Sky News host Rita Panahi has criticised the Labor government over their decision to spend $40 million on a campaign promoting its changed stage three tax cuts. Labor on Wednesday revealed during questioning at the Senate Economics Committee it had planned to spend the huge sum over two years to sell the public on the tax restructuring. “This is using our money to sell us their policies this is straight just political advertising to try to dress this up as some sort of information campaign because, at the end of the day, these tax cuts are applied whether you want them or not or whether you seek them or not,” Ms Panahi said. “This is something that will just hit your pay packet and some of you will get less than you were expecting because of the broken promise, some of you will get a little more and that’s it. “So why do you need to have this messaging rammed down your throat at your expense, when there’s absolutely nothing for Australians to do as far as the implementation of this policy.”

Donald Trump has unveiled his first official footwear at Sneaker Con. The former US President was met with boos and cheers at the Philadelphia event. The ‘Never Surrender’ gold high-tops are selling for $399 on a new website which also sells Trump branded cologne and perfume. Donald Trump says the new shoes are something he has been planning for years. “I think it’s going to be a big success,” he said.

Ukrainian forces have withdrawn their troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka after facing ammunition shortages. Ukrainian President Volodymyrr Zelensky spoke in Munich, saying it is a reminder of the urgent need for Western support and funding. “If Ukraine will be alone – you have to understand what that will be,” Zelensky said. “Russia will destroy us, destroy Baltic, destroy Poland. “And they can do it.”

Argentinian President Javier Milei has been praised as a “true conservative hero” by Sky News host Rowan Dean. Mr Dean’s comments come after footage was released of the Argentinian President shaking hands with people on a plane. “A true conservative hero, Javier Milei,” Mr Dena said. “This is how a conservative behaves. “Someone who’s against woke.”

Seven Group Chief Executive Ryan Stokes discusses the lithium sector and how the demand for battery materials will “continue to grow”. Mr Stokes pointed out the Australian mining sector is an “incredibly innovative and world-leading sector”. “Our view is in the lithium sector, the demand for battery materials is going to continue to grow,” he told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “Over time, electrification is going to occur, and that theme is going to demand an increase of lithium. “So if you look at long term, that demand will be there.”

Uber Eats Australia and Planet Ark are encouraging restaurants to ditch plastic for more sustainable packaging. To engage businesses and consumers on the importance of sustainable packaging, Uber Eats has created a range of incentives and educational materials in collaboration with Planet Ark. Uber Eats Australia General Manager Bec Nyst says Uber Eats has a goal to “support restraint partners to transition to reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging for restaurant orders.” “We want to work with Planet Ark to help provide information both upstream to restaurant partners who really want to adopt sustainable packaging and also downstream to consumers who are often confused about exactly how to dispose of their packaging once they finish their meal.” The aim of the partnership is to educate both restaurant partners and customers on what products are good for the environment, and how they can be recycled, reused, or thrown in the compost bin. In partnership with Uber.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced the government’s response to its Surface Fleet Review, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. The Surface Fleet Review is expected to release within the next week. Mr Clennell said there has been speculation that the review Mr Marles is set to release will include “slashing the number of Hunter Class frigates the government is building from nine to a number like six or even three”. “It is my understanding the review will not see Australia have less frigates," Mr Clennell said. “Although it is unclear if all of the Hunter Class will remain."

Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says there was “shock news for the government” on Friday following the arrival of an asylum seeker boat in the north of Western Australia. Mr Clennell said there had been reports there might have been a “second arrival”. “My understanding is the second group of people found about an hour after the first is from the same boat,” Mr Clennell said. “Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was caught on the hop on Friday when asked about their arrival. The Prime Minister said the government has “policies in place” to ensure that “they’re dealt with”.

Western Australia Liberal MP Ian Goodenough has lost a preselection battle with former Stirling MP Vince Connelly on Saturday, says Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. Mr Clennell said there is speculation Mr Goodenough will join another Liberal who lost preselection on the crossbench – Russell Broadbent. “If this were to occur, the crossbench in the Lower House would swell to 19,” he said. “Labor sees Moore as a winnable seat – as the margin there is only 0.66 per cent. “It’s believed Mr Goodenough is thinking of running as an independent.”

Paul Murray Live Our Town is heading to Townsville for a special one-hour program broadcast on Sky News Australia. In partnership with Harvey Norman.

The death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is “awful news” as he “symbolised” opposition to an authoritarian regime and dictatorship, says Cypress College Professor of Political Science Peter Mathews. Alexei Navalny has died in a Russian prison at the age of 47. “He wanted to bring in democracy and have more freedom,” Professor Mathews told Sky News Australia. “And a lot of people across Russia support that. “They’ve seen this, him dying in prison, as very questionable.”

Over 900 pieces of Elton John memorabilia will go to auction this week. Silver platform boots, a signature pinball machine and Yamaha grand piano are among the items. They come from the pop star’s $11 million New York apartment which he sold last year. The auction will include costumes worn by the singer on various tours and a Bentley. Original artworks by artists such as Banksy will also be auctioned.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron has opened the door to recognising a Palestinian state without support from Israel. The President says recognition is 'no longer a taboo' for France. This comes as international concern grows over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza. France, along with most of the EU, has long supported a two-state solution. But this has always been as a negotiated peace deal with Israel.

The death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is a “message” to the West, according to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Vladimir Putin’s political opponent, Alexei Navalny, has died in prison at the age of 47. Mr Pistorius said Putin’s message to the West “came out on purpose”. “Germany is now … the second biggest supporter of Ukraine after the United States of America,” Mr Pistorius said. “We do everything we can.”

GPs are pushing for a $16 increase in the Medicare rebate to cover the cost of longer consultations and reverse the decline in bulk billing. Doctors will also push for taxpayers to fund $75 million worth of incentives to attract more medical graduates to choose a career in primary care. Only 13 per cent of graduates are choosing to become GPs. This is down from 40 per cent in 2004. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says it’s partly because doctors training in hospital get paid maternity leave while GP trainees don't.

The Daily Telegraph’s Joe Hildebrand has expressed confusion over the Victorian government’s reception of Taylor Swift after rescinding their bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. “They’ve lit up Flinders Street Station in Melbourne all just for Taylor Swift,” he told Sky News Australia host Steve Price. “These guys couldn’t do the Commonwealth Games and now suddenly, they can paint Flinders Street Station any colour you like.” Small Business Women Australia Founder Amanda Rose also expressed her disappointment in the government for putting “more effort” into the popstar’s tour rather than the Commonwealth Games. “The small businesses have been leveraging off this … that is fantastic.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Joe Hildebrand has called Australia’s reoccurring asylum seeker problem an “Achilles heel for Labor” as he expressed concern Immigration Minister Andrew Giles “is not up for the job”. “It has been for a long time, it caused a great schism in the Party, it comes up at just about every Party conference,” he told Sky News Australia host Steve Price. “This has obviously not been a good week for the government on immigration detention. “Labor needs a really competent immigration minister to make this issue go away. “If immigration is working for Labor it means you are never hearing about it.”

Sky News host Steve Price has stumbled across a dilemma which could cause AFL fans to turn on popstar Taylor Swift. Mr Price’s concern comes after he heard MCC CEO Stuart Fox’s comments on replacing the MCG’s hallowed turf just four weeks out from the AFL’s Round One. “The entire turf at the MCG, four weeks out from the start of the AFL, is going to be ruined,” Mr Price said. “They have got to pull it all up and it is going to cost them $1.5 million to roll in new turf. “If someone does an ankle in Round One of the AFL, Taylor Swift better not show her face in this country again.”

Sky News Australia host Erin Molan has labelled the NRL’s multi-million-dollar operation of protection guards and sex-ed for players in Las Vegas for the league’s opening round as an “own goal”. Las Vegas police boss Kendall Bell answered a summons from the NRL to address the players about local risks they may face while travelling over for the extravagant season launch in Sin City. “Is this necessary? They clearly think it is but these are adult men,” Ms Molan said. Former Australian special forces special commando Wes Hennessey chimed in to add how he thought the NRL was “sending an incorrect message”. “I think it is not probably sending the right type of message to what type of characters they are,” Mr Hennessey said.

Retired NSW police sergeant Glenn Gorick has defended the majority of cyclists using Australian roads but has criticised the “small minority” for doing “the wrong thing” when it comes to co-existing with other means of transportation. “99 per cent of all people are road users – cars, bus drivers, everybody and cyclists do the right thing,” he told Sky News Australia host Erin Molan. “It is just this small minority that continue to do the wrong thing. “That also doesn’t give people the right to be aggressive to that small minority. “A car versus bike, a bike loses every time – I have lost seven mates.”