TRANSCRIPT
The Liberal and National parties have struck a deal to reunite, just a week after their coalition split.
Last Tuesday, the Nationals ended its long standing partnership with the Liberals in the aftermath of a landslide election loss to Labor.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud said his party needed guarantees from the Liberals over four policies, including nuclear power, a regional investment fund, powers to break up big supermarkets and telecommunications coverage to reform a coalition.
The parties have come to an agreement on those issues.
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The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has hit back at calls to impose sanctions on Israel after the U-K, Canada and France threatened to impose their own.
Mr Albanese says Australia makes its own decisions on the matter.
Labor party M-P and former cabinet minister Ed Husic is making calls for specific action, such as ramping up aid into Gaza, calling in Israel’s ambassador, and sanctioning the Israeli government.
Rank and file Labor members have also made specific suggestions such as sanctioning individuals and groups involved in the forced displacement of Palestinians, targeting of hospitals and schools, and the killing of aid workers and journalists.
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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has signalled that a ban on carrying machetes could be brought foward as a ban on sale of the weapons is imposed today [[28/05]].
Following a violent brawl at a shopping centre in Melbourne's north, Ms Allan brought forward the initial September deadline to ban sales but stopped short of fast-tracking a ban on carrying the weapon.
Now, the premier says the ban on carrying could be brought forward if locked disposal boxes at 40 police stations are ready before the deadline.
Ms Allan says she is always open to any measures improving community safety.
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The Dja Dja Wurrung people of central Victoria have become the first Traditional Owner group to begin the process of local treaty making in the state.
NITV is reporting that the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation - or DJAARA - has registered with Victoria's Treaty Authority, which formally signals their readiness to begins treaty talks with the state government.
DJAARA has released a statement saying it is now forming a Delegation to negotiate the treaty, and will consult with Community on what they want the agreement to contain.
After that, the Victorian Government would then be formally invited to begin negotiations.
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The inflation rate has held steady, contrary to the expectations of many economists, who had expected a rise.
The monthly Consumer Price Index has remained at 2.4 per cent in the year ending April.
A sharp rise in egg prices put upwards pressure on inflation, but this was tempered by falling electricity costs.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says this is welcome news.
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In tennis, Novak Djokovic is through to the second round of the French Open, after a straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory over American Mackenzie McDonald.
The roof on centre court was closed during the match after Djokovic complained that rain was starting to dampen the court, a situation he says stopped him from being at his best.
The second round of the tournament begins tonight [[wed 28 may]], with two Australians in action.
Ajla Tomljanovic faces a tough match in the women's singles against the fourth seed, italian Jasmine Paolini, whilst in the men's, 25th seed Alexei Popyrin will take on Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.
