Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes argues the calls for the release of Israeli hostages seems to have “died down” as the Albanese government “deride” their relationship with Israel. “I haven’t heard that call in a while,” Ms Hughes said. “Haven’t heard anything about the 130 hostages still being held after six months. “That’s sort of died down a bit. “I think there is a mistrust of Israel, and I think it’s incredibly disappointing this government is continuing to deride our relationship with what is the only democracy in that part of the world.”

Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume has slammed the Albanese government for showing “no real appetite” for getting inflation under control because “its spending is still out of control”. The initial findings of an independent review into supermarket giants will be handed down today. The review – led by former Labor competition minister Craig Emerson – suggests supermarkets with annual revenues of more than $5 billion need to follow a mandatory code. “The first thing we would do is get inflation down,” Ms Hume told Sky News Australia. “Quite frankly, the way to get prices down is to get inflation down – get inflation under control. “This government has shown no real appetite to get inflation under control because its spending is still out of control.”

Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume has questioned the Albanese government’s “sincerity” in getting supermarket prices under control when they are “inflicting enormous changes” to the industrial relations system. The initial findings of an independent review into supermarket giants will be handed down today. The review – led by former Labor competition minister Craig Emerson – suggests supermarkets with annual revenues of more than $5 billion need to follow a mandatory code. “If they’re not getting the prices of energy under control and they’re inflicting enormous changes to the industrial relations system, which locks up these big supermarket companies in a lot of red tape with their employment contracts, all of these things are feeding higher prices,” Ms Hume told Sky News Australia. “There isn’t just one solution; there are plenty of solutions. “Quite frankly, I’d question the government’s sincerity when they say they want to get supermarket prices down if they’re doing all these other things.”

Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin has been selected as special advisor to the investigation into an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers, including one Australian. Mr Binskin has previously served as the chief of the ADF for four years, vice chief of Defence Force and chief of Air Force. The Australian government has rejected Israel's initial investigation, calling it unsatisfactory. The findings will be sent to military prosecutors, but it is unknown whether those involved in the attack will face charges. Part of the statement released by the Foreign Minister on Monday reads: ‘Part of Binskin’s work will be the examination of arrangements for the investigation of this incident, IDF policies and procedures for operational incidents, measures taken to hold those responsible to account, and if further investigation is warranted.'

Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume says prices at the supermarket are causing Australians “a lot of pain in their hip pocket” as prices have risen by “around 10 per cent” in the last two years. The initial findings of an independent review into supermarket giants will be handed down today. The review – led by former Labor competition minister Craig Emerson – suggests supermarkets with annual revenues of more than $5 billion need to follow a mandatory code. “We do know prices at the supermarket are causing people a lot of pain in their hip pocket,” Ms Hume told Sky News Australia. “Prices have already gone up by around 10 per cent in the last two years alone. “The price of bread has gone up by 17.5 per cent. “The price of milk has gone up by around 16.5 per cent. “So, we know that Australian consumers are feeling it in their hip pocket.”

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has spent almost $40,000 on sunglasses. The sunglasses were purchased for the Australian Antarctic Division. They were said to be designed for 'extreme climate'. The Australian also reported almost $27,000 was spent on a planning day. The Opposition is calling for full transparency for expenses not aimed at cutting energy costs.

PR Counsel Kristy McSweeney says there are “tensions” between Defence Minister Richard Marles and the leaders of the Defence Force. Ms McSweeney joined Sky News host Paul Murray to discuss the possibility of defence projects being cut from the federal budget. “Last year the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislative Committee launched an enquiry and that was an enquiry into the Defence Department’s capability to support Australia’s defence program. “Now that report of that enquiry was supposed to be released the last sitting day, 28th of March last week, it’s been extended to the 24th of November. “Surprise, surprise, we know that there’s been tensions between the Defence Minister and the top brass of the defence force.”

Former Liberal MP Nicolle Flint says the Labor government has spent a “colossal” amount on renewables and the NDIS. Ms Flint joined Sky News host Paul Murray to discuss the possibility of defence projects being cut from the federal budget. “The scale of spending by the Albanese-Labor government is just extraordinary. “The $1 billion to build solar panels here last week that they had to fly up on their private jets to the Hunter Valley … to make the announcement. “The colossal spending on renewables, on the transmission lines, NDIS, everywhere you look, Labor is spending money.”

Sky News host Paul Murray says the Labor government’s budget is going to have Australia in a deficit for “the next 40 years”. Mr Murray joined PR Counsel Kristy McSweeney, Former Liberal MP Nicolle Flint, and One Nation Chief of Staff James Ashby to discuss the potential for defence projects to face cuts in the federal government. “The hard decision is that Australia needs to find more revenue to match its spending or it needs to cut its spending. “Either way it creates a political firestorm. “We’re about to go through this theatre for the next few weeks about all the tough decisions they’re making in the budget.”

Sky News host Caroline Di Russo says King Charles is now “raring to go” for his Australia visit later in 2024. “It has been reported this week that King Charles is raring to go for his tour to Australia later this year,” she said. “We understand his cancer treatment is going well. “He has asked his aides to get plans in place ready for October. “The King is frustrated by his current health challenges and he is eager to get on with his official engagements.”

Sky News host Paul Murray says “frequent free flyer” Defence Minister Richard Marles is the man who “desperately” needs to fly private jets rather than take limousines due to national security. “The frequent free flyer that is Richard Marles,” he said. “The man who of course desperately needs because of national security to be dropped off closer to his house. “In a VIP jet than in Melbourne. “Where he would have to sit in the back of a limousine for longer than he deserves.”

Sky News host Danica De Giorgio says children under the age of 14 in Florida are now banned from joining social media platforms after Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill bringing the law into effect. “Children under 14 in Florida are now banned from joining social media platforms,” she said. “Those 14 or 15 need a parent's consent to sign up. “Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law which will fine companies up to $50,000 per violation. “The laws are in response to a string of tragic suicides in the US, teens taking their lives due to cyber-bullying.”

Sky News host Caleb Bond says a man has gone for “some kind of record” after downing 22 schooners and a shot over the course of six hours at a pub. “This could be going for some kind of record,” said. “A man … has managed to down 22 schooners in one shot. “Over the course of six hours. “If you can drink 22 schooners and take a shot and not be dead or asleep, you deserve a medal as far as I am concerned.”

Psychiatrist Dr Tanveer Ahmed says banning children from social media is “not going to work” as it is key for them to learn how to navigate digital spaces safely and be “good digital citizens”. “Banning social media is a bit like saying just say no to drugs, or never have sex, teenagers,” he said. “It is not going to work. “You need to help them navigate the world they are in and be good digital citizens. “They have to learn how to navigate it.”

Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes says there is a lot of controversy over Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s choice for the new Governor-General. Former Labor staffer Sam Mostyn was announced last week as David Hurley’s replacement. “A republican, that is the part that galls me,” she told Sky News host Caleb Bond. “This is the hypocrisy of the left, they’ll condemn the monarchy, they don’t like our form of government, they’ll talk up Peter FitzSimons and what he did for the Republican Movement. “Cushy job, nice house, I’m in – you know, forget what my value compass is, forget what I believe in, what I support for our nation.”

Child and Adolescent Psychologist Clare Rowe says banning children from social media platforms until they are older “just makes sense”. “It just makes sense, it is following the science,” she said. “We absolutely know how disastrous social media is on young children. “It is, for their mental health, their connection with peers, their sleep, their physical health, concentration, focus, it is wide-ranging. “We will look back on this … like we do with mothers smoking while they were pregnant in the 60s.”

Adobe shakes up the advertising and marketing world with a new artificial intelligence program. Plus, Brickworks' boss Lindsay Partridge on retiring and Australia's third biggest gold miner Perseus on the challenges of mining in Africa.

Tanarra Capital founder and CEO John Wylie warns property company Lendlease is facing “fundamental questions” about its future as he calls for an overhaul of the business. “We believe that Lendlease has become over time, it's become unfocused in terms of where its real competitive advantage is and right to win,” he told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “We believe it's operating on four continents in three different industries in a whole range of quite disparate business activities in many respects, has not been a formula for success and it shows in the share price.” Mr Wylie encouraged the business to leave the international construction business and focus on Australia. “We don't have an issue with the construction business in Australia. They do a very good job and they can be a leader for interesting development projects here in Australia."

Tanarra Capital founder and CEO John Wylie has called for a “cultural reset” within property company Lendlease. Mr Wylie is an activist shareholder in the company and stressed he wanted to see Lendlease succeed. “It's such an incredibly important enabler of success, of business success in any business today to get a positive culture, to get a high performing culture, a culture of accountability and a lean, efficient, effective culture,” he told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “The board and the CEO doing their best to try to drive a performance-based culture in this company. “We don't doubt that, but we think this needs to go further and harder and faster.”

Brickworks CEO Lindsay Partridge has criticised the high taxes on manufacturing and extensive approvals processes in Australia. Mr Partridge has been the chief executive of Australia's biggest brickmaker for 25 years and has announced his plans to retire on July 31. He noted warned against the fuel excise tax, payroll tax and land tax in Australia. “They are taxes embedded in the cost of production – that is the worst sort of tax for any manufacturer,” Mr Partridge told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “The governments love them because nobody can see the tax but when the factory closes because it can’t pay its land tax even if it is not making any money, there is no payroll tax, that is the end of the business. “So it is very difficult in Australia.”