Radio National Breakfast

Australia is at a turning point in the fight for gender equality — that's what the Sex Discrimination Commissioner will tell the National Press Club today.

Dr Anna Cody is marking two years in the role. Noting that while there's been some progress in that time — rates of domestic, family, and sexual violence are still on the rise.

• Guest: Dr Anna Cody, Sex Discrimination Commissioner
• Producers: Grace Stranger, Lexie Jeuniewic

Israeli forces are continuing a ground offensive to fully occupy Gaza City, with witnesses reporting that tanks have advanced into the city centre from the north and south.

• Guest: Bob Carr, former Labor foreign minister and Premier of NSW.
• Producer: Teodora Agarici

The US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says Australia has made a very serious mistake in recognising the state of Palestine and has described US-Australia relations as reaching a "point of stress".

It comes as a White House official has told the ABC that US President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on October 20.

• Guest: Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel
• Producer: Anne Barker

Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has hit out at Australia's big four banks for standing in the way of making shopping cheaper for customers.

The RBA wants to ban surcharges on card payments. To fund the ban, it wants to dramatically cut the interchange fees paid by retailers for accepting cards. The Australian Banking Association argues the cuts will make it harder for banks to invest in scam and fraud prevention.

• Guest: Simon Birmingham, CEO, Australian Banking Association and former Liberal senator
• Producer: Grace Stranger

Warning: This interview discusses suicide.Emma Mason lost her 15 year old daughter Tilly to suicide, after she was bullied on social media including the use of fake nude imagery. Now, the mother and lawyer from Bathurst is telling her daughter's story to the UN General Assembly in a hope that other nations will follow Australia's lead on restricting access to social media for teenagers. 

International Criminal Court prosecutors have charged the former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, alleging his involvement in at least 76 killings as part of his war on drugs.

• Guest: Mark Manantan, an adviser at the ANU's Philippines Institute
• Producer: Anne Barker

As international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza mount, concerns have been raised about the role of Australian citizens fighting in the Israel Defense Forces.

• Guest: Rawan Arraf is the Executive Director & Principal Lawyer of the Australian Centre for International Justice
• Producer: Grace Stranger

A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs provided the following statement:

The Australian Government is alert to the potential for Australians to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and engage in hostilities.

The Government encourages all Australians who seek to serve with the armed forces of a foreign country to carefully consider their legal obligations and ensure their conduct does not constitute a criminal offence.

All Australians, including those serving in armed overseas conflicts, need to abide by applicable Australian laws.

US President Donald Trump has addressed the UN General Assembly, railing against the organisation, migration, climate change, and the UN headquarters' infrastructure, saying he was held up by a broken escalator and teleprompter.

But it seems he may have held up others with his motorcade through the streets of New York, namely the French president Emmanuel Macron. 

Reporter: Luke Siddham Dundon

Israel is facing mounting diplomatic pressure at the United Nations, where France and other nations are spearheading fresh recognition of a Palestinian state.

More than 150 nations now recognise Palestinian statehood and back a two-state solution. The question now is where this leaves Gaza, the West Bank and Israel's standing with its closest allies.

• Guest: Prof. Chuck Freilich, former Israeli Deputy National Security Adviser
• Producer: Anne Barker

Australian doctor Saya Aziz shares her experience working in Gaza City's Al Shifa hospital the day after Australia's recognition of Palestine. 

We also hear from Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong who is in New York for the UN General Assembly. 

And we ask Coalition Senator and former Australian Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma why Sussan Ley has written to Republicans to say the Coalition would undo the government's move.

Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap.