TRANSCRIPT
- Vows of tougher regulation after social media platform X refuses to remove Sydney stabbing material.
- Student loan debt relief considered in the upcoming federal budget.
- And in football, Victorian politicians disappointed the state won't host 2026 Women's Asian Cup.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the refusal by social media company X to comply with legal orders to remove misinformation and content from the Sydney church stabbing is "extraordinary" and unacceptable.
The billionaire tech owner of the platform formerly known as Twitter has mocked Australia's demands to remove content referencing the stabbing.
Elon Musk described the role of the eSafety Commissioner as being akin to a "censorship commissar".
The federal government is drafting a new mandatory code of conduct that would include new fines for platform operators - and possible compensation for victims of online scams.
Draft laws are also being developed that would grant new powers to the Australian Communications and Media Authority to combat misinformation and disinformation online.
Mr Albanese says social media platforms have a responsibility to meet community expectations on misinformation.
"I find it extraordinary that X chose not to comply. Overwhelmingly Australians want misinformation and disinformation to stop. This isn't about freedom of expression. This is about the dangerous implications that can occur when things that are not simply true are replicated and weaponised in order to cause division."
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Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he is considering relief for students with HECS loan debt - and also help for students with requirements for practical placements.
He says the measures could form part of next month's federal budget.
A review of the university sector recommended in February that the HECS student loans system be modernised "to make it fairer and simpler".
High inflation has meant the annual indexation applied to student loans is increasing at a rapid rate, making it harder to pay off.
Nearly 3 million Australians with a student debt owe the government a total of $78 billion.
Mr Chalmers says a lot of work is being done to consider what options are available.
"Jason Clare is leading a heap of work when it comes to considering the recommendations of the Universities Accord. The Universities Accord is a first-class piece of work. And we are giving it the attention it deserves. As the prime minister indicated last week. We do acknowledge that students are under pressure. And if we can afford to do something to help on that front - that is obviously is something we will consider as we finalise the budget."
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Steve Gollschewski has been appointed the new Queensland Police Commissioner.
A 44-year veteran of the police force, he has been serving in the role on an interim basis since last month when Katarina Carroll announced her resignation.
She rejected claims that the decision was related to her handling of youth crime and police recruitment issues, saying it was the right time for new leadership.
Mr Gollschewski says a key focus for him will be domestic violence reform.
"Much more needs to be done for the victims of domestic and family violence to make sure the perpetrators are held to account - and can change what they do. And also for our police who are dealing with over a 140,000 calls for service every year. Tracking towards 190,000 occurrences. It is an enormous challenge for the organisation. And we must do more. And I am committed to seeing that we have better systems, better legislation. That means that we have safer victims and more effective police."
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Victoria's Deputy Opposition Leader says he's disappointed that Victoria will not be hosting the Women's Asian Cup when it comes to Australia in 2026.
This comes as the host states for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup were announced today with Australia as the sole bidder for the event.
New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia have been named as the proposed host states.
The CEO of Football Australia, James Johnson, says the selection process involved thorough discussions with state governments to ensure they are well-prepared to support the successful delivery of the tournament.
Victoria's Deputy Opposition Leader, David Southwick, says the exclusion of his state is a shock.
"This is a real shock and I have got to say that when the government sent over $40 million providing a home for the Matildas - and Victoria misses out on hosting them. That's a huge failure - an absolute huge failure. And I think that questions need to be asked of this government. Is it because we had issues in delivering a Commonwealth Games? If you can't do a Commonwealth Games is there no confidence to host things like Matildas? Victoria has always been the home of major events.”
