Sky News host Caleb Bond has slammed suggestions the sawed-down Captain Cook statue in St Kilda shouldn’t be rebuilt. The sculpture located in Catani Gardens was sawn off from the ankles and vandalised, with the words "the colony will fall" written in what appeared to be red paint. Councillors have planned to call for a community consultation on whether the statue should be reinstated in a motion at Wednesday’s council meeting. “Captain Cook was dead nine years before the First Fleet arrived,” Mr Bond said. “These people are just so historically illiterate and if we give them a single inch and say ‘well okay we are not going to put the statue up, it keeps getting targeted by vandals’, you are saying to vandals to cut down every statue in the country.”

Regional Australians are expected to protest at parliament against the imposition of renewables on “prime agricultural” and largely private land, Sky News host Caleb Bond says. “This week you’re going to have regional Australians who are expected to head to parliament to protest the imposition of renewables on largely private tracts of land,” Mr Bond said. “We know if the government wants to achieve this lofty goal, 82 per cent renewables by 2030, which by the way they won’t do, but they’re pushing towards it anyway. “They have got to install 22,000 solar panels a day, 40 large wind turbines a month, they have got to build 10,000 plus kilometres of new transmission lines. “Most of this has to go through prime agricultural land.”

A rise in shark attacks reignites a debate around culling sharks as Sky News host Paul Murray remarks “it is where they live” and places importance on shark netting around Australia’s beaches. “I am always surprised that we have the technology to fly to space – yet we can’t come up with the version of the shark net that doesn’t end up catching everything but the shark,” Mr Murray said. “I don’t want to downplay any shark attack that takes place, but last time I checked it is where they live. “We are jumping into their living room and kicking around and hoping for the best. “As a Wagyu meal for a shark as I would be – I don’t look forward to being eaten by a shark.”

Former Qld chief entrepreneur Steve Baxter says a high number of investors believe they will be affected by the government’s proposed decision to change the rules over who can be considered a wholesale investor. “We did a survey earlier this week, I think the results got released yesterday on LinkedIn,” Mr Baxter told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “We had 54 per cent of investors believe they will be impacted by this change – impacted means they’re no longer qualified as an investor. “I thought it would have been 20 to 40 per cent. “54 per cent made my blood run cold – that’s a lot of experience taken out of this sector when we have to compete, we have to get out there and innovate.”

The US destroys Houthi anti-ship missile, Indigenous rights activist Lowitja O'Donoghue has died aged 91, the Queensland government to introduce $160 million renters relief package, Australia announces support for the US and the UK’s airstrikes in Yemen, the federal opposition criticises Labor’s emissions plan, former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan and his wife sentenced to seven years in prison. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Herbert Smith Freehills Partner Tony Damian says reforms to Australian corporate laws are “not too bad” but welcomes the government to “pick up the mantle”. “Our laws are generally not too bad on that front,” Mr Damian told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “There’s all this merger reform coming this year, I think that’s going to be the interesting one. “The non-merger side of our corporate laws, in terms of M&A, is not in a bad place – there are some reforms and refinements that could be undertaken. “We’d love to see the government pick up the mantle on that.”

The Albanese government is considering “changing the rules” over who can be considered a wholesale investor, according to Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “For years, small business, investment funds, and even ASX-listed companies have tapped ‘angel investors’ to help fund their ideas,” Mr Greenwood said. “To get around owner’s rules, when anybody sells investments to retail investors, these schemes could only sell to wholesale investors. “But the government’s now considering changing the rules about who’s considered a wholesale investor with greater assets and income likely to make it harder to qualify. “Now that troubles those who think start-up businesses and investment funds should be open to more people – not fewer.” Mr Greenwood is joined by former Qld chief entrepreneur Steve Baxter to discuss the government’s potential changes and what it could mean for Australian business.

Herbert Smith Freehills Partner Tony Damian has predicted a “whole range” of mergers and acquisitions throughout the business industry in 2024. “We’ll see it across a whole range of sectors,” Mr Damian told Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “Energy and resources – absolutely. Retail – absolutely. “Some of the other areas as well – so tech and property, I expect those to be quite busy too.” Woodside's proposed $57 billion merger with is currently under review.

The US and UK have launched strikes on Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen following strikes by the United States in Syria and Iraq on Saturday. The operation targeted anti-ship cruise missiles, which the US military claimed posed an imminent threat to navy ships and merchant vessels. At least 36 targets were struck across 13 locations, according to a joint statement released by the US and the UK. “Today’s strike specifically targeted sites associated with the Houthis’ deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defence systems, and radars,” the US and UK said in a joint statement. It's believed at least 24 aircraft from the US Air Force and the RAF were involved in the airstrikes.

Sky News host Rowan Dean has slammed a “disgraceful” pro-Palestine rally held in London over the weekend. It was the first march in London since the International Court of Justice handed down its verdict after South Africa’s accusations of genocide. The Metropolitan Police said it made several arrests after one marcher was accused of setting off a suspected smoke bomb or flare. About 10,000 people marched through the streets holding banners that read, “Freedom to Palestine” and “Boycott Israel”. “What’s Rishi Sunak doing? Where is Rishi Sunak and why are they allowing this to happen?” Mr Dean said.

Four people have been killed after a vehicle crash in the Northern Territory overnight. Emergency services were called to a remote stretch of the Roper Highway around 7 PM on Saturday night, following reports of a single-vehicle crash. One male and three females were found deceased. One male survivor sustained serious injuries and was transported to Katherine for medical treatment. Major crash detectives are investigating the incident.

Sky News host Rita Panahi has slammed the entertainment industry calling it “hopelessly broken” with “race obsessions and woke dogma”. Ms Panahi’s comments come after creators and producers of Law and Order SVU recently ran an episode where a “white rape victim did not want to prosecute her black rapist because of her inherent privilege”. “That’s a great message to send to women – that even if they are the victims of the most heinous crime they should consider their own race and socioeconomic status and that of their attacker before seeking justice – that they should prioritise being good little victims and allies rather than holding a rapist accountable,” Ms Panahi said. “This is the poisonous, racist, victim-blaming narrative being promoted by a major, long-running TV series – have they just run out of ideas or are they trying to shame girls and women who want to take action against an attacker if that attacker happens to be black? “It's ugly, dangerous and based on utter falsehoods about systemic racism”

Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood says there has been a breakthrough in the “bitter and long-running industrial brawl” on Australia’s docks. Mr Greenwood says it is between the Maritime Union and the world’s largest operator, DP World. “All protected industrial action was withdrawn after a four-year deal was agreed – that will see worker’s pay 26 per cent higher over that time,” he said. “The dispute, already, had pushed up freight forwarding prices, which has been compounded by Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. That has pushed up the price of insurance – and forced some shipping companies to divert to more costly routes around southern Africa.” Mr Greenwood was joined by Freight and Trade Alliance Paul Zalai to discuss the breakthrough between DP World and the Maritime Union.

Donald Trump's accuser E. Jean Carroll boasts about $83 million US payout. U.S. launches retaliatory air strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria. Plus, the Foreign Minister ignored all warnings and increased the amount of hard-earned Australian tax dollars. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Sky News host James Morrow has questioned where the guards were in the Louvre Museum after a group of climate protestors threw soup at the Mona Lisa. Mr Morrow says he is “very, very suspicious” about the incident. “Where are the guards who should be frankly pummelling them? “Where ... are the patrons who should be pummelling them? “Shame on the French who normally take a fairly kinetic response to protestors.”

Israeli protesters have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with thousands taking to the streets in Tel Aviv. Protesters calling for the release of those still being held in Gaza and for a new election. Frustration has been growing over how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has handled the war and its slowness in achieving the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Protests have increased in frequency over the last three weeks and are becoming more politically fuelled as frustrations rise. Israeli officials estimate that 136 captives are still held in Gaza.

Sky News host James Morrow says the way President Joe Biden has responded to the deadly drone attack in Jordan is “completely wrong”. The US government has begun retaliatory strikes in Syria and Iraq. “They waited almost a week before firing anything back in terms of retaliation,” Mr Morrow said. “They telegraphed their list of targets before they did it, they allowed all the IRGC commanders to get out. “Why? Because the Biden administration is still in bed in Iran.”

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has praised Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling her “absolutely extraordinary”. Mr Burke’s comments come after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to sack Ms Wong on her stance that funding to UNRWA may eventually be restored. Israeli intelligence documents alleged some staff of UNRWA were involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7. “I wish Peter Dutton had been sacked as Health Minister and we never would have had threats to Medicare,” Mr Burke told Sky News Australia. "Penny Wong is an extraordinary foreign minister. “The allegations that were made were serious allegations – Penny’s responded to them seriously. “This is Peter Dutton desperate for a headline – it’s what he does. “He wants everybody sacked and he wants wages lower, and he still can’t work out if he wants people to have a tax cut.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt says Labor “hasn’t fixed the unfairness” in the stage three tax cuts. Mr Bandt sat down with Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell to discuss the federal government’s changes to the stage three tax cuts. “Sadly Labor hasn’t fixed the unfairness in the tax cuts,” Mr Bandt told Sky News Australia. “Politicians and billionaires and those in the top tax bracket get four and a half thousand dollars a year. “They get three times what middle-income earners get and middle-income earners are being asked to accept just an extra 15 dollars a week while politicians and billionaires get four and a half thousand dollars a year.”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has raised concerns with the “humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in Gaza as he calls on Labor to reverse its support for Israel. Mr Bandt told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell “we have seen too much suffering” in the conflict. “Over 26,000 people have now been killed and many of them are children,” Mr Bandt said. “There is starvation, dehydration, they’ve run out of fuel, the health system is collapsing if not collapsed in many parts of Gaza. “Labor must stop backing the invasion.”