Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australia will continue to invest in the Pacific ahead of the federal budget on Tuesday [[March 25]].
He told SBS News that while there won't be a big increase in Pacific aid this year, the Albanese government is committed to continuing engagement with the region, despite the Trump administration pulling out U-S foreign aid.
Dr Chalmers also says the Budget will address the volatile relationship between Australia and the United States over tariffs.
"One of the reasons why our budget, which is primarily about cost of living, is also about investing and building in our future and making our economy more resilient, is because we are in a new world of uncertainty, unpredictability, and that's just one example."
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The Coalition has announced $5 million of additional funding to mental health facility Headspace in Sydney's west as part of its election pitch.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says his party is keen to improve mental health access and outcomes for young people, as the cost of living impacts people's ability to access services.
He says an additional 1,800 people in Sydney's western suburb of Paramatta will be able to access Headspace support.
"I want to make sure that we lead a government, and we lead a country that can give easy access to general practice and to health services across the board in other parts of the health system as well. But we can only do that through investment, and wise spending of the money we're putting in. Headspace was something I was very passionate about as health minister, I want to make sure we can get more access for more patients."
According to the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 26% of people aged 16-24 in 2020-22 experienced high or very high psychological distress.
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Australia's military donation has stalled at a logistics hub in Poland, as a result of the United States suspension of military aid to Ukraine.
Operations at the logistic hub were paused after U-S President Donald Trump froze assistance to Ukraine, leading to delay and possible complications for Australia's Abram tanks getting to the Ukrainian force.
But Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh [[kee-o]] says Australia is aware of the situation, and they are working on coordination for the delivery.
"So the flow of the military assistance into Ukraine is being done in a coordinated way with European partners and of course, with Ukraine, about how that flow needs to be managed. And it's important that we don't telegraph publicly (make public) how all of that timing unfolds. We will continue to work responsibly and responsively with Ukraine in provision of support, understanding the circumstances they are facing because of the illegal invasion by Russia."
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The Coalition says over 36,000 public servants would be laid off as part of cost savings, if it wins the federal election.
The opposition finance spokesperson Jane Hume says the lay-offs would not be made from frontline services, but didn't detail which services would be targeted.
The Coalition has criticised Labor for expanding the public service workforce while cutting costs on consultants.
Meanwhile, Labor has defended current work-from-home entitlements, saying it saves people $5,000.
The Coalition previously stated it would ban the working from home policy if it wins the election.
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The United Kingdom government has launched an investigation into an electrical substation fire that led to a temporary closure of London's Heathrow Airport on Friday [[March 21]].
Over 1,300 flights were cancelled with more than 200,000 people stranded at the airport due to the closure.
Operations resumed on Saturday.
Chief executive Thomas Woldbye says he's proud of the airport's response to the incident, but aviation trade organisations are questioning the airport's dependence on a single power source.
The Airport has also ordered an internal review into the incident.
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Now in sports...
Australia has secured another two medals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China on Saturday [[March 22]].
Middle and long distance Olympian Jess Hull and fellow runner Ky Robinson both finished on the podium for the 3,000-metre race.
The two medals came after Lachlan Kennedy won silver in the men's 60 sprint on Friday [[March 23]].
Australia hopes to secure more medals in the women's 4 x 400 relay, and also with middle distance runner, Georgia Griffith's participation in the women's 1500 metres.
It comes as the championships enters its last day today.
