** More suspected cases of bird flu ** The Greens fear proposed cuts to the NDIS will lead to deaths And at the World Cup... ** Scotland eyes World Cup history against Brazil
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TRANSCRIPT
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has confirmed a third positive result for H5N1 bird flu in South Australia, as well as another suspected case in Western Australia.
The confirmed case is the first to be identified in South Australia and Premier Peter Malinauskas says anyone who sees unwell or dead birdlife should report it immediately.
Both the confirmed and suspected case were found in migratory seabirds and Ms Collins says there remains no sign of the disease in the agriculture sector.
She says the government is well prepared in their response to bird flu.
"As I've said in recent days, I do want to assure the Australians that our government's bird flu response is still swift and coordinated, and that we've enacted our biosecurity response arrangements. We've been working closely with state and territory governments who are managing the on-ground response, including in this new detection in South Australia. Of course, we'll continue to work with the states to confirm further test results and to provide updates as results become available."
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US President Donald Trump says Iran is making very big concessions in initial peace talks with the United States.
The two sides have agreed a roadmap towards a permanent agreement within 60 days at the talks in the Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock.
The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks, and officials have reported a sustained lull in fighting in Lebanon under the agreement aimed at ending hostilities across the region.
President Trump says it's going well.
“The war is going very well. As you know, we're winning by a lot. Iran is making very big concessions. We'll see what happens, but it's been very, very, very powerful. It's going very, very well.”
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Greens leader Larissa Waters says her party is worried proposed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme could lead to people dying.
A Labor-led Senate inquiry examining the proposed NDIS cuts has been extended until August 14 in exchange for the Green's backing the federal government's tax reforms.
The changes to the NDIS would see more than 200,000 people removed from the scheme over four years for a saving of 38 billion dollars.
Greens leader Larissa Waters says her party has managed to convince the government to remove some of what she calls the worst parts of the bill and she's promising to fight for more concessions.
"Well, we managed to shave off some of the worst and cruellest parts of this bill as an insurance, if you like, against the Labor and Liberal parties just deciding that they really do want to punch down on disabled people. So, we've made some changes there that will make these cuts slightly less cruel but they are still cruel cuts and we will still oppose them."
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A new report from the United Nations has confirmed that under international law, Australia cannot avoid legal responsibility for people it sends offshore.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants says governments "cannot avoid responsibility by contracting out their obligations to other States, international organisations or private entities.”
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre says the offshore detention regime relies on shifting responsibility for asylum seekers to Nauru and private contractors.
Deputy CEO of ASRC Jana Favero says the report confirms the current system is inhumane.
"Given that this is a report on the back of numerous other reports and recommendations over the past decade, the only humane thing to do that upholds international law is to end our harmful policy of offshore detention. We need to bring everyone who is currently there to Australia and make sure that they have permanency and opportunity to proceed through the legal processes in the community in Australia, because they sought asylum here."
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the majority of Australians support her call for the country to be monocultural and not multicultural.
She told the Senate she's far from being the only public figure that's rejected multiculturalism and listed some prominent opponents, including former prime minister John Howard and historian Geoffrey Blainey.
Senator Hanson says Australian monoculture is actually inclusive covering all manner of difference.
"Australian monoculture is not exclusive. It is welcoming. It is an umbrella which covers all manner of difference. It's not a dirty word. Oh, now let me remember: Didn't we change our national anthem from young and free to one and free, that's right. Australia doesn't drag people kicking and screaming to its shores. People from other places choose to come here. Actually, they're lining up. They choose to be Australian."
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To Sport, and the FIFA World Cup:
Scotland's World Cup team is chasing history, looking to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after eight previous group-stage exits.
They take on powerhouse Brazil in Florida this morning.
Scotland’s supporters have already made their presence known, marching through cities like Miami and Boston with bagpipes, beers and the feel of a rolling street party more than a traditional soccer scene.
Now, the team hopes to match that energy on the field against powerhouse Brazil. It won’t be easy.
Scottish fan Chris Martin says that would be a dream come true.
"Excited for the game against Brazil today. Brazil in the World Cup is what you dream of. So if we can get a result today, yeah, it's dreamland and then on to I think Mexico in the next round. So that'd be great."
