TRANSCRIPT
- Richard Marles meets with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Voting underway in two by-elections in Victoria
- In cricket, Alex Carey hopeful both he and Josh Inglis can feature in future Test teams
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has met with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, amid concerns about the future of AUKUS under the Trump administration.
Mr Marles has sought assurances the AUKUS partnership remains on course for the delivery of three Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia as soon as the early 2030s.
The Deputy PM and Defence Minister says he has already demonstrated Australia's commitment with its first AUKUS contribution of A$800 million well before the June deadline.
Mr Hegseth says that investment has been welcomed.
"Part of what President Trump has committed to doing is cutting red tape, investing in the defence industrial base, ensuring that we stand by our allies and partners. I think that's something that was missing in the last four years, that President Trump demonstrated. You're going to have no worst enemy and no better ally. And that's what he's charged me with at the Defence Department is when we make these strategic partnerships, and we invest in them - and there's skin in the game. We're going to do everything possible we can to help deliver on that.''
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The New South Wales government has defended its decision to push for strengthened hate crime laws in the state.
The government is introducing a bill that will make it easier to jail perpetrators, and explicitly outlaw both the displaying of a Nazi symbol near a synagogue or intentionally incite racial hatred.
Deputy Premier Prue Car says the state legislation is just one of the things that authorities are using to combat antisemitic activity.
"This is a multi-tiered response. This is a prompt change in the laws. This is further resourcing our police force to do proactive work. You know, there are times in the last few weeks where the police have actually caught people almost in the act. That's proactive policing in a - happening right there and then."
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Voting is underway in by-elections for two Victorian state seats.
The Labor stronghold of Werribee in Melbourne's west has come up for grabs after the retirement of long-time treasurer Tim Pallas.
Greens MP Sam Hibbins held the other seat of Prahran on a 12 per cent margin before revelations he had an affair with a staffer forced him to quit in disgrace.
Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian has told SBS, these by-elections are expected to be a test for the authority of Labor premier Jacinta Allan.
"The by-elections in Victoria will not change who governs. The Labor party enjoys a massive majority in the Victorian lower house. But what these by-elections have the potential to do is send a signal. They can be very symbolic elections."
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The US President has announced plans to create a religious office in the White House.
Donald Trump says the group would eradicate what he says is an anti-Christian bias in government.
"We have to bring religion back. We have to bring it back much stronger. It's one of the biggest problems we've had over the last fairly long period of time."
The president has not cited specific examples of anti-Christian bias, but has previously claimed the Biden administration used the federal government to target Christians.
Mr Trump has also repeatedly claimed his return to office - largely with the help of evangelical voters - is part of a religious anointing.
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US vehicle manufacturer Tesla has chosen an Australian coal town to build a battery service, repair and renewal facility.
Construction is already underway on the building in the Western Australian town of Collie.
The facility is expected to one of the largest in the nation and could eventually service the Asia-Pacific region once it becomes operational in 2026.
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In cricket, Alex Carey is hopeful both he and Josh Inglis can co-exist in future Test teams beyond the Sri Lanka Test in Galle.
Carey has been Australia's wicketkeeper since the summer of 2021/22, with back-up gloveman Inglis having had to wait for a Test debut as a specialist batter in the two-match series in Galle.
Inglis made 102 in his first Test knock in the series opener, announcing himself as a selection option for the World Test Championship Final in June and beyond.
Carey says he feels there is room for both of them to be on the team, playing at their best.
