TRANSCRIPT
- States and territories moving ahead with truth telling and Treaty, one year after the failed Voice referendum
- Government evacuation flights for Australians in Lebanon come to an end
- Papua New Guinea showcases rugby league talent ahead of its entry into Australia's NRL
Today marks one year since Australia voted down the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
It became a divisive debate, but 12 months on many state and territory governments are forging ahead with truth-telling and treaties.
Victoria is the most advanced, having established the First People's Assembly - a democratically elected, independent body tasked with negotiating a treaty with the state government.
A separate truth-telling inquiry - known as the Yoorrook Justice Commission - will report next year.
Deputy chair of that Commission, Sue-Anne Hunter says the truth can bring people together.
"For us as a nation I believe going forward we need the truth telling process to understand the past and we need to move forward together. We know the past has been quite divisive, without going into it, but how do we understand the past so we can move forward together?"
Meanwhile, New South Wales, Tasmania, the ACT and South Australia are also moving towards a truth and treaty process.
But progress is slower in other states.
While Queensland currently has a truth telling and healing inquiry, the Liberal National opposition says it would repeal the legislation if elected this month.
The Northern Territory government has also vowed to scrap treaty plans.
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Queenslanders can now cast their ballot to decide on the next premier, with Labor vying to retain government for a fourth term and the Liberal National Party hoping to upset the incumbent's record.
Early voting will begin in Queensland today with around 3.7 million people set to cast their ballot in person or via the post between now and election day on the 26th of October.
Queenslanders across the 93 electorates will have a choice of 525 candidates and nine registered parties including Labor, the LNP, One Nation, Greens, Family First Queensland, Legalise Cannabis, Katter's Australian Party and the Libertarian Party of Queensland.
It is a 12 per cent decrease compared to the 597 candidates and 12 endorsed parties in the 2020 election.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs says there are no further flights are scheduled to repatriate Australians from Lebanon, as it winds down the operation due to declining demand.
The final flight touched down in Sydney last night with 270 people on board.
Government-chartered flights have helped more than 2,400 Australians make their way home amidst Israel's escalating attacks on Lebanon.
Assistant Minister for Trade, Tim Ayres says the flights show that "the Australian passport means something".
"It has the Australian government working hard to deliver safety and security for those families. Of course, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue monitoring the situation closely, will continue working with families, and they should keep in touch with the Australian government if they need more information and if they need assistance."
There are still more than 2,500 Australians remaining in Lebanon.
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Israel Rescue Services says at least 20 people were injured when a drone struck the central Israeli city of Binyamina.
The Sheba Medical Centre released footage of helicopters arriving with the injured, including three in critical condition.
Israeli media says two drones were launched from Lebanon, with one intercepted near the coast.
This is the second time in two days that a drone has struck inside Israel.
On Saturday, during the Israeli holiday of Yom Kippur, a drone crashed into an aged care home in a suburb of Tel Aviv, causing damage but no injuries.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Saturday hit several areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, killing over a dozen people and damaging hospitals, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, as fighting with Hezbollah continues.
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At least 29 Palestinians have been killed in the latest Israeli air strikes on Gaza, according to local medics.
Israel is intensifying attacks in the Jabalia area as the Israeli army issues fresh evacuation orders for Palestinians remaining in northern Gaza.
It comes as the UN's World Food Programme says critical aid lifelines to the north have been cut - with no food aid entering the northern Gaza Strip since October 1.
World Food Programme spokesperson Antoine Renard says without safe and sustained access for aid workers, the risk of famine is real.
Jabalia residents caught up in the violence, like Saed Mohra, say they feel trapped.
"They dropped leaflets today, and we left looking for a safe place to stay, but there is no safe place."
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In sports, Papua New Guinea has showcased its rugby league talent at the annual Prime Minister's 13 clash against Australia in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The competition comes ahead of the Pacific nation's planned entry into the Australian league.
Australia bested the PNG Hunters 42-20.
The result was closer compared to recent years - with PNG having lost three of the past four PM's 13 fixtures by 42 points or more.
The ability to effectively harness local talent and field a competitive team have been key concerns over the Australian government-backed bid to bring PNG into Australia's National Rugby League.
Papua New Guinea is slated to start competing in the Australian league in 2028.
