Shadow Government Services Minister Paul Fletcher says the former Coalition government “got the balance right” in “advancing Australia’s national interests” with the Chinese government. Former prime minister Paul Keating has met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a closed-door meeting at the Chinese consulate in Sydney. “The relationship with China is very important. “We want to have a mutually respectful relationship with China, but at the same time, there are differences in values between Australia, as a democracy, and China. “I think what’s becoming clear with every passing day is the Coalition government got the balance right, and it is important to be advancing Australia’s national interest in engagement with the Chinese government.”

More than 350 people have been flown to Darwin after severe flooding affected a remote Northern Territory community. Many residents from Borroloola say they have never seen the McArthur River reach the heights it did yesterday. The weather bureau has been unable to gauge the official level because of broken equipment, but it was expected to peak at between 15.5 and 16.5 metres. Evacuation operations have been underway for several days, the first plans being to evacuate people from Borroloola on Monday. Those evacuations were then called off due to the wild weather in the area brought on by now ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has announced the Labor government and the United Kingdom are establishing a Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement. Mr Marles spoke at a press conference on Friday to make the latest announcement with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. “We have long had strong people-to-people ties, strong cultural relationships, but what is emerging now is a strategic and security dimension to this relationship,” he said. “We have all reflected on how close our reflexes and our instincts are around a range of matters and how much intent there is on the part of all four of us to see a greater degree of action between our two countries on top of what is already a very, very solid base of activity. “Over the last two days we have announced the establishment of a Defence and Security Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Australia. “Which is a status of forces agreement which contains within them a commitment to consult with each other where there are contingencies which engage our sovereignty and our national security.”

Sky News host Erin Molan has called out the “nasty” reaction from some in the media after it was revealed a function to farewell Scott Morrison had been postponed. Many were quick to report it was because there weren't enough RSVPs. “Now I don't know the reason – I don't really care, to be honest – but what I will say about it all is the reaction from some in the media was surprising, to say the least,” Ms Molan said. “Programs and people who wax lyrical about mental health and being inclusive were nasty – downright mocking him mercilessly.” “Regardless of how you feel about the individual, he is a former prime minister and served this nation.”

Sky News Political Reporter Cam Reddin discusses the latest major announcement regarding the AUKUS deal. Australia is set to pay the UK nearly $5 billion to build the nuclear reactor part of the submarines. Mr Reddin said it’s “important” to remember the context behind the move. “In recent weeks the United States has made a decision to scale back its big picture production of submarines,” he told Sky News host Erin Molan. “It’s still a little bit unclear exactly what that will mean for the long-term vision of Australia acquiring submarines.”

Author Douglas Murray has been praised online after accusing a South African journalist of "misinforming" her viewers over the Israel-Gaza conflict. During a recent visit to South Africa, Murray spoke with Eyewitness News anchor Jane Dutton to challenge accusations of Israeli genocide in Gaza and South Africa's case against Israel at the International Criminal Court. Murray challenged the claim put to him by Dutton that Israel occupies Gaza and has the territory "completely" sealed in around the border. When Murray asked for clarification on who supposedly occupies Gaza, Dutton responded by stating it was Israel, aided by the US, who had sealed off the border. "I'm saying Israel has completely encircled Gaza, nothing goes in, nothing goes out, as you know," Dutton told Murray. Murray then countered that Gaza also borders Egypt, which has a "stronger fence" than Israel, to seal-in residents in the territory. "Well, as you know, if you've been, Gaza also has a border with Egypt, why do you not mention Egypt?" Social media users took to X to praise Murray's responses during the interview and to criticise Dutton. "The great @DouglasKMurray schools @janedutton of Eyewitness News in South Africa over the claim that Israel has been an "occupier" of Gaza," user Etana Hecht wrote on X.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor says Australia would be in a “deep recession” if you “took away immigration”. Australia’s unemployment rate in February dropped from 4.1 per cent to 3.7 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. “It’s not a soft landing if you’ve had a collapse in your standard of living,” Mr Taylor told Sky News Australia. “This is the problem – the only thing driving our economy right now is immigration. “If you took away immigration, the economy is in deep recession. “I don’t think there is any consolation in any of this for the average Australian family who’s working harder, saving less, with less purchasing power in their pay packets.”

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has called for “common sense” on immigration policy and says record levels of immigration during a housing crisis are “just not sustainable”. Australia’s unemployment rate in February dropped from 4.1 per cent to 3.7 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. “This is not about being against immigration – it’s about making sure that your immigration levels, and your housing levels, and the rest of the services and the infrastructure are aligned,” Mr Taylor told Sky News Australia. “We’re seeing a housing crisis where not enough new houses are being built at a time when we’ve got record levels of immigration – well, that’s just not sustainable. “It’s common sense this stuff; it’s not complicated.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost 767,000 people arrived in the year to September 2023. Combined with falling departure numbers, the net migration reached 548,000 in the same period – 60 per cent higher than the year before. Based on these trends, the total net migration will reach approximately 530,000 in the 2023-24 financial year, 215,000 more than the federal government's forecast budget. Some Sydney mayors have criticised both the state and federal governments for the lack of investment in infrastructure and unprecedented levels of migration. The state's net overseas migration increased by four times the number of homes built in 2023.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor says Australians are “experiencing a recession”, which is a “remarkably bad situation” for the country. Australia’s unemployment rate in February dropped from 4.1 per cent to 3.7 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. “We’ve seen a population increase of over a million, so you would expect some jobs to along with that kind of population increase,” Mr Taylor told Sky News Australia. “This is part of the problem – part of the reason our standard of living has collapsed is our economy has stagnated. “GDP per capita recession. What does that mean in practice? Australians are experiencing a recession – the economy is going backwards for them. “That’s a remarkably bad situation that most Australians are facing.”

Sky News US analyst Michael Ware has questioned what will happen to Gaza’s political system if the war between Israel and Hamas ends. His comments come as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire during a visit to Egypt. “The fundamental message there is that we are getting closer to a deal between Israel and Hamas,” Mr Ware told Sky News Australia. “The gaps are narrowing, but the gaps are still there. “One of those gaps obviously is the big question that’s been left unanswered since the beginning of this war for the Israelis – What happens the day after? “What kind of government will come into place when this war ends in Gaza?”

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has slammed Australia's Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd as “damaged goods” following revelations Mr Rudd called to remove Donald Trump as president during his first term in office. “I want all of our ambassadors to succeed on behalf of our country and I have in fact defended Kevin Rudd over the last 24 hours and at least in terms of the examples we have seen,” Mr Canavan told Sky News Australia host Sharri Markson. “Obviously, he has made some character assessments of Donald Trump, but I think people misinterpret Donald Trump and his reactions sometimes. “Some of his closest confidants right now issued scathing character assessments of him in the years past, he can actually get over things if there is a mutual interest in doing so. “But what you have revealed tonight is a different category at all, and I am not sure if Kevin can continue now … he called for the removal of a sitting president, it was almost like a coup, he called for a coup almost within the United States. “How can anybody that has such views be appointed as a diplomat to that nation … clearly now he is damaged goods.”

Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power says it has certainly been a "tough year" for Princess Catherine and that support must remain behind her. Ms Power spoke to Royal commentator Josh Rom about the latest issues impacting Princess Kate and the Royal Family. Speculation about Kate’s wellbeing and whereabouts were heightened recently after an official photo of the Princess with her three children released on Mother’s Day was “killed” by major photo agencies who claimed the image was manipulated. "You really have to feel for Kate," Ms Power said. "She's been the centre of this controversy; she's been the centre of conspiracy theories. "Now she's been the subject to a privacy breach when she's been undergoing abdominal surgery. "It's certainly been a tough year for her, and we really need to keep the support behind her for when she does come out again and engage in those royal engagements."

Footage has emerged of migrants overwhelming officers as they attempt to cross the border into El Paso, Texas. New York Post reporter Jennie Taer posted the vision to X. “Absolute chaos here” Ms Taer wrote. It comes as a controversial immigration law known as ‘Senate Bill 4’ remains on hold. Tech investor Emil Michael told Sky News immigration is going to be the “top issue” at the Presidential election. “For the first time in a long time, immigration is going to be right up there with the economy as the top issue in this election,” Mr Michael said.

A man has been charged over a hit and run in Brisbane, NSW strengthens laws to combat youth crime, ex-Tropical cyclone Megan forces evacuations in the Northern Territory, Keli Lane's team fight for her release, Australia to invest in UK nuclear reactor plant, and Paul Keating says Australia must work with China. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

The steam train made famous by Harry Potter has been suspended. The move comes as a result of safety concerns. The service which runs through the beautiful Scottish Highlands has been put on immediate pause. It awaits a verdict allowing it to continue operating in its current state. The train’s suspension could cost up to $100 million in lost value.

The Sony Foundation's Wharf4ward has hosted its annual spectacular to raise money for young Australians with cancer. 2024’s event included a range of stars from Guy Sebastian to Sky News' own Erin Molan. Sony managed to raise an eye-watering $1.5 million for young Australians. The funds go towards regional young Australians to assist them in relocating to cities where they can receive appropriate cancer treatment not available in remote hospitals. Sky News presenter Jaynie Seal toured the event to interview the crowd-drawing stars and young Australians in need of life-saving treatment.

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski says the Australian market futures are “pointing to a flat start” on Friday morning. “Probably down slightly when we kick off,” he told Sky News Australia. “This is a stark contrast to what we have seen in the Northern Hemispheres for stocks. “We have got US and European markets in the neighbourhood of record highs again.” Presented by CommSec.

Attendance records are set to be broken this weekend at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Fans have been lined up outside the venue for hours now, some as early as 4:30am, yet gates will not open until 8:30am. “They are that excited at the opportunity of meeting some of the drivers,” Sky News Melbourne Reporter Holly Edwards-Smith said. “This is the first time there will be two Aussies on the Grand Prix grid in over ten years. “We’ve got Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo – some particular excitement about Danny Ric being back here in Albert Park.”

The Royal Family has been attempting to re-focus attention on their charity work following Princess Kate and the King's recent hospital admissions. On a visit to Belfast, Queen Camilla said her husband is doing very well during his cancer treatment. During her Belfast appearance, the Queen engaged with small local businesses to check on their welfare. In return, businesses and people alike flocked to the streets to ask about the welfare of her husband, King Charles. The King remains away from public duties while continuing his cancer treatment.