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TRANSCRIPT
- US President Donald Trump says he won't be rushed to end the war in the Middle East
- The government says building new refineries not a solution to current fuel pressures
- Penrith prepare to take on the Knights in Newcastle.
United States President, Donald Trump, says he won't be rushed to end the war in the Middle East, despite exceeding the four to six-week deadline aides previously set for finishing the conflict.
The standoff between the U.S. and Iran has effectively choked off nearly all exports through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 percent of the world’s traded oil passes in peacetime, with no end in sight.
President Trump says Americans may be paying a higher price for fuel but in exchange Iran will not have nuclear weapons.
In an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office, President Trump has said the war will continue for a "little while" longer.
TRUMP:"Vietnam. How many years was Vietnam, how many was Vietnam?"
REPORTER: "I understand, sir, but you are past your six week deadline. So I'm just wondering - I'm just wondering what you say to the American people who are wondering the length of this operation."
TRUMP: "Well, I did my...I took. I took the country out militarily in the first four weeks. I took it out militarily. Now all we're doing is sitting back and seeing what deal. And if they don't want to make a deal, then I'll finish it up militarily with the other 25 percent of the targets. We've hit 78 percent of the targets that we've wanted to hit."
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Staying in the US ...
The country has approved the first major submarine contract under the AUKUS security deal.American company Electric Boat will build the vessel in a deal worth $A275 million.
Under the AUKUS agreement signed in 2021, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines with support from the UK and the US.
The deal also includes co-operation on military technology.
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Trade Minister Don Farrell says building new refineries isn't a solution to current fuel pressures. He says Australia now has 46 days of fuel available, including two new shipments of diesel making up 100 million litres in total.
Minister Farrell says 50 million litres of this will go to regional Queensland - including Townsville, Gladstone and Mackay.
He says the government will consider building new refineries in the future, but it won't help the current situation.
"I suppose the obvious point to make about these refineries, if you were to build a new one then it's going to take quite some years to build them. We've got an immediate problem with the war in the Middle East that requires immediate action. So our priorities right at the moment are about securing fuel, whether it be petrol, diesel or airline fuel."
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Leader of the Nationals, Matt Canavan, says a 25 per cent tax on gas exports would kill the industry.Calls are continuing for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports in the May budget, as a Greens-led Senate inquiry questions industry executives today about the issue.Mr Canavan says that figure it too high.
"How does any business withstand a 25 per cent tax on their revenues, that's not explained, he's making a case they could get more tax revenue but the prognosis, the prescription that Davd is suggesting wouldn’t kill the Australian gas industry and that's not surprising because David Pocock does not support gas production and if you take gas production to 0, the tax revenue is also 0, doesn't matter what rate, 25, 50, 75 per cent rate."
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Preparations are underway across the country for Anzac Day tomorrow.
New South Wales Police say there will be 450 officers in the Sydney CBD to help manage the expected large crowds.
Dawn services will take place in many communities as the sun rises, before mid-morning commemorations - and in the afternoon two-up will be played in venues - a game that is illegal every other day of the year.
Minister for Veterans, David Harris has urged everyone to take time to remember, no matter what their plans are.
"we're really bouyed by the fact that more and more young people are turning out on Anzac Day and supporting our veteran community. So the message is, take time out, if you can't get to one of the organised events, at 11am , whatever you're doing, stop and think about those who gave their lives in service of our country, those who returned and of course their families who also made a sacrifice on behalf of our nation."
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To sport and in the NRL,
Penrith centre Casey McLean says he is looking forward to Sunday's game against the Knights in Newcastle.
The 20-year-old is returning to play after a one-week suspension for a high shot which left Canterbury prop Max King with a broken jaw.
The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games against the Knights.
McLean says he is not underestimating his opponents.
"Big challenge. Those boys - they have never stood down. They're in excellent form this year. They're proving I suppose a lot of people wrong. But you have got to respect everyone you verse. This is going to be a really tough challenge coming."
