TRANSCRIPT
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveils billion dollar vision for universal childcare...
- The Israeli military strikes Syria 480 times in 48 hours as rebels plead for a time of peace...
- Liverpool continues their perfect Champions League streak.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a billion dollar vision for universal childcare as his government aims to put their best foot forward ahead of the 2025 election.
Mr Albanese's landmark pre-election pledge promises a $1 billion early education fund aimed at building and expanding services.
"This is the single biggest investment by an Australian government ever in new childcare services, starting with building or expanding over 160 early education and care centres where they are needed most."
The Prime Minister also announced an expansion of the government's childcare subsidy, scrapping a former activity test in favour of a three-day guarantee.
The expansion is set to cost $427 million over five years.
Sydney's Jewish community has responded to the latest spate of anti-Israel vandalism in the suburb of Woollahra.
Emergency services responded to reports of a vehicle on fire in Sydney's east and found that vehicle and another, as well as two buildings and a footpath, were graffitied with anti-Israel slogans.
New South Wales Police are doorknocking as they search for two suspects believed to be responsible.
The act has been branded as an antisemitic act by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and follows the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne on Friday.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin has encouraged all Australians to stand against hate.
"The Jewish community has again - this morning - woken up to devastation. We've seen more burning cars, more broken glass. Today I want to appeal to our fellow Australians. These sorts of crimes are intended to rip our society apart. They are intended to drive a wedge between Jewish Australians and our fellow Australians. Don't let them do it, I ask that you please stand with us in solidarity. Stand with us against this hatred. We are one people, one country, and we cannot allow this terror to prevail."
The Israeli military says it has struck Syria 480 times in 48 hours and seized territory as the leader of the Syrian rebel forces pleads for a time of peace and stability.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, commander of the opposition forces that stormed into Damascus and sent ousted president Bashar Assad fleeing to Russia, says the country is not ready for another conflict.
"Their fears are unnecessary, god willing, the country will be rebuilt. The fear was from the presence of the regime, the regime is now gone, thanks to god, and the country’s moving towards development and reconstruction. It’s going towards stability. People are exhausted from war so the country isn’t ready for another and it’s not going to get into another one. The source of our fears was from the Iranian militias, Hezbollah and the regime which committed the massacres that we are seeing today. So their removal is the solution for Syria, the current situation and our presence here do not warrant a return to panic."
However, while Syrian refugees are returning en masse in hopes of rebuilding their country, Syria's neighbours are taking advantage of the chaos.
Israeli forces say they've attacked Syria close to 500 times over two days, targeting Syrian military facilities and naval vessels, while providing support for ground forces invading in the south.
The United Nations special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, says Israel must stop the assault.
Close to a million people attending hospital emergency departments each year agree they could have been treated elsewhere, a new report suggests.
The survey of NSW emergency department visitors found two-in-seven thought their condition "definitely" or "to some extent" could have been treated by a GP or other health professional.
However, most also said their preferred GP or health service was closed or had no suitable appointments at the time.
The NSW Bureau of Health Information survey was released on Wednesday alongside data showing doctors and nurses remained under pressure in the September quarter.
In football,
Liverpool has continued their perfect record in the UEFA Champions League to all but seal its spot in the Round of 16.
The Premier League leaders overcame Spanish side Girona one-nil for a sixth straight win in the competition, with the only goal of the game coming from Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he's happy with the result but far from happy with the performance from his team today.
"If you ask me about all the six games, I'm really pleased with all the results, I'm really pleased with the five games the way we played. I'm far from pleased about the performance tonight."
