New Zealand to be briefed on Aukus – as it happened

Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong (left) and defence minister Richard Marles (second from right) and) meet with their New Zealand counterparts, Winston Peters and Judith Collins, in Melbourne on Thursday. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

6.37am GMT

What we learned; Thursday 1 February

Here are the main stories from the day:

• The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has signalled that resuming Australia’s funding to a key UN agency delivering aid to Gaza is the only realistic route “if we are serious about trying to ensure that fewer children are starving”;

• New Zealand and Australia agree to strengthen defence ties;

• Independent senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie express IR bill concerns;

• Victorian health department to investigate allegations a regional hospital used staff, family to pose as patients during a ministerial visit; and

• The release of political donations data which showed millions of dollars pouring into the major political parties has renewed calls for reform.

We will see you back here for more news tomorrow.

Updated at 6.50am GMT

6.27am GMT

Here’s the story on news we brought you earlier that the foreign minister, Penny Wong, has signalled that resuming Australia’s funding to a key UN agency delivering aid to Gaza is the only realistic route “if we are serious about trying to ensure that fewer children are starving”.