Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australia being pressured to resume Gaza aid funding, the new Tuvalu PM having first talks with PM Albanese, wine oversupply threatening industry and growers, and a severe heatwave continuing in Victoria and South Australia.
Politics
Australia pressured to resume Gaza aid funding
The Albanese government is under pressure to follow the lead of Sweden and reinstate funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) after previously halting contributions over concerns of Hamas affiliations, The Australian reports. The UN aid body was set to receive $6 million in aid from Australia before Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced a suspension of funding in January. Senator Wong said the government was working to form a consensus on the UNRWA with other donor countries but would come to its own decision on whether to reinstate funding. The UK, US and New Zealand are yet to reinstate funding.
New Tuvalu PM has first talks with PM Albanese
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo has spoken for the first time since taking office with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese after the Pacific Island leader called for changes to a landmark bilateral treaty. Teo, announced as prime minister after a January election, has said he wants changes to some security provisions in the security and climate migration treaty signed in November. Under the treaty, Australia provides Tuvalu with a defence guarantee. It can vet a wide range of its security arrangements with other countries, from ports, energy, cyber and telecommunications to policing. Tuvalu is one of just 12 nations to maintain an official diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, as China has made increasing inroads into the Pacific Islands region, building ports and seeking a policing role, Yahoo news reports.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/tuvalu-pm-first-talks-australias-093256792.html
Business
Wine oversupply threatens industry, growers
Reuters has reported that millions of vines are being destroyed across Australia, and tens of millions more must be pulled up to rein in an overproduction that has crushed grape prices and threatened the livelihoods of growers and winemakers. Falling consumption of wine worldwide has hit Australia particularly hard as demand shrinks faster for the cheaper reds, which are its most extensive product, and in China, the market it has relied on for growth until recent years. The country had more than two billion litres, or about two years’ worth of production, in storage in mid-2023, the most recent figures show, and some is spoiling as owners rush to dispose of it at any price.
Regions
Heatwave to continue in Victoria and South Australia
Southern states are enduring scorching temperatures, with multiple events cancelled and the weather bureau warning the heatwave is not over yet, 9News reported. On Saturday, temperatures in Melbourne and Adelaide barely dropped below 30 degrees before 4 am, ahead of sweltering temperatures of up to 40 degrees forecast on Sunday. The weather bureau has warned the extreme heat will continue across both states for the long weekend. Melbourne will see some relief on Tuesday, with temperatures set to drop to 25 degrees, while Adelaide will hit a very warm 34.
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