Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says the Albanese Labor government is “all about real defence”. “AUKUS is happening, real jobs are now being created, real progress is now being made, real capability is now being built,” Mr Marles said during Question Time on Monday. “This is such a contrast to the thought bubble that we inherited from those opposite because when the Liberals were in government, they opened up a ten-year submarine capability gap and right now that gap is being closed as we speak at HMAS Stirling because while the Liberals were all about defence hoopla, the Albanese Labor government is all about real defence action.”

Soldier On Service Ambassador Angela Harper discusses the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide as it is set to be handed to Governor-General Sam Mostyn on Monday. “There is good support these days,” she told Sky News Australia. “But I think there’s a giant gap between someone suffering from mental health … and actually having the courage to ask for help.” If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Open Arms: 1800 011 046 Defence Family Helpline: 1800 624 608 Defence All-Hours Support Line: 1800 628 036

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has blasted the Coalition, saying they have offered “no help” and have “no plans” for people who are doing it tough. “Many Australians are feeling under pressure right now and easing that cost-of-living pressure is of course our number one priority,” Mr Albanese said. “Since we were last here … we’ve made medicines more cheaper on the first of this month, more of them going into the 60-day list, something that those opposite oppose. “This week we’re progressing our plans for super on PPL as well as HECS relief.”

The Coalition has taken back suggestions it wants to dismantle the aviation sector after claims they wanted Qantas to sell off Jetstar. Shadow Transport Minister Bridget McKenzie raised the idea of a competition inquiry before the proposal failed to make it to the shadow cabinet. Ms McKenzie believes an inquiry investigating divestiture powers could assist with reducing concentration in the airline market. While the Coalition has requested the divestiture to be reconsidered it has been revealed it is not a formal opposition policy.

Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures Joe Siracusa says Dick and Liz Cheney’s endorsement of Kamala Harris won’t “make much difference”. Former Republican representative Liz Cheney has reaffirmed support for Democrat Kamala Harris. “It’s certainly not going to change Republicans’ minds,” Mr Siracusa told Sky News Australia.

The Albanese Labor government seems to have done “everything in its power” to bring productivity down, says Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume. “If the government had concentrated on bringing down inflation using the tools at its disposal from the moment it came into government, well the economy would be in a much better place,” she told Sky News Australia. “And interest rates would not have had to stay so high for so long.”

Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures Joe Siracusa says Donald Trump is “a hell of a television personality” while Kamala Harris is a "disaster on television". Just two days before the first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, a New York Times poll revealed the US election is a dead heat. “Kamala Harris, whatever you think of her, she is a disaster on television,” Mr Siracusa told Sky News Australia. “I don’t think she’d have her own show for 10 minutes.”

Curtin University’s Dean of Global Futures Joe Siracusa says Donald Trump is more popular with his base now than he was in 2016. Just two days before the first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, a New York Times poll revealed the US election was a dead heat. “A lot of Americans see him as a centrist compared to Kamala Harris who is seen as left of centre,” Mr Siracusa told Sky News Australia. “The poll is very favourable to Mr Trump.”

Westpac’s Business and Wealth division boss Anthony Miller will be its new chief executive from December 16 – replacing the outgoing Peter King.

Sky News Washington Correspondent Annelise Nielsen says the upcoming presidential debate will be “critical” to the campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Just two days before the first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, a New York Times poll reveals the US election is a dead heat. “There has been a real honeymoon for Kamala Harris since she took over the ticket from Joe Biden,” Ms Nielsen said. “But it seems that those numbers are dwindling.”

China will no longer allow foreigners to adopt Chinese children. The adjustment to the cross-border adoption policy has brought uncertainty to hundreds of families globally. The number of international adoptions from China had been in decline in recent years.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have attended a church service in Scotland in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The day marks the second anniversary of her death and the King's accession to the throne. Queen Elizabeth died exactly two years ago at Balmoral Castle, around the corner from Crathie Kirk.

Former Republican representative Liz Cheney has reaffirmed support for Democrat Kamala Harris. Ms Cheney has been critical of former President Donald Trump over inciting violence at the January 6 riots. Her father – former Vice President Dick Cheney – is also endorsing Vice President Harris. Speaking to the ABC, Ms Cheney believes it would be dangerous if Mr Trump were to re-enter power.

Queen Elizabeth II's groom for 28 and a half years Terry Pendry has spoken out about his relationship with the late monarch before she passed away. In a moving conversation with British podcaster Gyles Brandreth, Mr Pendry described his time with the Queen, particularly during her last ride. Sky News host Caroline Di Russo is joined by GT Communications founder Gemma Tognini and Sky News contributor Louise Roberts to discuss Mr Pendry opening up about his relationship with the late Queen. “This is a beautiful reflection of the closeness of that relationship and when he says you know she could tell a good joke I absolutely believe that,” Ms Tognini said.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets across France denouncing the appointment of Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister. President Emmanuel Macron's choice for the conservative is contentious because the left won the largest number of seats in the recent snap election. On Thursday, Macron named 73-year-old Barnier, a conservative and the former Brexit negotiator for the European Union as prime minister.

A manhunt is underway after a shooting in rural Kentucky, in the United States. Police are searching for a 32-year-old male suspect who shot multiple people in traffic on I75 highway. Local authorities said seven people have been injured including some who were involved in a car accident but no one has died.

GT Communications founder Gemma Tognini has hit out at Sir Ian McKellen's “grubby” remarks on Prince Harry. The British actor, 85, claimed the Duke of Sussex probably is "not bright enough" to survive royal life. “That comment, it's incredibly unkind, what's the point of saying that,” Ms Tognini told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “Also, what is it inferring is it inferring that one needs to be book smarter, university smart or street smart or have high EQ, it's an absolutely really grubby thing to say and I think it reflects really poorly on him.”

Sky News contributor Louise Roberts has claimed the “regret” of leaving the Royal Family is beginning to “seep through” for Prince Harry. It comes amid speculation over whether he and Meghan Markle will return back to the UK. “I think he feels bad because his father, and also his sister-in-law are battling cancer. But in particular, Charles is going through a torrid time you can tell that he doesn't look that well and of course, he's not there to look after his dad,” Ms Roberts told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “He can't just jump in a car and drive up to see how his father is and I think as well, the kind of great American dream, the great business, you know, billionaire play that they were looking to recreate hasn't actually happened.”

Nationals MP Keith Pitt criticised the Climate Change Authority after they suggested Australians should eat less red meat to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Mr Pitt claimed the suggestion was "nonsense". "I mean, how could this be serious? These people must live in another dimension," Mr Pitt said. Here's where the nonsense starts, there's got to be almost 30 million feral pigs in this country and I'd be happy to wipe them out tomorrow, every single one of them. Yet guess what? Their emissions don't count. They don't count towards Australia's total so it doesn't matter if you get rid of the feral ones, it's only the domestic pigs that are apparently causing a problem. "When will this nonsense stop?"

Sky News host Paul Murray calls on all Australians around the country to slow down while driving as average speed cameras are set to be turned on for cars in New South Wales. “This is not a toy, you can hurt yourself, you can hurt other people, of course you can kill yourself, or other people as well,” Mr Murray said. “The shocking data showed a very significant, in fact more than half of all the people who die on the roads, they do so in regional areas.”