TRANSCRIPT
This is SBS News in Easy English, I'm Biwa Kwan.
A modest tax cut for Australians has been announced in the federal budget.
A worker on an average income of $79,000 will receive a tax cut of $268 from July 2026, rising to $536 in the following year.
The legislation for the cuts still need to pass parliament.
The measure is projected to cost $17 billion over the next three years.
Other cost of living measures include a $150 energy bill rebate for every household, cheaper medications, and $8.5 billion to lift bulk-billing rates.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians would feel a positive impact from the budget.
"Every Australian will get a tax cut and it builds on the tax cuts that have begun this year so that average workers will get $2,500 dollars as a result of the measures we’ve put in place. Measures that were opposed by the Opposition. They want to cut everything: cut your education, cut your health. The only thing they don’t want to cut is your taxes."
The federal election date has yet to be formally announced, but must be held by May 17.
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US President Donald Trump says his administration will look into the use of social media app Signal by White House officials.
It comes after revelations that Mr Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, added a journalist to a Signal group chat where officials discussed plans for military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, earlier this month.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President J-D Vance and other senior security officials were also in the group.
The journalist added to the group chat, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, did not reveal details of the strike at the time.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump defended Mr Waltz, while appearing to insult Mr Goldberg.
"The attack was totally successful. It was, I guess, from what I understand, took place during that it wasn't classified information. So this was not less of a now it's classified information. It's probably a little bit different. But I always say you get you have to learn from every experience. I think it was very unfair the way they attacked Michael. He's a good person. The person that was on it just happens to be a sleazebag."
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The creator of a new documentary on the future of the National Rugby League says the rise of women in the game is a positive development.
Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman Marlee Silva is the host, writer and executive producer behind the documentary Skin in the Game, which considers issues around gender and violence in and out of the sport.
The first-time documentary filmmaker says the project was initially inspired by her childhood as the daughter of Indigenous rugby league legend Rod "Rocket" Silva, who played for the Bulldogs and Roosters.
She told NITV Radio, the project then took on a life of its own.
"Over the last well couple of years, but a real explosion over the last year, with the horrific epidemic of gendered violence and women dying at the hands of their partners. We know that rugby league sometimes has been associated with the problem when it comes to gendered violence. But I also know because of what my dad has experienced and what I get to see as a rugby league reporter on the sidelines - is this game has the great opportunity to do good. And to create the change that we need to see."
Skin in the Game premiered on NITV over the weekend - and is now available to view on SBS On Demand with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
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A new stadium is set to be built in Victoria Park for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The announcement by Queensland's Premier David Crisafulli goes against an election pledge he made last year.
He says the private sector will build the entertainment hub project at an old industrial site next to the Brisbane Cricket Ground, also called the Gabba.
The Premier says there was not enough time to upgrade the Gabba before the Olympics.
"It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilties and temporary stands that delivered no legacy or securing the future of AFL and cricket at a new home."
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In football, Australia is a step closer to qualification for 2026 World Cup, after a 2-nil win against China.
Goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay helped to secure the result.
The win over China has meant Australia, retains the second automatic qualification spot in Group C.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says attention now turns to the upcoming games against Japan and Saudi Arabia in June.
"We were in front when we started the window; and can we stay there at the end of the window. So we did our part, we got six points. We extended our lead to three. So we're in a good position. It is in our hands, but we have to get the job done. Wonderful two games coming up. First to Japan in Perth. It will be a special match and we're looking forward to that."
That was SBS News Easy English with Biwa Kwan.
