TRANSCRIPT:
- Pre-election shadow boxing begins, with the PM and opposition leader trading barbs;
- North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces;
- Local tennis underdog Maya Joint preparing for her Australian Open match tonight.
The Liberals' new election slogan - "let's get Australia back on track" - has been criticised for being similar to Donald Trump's "make America great again".
Critics have described the Trump phrase as being loaded language that has racist and fearmongering undertones.
But Mr Dutton says there's nothing wrong with the Coalition slogan.
"I think there are some pretty basic principles that are around that are shared across countries and communities and societies like ours. And one of them is that we do need to stand up for our values and what we believe in."
Meanwhile Labor has continued to push back against Coalition claims that the government has mishandled inflation and the economy.
The PM says the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has no real solutions - and represents a cold-hearted, mean-spirited and sometimes plain nasty response to the issues facing Australia.
He argues Labor understands what Australians are facing and is doing something about it.
"Putting forward a positive, optimistic vision for Australia. One that unites Australia, not one that seeks to divide. One that seeks to bring people together, not looks for a political opportunity at every single occasion."
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The Health Minister has defended the government's record on Medicare, following a report showing a decrease in the availability of bulk billing clinics across the nation.
Mark Butler says Labor's planning has reduced the drop in bulk-billing practices that was taking place when the Opposition was in power.
"Medicare data shows that there aren't as many bulk-billed visits as we would like. But importantly, what our record bulk-billing investment the year before last has done is arrested the free-fall in bulk-billing that we inherited when we came to government."
The President of the Australian Medical Association in South Australia has also pushed back against the Cleanbill report.
Dr John Williams says the report doesn't give a complete picture of bulk billing rates in Australia, and only measures how many practices fully bulk bill every single patient.
He says general practice is still under strain because of decades of under-investment by successive governments.
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Soldiers from North Korea have reportedly been captured in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his forces have taken two injured soldiers into their custody, giving the pair medical treatment as stipulated by the Geneva Convention.
He says Ukraine is ready to hand them over to their leader Kim Jong-un if he can organise their exchange for Ukrainians held captive in Russia.
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Croatia's president Zoran Milanovic has won a second five-year term in power.
With 70 per cent of the ballots accounted for, Mr Milanovic has won an overwhelming 74 per cent of the vote, while his opponent, Dragan Primorac, trails behind with 26 per cent.
The election was held as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation, corruption scandals and a labor shortage.
The result presents a major boost for Milanović, who is a critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
“In matters of defence and national security, as the Constitution says, I will be the supreme commander. So, not just equal, but the top responsible person, and the highest ranking. Because that’s what the Constitution says.”
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A search is under way for a man in a swollen dam in Queensland.
It is understood he jumped from the Beardmore Dam wall in St George, in the southwest of the state, and was pulled into a strong current after trying to resurface.
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A man has faced court over the discovery of 98 dead kangaroos on an Australian military base in the New South Wales hunter valley.
The 43 year old is accused of shooting the roos, who were found on the Singleton Army base in October last year.
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To sport and in tennis news,
Local player Maya Joint is embracing her underdog status ahead of her match this evening in the Australian Open.
She says she is ready for tonight's game against US Open finalist Jessica Pegula.
"I will be an aggressive baseliner - try to hit winners. Just work on coming to the net more, being as aggressive as I can. I am really excited. It is my first main draw here so nothing to lose - just go out and have fun."
The 18-year-old Joint is a dual citizen who represented the USA early in her junior career, before switching allegiance in mid-2023.
She is one of eight Australian women competing in the main draw at the Australian Open.