PM

Politicians and health leaders push back against vaccine hesitancy, defending the Astra Zeneca we have now, after the Health Minister made clear there'd be enough of an alternative coming later in the year; The unemployment rate continues to improve but many have given up the search, we look at youth unemployment in particular and the Finance Minister Simon Birmingham joins PM; And as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel,  Former Australian ambassador to Israel Peter Rodgers shares his fears about the future for Israelis and Palestinians.

Is it a junk investment or addressing an energy market failure? We'll look at the Federal Government's 600 million dollar spend on a new gas fired power plant; Australia's top infection control advisors consider mandating airtight masks for all COVID front line health and quarantine workers; And is a 72-year-old cold case closer to being solved? Authorities exhume the remains of a mystery man found in Adelaide.

A push for open borders, and a suggestion some people may die thereafter, prompts blowback against the boss of airline Virgin Australia; Leading epidemiologist Mary Louise McLaws labels talk of COVID deaths cynical, and tells us what needs to happen before border rules ease; And veteran Australian diplomat Bob Bowker discusses the implications of the latest violence in the Middle East and whether Israel's vision of a state just for Jews is sustainable.

As calls mount for a plan to reopen Australia to the world, we'll consider what that could look like and the preconditions for making it relatively safe; A warning that the sexually transmitted disease – syphilis - is spreading unchecked in some Melbourne suburbs; And a call for better homes for people with disabilities, families say the government support scheme isn't meeting the need.

Air strikes and rockets bring death to Gaza and Israel, with fears of worse to come as Israeli tanks and troops mass at the border, we have special coverage; We'll speak with our correspondent Tom Joyner and John Lyons who covered three previous conflicts; And the first repatriation flight back from India will be less than half full after many test positive for COVID-19.

Another brand of vaccine is on its way, but it's still months away. Will it help Australia reopen to the world? Also.. Ever watched Parliament's Question Time and compared it to kids fighting in the playground? A report's suggesting shorter and more genuine questions as possible changes, but will the government embrace change? And making casinos go cashless -- can it put a stop to criminals laundering their ill-gotten gains?

What the budget reveals about your life and work, from vaccination to overseas travel and housing, special coverage on PM; Qantas forced to delay the start date of international travel as the budget suggests borders won't open until mid-next year. It's a blow for jetsetters, but spare a thought for restaurants in Bali, who're desperately missing the incoming travellers; And how Queensland Police discriminated against men to boost the number of women in its ranks.

It's Federal budget night.. PM brings you special coverage looking at key areas demanding government money and policy. What will the supposed 'big spending' plan hold for aged care, mental health, housing affordability, unemployment, and skills? And a Melbourne man from India has COVID, even after he spent 14 days in hotel quarantine.

Billions of dollars for aged care in tomorrow's budget, but does it go anywhere near meeting the need outlined in a Royal Commission? There's billions too for infrastructure, with more big spending still to be announced, we'll look at the state of Australia's economy after the worst of the pandemic; And as vaccine bookings open for New South Wales residents in their 40s, we'll hear the case for getting rid of the vaccine priority groups altogether.

There'll be just a handful of repatriation flights from India this month, and the government’s revealed 173 Australian children are stuck there without their parents; We'll speak with our India correspondent James Oaten and hear how Australians fear they'll be waiting a long time for their chance to come home; And we go to the remote Northern Territory community, hoping a solar project can finally slash crippling high power costs.