TRANSCRIPT
- A Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal to take effect
- Hate speech laws in New South Wales to be strengthened
- And in Tennis, Aryna Sabalenka advances to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is hopeful a Gaza ceasefire deal will hold.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will come into effect within hours, bringing with it a six-week pause to 15 months of fighting.
The deal also involves the release of 33 Israeli hostages and 1,890 Palestinian prisoners.
There is also a term specifying an increase in aid deliveries to 600 trucks a day.
The three-phase agreement also includes a broad outline to tackle issues such as a full Israeli troop withdrawal and the reconstruction of Gaza further down the line.
Mr Albanese says it is important the terms of the deal are upheld.
"Well, we're certainly hopeful, as I think the world is that this ceasefire holds. It is what the world has wanted to see. And it is good that it has occurred and it will come into place. We want to see hostages released. We want to see proper aid be able to get to people of Gaza. And we want Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in peace and security."
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The pre-election campaigning continues, with Opposition leader Peter Dutton addressing voters at a rally in Brisbane, announcing a policy of tax-deductible lunches for small businesses.
After criticising federal government's economic policies during a cost-of-living crisis, Mr Dutton outlined a plan for small businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million to access a yearly tax deduction of up to $20,000 for taking clients out to restaurants, cafes and pubs.
It won't cover alcohol.
Mr Dutton says he sees clear benefits to the plan.
"Small business is in our DNA. And we want to help those businesses survive Labor's time in office. We want other small businesses to spend more at their local cafes, clubs and pubs. And if they can take their employees - or indeed a customer to celebrate a milestone sales event, or acknowledgement for above and beyond hard work. Or a team-building exercise then it is a win-win for both businesses. It will help retention and provide a reward to employees."
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New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says hate speech laws will be strengthened after a series of antisemitic incidents, including attacks on synagogues and damage to a prominent Jewish leader’s former home on Friday.
New South Wales Police have also reported an increase in Islamophobic attacks, which are being investigated as hate crimes.
Mr Minns says those preaching hatred in the community will face tougher laws once state parliament returns.
"The initial spark is hate speech in our community. And our government is going to make a decision - a difficult decision but the right one, I believe - to strengthen hate speech laws in New South Wales. So that if someone is preaching hatred in the community. It doesn't manifest itself two or three months later in a firebombing or an attack or something worse."
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TikTok users say they are scrambling to make alternative plans, as a law banning the Chinese-owned app is set to take effect in the United States.
Almost half of the country's population are TikTok users.
Under a law passed last year - and upheld on Friday by the Supreme Court - the platform has until the end of the weekend to cut ties with its China-based parent ByteDance or shut down its US operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security.
TikTok creator Joe Andaloro says it has been stressful thinking about what happens next.
"TikTok has provided a life, a livelihood after losing my job in mainstream media. I have been able to pivot and have a platform to gather news and to even brand myself as the ‘joy.of.everything’. I cover everything - breaking news in Los Angeles, and celebrity content, as well as entertainment through a comedic and pop culture lens. It’s really allowed me to just have a community of supporters who I actually really consider as friends."
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And to sport, in Tennis, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is one step closer to winning a third consecutive title, after defeating Russia's Mirra Andreeva to take her place in the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Sabalenka took just over an hour to beat Andreeva 6-1 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena.
The 26-year-old has now won 18 hardcourt matches in a row, the youngest player to do so since Serena Williams in 2004.
She says she is happy with how she has adjusted to the 30-plus degree heat.
"Previous days was such tough conditions. The ball was so heavy. You had to really swing hard the ball. And I don't know, I think I was swinging too hard. And today, I came out on the court. And I was just trying to put the ball back. And the ball is flying like a rocket now. I don't know. I am super happy with the level today. I hope the conditions help me. And I hope it is going to be the same until the end of the tournament and it is going to help me in the same way."
