Australian MP has expressed support for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, stating that he should not be judged for accepting a deal to end the US pursuit of him. The MP emphasized Assange's poor health and suggested that it would be understandable for him to want to come home. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese also commented on the situation, noting that Assange's case has dragged on for too long and that there is nothing to be gained from his continued incarceration. The plea deal reportedly aims to resolve the legal issues surrounding Assange's publication of leaked documents related to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, as well as diplomatic cables. Australian politicians have responded cautiously to these reports.

Health experts are criticizing the recent backtrack on vaping regulations in Australia, stating that the watering down of the bill has resulted in a missed opportunity to curb the use of vaping products. Meanwhile, there are concerns about public opinion surrounding the Aukus agreement, with a Labor MP suggesting that there are "fissures" in how the public perceives the deal. In other news, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has expressed his frustration over the Senate vote that has delayed the overhaul of the NDIS until at least August. Shorten is disappointed with the Greens and Liberals calling for further review of the changes, arguing that it would not provide any new insights beyond what has already been gathered from previous inquiries. After months of reviewing and discussing the NDIS, including public hearings and submissions, Shorten emphasized the urgency of implementing necessary changes. The opposition's stance on the issue has been described as unprecedented, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Former New South Wales Liberal treasurer Matt Kean has been appointed as the new chair of the Climate Change Authority by the Albanese government. This surprising cross-party appointment comes after Kean's recent resignation from state politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the appointment during a news conference alongside federal climate change minister, Chris Bowen. Kean, known for being one of the Coalition's most vocal advocates for addressing the climate crisis, will now lead the Climate Change Authority in his new role.

Peter Dutton has declared that a future Coalition government would override state bans on nuclear power, asserting that state premiers will not be able to prevent it. Speaking at the federal Liberal party council in Sydney, Dutton also launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling him a "fraud" and a "child in a man's body" who is stuck in his university days. Dutton's comments come as he intensifies his criticism of Albanese and pushes for nuclear power to be a key part of the energy mix in Australia.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the Coalition's nuclear proposal, with shifting rhetoric adding to the uncertainty. The plan put forward by opposition leader Peter Dutton is said to provide economic stability and energy security for several decades, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes it has quickly fallen apart. Key questions remain unanswered about the cost, type, output, and design of the proposed reactors. State premiers and site owners have expressed opposition, with the latter not willing to sell their land for this purpose. The lack of clarity and contradictions in messaging have left many wondering about the feasibility and implications of the Coalition's nuclear plan.

In Australia's political scene, Anthony Albanese has accused the Coalition of having a "secret plan" to cut wages. The Coalition has announced plans to change industrial relations laws that will impact wages, as stated by the Prime Minister at the ACTU conference. Meanwhile, Chris Minns is set to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community at midday. In other news, streamers have been given a let-off regarding local content rules. Screen Producers Australia (SPA) chief executive Matthew Deaner expressed frustration over the delay in implementing the legislation, considering the extensive consultation process. Stay updated on all the latest news throughout the day.

In Australia politics news, Bill Shorten is defending a $600,000 fee paid to a speechwriter, while a $5 million top-up for food and emergency food relief is being discussed. The NDIS minister has praised Julianne Stewart's work but denies negotiating the deal. In other news, a recent Guardian Essential poll shows that more voters are in favor of stricter rules on social media, with over two-thirds supporting raising the age limit from 13 to 16. Approval ratings for Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese are also highlighted in the poll. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day.