TRANSCRIPT:
- Strong reactions follow the government response to a damning Australian war crimes report;
- Major reforms on the way for the aged care sector;
- Australian rugby star James O'Connor not returning to Queensland.
Independent Jacqui Lambie has blasted the government following its decision to strip a group of senior soldiers of their Afghanistan war medals and citations.
The decision has been taken on the back of the Brereton war crimes inquiry, which found credible evidence of murder and torture committed by Australian troops.
The Tasmanian Senator says the timing of this announcement is "atrocious", as the decision comes just days after a final report was released from the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicides.
"And in the meantime we have a military justice report out there, a review that was done that Richard Marles has had now for six months. It took three months to do. And he won't release that report. We have a problem with leadership in our military, and until they start to do something about that, this will continue to stay dysfunctional."
Defence Minister Richard Marles says he is deeply disappointed in the conduct exposed by the war crimes inquiry.
He has told Parliament he will not be publicising the names of those whose honours have been removed - but that responsibility will be taken.
"This will always be a matter of national shame. At the same time, the Brereton report, its recommendations, and the actions of successive governments in implementing these recommendations, are a demonstration to the Australian people and to the world that Australia is a country which holds itself accountable."
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The federal government has reached a deal on reforms to the aged care sector that it says will ensure its long term viability.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says they have the Coalition's agreement on a $5.6 billion package.
It will include a home care package called Support at Home, which will come into effect from July 2025 to help an estimated 1.4 million older Australians in a decade's time, to live independently in their home before going into aged care.
There will also be a regulator with stronger investigative powers.
The PM has called the changes the "greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years".
"At the heart of our government's aged care reforms are a simple set of principles: providing dignity, choice, respect and quality of care to older Australians... This is about caring for the generation that cared for us."
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Families who lost loved-ones in a deadly bus crash have launched a class-action lawsuit as the driver responsible stares down decades in prison.
They are part of a separate class action filed in the New South Wales Supreme Court, a day after the sentencing of driver Brett Button to 32 years behind bars.
The group - which also includes survivors, first responders and insurance companies - have joined forces to target the state's transport authority and the bus company.
They allege the transport authority is responsible for safety failings on the road the accident took place on, and that the bus company failed to do due diligence when hiring Button in November 2022.
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Australia has begun delivering relief supplies to Vietnam, following a deadly typhoon that's killed more than 150 people.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster has dropped off emergency supplies including shelter and hygiene kits.
Australia also plans to give Vietnam $3 million for humanitarian relief.
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A new law has been proposed that will see social media platforms placed under tighter scrutiny for allowing the spread of fake news.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority will be able to make tech companies such as Meta and X keep records and direct them to report back to the watchdog on matters relating to misinformation.
But Independent Senator David Pocock is wary, saying he is concerned the government is treading into uncharted territory.
"In Australia, without a human rights act or some sort of Bill of Rights that enshrines Freedom of Expression, we have to tread carefully when we start talking about policing misinformation and people's views. I'm concerned that this legislation is essentially putting the onus on social media companies to deal with this. I don't think there's a lot of trust in those social media companies at the moment."
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New South Wales has announced it will teach history students about the impact of colonisation on Indigenous Australians, as part of a major curriculum overhaul.
The changes will also see pupils learn about the Holocaust.
The sweeping changes will only affect high-school students and are part of several changes to the syllabus in the nation's largest education system.
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A police officer visiting from Queensland has been killed in an accident in New South Wales.
New South Wales Police says the officer's motorcycle went down an embankment near Glen Innes, four hours southwest of Byron Bay.
It happened during the Wall to Wall ride, which is an annual charity event to commemorate the sacrifice of police colleagues.
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In rugby news,
Australian rugby star James O'Connor will likely finish his career overseas after not extending his contract with the Queensland Reds.
The 34-year-old has confirmed today he won't be returning to Ballymore for the next Super Rugby Pacific season.
