Midday News Bulletin 20 March 2024

David McBride, the whistleblower who leaked defence secrets has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison, the Greens have expressed concerns over tonight's budget decisions on climate, Tottenham Hotspurs given one last chance to reach the Champions League.

In this bulletin, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says there will be a tax cut for all Australians in the upcoming federal budget; domestic violence offenders in New South Wales to find it harder to get released on bail; and in tennis, climate protesters forced two matches to be suspended at the Italian Open.

In this bulletin, the Treasurer to deliver a budget surplus; unhappiness over the Eurovision EU flag ban; and in the A-League, Football Australia imposes a two-year ban on a fan who performed a Nazi salute.

Anthony Albanese says tomorrow night's budget will be one for Australia's future, crisis talks between universities and the federal government over international student numbers, allegations of racist abuse from a spectator towards two star Indigenous players.

The government to introduce a cap on the number of international students universities can accept, the death toll from Israel's assault on Gaza reaches 35,000, And world number one Novak Djokovic defeated by Chile's Alejandro Tabilo at the Italian Open.

In this bulletin, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Tuesday's budget measures will help drive down inflation; Russian authorities says at least nine people have been killed by a Ukrainian airstrike on a residential building in the border city of Belgorod; and in boxing, Australian George Kambosos loses to Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko in the lightweight world title showdown.

In this bulletin... Doctors say the upcoming budget will miss the mark for addressing a lack of health funding; Swiss fans celebrate their country winning the Eurovision Song Contest; And in boxing, Australian Andrew Moloney announces his shock retirement after a controversial loss to Mexico's Pedro Guevara.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australians can expect cost-of-living relief ahead of the federal budget; Switzerland’s Nemo becomes the first openly non-binary person to win Eurovision; and New South Wales halfback Nathan Cleary could miss the entire State of Origin.

A tornado leaves hundreds of residents in Western Australia without power; Israel orders further evacuations as it continues it invasion in Rafah; A disqualification at the Eurovision Song Contest threatens to overshadow grand final fanfare; and Essendon makes an impressive comeback against Greater Western Sydney.

Anthony Albanese says Australia's vote in favour of Palestine becoming a full U-N member is not an attack on Israel, or Jewish Australians...the federal government unveils a big budget housing pledge- but industry casts doubt on whether it can deliver... and the Sydney Roosters admit signing David Fifita will make it harder for them to keep another of their big stars