What we learned today, Monday 29 January
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. These were today’s main stories:
The Australian government wants to resume its funding to the UN agency for Palestinians, but only if it receives assurances of further “protections” about where that money goes, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says.
Albanese’s comments came after Palestinian diplomats wrote to the foreign minister, Penny Wong, urging the Australian government to reinstate funding to the agency, UNRWA, which provides key services to the people of Gaza.
Student visa application approvals have hit a historic low, new government data reveals, following the federal government’s migration reforms which aimed to crack down on malpractice in the sector.
Albanese has shaken off the frosty reception he received at the Australian Open men’s final, describing it as an Australian tradition as Jacqui Lambie questioned the country’s “values”.
Duck hunting won’t be banned in Victoria, the government has announced in response to an inquiry.
An Australian company has bought dessert brand Sara Lee, which went into administration last year.
We will see you back here for more news tomorrow.
Updated
Albanese speaks on Palestine response
On Triple J, Anthony Albanese went on to talk up the increased funding from the federal government to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, saying his administration was also assisting other agencies.
“We believe this is very important that the humanitarian assistance gets to the people who need it, when they need it, and we know they need it now,” the PM said.
He went on to reference the investigation into UNRWA, saying: “We are very conscious of the pressures which are on, but the investigation that will take place quickly, we want to see these issues sorted out, but it is appropriate that a pause take place given the revelations which have appeared in recent days.”
The Hack host, Dave Marchese, read out a text from a Triple J listener, who asked if Albanese’s position regarding Palestine and Israel had changed, and claiming he wasn’t as “vocal” as he had been earlier in his career.
Albanese responded: “We have been very vocal.
“We have voted for a humanitarian ceasefire in the United Nations, we have supported a two-state solution, we reversed the decision of the former government to move the Australian embassy and to change the designation of the capital of Israel. We provided additional funding for humanitarian support in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
Updated
