Key Points
- Security to be enhanced this weekend at MCG
- South Korean court to rule on president's reinstatement
- Dan Houston defends conduct as high contact is reviewed
TRANSCRIBE
Victoria's Police Minister says the incident at Melbourne Cricket Ground, where two men allegedly smuggled firearms into the venue, is very concerning.
Two men have been charged after they were allegedly caught with loaded guns inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground during an AFL game between Collingwood and Carlton.
The weapons were found by police following a search, as a crowd of more than 82,000 fans watched the Magpies defeat their arch-rivals on Thursday night.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines says Victoria Police will provide support to any review into this incident.
"It's concerning for all Victorians that people can enter the heart of the sporting precinct - the MCG - with firearms. And that's not acceptable. We're very thankful for the work of security and Victoria Police who made arrests."
He added that the Minister for Sport has a meeting convened later this morning with the AFL, Melbourne Cricket Club, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Victoria Police, to discuss additional ways to ensure safety at sporting events.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said in a statement there will be additional secondary security measures in place at the ground this weekend.
---
In an hour, South Korean impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol will find out whether he is to be reinstated as President.
The country's constitutional court is about to hand down a ruling on whether to remove him over his short-lived martial law declaration, which sparked a national crisis.
Mr Yoon's fate has been hanging in the balance with the court deliberating for more than five weeks in tight secrecy.
The ousted leader is not expected to attend the announcement, but if he is stripped of his presidency, an election must be held by mid-June.
If his powers are restored, Yoon faces the challenge of helping Asia's fourth-largest economy navigate the fallout from the stiff tariffs imposed by the United States.
---
The Opposition is starting its campaign day in the marginal Labor held seat of Parramatta, as they make a $231 million funding announcement for western Sydney.
The investment in infrastructure is part of the Coalition's plan to ease congestion in Sydney's west and upgrade the region's roads.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton was also spruiking the Coalition's policy to cut fuel excise by half for the next 12 months, in what he's repeatedly described as real cost of living relief.
Mr Dutton avoided questions around the length of time it's taken to promote this policy since it was first announced off the back of Labor's federal budget.
"What we're saying is that we think Australian families need help now - not in 15 months’ time - and 25 cents a litre off every litre that you pump into your tank. If you're a two-car family, it's about $30 a week. And that's a very significant saving for families, so I'm very pleased about what we've had to offer."
The Coalition's policy is a counter to the Albanese government's key cost of living measure announced in the federal budget to cut taxes by $268 a year from July 1, 2026 - which the Coalition said it would repeal if they won the election.
---
And a short distance away at Cabramatta Public School, also in western Sydney in the seat of Fowler, the Albanese government has announced an extension to the incident asset write off for tradies and small businesses by another year.
Prime Minister Albanese announced today that small businesses will be able to deduct the full cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 that are first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2026.
Speaking on ABC Sydney, Mr Albanese defended his decision to limit the extension to one year.
"Because what you want to do is encourage them to invest now so you create the economic activity and the multiply that flows through immediately, rather than say don't worry some time in the future forever you can do this. We want to encourage that economic activity now from small businesses and tradies."
---
To sport, Collingwood player Dan Houston is facing more time on the bench with his new side, despite insisting he played by the rules when he collided with Carlton's Lachie Fogarty.
The new recruit left the ground and connected with a forearm to Fogarty's head as the ball bounced over the players, during Collingwood's winning match at the M-C-G last night.
The Blues forward was not seriously hurt and played out the match.
The new Magpies player has already fallen foul of the rules, missing the season opener while serving a five-game ban over a brutal bump on Adelaide's Izak Rankine.
