PM pledges to deliver on policy as Parliament resumes
The Prime Minister pledges a year of delivery with his policy agenda, as Parliament resumes
Report examines the impact of aid cuts in Southeast Asia
Belgian rider Tim Wellens claims his first Tour de France stage victory Anthony Albanese has urged MPs not to take their time in Canberra for granted, ahead of the resumption of federal Parliament. He's addressed the new and returning members at an official event hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Government House, part of the formalities before the official opening of the 48th parliament on Tuesday. "It is such a privilege to sit either in the House of Representatives or the Senate. And something that none of us should ever take for granted. There are always far more people wanting to be in this position than can fulfil it, and it is an honour each and every day." The new term will see Labor with an increased majority, holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives after a landslide election win. About 40 politicians are entering parliament for the first time. A new report has warned that health, education and environmental programs in Southeast Asia's poorest countries are under threat, as Western governments slash their foreign aid budgets. The report by the Lowy Institute finds China is leading the development race in Southeast Asia, as traditional donors like the United States and United Kingdom step away from the region. The third edition of the Southeast Asia Aid Map has indicated China increased its regional development spend in 2023 for the first time in three years. A research associate at the Lowy Institute, Grace Stanhope, told SBS News, the funding cuts will have a sizeable impact. "The lack of Western and European money going into Southeast Asia is a real problem. We're projecting a 20 per cent drop in bilateral foreign aid to the region by 2026." The United Nations migration agency says more than 128,000 people in Syria's Sweida province have been displaced by the violence over the last week. Residents in the Syrian city of Suweida say fighting has stopped, after Syria's Islamist-led government declared the Bedouins had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city. Syria's president announced a ceasefire over the weekend. Syrian interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba spoke to Sky News U-K, condemning the actions of Israel in launching dozens of airstrikes earlier on in the week. "(Many of them (dead bodies) killed by the militias, which became (belong) to (Druze religious leader Sheikh Hikmat) Al-Hijri. I want to see in two eyes, not in one eye. When we see in two eyes, we can solve the problem." At least 73 people have been killed in the last 24 hours [[Sunday local time]], while trying to access aid at various locations across Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry. The highest death toll was in northern Gaza, where at least 67 Palestinians were killed as they waited for UN aid trucks to enter the strip through the Zikim crossing. Ehab Al- Zein was among those waiting for aid. "We were waiting for flour because of hunger. We wanted to eat and drink. Suddenly the tanks came out, surrounding us. They started shooting at us and we were unable to move. We could not get the flour and we remained surrounded for about an hour and a half to two hours. Some escaped, some were killed and others were injured. As you can see, this is our situation." Meanwhile, the Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for a crowded part of central Gaza, sparking fears of an imminent ground offensive there. It comes as Israel and Hamas continue indirect talks in Doha on a 60-day ceasefire and a hostage deal mediated by Egypt and Qatar - although there has been no sign of breakthrough. In cycling, Tim Wellens overpowered his breakaway companions in brutal fashion to claim victory on Stage 15 of the Tour de France. The Belgian national champion jumped away from a leading group of six some 43 kilometres from the finish and never looked back, beating compatriot Victor Campenaerts by one minute 28 seconds. Pogacar, still leads Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard in the overall standings, edging closer to a fourth Tour title. Wellens says it is a very special victory.
"I knew I was going to be in a very beautiful list to finally complete my trilogy in the Giro, Tour and Vuelta, so I knew I had to enjoy the moment. I kept riding until the finish line because I just wanted a big gap to fully enjoy it and maybe put my bike in the air after the finish, but I was so happy to win that I forgot to do it."
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