concern over the conflict between Lebanon and Israel along the Blue Line.
His spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, says the Secretary-General is urging both sides to cease fire and comply with international resolutions.
Mr Dujarric says both sides are at risk in the conflict.
"And moving to Lebanon, you will have seen that on Sunday we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General expressed his deep concern at the exchanges of fire that are taking place across the Blue Line. These actions, he said, put both the Lebanese and Israeli populations at risk, as well as threatening regional security and stability. He called for an immediate de-escalation. Following yesterday's worrying escalation, peacekeepers in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon) continue to observe exchanges of fire across the Blue Line."
The United Nations has forecast that Pacific communities face dozens of days each year battling floods caused by climate change.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a report at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga.
The Surging Seas In A Warming World report suggests five settlements around the Pacific would see annual floods increase by the 2050s.
Mr Guterres said at the forum that 'a worldwide catastrophe is putting this Pacific paradise in peril'.
The United Nations says the burst dam which resulted in flooding and left at least 30 people dead is also expected to impact critical water supplies.
Heavy rains overwhelmed the Arbaat Dam, wiping out at least 20 villages, just 40 kilometres north of Port Sudan.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric addressed the incident in a press briefing.
"Our humanitarian partners and local authorities are assessing the affected areas and will have additional clarity on the extent of the damage in the coming days. The Arbaat Dam is a crucial facility in Port Sudan, serving as a primary source of freshwater for the city. The reported damage is expected to have a substantial impact on water supplies to Port Sudan, worsening the humanitarian situation."
And in tennis,
Alexei Popyrin has become the first Australian winner on day one of the US Open in New York.
Popyrin cruised past Sonwoon Kwon, eventually arriving safely in the second round with a 7-5 6-2 6-3 win in just over two hours.
Seeded for the first time at a grand slam, Popyrin's victory edged the 25-year-old to within one more win of a likely third-round blockbuster with defending champion Novak Djokovic.
The day wasn't as lucky for Kim Birrell who was the first Australian to be knocked out of the tournament, falling 6-4 6-4 to Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic - the women's 24th seed.
