Key Points
- Labor, Coalition make their bids to first-home buyers
- "Optimism" for plan to tax shipping emissions
- Jessica Hull wins 1500 metres Australian Athletic Championships
TRANSCRIPT
Labor has outlined an election pitch to build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers under a plan set to cost taxpayers $10 billion, if it wins the federal election.
The policy is being formally launched today in Perth, allowing all first home buyers access to a federal government guarantee for a 5 per cent deposit.
Labor says the idea to have the federal government working with states and territories to use vacant or under-utilised government land to fast-track release and planning approvals to build the 100,000 homes from 2026, with buyers moving in by 2028.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has told Sky News the focus of the plan is on helping first-time home buyers.
"Eight billion of the ten (billion) will be based on loans that will be made as loans, without interest, which enables them to move forward much quickly in terms of property development. Two billion will be there for grants - again working through states. It enables us to fast-track property development."
Meanwhile, the Coalition is also courting voters from first home buyers.
Peter Dutton says a Coalition government would establish a plan to allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to be able to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes, if he is elected on May 3.
The election policy is being formally launched in western Sydney today.
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Experts say commemorating the Bondi Junction massacre could prompt further trauma, but it is essential for healing one year on from the tragedy.
Today marks a year since Australia's worst mass killing in nearly a decade claimed the lives of six people at a Westfield shopping centre in Sydney's east.
Ashlee Good, Dawn Singleton, Jade Young, Pikria Darchia, Yixuan Cheng, 27 and security guard Faraz Tahir were killed in the attack launched by Joel Cauchi, who was shot dead by New South Wales Police Inspector Amy Scott.
Security guard Muhammad Taha survived the attack - and he thanked the community for their support during his recovery.
He has told SBS Urdu he still mourns his friend and colleague, Faraz Tahir.
"And we also remember him until now. We were both together at that time. And I tried my best to save him. I help him even though I was stabbed but I tried to help him. Unfortunately, when I work up in the hospital, I was told he is no more. I was into tears. It is heart wrenching that is working with you and he is no more. So, it is a big loss to us."
The community's response in the days after the attack and photos from a candlelight vigil have been included on commemorative display boards temporarily installed in nearby Oxford Street Mall.
Listeners seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Foreign ministers from the Gaza contact group have reiterated calls for a permanent ceasefire and the rejection of Palestinian displacement outside their homes.
Ministers of Palestine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Indonesia met at a three-day diplomacy forum in the Turkish city of Antalya.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says any plans to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza must fail because it will lead to the elimination" of the Palestinian cause.
"The Palestinian people sent from their land will mean the elimination of and an end of the Palestinian cause and that is what the Israeli side wants, through claiming that there is a land but there is no people on it. Therefore, we have a complete responsibility on supporting the Palestinian people to hold on their land through reaching ceasefire and stopping the starvation policy that Israel is committing as well as the daily systematic aggression."
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Communities affected by Aboriginal deaths in custody are coming together in Naarm ((Melbourne)) to pay tribute to the lives lost - and to promote healing.
The Ngarra Jarra Noun event in Victoria Park is organised by the Indigenous Sports Network and Dhadjowa Foundation for a third year.
It features cultural performances and workshops, a healing ceremony, storytelling, live music and healing markets.
AFL legend and proud Noongar man, Nicky Winmar is the event's ambassador.
A trailblazer both on and off the field, Winmar is widely known for his proud stance against racism in 1993, when he lifted his St Kilda jersey and pointed to his skin in defiance of racial abuse.
He told NITV Radio it is important for the community to come together.
"It just important that we reflect on what happened that day; and that we don't tolerate stuff like that anymore; and for the next generation. It is very important for the young ones coming through. The custody of Indigenous people that we lost. I have lost a lot of Indigenous family members in West Australian jails. And we have to do what we need to do there as well. So it's not just about myself. It is about the ones that we have lost and the families that have gone through (this suffering)."
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In sport, Jessica Hull has won the Women's 1500m Final at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.
The Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist picked up the pace in the last 400 metres to cross the finish line first - ahead of Sarah Billings in second place, followed by Georgia Griffith and Linden Hall.
The 28-year-old says she is elated with the win.
"Just had to hold my nerve out there. I just have so much experience. I just backed myself to be the most composed amongst the tension in that pack - because it was so tense, I could feel it out there. So yeah, experience prevailed."
Meanwhile, Rohan Browning caused an upset by beating rising star Lachlan Kennedy to win the men's 100 metres final at the Australian Athletics Championships.
A record crowd is expected at the WA Athletics Stadium today for Gout's first appearance in the heats for the 200-metre event at 12.45pm local time - ahead of the final at 3pm local time.
