TRANSCRIPT
- US president Joe Biden pledges a peaceful transition to the incoming Trump administration
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges people not to take democracy for granted
- Three-year-old filly Treasure the Moment wins the Oaks at Flemington.
US President Joe Biden has vowed a peaceful and orderly transition after Donald Trump's election win.
In his first public comments since Mr Trump's victory in the US presidential election, Mr Biden called on Americans to bring down the political temperature.
He also paid tribute to what he called the inspiring campaign of US vice president Kamala Harris.
Mr Biden says the US electoral system is honest, fair and transparent.
"The people vote and choose their own leaders and they do it peacefully. And we're in a democracy, the will of the people always prevails. Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, and I assured him that I directed my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition.''
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stressed the importance of defending democracy in his address to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
In his speech, he told the audience democracy is the best system to resolve problems, and respecting outcomes in a democracy is equally important.
"We cannot take democracy for granted. Too many young people throughout the world when they are surveyed question whether the democratic values and systems that we share are the best form of organising society. But we know that it is the best form. We know that power derive from the people is what counts, and that's why we respect outcomes in our democracy, and that's why we need to cherish it, nourish it, and celebrate it when it happens. And that's why the Commonwealth matters."
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Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Australia needs to rethink its relationship with the US, following Donald Trump's victory.
Senator Hanson-Young says Australia cannot pretend everything will be the same with Mr Trump returning to the White House.
She says Australia has to have the gut to stand up and defend its values when it's necessary.
"Most Australians didn't want Donald Trump to be elected, most Australians know the values that Donald Trump holds are totally out of step with Australian values. His attitude toward women, his concern or disconcern for the climate, and his treatment and response to democracy, whether it's women, the planet or democracy, Donald Trump is a threat."
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Queensland's newly elected LNP government has pulled out of a scheduled meeting with an Indigenous leader to discuss the Path to Treaty process.
The state Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson was set to meet with the state's Truth-Telling inquiry Chair Joshua Creamer on Thursday.
But Ms Simpson pulled out of the meeting claiming she needed to seek further advice.
The LNP government had paused the Truth Telling Inquiry after it won the state election.
Mr Creamer says he hasn't been provided an alternative date for a meeting, and expressed his frustration over the matter.
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Malarndirri McCarthy, has urged the state government not to scrap the inquiry.
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The Western Australian government has announced a new gun buyback scheme, ahead of the state's new firearm laws coming into effect.
The state's licensed firearms dealers can hand over their guns to the WA Police in return for up to $1,000 in cash, depending on the condition of the weapon.
The scheme will last until the 17th of January next year, and the new law will be enforced from March.
The new law will place a limit on the number of guns an individual can own.
The state's Minister for Police Paul Papalia says the new scheme is an opportunity for those who missed out the previous buyback scheme to deal with their surrendered stocks.
"The new buyback opportunity is not available to individuals, but it does give reasons for dealers to buy firearms from those licensed firearm owners out there, licensed firearm holders, who may have chosen not to participate in the original buyback. 500 guns has been stolen from dealers since 2017 in Western Australia, having fewer guns in Western Australia means less opportunity for them to be used inappropriately."
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Lebanon's army says an Israeli drone strike targeted a car at an army checkpoint in the southern port city of Sidon killing three people and injuring seven, including UN peacekeepers.
The injured included three Lebanese soldiers and four Malaysian UN peacekeepers.
Lebanon's National News Agency reported that one wounded person was hospitalised, while the peacekeepers received treatment for minor injuries at the scene.
Earlier on Thursday, a drone strike outside Beirut killed one woman.
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In horse racing, Treasure the Moment has won the 2024 Crown Oaks, ahead of the final race day at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The three-year-old filly was ridden by Damian Lane and trained by Matt Laurie.
She is the 39th horse to win the Wakeful Stakes and the VRC Oaks.
The final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival will be held on Saturday at Flemington racecourse.
