TRANSCRIPT:
- Penny Wong says the U-N's current course of action in the Middle East is not working;
- One dead after a category four hurricane makes landfall in the US;
- Thousands descend on Melbourne for this year's A-F-L grand final parade.
Anthony Albanese has expressed frustration with his Israeli counterpart after Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire across the Lebanon border.
Netanyahu says Israel will maintain its offensive against Hezbollah at full power, which includes a bombing campaign that has killed over 700 people since Monday.
But Mr Albanese says the Israeli leader must not go down that path.
"I say to Prime Minister Netanyahu that he needs to listen to the international community, just like the other players in that region need to listen to the international community. The calls are very clear when you have the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, other nations, all calling for a de-escalation of this conflict."
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Penny Wong has addressed the United Nations Security Council in New York during an open debate on international peace.
She has reiterated Australia's calls for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza.
And the Senator says a two-state solution, that allows Palestine and Israel to exist side by side, is necessary to end the cycle of violence.
"President, the world demands a ceasefire in Gaza. The international community – including the Security Council - must work together to pave a path to lasting peace...We cannot wait for the parties to do this themselves; we cannot allow any party to obstruct the prospect of peace."
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The US says it's also frustrated with Israel's rejection of its ceasefire proposal.
The White House says the plan took a lot of care and effort.
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now says Israeli teams have had meetings to discuss the U.S. ceasefire proposals with Lebanon and will continue discussions in the days ahead.
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Hurricane Helene has now made landfall in the US state of Florida, raising fears of deaths, widespread damage and flooding.
Authorities say the storm has already claimed one life, a man who died after a sign fell on the roadway he was on near Tampa.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says the hurricane is expected to strengthen as it moves over land, and that people need to be hunkering down.
"Once we start to get the real nasty conditions, don't at that point go on the roadways. That is very hazardous. That does produce fatalities when people do that in the middle of the storm. If you are sheltering at home, be cognisant of what trees are around you."
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A rideshare driver has been charged over a crash in Sydney earlier this year that killed a father and his daughter.
Police allege the 52 year old made a dangerous right-hand turn in front of oncoming traffic in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Milperra in May.
His two passengers - a 12-year-old girl and her 41-year-old dad - died in the crash.
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A union has rallied in Brisbane over concerns the Coalition will revoke rights to abortion if elected.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has ruled out a review of the legislation in the first term of his government, if he wins power in the next state election.
But Queensland Unions general secretary Jacqueline King says history shows otherwise.
Ms King says the party voted against a bill to decriminalise abortion in 2018 and went to the 2020 poll pledging a review of the laws.
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Jim Chalmers has raised China's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific during critical talks with economic policy-makers in Beijing.
The treasurer says Australia's passage through the strait was not discussed during the meeting.
But he says he communicated Australia's expectations of safe and professional military conduct in the region.
"Australia, like other countries in our region and around the world, has a lot at stake when it comes to a stable, secure, peaceful and prosperous region. It's not unusual for navies to conduct the kind of exercises that you're describing in the Taiwan Strait. These are routine activities, and they're conducted in accordance with international law. That wasn't part of our discussions."
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In A-F-L news,
Thousands of fans have cheered on the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans in the annual grand final parade before Saturday's deciding match.
The parade took a new route this year, with players and coaches travelling via motorcade from Melbourne Park Oval, and finishing at Yarra Park.
It's the first time in 18 years that two non-Victorian teams are contesting the premiership.
But Victorian Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos says that's a good thing, and these fans agree.
"It's just an amazing moment, and for us people, who support the Swans, and obviously for the two teams, but we're here, and we support all the way, and as I said, it's just just an amazing feeling."
