Broadcaster and Wordsmith Kel Richards says Victoria’s state government is not really “keen” on addressing the cost of living. “There’s a new study from Victoria, sending your kid to a public school in Victoria, just paying the fees for the things you got to buy for the kids,” Mr Richards said. “36 per cent more expensive this year than it was last year. “When inflation is 4.9 per cent, there’s a 36 per cent increase. “This is not a state government that is really keen on helping people struggling with the cost of living.”

The Australian’s Washington Correspondent Adam Creighton says former United States president Donald Trump is leading in the polls ahead of the Iowa caucus. “I think the truth is at the moment Trump is winning,” Mr Creighton told Sky News host Caleb Bond. “We'll find out, the first big test is next week at the Iowa primaries where we just see the true strength of Donald Trump's support. “I mean he's way ahead in the polls, but we still haven’t had a proper vote. “So we have to wait and see.”

Sky News host James Macpherson says the hospital system in Australia is a mess, it comes after a recent report shows Queensland public hospital staff have seen a rapid increase in violence. With an average of 40 incidents a day recorded by Work Safe. The recent data shows more than 14,000 incidents were recorded from 2022 to 2023. This was a more than 13 per cent increase compared to the years 2019 to 2020. Increased demand, sicker patients and workforce shortages are said to be factors increasing the violence.

The Greens have taken the “first opportunity” to push their political stance by calling for pill-testing after eight people were put into induced comas after a suspected drug overdose at a festival on the weekend, Sky News host Caleb Bond says. “This is awful, eight people put into induced comas after suspected drug overdoses at a festival on the weekend,” Mr Bond said. “They all apparently overdosed on MDMA. “Now the Greens … rather predictably are calling for pill-testing to be established in the state. “We still don’t have confirmation that these overdoses were caused by a bad batch of drugs.”

Sky News contributor Joe Hildebrand has applauded Queensland Premier Steven Miles’ “sensible” move issuing a warning to supermarket giants for more transparency in their pricing decisions. The Premier outlined his demands in a letter. It comes amid claims grocery giants are overcharging customers for locally grown fruit and vegetables. “Look he’s getting there,” Mr Hildebrand said. “I’ve got to say, for someone who I’ve not been shy in criticising over the years, Steven Miles has actually done something pretty sensible I think.”

The Vulcan Centaur rocket carrying NASA's Peregrine 1 lunar lander has successfully lifted off in Florida. It is the first US mission to the moon in 50 years. If the mission is successful it will be the first time an American spacecraft will have landed on the Moon’s surface since the Apollo missions. It is expected to reach the moon at the end of February. The Vulcan Centaur rocket blasted off at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 2:18am Monday (local time).

Labor’s renewable energy target “nonsense” sparks debate as Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says offshore wind farms are an “unacceptable risk” for the local flora and fauna, Sky News host Caleb Bond says. “Speaking of nonsense … Labor’s renewable energy target, would seem to be in a bit of trouble now,” Mr Bond said. “Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, she has blocked this offshore wind farm terminal … which Victoria considers crucial to their renewable energy job down there. “She says it is an unacceptable risk to local flora and fauna. “I’ve argued all along that all of this stuff … it’s actually terrible for the environment so maybe on that token they have actually woken up to this for once.”

Sky News host Caleb Bond reveals why the so-called gender pay gap is a "myth" following the government's latest move. From next month, businesses with more than 100 employees will be forced to report their gender pay gap data. “But businesses won't be required to report whether or not they're paying people different money to do the same job because of course it's not happening,” Mr Bond said. “This ‘gender pay gap’ they have to disclose is the difference between what all the men in the company are paid versus what all the women in the company are paid combined.” He pointed out men and women tend to be drawn to different fields and “priorities in life”. “And women have children – not birthing parents or whatever they're calling it at the moment – women. “Women generally take time off work to have children and they generally spend more time off work post-childbirth – spending more time away from work to be with your kid will naturally affect your employment status. These are simply the realities of life.”

Sky News host Caleb Bond raises concerns over Labor’s new “so-called” gender pay gap legislation coming into force soon. “About Labor’s grand plan to reduce the so-called gender pay gap,” Mr Bond said. “They’ve got this new legislation that was passed last year. “It’s coming into force next month and businesses will be required to publish their salary data. “Will this make any difference? I suspect it won’t.”

Two members of the British Royal family have attended the Magic Millions Polo and Show Jumping event on the Gold Coast. Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter, and her husband Mike Tindall appeared to be in great spirits at the event. The Royal Olympian showed off her polo skills by taking part in a match on the grounds. “All the ambassadors together, you know, it’s like a family tradition for Magic Millions each year… So yeah, it’s a great day,” Ms Tindall said. The magic Millions Raceday boasts $14.25 million in prizemoney across eleven races on January 13.

Matildas captain and Chelsea star striker Sam Kerr has torn her anterior cruciate ligament. The injury occurred whilst the 30-year-old was training with her club Chelsea in Morocco. The dreaded injury is becoming all too common for female footballers with more than 20 of the top players missing out on the 2023 World Cup due to a ruptured ACL. Head coach for the Matildas Tony Gustavsson said: "With her ability to lead by example, Sam’s guidance and influence on the team is significant and, as a result, this will be an incredible loss for the national team."

Social media users have accused MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart of crying "fake tears" after he became emotional while interviewing former Capitol Hill police officer Michael Fanone on the third anniversary of the Capitol riots. Capehart, fighting back tears, thanked Fanone for his actions three years ago and asked for his thoughts on the anniversary. Capehart interviewed the ex-officer about his book, "Hold the Line," recounting his firsthand experience during the Capitol riot. "Michael Fanone, I'm going to try to get through this – um, thank you for what you did three years ago today," he said. "Please, tell me your thoughts on this third anniversary." Fanone replied that the fight from Jan 6 is ongoing and vital for the nation's attention. Social media users roundly mocked the MSNBC host over his "dramatic performance". "In the long sad history of fake tears these may be the fakest", one user on X wrote.

Shadow Environment Minister Jonathon Duniam says the transition to renewables and “blindly adopting” one form of technology over any other is “not the way to go”. Mr Duniam says Australia should be “going to the market” and seeing what is required to “underpin sound investment decisions”. “We don’t have the right plan in place,” Mr Duniam told Sky News Australia. “We shouldn’t be dictating to the market what they need." Australia's rooftop solar is also becoming the dominant energy source, having a significant effect on production from coal as well as generation from large-scale wind.

Suits star Gina Torres has suggested Meghan Markle is no longer close to the cast during an interview on the red carpet at the Golden Globes. Torres, who played Jessica Pearson on the hit series, was asked by Variety whether the Suits cast asked the Duchess of Sussex to attend the awards event alongside them. “We don’t have her number,” Torres replied. “We just don’t.” Torres attended Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 with several other Suits castmates.

Two hikers have been killed after being hit by an avalanche in the Italian Alps. The avalanche occurred close to the border with Switzerland. A specialist rescue team was sent to the scene by helicopter despite strong winds. The team, along with a trained rescue dog, recovered the victim's body from the snow while the other body was found in a nearby lake. It is reported the two killed were a 30-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man from the Lombardy region in northern Italy.

Former US president Donald Trump has mocked French President Emmanuel Macron by imitating his accent as he ridiculed negotiations over taxes on American tech giants during his presidency. The 2024 presidential hopeful made the remarks on Friday during a campaign event in Iowa. Trump referenced a past conversation with Macron regarding a 25 per cent tax proposal to slap US tech giants operating in Mexico. Trump recalled that he'd threatened Macron to put a 100 per cent tariff on French wine and champagne imports if the tax proposal took effect. The 77-year-old then took a jab at President Joe Biden, whom he may face in the upcoming general election, and mocked his press conference antics. Trump is rallying support in Iowa for the Republican caucus on January 15, where he is far and away the leading candidate. He currently leads all competitors by more than 30 percentage points in the state, according to most polls.

An aircraft carrying nine people has collided into trees on an island in the Great Barrier Reef just before 7:30am this morning. Two of the passengers are reported to be injured. It’s believed the plane overshot the runway as it was coming into land, crashing into the trees on Lizard Island. A Royal Flying Doctor Service plane and two rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene. The severity of the crash is still unknown.

A powerful winter snowstorm has hit the states of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey in the US, bringing with it up to 35 centimetres of snow in some areas. Authorities are recommending residents stay inside – as the mix of snow, sleet and rain is making for dangerous road conditions. Snowploughs have been busy cleaning roadways, sidewalks and parking lots as the country’s northeast experiences blizzard-like conditions. The accumulation has proved dangerous for vehicles not equipped to handle the downpour. Residents are being urged to stay off the streets and wait out the storms inside their homes.

Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts remain in place across England, where property owners remain on high alert. River levels are continuing to rise in some places, threatening homes. After almost a week, parts of England have been submerged as Storm Henk and torrential rain compounded the wettest half-year on record. Amid criticism of a decade of cuts to environment agency budgets, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surfaced in Oxford to offer his defence. “We’ve invested 5.2 billion pounds in flood defences over the period in question – that’s a record sum,” Mr Sunak said.

A 65-year-old woman has died after suffering burns to over 90% of her body in a fire at her home in the New South Wales, South Western Slopes region. The mother passed away at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital at 3am on Monday. The lady was flown to the hospital in critical condition from a small town 430 kilometres away. Police say her 42-year-old son set her home on fire before running away, and spent several hours on the run armed with a bow and arrow before turning himself into a police station. He was then given several serious charges from the NSW Police Force including domestic violence, murder, grievous bodily harm, and damage to property by fire worth more than $15,000. If you or anyone you know needs help: 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636