TRANSCRIPT
- Voting underway in the ACT election
- New figures reveal the cost of cleaning up MP offices vandalised by protesters
- Australia's Alex de Minaur frustrated in his quest to reach the ATP Finals for the first time
Voting is underway in the Australian Capital Territory election to decide on its next government.
The ACT Labor-Greens are facing one of the toughest tests of its 16-year reign, with a reinvigorated Liberal opposition under moderate Elizabeth Lee mounting a compelling case for a fresh start.
But Ms Lee has also attracted controversy for raising her middle finger at a journalist after a heated press conference earlier this week.
She has apologised, saying that is not her usual behaviour.
"I was talking about the cost of living relief that I have fought so hard for, for Canberrans. And then to be attacked about something - have my integrity called into question. Again I'm not excusing my behaviour, but unfortunately on this occasion in a moment of frustration I let my emotional response get the better of me."
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It's been revealed that the cost to clean up MP offices damaged by protesters has surpassed $100,000 in the last nine months.
Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the opposition have established the cost to repair nine parliamentarian offices in that time has come to just over $117,000.
That figure does not include the cleanup costs for the Wills electorate office of Labor MP and special envoy for social cohesion Peter Khalil.
It also does not include the Deputy Prime Minister's office.
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Italy's Prime Minister has paid a visit to Lebanon, the first head of state to come since last month's escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.
She has voiced her support for the UN's peacekeeping force in Lebanon during the visit, declaring that targeting UNIFIL is unacceptable.
The Prime Minister says the peacekeepers have been a necessary presence for years, and must be allowed to continue without harassment.
"These soldiers have contributed for years to the stability of the border between Lebanon and Israel, and they will be needed in any post-conflict scenario... I ask once again that all parties strive to ensure that all times the safety of each of these soldiers is guaranteed."
UNIFIL says it has been targeted on a number of occasions - five times deliberately by Israeli forces.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was created in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops after Israel invaded and occupied southern Lebanon. Italy is among the troop contributing countries.
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Survivors of the notorious Kinchela Boys Home are calling for the site to be converted into a museum and healing centre.
They say this conversion would honour the experiences of the former residents, who were sent to the home in Kempsey, on the New South Wales north coast, only to experience neglect and abuse.
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation is planning to raise $5 million for the rebuild.
The corporation's chief executive Tiffany McComsey says it is a matter of urgency to fulfil the wishes of the survivors, who are all now aged in their 70s and 80s.
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Sydney beaches affected by the sudden appearance of tar balls have re-opened this weekend.
Popular beach Bondi has already opened back up to the public, but Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly have now also been given the green light.
New South Wales Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings says the tar balls are not highly toxic to humans.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe says the cause of the deluge remains unknown.
"We're obviously investigating. It's an unusual occurrence where the EPA is working with the council... We hope to get to the bottom of what is a pretty unusual situation as soon as possible."
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To sport and in tennis news, Alex de Minaur's quest to reach the ATP Finals for the first time may have suffered a fatal blow.
Antwerp top seed de Minaur has been vying to be one of the top eight men's players who qualify for the season-ending championship in Turin.
But Frenchman Hugo Gaston has defied the odds and frustrated de Minaur's chances by winning their hugely entertaining quarter-final at the European Open in Antwerp.
It was de Minaur's second tournament in three months since his injury-hit appearance at Wimbledon.
