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TRANSCRIPT:
- Sussan Ley formally leaves federal parliament, triggering a by-election in Farrer
- New standards for childcare centres introduced
- Mary Fowler returns from an ACL injury, ready for the Matildas' Asian Cup kickoff.
Sussan Ley has formally resigned from parliament, triggering a by-election in her regional New South Wales seat of Farrer just two weeks after she was deposed as opposition leader.
Ms Ley has released a statement saying she has written to the Speaker to advise her resignation will take immediate effect, and that she will not return for a valedictory speech.
She has said her 25 years of efforts and achievements would "speak for themselves".
A date for the by-election is yet to be set, but it is expected to be a hotly contested four-way race between the Liberals, Nationals, One Nation and independent Michelle Milthorpe in what could be the first major test of Angus Taylor's leadership.
There is fresh speculation about potential measures on negative gearing, amid a spiralling housing affordability crisis.
Reports suggest Treasury has been modelling options including a possible two-property limit on the tax deduction, alongside previously discussed changes to the Capital Gains Tax discount.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is aware of affordability pressures and intergenerational issues in the tax system.
He has declined to rule out the proposals, only saying Labor's policies have not changed at this point.
"It's not unusual this far out from the Budget that the Treasury would be considering other options and other next steps. But they would - as always - any further steps along those lines would be a matter for Cabinet, in the usual way."
Childcare and early education services are to have four weeks to provide staff details to a new national register that has come into effect, designed to help law enforcement track workers across centres and jurisdictions.
The register will consolidate Working with Children Checks, qualifications and other identification records following reports of child abuse in the sector.
In addition, more than 100,000 employees across Australia have already registered for mandatory child-safety training for staff in the early learning sector.
Education Minister Jason Clare says the initiatives have been driven by concerns over serious crimes in childcare centres.
"I don't need to remind anybody about the shocking allegations that every Australian learned about last year, allegations of serious crimes being committed in our childcare centres. It shocked the country - it sickened the country. It shocked and it sickened me."
A group of traditional owners in the Northern Territory have been awarded millions of dollars in compensation for the cultural and economic losses caused by a massive mine on their land.
Justice Katrina Banks-Smith has awarded $54 million compensation for cultural losses experienced by the Gudanji, Yanyuwa and Yanyuwa-Marra peoples over the McArthur River Mine on their pastoral lease.
The Traditional Owners had taken the Northern Territory government to the Federal Court in 2020, alleging authorities had frustrated their fight against the mine.
They say they have consistently fought to stop development at the site, while the Territory government has repeatedly passed legislation approving more growth.
Comedian Magda Szubanski has announced her rare blood cancer is now in remission.
The Kath and Kim star has shared the news on her Instagram account, nine months after being diagnosed with stage-four of the a rare and fast-moving blood cancer, mantle cell lymphoma.
Best known for winning the hearts of Australians as the sporty, unlucky-in-love Sharon Strzelecki in sitcom Kath and Kim, Szubanski says she is eternally grateful to her medical team and public well-wishers.
"I also wanted to say a special huge thank you to all of you for the love and support. It was just like a tsunami coming at me and honestly, I swear to God, it helped me not only emotionally, but I think it also really helped me physically too. I felt so loved up and cared for."
To sport now,
And Matildas star Mary Fowler says Australia's heat is helping defrost her knees after a long ACL injury layoff ahead of the Women's Asian Cup.
Fowler spent nine months sidelined before gradually returning to club football, rebuilding fitness through late-season appearances.
She says time away from the game gave her a fresh perspective and renewed appreciation for playing football.
Australia begins its Asian Cup campaign against the Philippines on Sunday.
