Albanese government ‘not providing enough' to farmers experiencing drought
Shadow Regional Development Minister Anne Webster claims the Albanese government is not doing 'enough' in farmers' 'time of crisis' of droughts hitting rural Victoria and New South Wales.
'It doesn't let the government off the hook,' Ms Webster told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
'What the government is providing is not enough.
'Farmers are desperately needing a breather.'
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2 hours ago
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Firefighters shot responding to Idaho blaze in suspected ambush
Welcome once again to our US live blog. A horrific situation unfolded in Idaho on Sunday after two firefighters were killed and multiple others shot in a suspected ambush. Firefighters issued a desperate plea for help at around 2pm after coming under attack while responding to a brush fire at Canfield Mountain near Coeur d'Alene in the state's north. 'Everybody's shot up here,' a firefighter could be heard saying over radio. 'It's clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in.' After a massive law enforcement response, with police themselves coming under fire from the mountain, SWAT team members located a deceased man with a gun nearby on Sunday night. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY In other US news on Sunday, President Donald Trump has suggested that federal investigators would coerce reporters to tell the government who leaked the 'low confidence' preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment that his strikes on Iran may only set the regime's nuclear program back by a few months. Mr Trump repeated his demand that the leaker be prosecuted and speculated that Democrats may have been behind the report going public. 'They could find out easily. And you go up and tell the reporter, 'National security, who gave it.' You have to do that. And, I suspect will be doing things like that,' Mr Trump told Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures in a pre-taped interview. Follow below for more updates Originally published as Firefighters shot responding to Idaho blaze in suspected ambush 'Doesn't like Rudd': Pollster reveals 'biggest issue' blocking Albanese-Trump meeting Brielle Burns Former Prime Minister and Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd is blocking Anthony Albanese from securing a meeting with Donald Trump, the US President's former pollster has claimed. Speaking to Sky News about the strained relationship between Australia and the US, pollster Brent Buchanan said he believes Mr Trump 'doesn't like the current ambassador, and that's one of the biggest issues'. 'Donald Trump needs to find an Australian that he likes – or Australia needs to find an Australian that Donald Trump likes and let that person take point – because so much with Donald Trump is personal relationships.' Kevin Rudd. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Mr Buchanan said the Ambassadorial role is important for getting through to the Trump administration for 'certain countries' but emphasised 'Donald Trump's a deal maker, and so if you bring a deal, he's going to talk through it'. He added Mr Rudd's expertise on China is 'a great opportunity to build relationships with our Congress because that is the one issue that is bipartisan still in this Congress, which is anti-China'. Canada announces U-turn after Trump retaliates Brielle Burns Canada has rescinded a digital services tax on US tech firms in the hopes of advancing trade takes with its southern neighbour. The U-turn comes after President Donald Trump abruptly terminated all trade talks with Canada over the tax, which he described as a 'direct and blatant attack' on the US. 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'Based on the preliminary information we believe that was the only shooter up on that mountain at that time,' he added. 'There is no threat to the community at this time.' Sheriff Norris said it was not clear whether the man had shot himself. He also confirmed the deaths of a firefighter from Coeur d'Alene and another from Kootenai County. A third firefighter from Coeur d'Alene Fire Department remains in hospital in a stable condition. 'He is fighting for his life.' The sheriff said the wildfire on Canfield Mountain had grown to 20 acres. Suspected shooter found dead Frank Chung The suspected shooter has been found dead, police have announced. 'This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain,' the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. 'A firearm was found nearby.' Police will be providing more information at a press briefing at 9.30pm (2.30pm AEST). 'At this time, the Shelter in Place is being lifted however there is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain,' the statement added. 'Residents in the area are advised to be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken.' Shooting area a popular hiking location Frank Chung Canfield Mountain on the east side of Coeur d'Alene. Picture: Google Maps Coeur d'Alene is a resort town in North Idaho with a population of around 55,000. The Canfield Mountain Natural Area is a popular hiking and biking location on the east side of the city. Canfield Mountain features more than 40 kilometres of trails. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office has now designated the mountain a no-fly zone, including a 'strict prohibition on drone use'. 'Unauthorised aircraft or drones in the area pose a serious risk to firefighting and law enforcement operations,' Kootenai County Emergency Management wrote on Facebook. Senator condemns 'villainous attack' Frank Chung Ohio Senator Jim Risch has issued a statement decrying the 'villainous attack'. 'Vicki and I join all Idahoans in mourning the heroic first responders murdered and others injured in the line of duty in Kootenai County,' he wrote on X. 'This villainous attack on the people who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities is despicable and NOT Idaho. We pray for the victims, their loved ones, and for justice.' Vicki and I join all Idahoans in mourning the heroic first responders murdered and others injured in the line of duty in Kootenai County. This villainous attack on the people who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities is despicable and NOT Idaho. We pray… â€' Jim Risch (@SenatorRisch) June 30, 2025 One firefighter in surgery, two dead Frank Chung The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has confirmed two of its members are dead and one is in surgery. 'While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence,' the IAFF wrote on X. 'Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.' While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers. â€' International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) June 30, 2025 BREAKING: Firefighters 'ambushed' by sniper in Idaho Frank Chung Police responding to the scene in North Idaho. Picture: Fox News Two firefighters have been killed and multiple others shot in Idaho in a suspected ambush set with a deliberately lit blaze. A massive police response is currently underway at the scene near Coeur d'Alene in the state's north, with the suspect or suspects still shooting at law enforcement. Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris told a news conference on Sunday evening that at least two people were dead, believed to be firefighters, and that authorities were still 'actively taking sniper fire' as he spoke. 'We now have two deaths,' he said. 'We have an unknown amount of casualties. We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain. We have we might have civilians that are stuck or in shock on that mountain. So this is a very, very fresh situation.' More ⌄ 'Enemy of God': Iranian leaders issue Trump fatwas Frank Chung Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi. Picture: MNA A pair of senior Iranian religious leaders have issued ominous decrees in response to 'repeated threats' by Donald Trump against the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US Senator Ted Cruz shared a post on X from pro-Israel influencer Eyal Yakoby suggesting 'Iran's Ayatollah has issued a death fatwa targeting President Trump', writing, 'Oh.' The Texas Republican clashed with Tucker Carlson earlier this month over claims Iran had repeatedly attempted to assassinate Mr Trump, with the popular right-wing podcaster expressing disbelief at the allegations. But the claim of a 'death fatwa' is not quite true. More ⌄ Load more posts
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Not a surprise': Jamaica urges King to support its push for slavery reparations
Writer and broadcaster Esther Krakue has discussed the Jamaican government urging the King to support slavery reparations. 'This has become sort of a cyclical occurrence. I can expect a story like this every three to six months with some sort of country asking for reparations from the UK,' she told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. 'It's not a surprise, and we will keep seeing it.'
