Victorian Farmers Federation President Emma Germano says union strikes have a disproportionate effect on the economy as shipping to overseas countries are becoming unviable due to perishable goods sitting at the wharf. “We know that when unions strike – it has a disproportionate effect on the economy,” Ms Germano told Sky News host Peta Credlin. “We’re seeing things like shipping to Japan, which is ordinarily 16 days by sea, has blown out to 36 days. “Which makes that market completely unviable for us. “Particularly out of Victoria, one third of the exports are actually perishable agricultural goods, so it is going to have a huge impact on just the Victorian economy alone – essentially holding the country and its ports to ransom.”

Sky News contributor Joe Hildebrand says Queensland Premier Steven Miles’ decision to launch a review into infrastructure for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics is “almost Monty Python” because “he himself approved” the project. Olympics boss John Coats says the Games are in jeopardy if the transport system isn’t upgraded. “Is it something of a left-wing cultural cringe against sport, where you don’t actually need this – it’s only bread and circuses for the masses, and we’ll announce it to win an election, but then after that we’ll quietly just cut the umbilical cord,” Mr Hildebrand told Sky News contributor Steve Price. “Steven Miles has now ordered a review into a $2.7 billion knockdown rebuild of the Gabba that he himself approved. “This is Yes Minister; this is almost Monty Python – I just don’t understand it.”

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu says it’s “clearly a two-person race” between Donald Trump and Nikki Haley ahead of the state’s primary. Mr Sununu said his preferred Republican candidate Nikki Haley is confident because her rival Ron DeSantis has “left the building”. “I mean Ron has left New Hampshire, he has no money, he has no staff, he’s literally not coming here,” he told Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan. “He’s just made an announcement a short time ago that he’s going to South Carolina – Nikki’s home state – so I’m not sure what he’s thinking. “This is a two-person race, this is Trump versus Haley – all the polls say so.”

Sky News contributor Joe Hildebrand has slammed the Australian Open’s decision to remove Australia Day celebrations as a “ridiculous virtue-signalling gesture” that is “counterproductive” to making any meaningful difference. The Australian Open has come under fire for scrapping Australia Day celebrations. Each year, they induct an Australian tennis legend into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame, in which they erect a bronze bust of the player. This year, it is Lleyton Hewitt, but they have changed the date of that event from Australia Day to January 24. “I think it’s just that absurdity of it,” Mr Hildebrand told Sky News contributor Steve Price. “The idea that these sorts of ridiculous virtue-signalling gestures are going to make any difference … is absolutely ridiculous – in fact, it puts people off even considering or wanting to address these issues. “This sort of stuff is what cost the Yes vote its victory … and it’s just so counterproductive, self-destructive, idiotic – you could use any name.”

Small Business Women Australia Chief Executive Amanda Rose says tennis legend Martina Navratilova's criticism of Naomi Osaka for her first-round loss at the Australian Open is “quite insulting”. Ms Osaka has admitted she needs to set realistic goals as she continues her return to the sport after giving birth to a baby girl six months ago. “The fact that she’s playing after having a baby six months ago is phenomenal,” Ms Rose told Sky News contributor Steve Price. “Now the issue I find wasn’t that she was talking about fitness … it was that she actually compared her to another lady who had a baby six months prior. “The second you start comparing people, then we’re getting into very murky waters … to point that out is quite insulting.”

There is a dangerous shift throughout Europe, with a wave of anti-farming policies being proposed across numerous countries. The change is being led by the World Economic Forum, arguing a shift away from farming is needed to lower climate emissions. But farmers are making their voices heard and taking to the streets to protest these policies. Just this week, German farmers descended upon Berlin to protest rising costs and the government’s plan to gradually eliminate agricultural fuel subsidies. In this Sky News Digital Original, we will expose how the war on farming will impact you, and why this rhetoric is sweeping across Europe. 00:00 Why German farmers are protesting 03:33 Compromise proposed 06:14 Support for farmers 08:23 Dutch farmers victory in 2023 10:45 Dangerous anti-farming rhetoric 13:15 World Economic Forum meets 15:07 When will the protests end?

Residents at an apartment complex in Sydney have been assured there is no immediate threat to their complex or to units within it. Sky News Australia was joined by New South Wales Building Commissioner David Chandler to discuss the development. “It’s been nipped in the bud – the work is still to be done, the building will be rectified, and there is no risk to the occupants of that building,” Mr Chandler told Sky News Australia. “We will get this rectified. “The developer clearly understands we will be rectifying this.”

A Perth beach will remain closed on Thursday as an algae bloom lingers on the coast. The thick, brown sludge, commonly known as 'Sea Sawdust', stretches three kilometres along Mullaloo Beach. Scientists claim hot and calm conditions caused the phenomenon. Locals say this is not the first time, and it is only going to get worse. Reportedly, the beach is expected to reopen on Friday.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has launched a review into the master plan for the 2032 Olympic Games. The Premier is hopeful an independent review into big-ticket venues for the Olympics will find better options. The review will be led by former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk and is focused on getting the best value for money and creating a lasting legacy. The $2.7 billion redevelopment of the Gabba is set to be reevaluated. This move effectively means the Premier has bowed down to concerns from Cricket Australia and the AFL.

Royal biographer Robert Hardman has revealed that Prince William could break away from the Church of England when the time comes and he takes over as the next king. “In royal circles, it is no secret that he does not share the King’s sense of the spiritual, let alone the late Queen’s unshakeable devotion to the Anglican church,” Mr Hardman wrote of Prince William. According to a senior Palace figure, Prince William respects the institutions, but he isn’t “comfortable in a faith environment”. Royal biographer and commentator Angela Levin says Prince William is “not at all religious,” unlike King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II. “He’s thinking that ... when the time comes, he doesn’t want to be leader of the church, which is what King Charles does,” she told Sky News host Paul Murray.

Hollywood heavyweight Arnold Schwarzenegger has been detained at a Munich airport over a luxury watch. Airport officials claim the actor was briefly detained after he failed to declare a $42,000 watch intended for a climate crisis charity auction. The 76-year-old was allegedly held at the airport for three hours and was fined $58,000 before his release. The main customs office in Munich has initiated criminal tax proceedings as the watch had failed to be registered. The actor was travelling to Vienna for the annual Austrian World Summit climate conference.

Houthi rebels are escalating their attacks on the Red Sea, targeting a US vessel. The White House is classifying the militant group as a terrorist organisation, reversing a decision made at the start of the Biden administration. This week, the Houthi’s terror continued with strikes on two commercial vessels, including an American-owned ship. The US initiated more strikes on Tuesday to destroy other Houthi ballistic missiles which were prepared to launch. The Houthi’s new classification as a specially designated global terrorist group differs from being labelled a foreign terrorist organisation – the label they held under the Trump administration before President Biden revoked it.

The unemployment rate in December has remained stable at 3.9 per cent. Sky News Business Reporter Edward Boyd says, “The Reserve Bank and plenty of economists out there are pricing in the unemployment rate to slowly continue rising throughout this year”. “The unemployment rate really went down a lot in November 2022. “Since then it’s gradually bounced around a little bit but slowly been increasing and it is now on a bit of an upward trend.” The figures were released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at 11:30am on Thursday.

Queensland could be facing a new cyclone threat. A low-pressure system is expected to deepen over the coming days as it tracks away from the coast. It’s then expected to make a U-turn next week. Queensland Premier Steven Miles says locals should be enacting their cyclone plan. “We’ve always been preparing for more cyclones to come – North Queenslanders and Far North Queenslanders, they’re used to this,” Mr Miles said.

Artificial intelligence can be used for “tremendous good”, but it still carries “existential risk”, claims World Economic Forum Head of AI, Data and Metaverse Cathy Li. “AI is a general-purpose technology,” Ms Li told Sky News Australia. “Like any previous-based technologies, they can be used for good – tremendous good. “At the same time, they can be misused, particularly by the malicious actors as well. “There’s already the near-term risks such as widespread misinformation … there’s considerable privacy and security risks because we still don’t understand the technology as well as we would like to.”

The widow of a special forces veteran who was told she could not remain in Australia to raise the couple's young child will have her visa application moved to the front of the queue. Drew Chilcott died in an accident after two decades of service but his wife Kristie was told the wait for a parent visa could take 29 years. “I am speechless as I did not expect the government to do the right thing,” Ms Chilcott said in a statement. “I am beyond grateful for this chance to stay and live in Australia permanently with my son. “I just wish it didn’t have to come to going to the media for there to be justice in the immigration system.”

CommSec’s Craig James says there is “not a lot of good news” from the Australian stock market on Thursday morning. “The expectation is we will be down at the start of trade by around about 37 points or half of one per cent,” Mr James told Sky News Australia. “The Aussie dollar sitting at 65.35 US cents. “If we look ahead to today, the job figures coming out at 11:30 Sydney time – the expectation of 20,000 jobs created in the latest month. “The unemployment rate unchanged at 3.9 per cent.” Presented by CommSec

Paramedics in Victoria are on the verge of industrial action after no movement on wages. The current pay deal expires within weeks, and they are nowhere near a new one. More than 60 meetings have taken place between the Victorian state government and worker representatives over the past 12 months. In December, Ambulance Victoria were offered a 3 per cent pay rise and yearly bonuses of $1,800. The union, however, is demanding change on other issues including sick leave, rostering and overtime.

Penny Wong has reaffirmed Australia's position for a two-state solution in the Middle East conflict. The Foreign Minister engaged with officials overnight as she continues her tour in the region. Ms Wong has renewed calls for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel as Gaza continues to suffer from IDF bombardments. She added that peace and security is vital to ensure settlements by displaced Gazans continue to abide by international law. The Foreign Minister also announced an extra $21 million in aid to Gaza.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles will meet with the heads of Australia's leading supermarkets today. It is hoped the meeting will address ongoing gaps between farm-gate costs and the prices customers are being charged at the check-out. Supermarket prices have become the centre of concern for the Premier in which cost of living has been on the mind of voters. The move comes just ten months prior to the 2024 state election. The Premier says he hopes the meeting will force supermarkets to be more upfront with customers.