TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News In Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
Australia has announced further travel bans and sanctions on Russian individuals and entities three years on from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong say the new sanctions target individuals supporting Russia's annexation of eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
It also targets individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence; and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, says the support from Australia means a lot.
"And my message is now in the third year of the anniversary is to thank Australia for that support. For us Ukrainians, seeing that support from 50,000 kilometres away is so uplifting. If the aggressors is rewarded for what they've done, it sends a very negative signal that is being sent to different other authoritarian leaders here in the region. And the world is watching because security in Europe will define security in the Indo-Pacific."
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The major parties are yet to explain who they would fund a $8.5 billion pledge to boost Medicare.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he would match the announcement made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the weekend to ensure nine in 10 visits to the doctor will be free within the decade.
The plan includes funding for an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits per year, nursing scholarships, and increased GP training opportunities.
The announcement has been largely welcomed, but the National Rural Health Alliance and the Australian College of Nursing has also called for long-term reform to address workforce shortages, including measures to more fully utilise the skillsets of nurses; and ensuring there are enough local health workers to service demand in regional and rural Australia.
Mr Albanese says the funding pledge is significant.
"That is the largest commitment to Medicare in 40 years. And on top of that, a plan to make sure we deal with the workforce that we have. 2,000 extra GPs. That we provide scholarships for nurses and midwives. A Labor government will always defend healthcare. Healthcare in my personal experience with my mum is what politicised me. And is why I'm here today as the Prime Minister."
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The focus in Germany has turned to negotiations for a new ruling coalition following their election over the weekend.
An official election result is expected in coming hours.
Projections indicate opposition leader Friedrich Merz is in the strongest position to be the country's next chancellor, but he faces the challenge of forming a coalition government.
Supporters of the far-right anti-immigration AfD party are celebrating a record result, as exit polls project they have secured 20 per cent of the vote, almost doubling their results compared to the last election.
Despite that result, it's unlikely they will be part of any upcoming government as all other parties say they refuse to form a coalition with them.
This voter - Yannic Riegger - says he hopes the parties stick to that promise.
"I hope that Merz stands by what he said and that he won"t form a coalition with the AfD. And that he doesn't further divide the people in this country but that we can come together in these hard times - and not use the politics of Trump, Elon or Milei in Argentina as an inspiration."
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In football, the Matildas have lost to the United States 2-1 in the SheBelieves tournament.
It is a smaller margin than in their opening game loss of 4-nil to Japan on Friday [[21 Feb]].
The Australians couldn’t convert a last-minute free kick into a shot on goal to level the score.
Speaking after the game on Paramount-Plus, Matildas coach Tom Sermanni says the team showed a lot of grit throughout the game.
"You know, I think they showed a lot of character getting back into the game; and sticking and staying in the game - and getting the goal back. We need to work right through - both how we kick the ball from a technical perspective. And we also need to get back to being a bit more physical."
That was SBS News In Easy English. I'm Catriona Stirrat.
