Commentator Kara Kennedy says no one is surprised after a “damming” report has been released, showing China has labelled US President Joe Biden as “a very weak leader”. “What it has shown is that as long as Biden is in office, China knows they can do exactly what they want,” she told Sky News Australia host Caleb Bond. “I don’t think there will be any comments on it from Joe Biden seeing as it has basically labelled him a very weak leader.” Ms Kennedy explained the report disclosed several tactics used to subvert members of Congress for “anti-China views”. “They sought out members of Congress to punish for their anti-China views, even doing things like denigrate US Senators online using fake accounts.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman says he does “welcome” federal MP’s’ expenses being released to the public. Mr Gorman sat with Sky News Australia to discuss the release of public expenditure by federal MPs as well as the ongoing flood crisis in Far North Queensland. “It’s entirely appropriate that members of parliament, myself, all 227 members of parliament are accountable for using public money,” he said. “What we know is this is the first release of information we’ve had in more than a year and a half. “Because – what was called the new parliamentary expense management system, was a piece of software developed by the Coalition, the biggest problem with that software is they spent $69 million and it still couldn’t give us a proper report on what money was being spent.”

The Platform Journalist Sean Plunket says New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been “well-received by the public” despite some in the media painting his government as “racist and uncaring”. Mr Luxon has received criticism about his government’s proposal to dissolve the country’s Maori Health Authority, with critics dubbing the decision to ditch policies seen to favour the country’s indigenous people as anti-Maori. “He’s been well-received by the public and he was voted into office and the strange three-way coalition seems to be working well,” Mr Plunket told Sky News Australia. “There is a major problem with what one might call legacy media in New Zealand, who have given the new administration – Luxon, Winston Peters – no wiggle room, no honeymoon whatsoever. “But a poll just out, a Roy Morgan poll, has the new government in total up five per cent, Labour, the previous government, down nearly six per cent to historically low levels – just 21 per cent support. “While the news media might be painting this government literally as racist and uncaring, the New Zealand public seems to be responding very positively to what has been a very fast start in terms of policy turnarounds and a reset of the liberal mood or progressive mood, of the country to a more conservative and considered one.”

A vote for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has been delayed for a second time as the UN Security Council struggles to agree on the proposition’s wording. Israel President Isaac Herzog says his nation is ready for another humanitarian pause. Similar to the UN, the families of Israeli hostages are mounting pressure on the government to establish another ceasefire. Calls have also come from the Security Council for Israel to sufficiently discriminate between civilians and Hamas terrorists. Israel maintains it will remain focused on Hamas and its annihilation as southern Gaza is subjected to air raids similarly seen in the northern sector. Warning: this video contains distressing content.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma says Hamas is “only committed” to the destruction of Israel. He says Hamas wants to “slaughter” as “many Jews as it can get its hands on”. “This is its soul purpose and reason for being,” he told Sky News Australia. “The only option is to remove Hamas from political power. “Most of the world … would like to see Hamas gone from the scene because they know that Hamas throughout its history has held back the cause of peace in the Middle East and has held back the aspirations of the Palestinian people.”

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma says Australia “should be supporting” the United States' request to protect ships in the Red Sea. Mr Sharma’s comments come after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels began launching ballistic missiles and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Australia has joined 43 nations in condemning the Houthi attacks. “I’m puzzled that it has taken so long,” Mr Sharma told Sky News Australia. “I’m horrified that the answer seems to be trending in the no direction.”

Philosopher and Author Sam Harris says social media platforms “have to be moderated”. Mr Harris’ comments come as Elon Musk unbanned conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from social media platform X. “If they’re not moderated, if you’re not cleaning up some of the toxicity … any of these other mainstream platforms would be like 4chan or 8chan,” Mr Harris told Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan. “It’ll just be a completely sociopathic free-for-all. “Nobody wants that”.

The Opposition has blasted the Victorian government over the emergency call wait time in the state. A screenshot showed that 11 Victorians were on hold for over one minute. Victorian Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier said it’s not good enough and that no Victorian should be waiting outside the target time for their emergency call to be answered. “It's unacceptable at a time when we're coming into this busy Christmas period when an emergency response ... need to be answered in a timely fashion,” Ms Crozier said. It comes as disgruntled emergency call takers in Victoria are blowing the whistle on wait times and staffing levels as part of protected industrial action. Call takers are calling for more staff, better training, and a pay increase for trainees, which currently sits at $48,000 a year.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says knowing New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon for a very long period of time is a “good thing” for both countries. “It means our relationship is not starting – it's continuing,” Mr Albanese said. The PM listed the number of milestones for the Australia-New Zealand relationship. “40 years of the Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and 80 years of reciprocal diplomatic representation. “Our common values that we have as nations mean that there are great opportunities for us to work together on closer economic ties, closer social ties and working together in the international community to meet our common objectives.”

Philosopher and Author Sam Harris part of the remedy for a two-state solution in Israel-Palestine would be to “disenfranchise the religious maniacs on the Israeli side”. Mr Harris’ comments come as Israel faces criticism against the scale of their attack in Gaza with some claiming it to be religiously motivated. “Those religious claims upon real estate in the Middle East are not justified,” Mr Harris told Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan. “The settlements in the West Bank are certainly provocative and they should be disallowed. “If we’re ever going to get to a two-state solution part of the remedy there is to disenfranchise the religious maniacs on the Israeli side.

New footage has been released of thousands of migrants waiting to be processed in Eagle Pass, Texas as the situation at the border escalates. Americans have been reacting to the vision on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Why even have a border if it's not protected properly?” one user asked on X. "An open border is not a border," another user wrote. There were a record 12,600 encounters at the southern border on Monday, according to Fox News sources. Fox News reporter Bill Melugin said the situation is “getting worse”.

The threat from a large bushfire burning in northwest New South Wales has begun to ease. Rain is now falling across the fireground at Duck Creek near Narrabri. The fire is still out of control and has burnt more than 121,000 hectares so far. The Newell Highway remains closed between Narrabri and Coonabarabran. Locals in Baan Baa, Wilala, Goolhi, Rocky Glen, Stannix Park, Jacks Creek, Bohena Creek and Wynella are being told to monitor conditions.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon touches down in Sydney this morning to meet with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. It comes as the country's leader declares the long-standing issue of around 501 deportees now resolved. In Sydney, Luxon and Albanese are expected to focus on regional security and cross-Tasman trade. Albanese flagged the need for having an “enhanced economic relationship” with New Zealand. The trip marks Christopher Luxon’s first official overseas visit since being sworn in as prime minister three weeks ago.

Jaffas fans are outraged by Woolworths’ decision to remove the Allen’s confectionary product from shelves. The popular item is no longer being stocked in Woolworths stores across the country. Jaffas were axed by the supermarket giant after an internal review. Woolworths defended the move saying they only stock products that have the “broadest customer appeal”. The treat can still be picked up in select supermarkets including Big W and Coles.

E-scooter riders could soon be subject to breathe testing under new powers that could be granted to police in Queensland. The potential new laws include cyclists, e-scooters, and other personal mobility devices. New transport Bart Melish has confirmed the Government is considering the amendments. Police currently do not have the power to randomly breathe test riders. They are relying on arrests to breathe test at police stations.

Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, is under a pollution warning due to gasses released from a volcanic eruption. A nearby fishing town was evacuated last month in preparation, after weeks of intense quake activity. Eyewitnesses have described the sky being 'lit up in red' as the lava burst from a crack around three kilometres long. Experts said the lava is unlikely to reach any populated areas, even though the eruption could last for several months. Volcanic activity had been recorded in the region as early as October, with authorities closely monitoring seismic activity in the peninsula in the days leading up to the eruption.

ADF rescues stranded flood victims, the government to consider Benbrika’s release decision, Victorian triple-0 callers waiting over a minute, Australia declines to send warship to the Red Sea, RBA fears unemployment rise in 2024, over 100 dead after China earthquake. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Radio 2CC host Stephen Cenatiempo says Labor government IR reform bills have “sold out” businesses. “There’s no question they’ve sold out particularly small and medium business, but also some big business,” Mr Cenatiempo told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “This was driven by the unions from day one. “Whenever they try to push through one of these bills that’s got so much legislation in it. “You know there’s going to be something hidden in there.”

Outgoing Northern Territory chief minister Natasha Fyles has “no excuse” to use for resigning from her role, says Hobart City Councillor Louise Elliot. “It doesn’t seem right,” she told Sky News contributor Steve Price. “This is the Chief Minister of a mining state, with mining shares. “I really wouldn’t have thought it would be too hard to do a quick stocktake when you need to look at your tax return or whatever else. “I really find this perplexing.”

Radio 2CC host Stephen Cenatiempo says Natasha Fyles resigning as chief minister of the Northern Territory could set a “good precedent” for other politicians. “We’ve seen this kind of thing happen before … it’s always nothing to see here,” Mr Cenatiempo told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “It just shows the arrogance and complacency of our political class now that they think they can get away with this. “With not having to be as careful with their shareholdings as the codes of conduct insists they are. “Maybe it’s a good precedent, that some of our politicians might actually wake up to themselves.”