TRANSCRIPT
Health Minister Mark Butler has defended his government's $1 billion investment in mental health.
The commitment includes $225 million to deliver 21 new Medicare Mental Health Centres and upgrade 10 facilities across the country, many of those in regional locations.
There is also hundreds of millions of dollars invested into youth mental health services and training.
This investment is on top of the $8.5 billion funding boost for Medicare already anonunced by the government.
Mr Butler told Channel Nine the investment targets young Australians.
"If it's not caught early, if people aren't getting the sort of free support in their community that this investment will deliver, people don't sort of magically get better. They often get more unwell, and end up having to be cared of in a more expensive part of the system. And in the meantime, they are not able to participate in work and be a productive member of society in a way they so deeply want to."
The Opposition leader did not confirm whether he'd match the Prime Minister's $1 billion investment in mental health, saying Labor were rebranding Coalition policy.
Thousands of doctors across more than 30 public hospitals in New South Wales are striking for three days - the first time in more than 25 years.
The health care professionals want better pay and better work conditions.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park insisted the strike's impacts would be far-reaching, with surgeries cancelled and a reduced staff on shift.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie says Australians need leaders with strong economic credentials, amid fears of a global recession resulting from US tariffs.
Australian shares suffered their biggest one-day fall since COVID-19 on Monday with nearly $110 billion in value being wiped off the ASX 200.
Senator McKenzie told Channel Nine Australians are worried about their superannuation and share portfolios.
"That is a problem because Australians rightfully need someone with strong economic management credentials at the Treasury benches, and unfortunately the last 3 years have seen us in a weaker position. And that is not good news, given the global volatility."
US President Donald Trump says he had a positive discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran and trade tariffs, as he welcomed Mr Netanyahu to the White House.
Mr Trump says the US will be holding direct talks with Iran starting Saturday, as he insists the country can't get nuclear weapons.
"But it is getting to be very dangerous territory. And hopefully those talks will be successful. And I think it would be in Iran's best interests if they (the talks) are successful. We hope that is going to happen."
Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni says it's brilliant to see the side bounce back after a series of losses in the SheBelieves Cup.
The Australians scored back to back wins against South Korea - first a 1 nil victory on Friday night before a 2-nil victory on Monday night.
Mr Sermanni spoke to Channel Nine after the match.
"Yeah it was really good, really good to bounce back after the SheBelieves Cup. And like you say getting the wins was good, but the clean sheets probably made it even better."
