In this bulletin;
- Questions continue over funding for a multi-billion dollar Medicare pledge;
- The Vatican says there has been a slight improvement in Pope Francis' health;
- And in cricket, Australia and South Africa compete for a spot in the Champions Trophy semifinals.
The Prime Minister says the federal government is going through the budget "line by line" to find a way to fund its Medicare pledge.
The Coalition says it will match the government's pledge to ensure nine in 10 visits to the doctor will be free within the decade.
The $8.5 billion plan includes funding for an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits per year, nursing scholarships, and increased GP training opportunities.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says the Coalition will fund the pledge by cutting thousands of public servant jobs.
Mr Albanese says the funding for the Medicare pledge will be accounted for.
"We accounted for much of this money as well, in the mid year economic forecast. We have gone through the budget line by line. We didn’t do what the Coalition did, which was on Sunday say: Oh yeah, we’ll just make this big commitment without knowing what it is, without seeing any of the detail before it’s even been announced."
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The Vatican has lead a prayer service for Pope Francis's health, as the Catholic leader remains in hospital in a slightly improved medical condition.
The 88-year-old's medical team is reporting that he has even made a gentle return to work, despite still having pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican says there has been a "slight improvement" in the pontiff's condition.
World leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and U-S President Donald Trump have publicly expressed well wishes to the religious leader, who has been under hospital care for over a week.
Catholic faithful from around the world gathered in St Peter's Square overnight for an emotional vigil, including Shannon Docherty and Lee Mullen, who were visiting from Scotland.
"I think it's quite sombre, just because of how elderly he is, I suppose, yeah, do you agree, yeah, quite sombre."
"He's been quite a modern pope, I would say, so he has, which has been good for the Catholic Church, so it would be a shame to lose him, but let's hope the the next pope carries on his legacy."
Doctors have reported concern over the Pope's condition, noting his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease.
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Greens Senator David Shoebridge says it would take around a century for the federal government to resolve the residency status of 7,000 asylum seekers living on bridging visas.
Data released by the Department of Home Affairs - to the Guardian newspaper - shows just 24 people have had their cases considered in the period between July and 24 November. 19 cases received an intervention, and five did not.
Mr Shoebridge told the Guardian that the rate of visa processing is abysmal.
The asylum seekers are on temporary protection visas and safe haven enterprise visas that Labor promised to abolish before the 2022 election.
The 7,000 arrived in Australia by boat before 2013, when the Rudd government decided that no asylum seekers arriving by sea would be permanently resettled in Australia.
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In cricket,
Alex Carey says the Australian side is excited by the challenge posed by a formidable South Africa when they meet in their Champions Trophy Group B match - at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan.
Both sides are coming off wins to kickstart their campaigns as both nations fight for top spot in Group B.
It’s also likely that the winner books their spot in the semifinals.
Australia successfully chased 352 with 15 balls to spare to beat England by five wickets in their first game.
Carey says the team is looking to maintain their momentum.
"So, I think all in all, for us to get our Champions Trophy underway in such a manner - we probably don't want to chase 350 too many more times, but our bowlers will learn a lot from that hit out. And for Australia to win a Champions Trophy game after a number of years. Yeah, it's a great vibe around the group."
