TRANSCRIPT
Defence Minister Richard Marles says the war between Russia and Ukraine can only be resolved on Ukraine's terms since Russia is the clear aggressor.
His comments come amid an escalating public war of words between the US and Ukrainian presidents, that began when Donald Trump accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia.
Top Russian and US officials are holding talks in Saudi Arabia in a bid to improve their ties and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, from which Kyiv has been excluded.
While Mr Marles has welcomed efforts to bring about an end to the conflict, he says Australia's support lies with Ukraine.
"Russia is the aggressor here. It was Russia that invaded Ukraine. It was Russia that breached the international rules-based order. When they invaded Ukraine, they were not doing anything by reference to international law but were acting by reference to power and might. That simply cannot be allowed to stand and that's why we support Ukraine and what it's doing. We support Ukraine in its defence."
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Labor has attributed a historically-low rate of unemployment to its commitment to generate new jobs in the private sector.
While unemployment has risen slightly to 4.1 per cent in January, from 4 per cent in the previous month, the labour market is still looking strong.
That increase is, in part, due to more people waiting to start or return to work in January, after more than 44,000 jobs were added.
The participation rate – that is, people either working or actively looking for work – is now at a record high of 67.3 per cent.
Minister for Employment Murray Watt says nearly four out of five of the new jobs that have been created under Labor, have been in the private sector.
"We make no apologies for investing in new jobs in the care sector. We saw before coming to office that our aged care system was in complete disarray. The Royal Commission report headed and titled neglect. So we have invested in creating jobs in the aged care system and making sure the workers there get a decent pay rise."
The Reserve Bank has forecast the unemployment rate to average 4.2 per cent in the June quarter and remain around that level through 2025.
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ASIO boss Mike Burgess says Australians can play a role in ensuring Australia's national security after warning of increased terror threats.
On Wednesday, Mr Burgess revealed ASIO had foiled multiple plots by hostile foreign nations to harm people in Australia and warned of what he says is the growing threat of nationalist and racist violent extremists.
Delivering his annual threat assessment, the director-general also expressed concerns that antisemitic attacks have not yet plateaued.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Burgess says Australians should be concerned about these challenges but added that keeping the public informed can increase safety.
"Of course we need the help of everyday Australians. If they're informed, they can make their own decisions. If they're informed they know who to report. Reporting by citizens actually helped to stop a plot to coercively repatriate someone from this country. We need their help."
The terrorism threat in Australia was raised to probable in 2024 and Burgess said it was unlikely to be lowered in the near future.
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In women's football, Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni says speculation around whether Sam Kerr will remain captain of the national team is irrelevant.
Questions around her status have emerged as the superstar striker is not preparing to take part in the SheBelieves Cup in the U-S.
Ms Kerr was found not guilty last week by a London jury after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a U-K police officer.
The incident has sparked debate as to whether she is fit to captain the Matildas upon her return from a long injury lay-off after rupturing her ACL in January 2024.
When asked if there was an update on whether Kerr would be reinstated as captain as she nears a return with her WSL club Chelsea, Mr Sermanni has avoided giving any concrete answers.
"It's been a pretty long couple of weeks for Sam but the last thing she needs is people badgering her at this time. We've had some contact, she knows what we're thinking. Her physios are keeping in touch, she's keeping in touch with Chelsea. The lines of communication are very much open."
