Space Industry Association of Australia former chief executive James Brown claims satellite communications are a "critical capability" of any defence force. The Federal government will cancel a $7 billion satellite communications system which was greenlit 18 months ago. The Australian newspaper has revealed the project will not go ahead due to insufficient defence funding. "This is a staggeringly stupid decision by the government – yet to be announced but all but confirmed," Mr Brown told Sky News Australia. "This is a critical capability for a defence force – without communications, you are not in the fight. "We are spending billions of dollars on a sophisticated data-enabled defence force that can provide security to Australians and now we won't be able to rely on our own satellite communications."

Jacqui Lambie Network Senator Jacqui Lambie has criticised the Albanese government for putting “all of its eggs in one basket” with Qantas which she says is “unfair” to other airlines. Virgin Australia believes Australian politicians insisting on taking Qantas 90 per cent of the time is costing taxpayers millions of dollars. “You wonder why there is no competition when the federal government is putting all of its eggs in one basket with Qantas,” Ms Lambie told Sky News Australia. “That is really unfair to the rest of the domestic carriers out there, and it’s about time they share the love.”

From intense debates to unforgettable moments, the 2024 race for the White House has captivated the nation like never before. Candidates have faced off in fierce battles for the hearts and minds of voters. Republicans Donald Trump and JD Vance, alongside Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, are all competing to become the next leaders of the United States. In this special edition of Sky News Digital Originals, your favorite hosts discuss who they believe came out on top in the election campaign, as well as their picks for the biggest losers on the trail. Additionally, we take a closer look at the highlights and lowlights from one of the most hard-fought election campaigns in recent history.

Sky News Washington Correspondent Annelise Nielsen says Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris took the morning off after appearing on Saturday Night Live “late last night”. “What we did see was her attending church,” Ms Nielsen told Sky News Australia. “It was there she said that they needed strength to get through the next week as a country, not just as a candidate.”

There are major public transportation delays in Brisbane as trains are suspended on the northside lines. Commuters are facing delays of up to 60 minutes.

Sky News Washington Correspondent Annelise Nielsen says Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris delivers “different ads are being targeted to different states” over the conflict between Israeland Gaza. Ms Nielsen examined how Ms Harris is campaigning in the key battleground states. “This was first reported by CNN … In particular, they’ve said that she’s tailored a very specific message to Michigan where there is the largest population of Arabs living in America, and there is a very different message targeted towards Pennsylvania,” Ms Nielsen said.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong have reportedly met Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s former top diplomat Mike Pompeo. According to the Financial review, the meeting was aimed at bolstering ties with the former US President during a close election race. The plan was created by Australia's Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd, who wants to grow relations with the allies of Mr Trump and Kamala Harris. Mr Pompeo is expected to receive a senior role if Mr Trump returns to power.

Democrat Presidential nominee Kamala Harris has taken her election campaign to Saturday Night Live alongside comedian and actress Maya Rudolph. New polls reveal Ms Harris is ahead in the state of Iowa. The candidates have a final stand in battle ground states that will decide the outcome of the election, as more than 75 million people have already cast their vote.

Sky News contributor Louise Roberts discusses the surprise surrounding the “white noise” and criticism of Prince Harry’s NATO speech. “I was a little surprised there was a bit of white noise around him talking to NATO,” Ms Roberts said. “I do not think you can doubt his devotion to Invictus and the work it does too.”

News Corp Columnist Angela Mollard discusses the new report detailing the Royal Family’s property empire and its worth. “Interestingly the Sunday Times today is reporting they have finally, in the UK, finally got eyes on how much property the Royal Family, how much Charles and William own,” Ms Mollard said. “It is over 600 million pounds.”

Sky News contributor Louise Roberts discusses Meghan Markle’s trademark issues surrounding her American Riviera Orchard brand. “For Meghan as well, that whole American Riviera Orchard, when she soft-launched it in March … what has happened now is another company has come forward called, ironically, Harry and David,” Ms Roberts said. “They own the trademark Royal Riviera so they argue of course American Riviera is a bit of a contradiction in terms, and a bit close for comfort.”

News Corp Columnist Angela Mollard discusses another Meghan Markle claim which has been debunked by a royal insider on how she was not “offered support”. “When Meghan Markle came out and she said she had not any support from the Royal Family when she entered,” Ms Mollard said. “There was really no instruction or support well, a royal insider has come out and said … he was very mindful she should be fully supported … it is utterly implausible to me Meghan was not offered support.”

Republican Edward Okpa says former US president Donald Trump is like “freshly poured concrete” as he gets “stronger every second” ahead of the upcoming election. “That is what is appealing to a lot of Americans because this guy is that person … we talk about courage, how else can he demonstrate it,” Mr Okpa said. “Trump, you know, when I saw him one time, I said, Mr president, you behave like freshly poured concrete, you get stronger every second.”

Republican Edward Okpa says traditional politicians in the United States show “resentment” for how Donald Trump has gone from businessman to politician. “The American political campaign will always be what it is,” Mr Okpa said. “This time is just too bad … Trump has been the only person who has gone from the executive office of his business to the executive office of the president.”

Republican Edward Okpa slams the Democratic Party as they campaign using “sheepish” tactics. “The Democratic Party … is a party of the sheep and the shepherd,” Mr Okpa said. “They want you to follow, that’s why you see Obama, Clinton and Biden telling you if you’re Black, don’t vote [Republican]. “That’s an insult … you should allow people to exercise their inevitable right to vote.”

Sky News contributor Evelyn Rae claims the “mask” has slipped off after President Joe Biden’s latest gaffe. The fallout continues from Mr Biden labelling Republican voters as ‘garbage’. “Sometimes the mask slips off,” Ms Rae said. “He does think very little of a lot of everyday Americans.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris made her comedy debut on Saturday Night Live. The Vice President made a surprise appearance just three days before the US election. Ms Harris appeared alongside actress Maya Rudolph who portrays her in the show.

Santos Chief Executive Kevin Gallagher discusses the company’s plans for carbon capture and storage (CCS). Santos’ Moomba CCS project is designed to capture the carbon dioxide emissions from the gas plant and inject it into the depleted reservoirs of the Cooper Basin. “The technology of capturing carbon works … its really about working on the technology curve to get the expense of that down,” Mr Gallagher. “The exciting thing about that though, is once you do that, you don’t need to build pipelines, you don’t need to ship it.”

Energy company Santos and Australia has a desperate need to find more gas. The federal court ruled in favour of Santos, allowing it to continue work on its $5.3 billion Barossa LNG project. The Santos-operated Barossa gas project is on track for its gas to processed next year. In partnership with Santos.

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas discusses the need for gas in Australia’s energy mix. Energy company Santos has been allowed to continue work on its Barossa gas project, where natural gas would be extracted from the Barossa field – approximately 300 kilometres offshore from Darwin. “If you argue the case against gas … what you are really arguing for is not a transition to net-zero at the time we want to achieve it,” Mr Malinauskas said. “There’s no world where we get to Paris, without gas playing a role in that transition.” In partnership with Santos.