Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Several business entities have already expressed interest in land the federal government could potentially put up for sale - in a bid to bolster its defence budget.

An independent probe of the country's defence estate has identified 67 sites for potential sale - which could raise up to $1.8 billion, as the ADF tries to address critical capability gaps and redirect investment.

Some advocates are hoping the land could be used to develop more housing.

Billionaire Bill Gates says he never went to Jeffrey Epstein's island and never met any women.

His name features heavily in the three million documents released by the US Justice Department last week.

An email written by the late convicted sex offender in 2013, appears to suggest that Mr Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease and sought to secretly give his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, antibiotics.

A spokesperson for Mr Gates has rejected the claims, 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it's providing consular assistance to the family of a 27 year old Melbourne man who died while skiing in Japan.

Michael "Micky" Hurst died from a sudden medical episode while holidaying with friends in Japan's Hokkaido region.

His death comes less than a week after 22 year old Brooke Day from Queensland died after she became caught in a chairlift at a different Japanese snowfield. 

The federal government will sell dozens of defence properties across Australia after an independent audit found many of them aren't being properly utilised.

High-profile defence estates, including the Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and Spectacle Island in New South Wales, are now set to be sold, raising up to one-point-eight billion dollars for other key military priorities.  

Advocacy groups have suggested transforming some of these sites into affordable housing, or green space

Melbourne man Michael 'Micky' Hurst has died in a skiing related accident in Japan, less than a week after the death of a 22 year old Queensland woman.

local media reports that the 27 year old was at the rear of a group of seven skiers in the Hokkaido region when he became separated from the group and buried by snow

It comes after Brooke Day died in hospital on Sunday morning.

She was critically injured when she became caught in a lift in the Hakuba Valley

Melinda French Gates says her ex-husband, Bill Gates, needs to answer for his behaviour alleged in the latest batch of Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.

In a series of emails written by Jeffrey Epstein in 2013, the late sex offender claims Mr Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease and sought to secretly give his then-wife, Melinda, antibiotics.

A spokesperson for Bill Gates has rejected the claims.

Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended his management of the nation's economy following the Reserve Bank's decision to raise interest rates.

The Reserve Bank lifted interest rates to 3.85 per cent yesterday, citing higher and than expected inflation - but the Opposition has been blaming government spending.

The RBA did not list government spending in their reasoning to raise the rates

The Nationals have met to discuss the future of the Coalition and finalise their conditions on a reunion.

Liberal Leader Sussan Ley has issued a list of non negotiable's to the junior party, which includes a six-month suspension from the frontbench for the three senators who crossed the floor.

Nationals leader David Littleproud has repeatedly said his senators returning to the shadow cabinet was a prerequisite for a new agreement, after he split from the Coalition for the second time in a year.

Emails released by the US Department of Justice have revealed additional details about Sarah Ferguson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

In one message, the former British royal appeared to offer the convicted child sex offender the opportunity to meet a woman with "a great body".

On Tuesday Ms Ferguson's charity 'Sarah's Trust' announced that it would be closing "for the foreseeable future".

Australia's treasurer has backed his economic management after the Reserve Bank's decision to raise interest rates.

The rate hike means mortgage holders will have to fork out more on monthly repayments, and economists say it could also put pressure on the rental market, by deterring first home buyers and therefore increasing demand for rentals.

But Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the economy is in a good position.

The New South Wales premier has backed a decision to extend protest restrictions in Sydney's CBD, ahead of a controverisial visit from the Israeli president next week.

Australia's invited Israel's Isaac Herzog to visit in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.

That's sparked plans for protests around the country, over concerns about Israel's conduct in Gaza.

The Palestine Action Group's planning a rally in Sydney, but police have extended rules around protests in the area.

Premier Chris Minns supports the police who are negotiating with organisers on the location, and says the priority is to maintain public safety.

Aussie athletes are taking to the Swiss mountains to prep for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics this week.

Skiiers, snowboarders and ice skaters are among the athletes training at a high altidude centre in Switzerland, ahead of the Opening Ceremony in Italy on Friday.

The Aussies have already hit some hurdles on their way to the games, with aerial skier Laura Peel copping a knee injury while training, and two staff members catching Covid. 

US President Donald Trump says America's negotiating with Iran "right now" on the country's nuclear program.

Earlier today, the US said it shot down an Iranian drone that approached an aircraft carrier ship in the Middle East.

It came after Mr Trump threatened to attack Iran last month if it didn't come to the table for a nuclear deal.

He now says both sides are eager to find a way forward.

There are warnings millennial and Gen-Z home owners will be hit the hardest by the Reserve Bank's latest interest rate hike.

The RBA lifted the cash rate yesterday, to curb inflation.

An average new home loan is just under $700,000, with the rate hike meaning an average extra $110 in monthly payments.

Economists say it'll be tough for first home buyers, and some experts say the rate increase will also put pressure on the rental market.

Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah will appear at an alternate Adelaide Writers' Week event, after the original festival was canned when organisers cancelled her appearance.

The Adelaide Writers Week board rescinded Abdel-Fattah's invitation last month, citing comments she made about Israel and Zionism.

That triggered a mass boycott of other speakers, which made global headlines and ultimately led to the festival being canned and the board stepping down.

Now, she's set to appear at a new event called "Constellations: Not Writers Week," and will appear with ex-writer's week director Louise Adler, who resigned during the scandal. 

America says it'll continue to try for diplomacy with Iran, after shooting down an Iranian drone.

The US says the drone aggressively approached an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian sea, and US president Donald Trump has been threatening to attack Iran if it doesn't reach a deal on nuclear weapons.

But senior US officials say planned talks with Iran will still go ahead later this week.

The stepson of Norway's future kind pleaded guilty to four counts of rape at the start of his high profile trial.

Marius Borg Hoiby's facing 38 charges, including assault and drug trafficking.

He's not technically a royal, but was a small child when his mother Mette-Marit married into the family, becoming the Crown Princess.

She's also embroiled in a scandal, having been named in the Epstein files.

She says she "deeply regrets" her friendship with the late sex offender.

And Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's says speculation she'll lose her position is "ridiculous."

There's been widespread suspicion Ms Ley will soon face a leadership challenge, with the Opposition in chaos after the Nationals split their longstanding Coalition with the Liberal party last month.

But Sussan Ley says that speculation's coming from the media, not her team.