Tanya Plibersek once described Australia as the "extinction capital of the world" when she announced a plan to fix the "broken" Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, to stop more extinctions and protect Australia's unique landscape.

Legislation for an Environmental Protection Agency will be introduced when Parliament resumes, but it's unclear when - or if - the broader changes to the act will go ahead.Tanya Plibersek, Environment Minister says the government is "full steam ahead" on EPBC reform, but says due to its enormity it's the right thing to implement it in stages.

Guest: Tanya Plibersek, Environment Minister

Govt 'full steam ahead' reforming environment laws: Tanya Plibersek

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As protests continue, university leaders in Australia are trying to calm tensions, while emphasising they have "zero tolerance" for racism or harassment.

Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson has declared that the University of Sydney is "not a safe space" for Jewish students. Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney rejects that idea, and says "there is space" for groups with divergent opinions to have respectful conversations on campus.

Featured: Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney.

Australian universities reject 'not safe' label

Following the lead of colleges in the US, pro-Palestine encampments have begun appearing at universities across Australia. 

So far there haven't been any crackdowns on protesters here, but it has made some students increasingly uneasy. At Melbourne University yesterday, tensions threatened to boil over.

Featured:Douglas Mann, 19-year-old student at University of Melbourne

Tension at pro-Palestine campus protests in Australia

In a statement, the group praised the "bravery" of students involved and criticised the White House for its Gaza policy. Its a clear rebuke from the Democrats' official collegiate arm who historically work in partnership with the Party and whoever leads it.

While the College Democrats reiterated its support for Biden and other Democrats in the upcoming election, they also issued a warning to the president's campaign.

Guest: Sunjay Muralitharan, National Vice President, College Democrats

Guest: Sunjay Muralitharan, National Vice President, College Democrats

College Democrats back protests, criticise Biden

Police have used tear gas and water cannons on protesters who have taken  to the streets to protest against a 'foreign agents' bill. If passed, the law would require organisations to state whether they receive overseas funding. 

Opponents say the measures are similar to the ones used in Russia to stamp out dissent. The law could also damage Georgia's hopes of joining the European Union.  

Guest: Natalie Sabanadze, a Senior Research Fellow on the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House and a former Georgian Ambassador to Brussels

Police clash with protesters in Georgia

The Solomon Islands have a new Prime Minister. Former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele defeated Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in a vote of 31 to 18. 

As foreign minister,  Manele was one of the key players behind the country's "look north" foreign policy, and its controversial security pact with China. Now, Manele says he wants to pursue a foreign policy of "friends to all, enemies to none" where China and Australia are treated equally.

Guest:Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong, the ABC's Solomon Islands reporter

Govt 'full steam ahead' reforming environment laws: Tanya Plibersek

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