Albanese, Marles: Secure Fuel, Stronger Allies

0:00It's April 7th. This is Sydney News today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Cory with the story. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese just wrapped up a phone call with Chinese Premier Li Chang on energy security. With China cutting back jet fuel exports to focus on its own needs amid the Iran war, the leaders agreed to ramp up talks for stable regional. Supplies Albanese heads to Singapore, tomorrow and Friday to lock in more fuel sources. Meanwhile, big changes are brewing for the national disability insurance scheme. Major providers want stricter registration rules to boot out shady operators from the $50 billion program that can mean better services, happier Aussies and real budget savings down the line. The federal government's eyeing reforms in the May budget to slow NDIS growth to just 5 or 6 percent a year. Health Minister Mark Butler says they'll loop in the disability community on tough choices, like trimming participant numbers or slashing costs per person without losing coverage.

1:02Over in Tokyo today, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles meets Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. It's all about beefing up defense ties amid Indo-Pacific worries, from U.S. distractions in Iran to fresh Japan, China friction over Taiwan. To Pan is even building our next frigid fleet. These moves highlight Australia's push for secure fuel and stronger alliances, while National's leader Matt Cainivan drops his to-do list at the National Press Club later. Stay tuned as these stories heat up.