After weeks of intense electoral battle, Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese has now claimed victory in the country's national election. He will take oath as Australian PM on Monday. But, who is Anthony Albanese and what change will Albanese bring in Australia? Watch this report!

Who is Anthony Albanese and what change will he bring in Australia?

Australia's centre-left leader Anthony Albanese won the general election on Saturday (May 21), ousting Scott Morrison's coalition as the country elected its first Labor government in almost a decade.

Australia's centre-left leader Anthony Albanese won the general election on Saturday (May 21), ousting Scott Morrison's coalition as the country elected its first Labor government in almost a decade. After claiming the victory, the incoming prime minister Albanese said that the Australian people have "voted for change" and also promised to bring people together. Advocating for immediate actions toward the climate change crisis, he said that his government will bring a raft of reforms to make the country fairer and greener. Giving indigenous people a voice in national policy-making and making equal opportunity for women a national priority for the Albanese government. ALSO READ | Anthony Albanese claims election victory: All you need to know about Australia's incoming prime minister Albanese, who is brought up by a single mother in Sydney, talked about his childhood. He said, "My mother dreamt of a better life for me. And I hope that my journey in life inspires Australians to reach for the stars." "I want Australia to continue to be a country that no matter where you live, who you worship, you would love, or what your last name is, that places no restrictions on your journey in life," he added. ALSO READ | 'I have congratulated Anthony Albanese': Australian PM Scott Morrison concedes election defeat WATCH | Australia Election: Change of Guard in Canberra: Australia ousts PM Scott Morrison × Albanese to attend Quad summit Albanese also said that he will join the US, Japanese and Indian leaders for the Quad summit in two days. He said that he will attend the summit in Tokyo after members of his government team would be sworn in on Monday. Penny Wong, who is expected to be the foreign minister, might accompany him. US President Joe Biden is visiting Japan to attend the Quad summit in Tokyo. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the Quad summit in Tokyo on May 24. Albanese said he would hold one-on-one meetings on Tuesday with Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian PM Modi. Albanese said that after the joint talks, he would meet the trio individually. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia's Albanese vows to bring people together after winning election; will attend Quad summit in Japan

After weeks of intense electoral battle, Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese has now claimed victory in the country's national election, this came after an incumbent Australian PM Scott Morrison conceded defeat.

Anthony Albanese claims victory in polls, Morrison concedes defeat

After weeks of intense electoral battle, Australia's Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has now claimed victory in the country's national elections. The Labour Party will now return to power after being in opposition for almost about a decade

Australia's Federal Election: Anthony Albanese claims victory in polls

Australia's incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese, who on Saturday (May 21) registered victory in the country's election and ousted Scott Morrison's coalition, appears to be no stranger to India as he visited New Delhi years ago as a backpacker.&nbsp;

Immediately after claiming the victory, Albanese is set to meet three world leaders as he will visit Tokyo, Japan to attend the Quad summit as leaders of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia will come together to discuss the issues of mutual interest.&nbsp;

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Leaders of the mentioned countries hold talks to discuss global issues.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anthony-albanese-vows-to-bring-people-together-after-winning-election-will-attend-quad-summit-in-japan-481118">Australia's Albanese vows to bring people together after winning election; will attend Quad summit in Japan</a>

After the win, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Albanese. In his statement ahead of the Quad summit, PM Modi wrote that he looks forward to a bilateral meeting with the newly-elected Australian prime minister.&nbsp;

"I him during which the multifaceted cooperation between India and Australia under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and regional and global issues of mutual interest will be discussed," PM Modi wrote.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O' Farrell took to Twitter to state that the incoming prime minister is no stranger to India as he "travelled to New Delhi as a backpacker" years ago. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anthony-albanese-claims-election-victory-all-you-need-to-know-about-australias-incoming-prime-minister-481068">Anthony Albanese claims election victory: All you need to know about Australia's incoming prime minister</a>

WATCH |&nbsp;Australia voted for change, labor party returns to power after 9 years

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In a tweet, Barry O' Farrell wrote: "Australia's Prime Minister-elect @AlboMP is no stranger to India having travelled the country as a backpacker in 1991 and led a parliamentary delegation in 2018."

"During the campaign, he committed to deepen India-Autralia economic, strategic and people-to-people links," he added.&nbsp;

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Australia's incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese, who on Saturday (May 21) registered victory in the country's election and ousted Scott Morrison's coalition, appears to be no stranger to India as he visited New Delhi years ago as a backpacker.

Australia's incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese, who on Saturday (May 21) registered victory in the country's election and ousted Scott Morrison's coalition, appears to be no stranger to India as he visited New Delhi years ago as a backpacker. Immediately after claiming the victory, Albanese is set to meet three world leaders as he will visit Tokyo, Japan to attend the Quad summit as leaders of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia will come together to discuss the issues of mutual interest. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Leaders of the mentioned countries hold talks to discuss global issues. ALSO READ | Australia's Albanese vows to bring people together after winning election; will attend Quad summit in Japan After the win, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Albanese. In his statement ahead of the Quad summit, PM Modi wrote that he looks forward to a bilateral meeting with the newly-elected Australian prime minister. "I him during which the multifaceted cooperation between India and Australia under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and regional and global issues of mutual interest will be discussed," PM Modi wrote. Meanwhile, Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O' Farrell took to Twitter to state that the incoming prime minister is no stranger to India as he "travelled to New Delhi as a backpacker" years ago. ALSO READ | Anthony Albanese claims election victory: All you need to know about Australia's incoming prime minister WATCH | Australia voted for change, labor party returns to power after 9 years × In a tweet, Barry O' Farrell wrote: "Australia's Prime Minister-elect @AlboMP is no stranger to India having travelled the country as a backpacker in 1991 and led a parliamentary delegation in 2018." "During the campaign, he committed to deepen India-Autralia economic, strategic and people-to-people links," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia's Anthony Albanese is 'no stranger to India', travelled to New Delhi as backpacker years ago

Polls are underway in Australia, 17 million people are voting for their next Prime Minister. The battle is boiled down to two candidates incumbent Scott Morrison and Australian Labor party leader Anthony Albanese.

Scott Morrison vs Anthony Albanese: Australians to choose between bulldozer and builder

Polls underway in Australia: 17 million to choose between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese

Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese claimed victory in elections on Saturday as PM Scott Morrison congratulated the incoming prime minister.

"The Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory," the Labor leader said. After claiming victory, Albanese announced he would be attending the Quad meeting with US, Japan&nbsp;and India in Tokyo on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Who is Anthony Albanese?

Albanese was first elected to the Australian Parliament in 1996 and was a minister after Labor leader PM Rudd registered victory in 2007. Albanese who belongs to a working-class background said soon after announcing victory in the polls that he wants to "unite the country".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-congratulated-anthony-albanese-australian-pm-scott-morrison-concedes-election-defeat-481038">Also Read:&nbsp;Australian PM Scott Morrison concedes election defeat</a>

Albanese,59, is known as a person who can work through conflicts as his own party was saddled with controversy during the 2007 to 2013 tumultuous years with the leadership crisis damaging the party.

He was&nbsp;elected president of the youth wing of the party Young Labor at the age of 22 and worked under former PM Bob Hawke as a research officer.

Childhood and early years

Anthony Albanese had a tough childhood as he was raised by his mother. He reportedly reconciled with his father Carlo Albanese later in life who&nbsp;died in 2014.

Watch: Australian Elections - Scott Morrison vs Anthony Albanese

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Australia's new political star joined student politics early at the University of Sydney.

Albanese as a leader:

Albanese is known in political circles as a leader who can get things done and someone who can unite people for a cause. Pragmatism and social justice have been his prime goal.

He has promised to end "climate wars" and cut carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. The new government has promised to boost renewables and electric cars including solar power and battery projects.

The Labor leader has also promised to ensure indigenous rights and to give indigenous campaigners a voice in the Parliament.

In foreign policy, Albanese has vowed to support for the AUKUS alliance and to boost ties with the United States including strengthen relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese claimed victory in elections on Saturday as PM Scott Morrison congratulated the incoming prime minister. "The Australian people have voted for change.

Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese claimed victory in elections on Saturday as PM Scott Morrison congratulated the incoming prime minister. "The Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory," the Labor leader said. After claiming victory, Albanese announced he would be attending the Quad meeting with US, Japan and India in Tokyo on Tuesday. Who is Anthony Albanese? Albanese was first elected to the Australian Parliament in 1996 and was a minister after Labor leader PM Rudd registered victory in 2007. Albanese who belongs to a working-class background said soon after announcing victory in the polls that he wants to "unite the country". Also Read: Australian PM Scott Morrison concedes election defeat Albanese,59, is known as a person who can work through conflicts as his own party was saddled with controversy during the 2007 to 2013 tumultuous years with the leadership crisis damaging the party. He was elected president of the youth wing of the party Young Labor at the age of 22 and worked under former PM Bob Hawke as a research officer. Childhood and early years Anthony Albanese had a tough childhood as he was raised by his mother. He reportedly reconciled with his father Carlo Albanese later in life who died in 2014. Watch: Australian Elections - Scott Morrison vs Anthony Albanese Australia's new political star joined student politics early at the University of Sydney. Albanese as a leader: Albanese is known in political circles as a leader who can get things done and someone who can unite people for a cause. Pragmatism and social justice have been his prime goal. He has promised to end "climate wars" and cut carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. The new government has promised to boost renewables and electric cars including solar power and battery projects. The Labor leader has also promised to ensure indigenous rights and to give indigenous campaigners a voice in the Parliament. In foreign policy, Albanese has vowed to support for the AUKUS alliance and to boost ties with the United States including strengthen relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Anthony Albanese claims election victory: All you need to know about Australia's incoming prime minister

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrisson conceded defeat in elections on Saturday, reports said.

Reports claimed the country's opposition Labour Party was on track to oust the current government. Early trends indicated Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Liberal-National coalition was struggling in the polls.

"Tonight I have spoken to the leader of the opposition and the incoming prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and I have congratulated him on his election victory," Morrison said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australia-election-2022-from-top-candidates-to-how-it-works-all-you-need-to-know-480926">Also Read | Australia election 2022: From top candidates to how it works, all you need to know</a>

Labour leader Anthony Albanese who is heading a coalition is set to form the next government, reports said.

Watch |&nbsp;Australia Election 2022

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"Australians have shown immense support and their strength, resilience and character, I thank them for this," Morrison said, adding,"as a government we have invested in the security of the nation."

"Australians will always be able to realise the aspirations I have for them and for this country, I will always have gratitude for all the agencies who have done so much to keep the Australians safe and sound," Prime Minister Morrison added.

"I thank everyone for standing with us and I know you will continue to support us in the future as well," the Liberal Party leader added.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrisson conceded defeat in elections on Saturday, reports said. Reports claimed the country's opposition Labour Party was on track to oust the current government.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrisson conceded defeat in elections on Saturday, reports said. Reports claimed the country's opposition Labour Party was on track to oust the current government. Early trends indicated Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Liberal-National coalition was struggling in the polls. "Tonight I have spoken to the leader of the opposition and the incoming prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and I have congratulated him on his election victory," Morrison said. Also Read | Australia election 2022: From top candidates to how it works, all you need to know Labour leader Anthony Albanese who is heading a coalition is set to form the next government, reports said. Watch | Australia Election 2022 "Australians have shown immense support and their strength, resilience and character, I thank them for this," Morrison said, adding,"as a government we have invested in the security of the nation." "Australians will always be able to realise the aspirations I have for them and for this country, I will always have gratitude for all the agencies who have done so much to keep the Australians safe and sound," Prime Minister Morrison added. "I thank everyone for standing with us and I know you will continue to support us in the future as well," the Liberal Party leader added. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'I have congratulated Anthony Albanese': Australian PM Scott Morrison concedes election defeat

In pics: Curry-gate and other Australian election moments to remember

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has accused Scott Morrison of being a ''hypocrite and liar'' in leaked texts.

The conversation between Joyce and a former staffer of Morrison's Liberal Party who had alleged sexual assault by a fellow staffer has been leaked by Bloomberg.

It shows Joyce saying "Morrison is a hypocrite and a liar from my observations and that is over a long time."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/amid-djokovics-detention-controversy-aussie-pm-scott-morrison-turns-commentator-during-ashes-watch-442936">Also read |&nbsp;Amid Djokovic's detention controversy, Aussie PM Scott Morrison turns commentator during Ashes - WATCH</a>

Currently the junior partner in Morrison's coalition government, Joyce said last year that he had never trusted Morrison.

After Joyce's private conversation became public, he apologised and said, ''I should have never written the text that I did.''

"My view from the backbench about the prime minister was based on assumption and commentary, not from a one-on-one working relationship."

In response, Morrison said, "Relationships change over time. Politicians are human beings too. We all have our frailties and none of us are perfect."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-eye-on-china-australia-spends-35-billion-to-purchase-120-tanks-from-us-443994">Also read |&nbsp;With eye on China, Australia spends $3.5 billion to purchase 120 tanks from US</a>

The political commotion comes days after a controversy about an alleged exchange between senior Liberal Party members making derogatory remarks about Morrison.

Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that it was "untenable" for Joyce to continue as deputy prime minister.

"I couldn't care less that the Liberal Party members all don't like each," Albanese said at a briefing. "What I do care about is the consequences of a government that is dysfunctional."

Morrison's handling of the Omicron-driven coronavirus outbreak fuelled a backlash has adversely affected his approval ratings.

The Morrison government's support for coal and reluctance to tackle climate change has seen the party bleed support in major cities and prompted the emergence of a string of electoral challenges from climate-focused independents.&nbsp;

Morrison faces a tough election challenge from opposition leader Anthony Albanese, whose Labour Party has been leading the government coalition in some opinion polls. Morrison has yet to announce a date for the election, which must be held by May 21.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has accused Scott Morrison of being a ''hypocrite and liar'' in leaked texts. The conversation between Joyce and a former staffer of Morrison's Liberal Party who had alleged sexual assault by a fellow staffer has been leaked by Bloomberg.

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has accused Scott Morrison of being a ''hypocrite and liar'' in leaked texts. The conversation between Joyce and a former staffer of Morrison's Liberal Party who had alleged sexual assault by a fellow staffer has been leaked by Bloomberg. It shows Joyce saying "Morrison is a hypocrite and a liar from my observations and that is over a long time." Also read | Amid Djokovic's detention controversy, Aussie PM Scott Morrison turns commentator during Ashes - WATCH Currently the junior partner in Morrison's coalition government, Joyce said last year that he had never trusted Morrison. After Joyce's private conversation became public, he apologised and said, ''I should have never written the text that I did.'' "My view from the backbench about the prime minister was based on assumption and commentary, not from a one-on-one working relationship." In response, Morrison said, "Relationships change over time. Politicians are human beings too. We all have our frailties and none of us are perfect." Also read | With eye on China, Australia spends $3.5 billion to purchase 120 tanks from US The political commotion comes days after a controversy about an alleged exchange between senior Liberal Party members making derogatory remarks about Morrison. Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that it was "untenable" for Joyce to continue as deputy prime minister. "I couldn't care less that the Liberal Party members all don't like each," Albanese said at a briefing. "What I do care about is the consequences of a government that is dysfunctional." Morrison's handling of the Omicron-driven coronavirus outbreak fuelled a backlash has adversely affected his approval ratings. The Morrison government's support for coal and reluctance to tackle climate change has seen the party bleed support in major cities and prompted the emergence of a string of electoral challenges from climate-focused independents. Morrison faces a tough election challenge from opposition leader Anthony Albanese, whose Labour Party has been leading the government coalition in some opinion polls. Morrison has yet to announce a date for the election, which must be held by May 21. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce accuses Scott Morrison of being ‘hypocrite and liar’

The smoke from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/residents-of-small-australian-communities-told-to-evacuate-as-fire-approaches-270749">Australian bushfires</a> will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation from the west, NASA said on its website.

The smoke has spread into the lower stratosphere and has reached 17.7 kilometres above sea level.&nbsp;

Nasa said that ''once it has entered the stratosphere, it can affect the atmospheric conditions globally by travelling around thousand of miles''.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce5ec23a-6c3d-4397-8402-e04cb3e9b83d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_31.jpg" />

It was pushed across the Pacific from the eastern coast of Australia where the fire had been blazing for the past three months.

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A fleet of NASA satellites 🛰️ working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.<a href="https://t.co/93geNvCBnU">https://t.co/93geNvCBnU</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZedZ199lvJ">pic.twitter.com/ZedZ199lvJ</a>
— NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAGoddard/status/1215370818156466190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The adverse impact is not merely subjected to its nearby surroundings.

&nbsp;Not only has it visibly darkened the mountaintop snow but it has damaged the air quality in New Zealand.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

&nbsp;''The smoke that plummeted from the bushfire had crossed South America, turning its skies hazy It had already moved halfway across the Earth by January 8'', NASA said.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70794b3e-7c3e-4c65-810a-bbdb1763fe21" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_41.jpg" />

&nbsp;"Unusually large" number of pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) events which are fire-generated thunderstorms were produced by the massive bushfire.

&nbsp;A group of NASA satellites working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;Colin Seftor, a research scientist at Goddard said, “the higher the smoke plume, the larger the aerosol index value. Values over 10 are often associated with such events. The aerosol index values produced by some of the Australian pyroCb events have rivalled that largest values ever recorded.”

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/satellite-images-reveal-the-extent-of-australian-bushfire-damage-272645#cost-going-upto-$48559-million-272634">Also see:&nbsp;Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage</a>

The ash and smoke that had risen from the bushfire triggered these thunderstorms which provide a pathway for the smoke to travel more than 10 miles&nbsp;up into the stratosphere.

&nbsp;It was due to this reason that it succeeded in travelling ''halfway around the Earth'' and will eventually return to the nation itself.

The smoke from the Australian bushfires will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation from the west, NASA said on its website. The smoke has spread into the lower stratosphere and has reached 17.

The smoke from the Australian bushfires will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation from the west, NASA said on its website. The smoke has spread into the lower stratosphere and has reached 17.7 kilometres above sea level. Nasa said that ''once it has entered the stratosphere, it can affect the atmospheric conditions globally by travelling around thousand of miles''. It was pushed across the Pacific from the eastern coast of Australia where the fire had been blazing for the past three months. A fleet of NASA satellites 🛰️ working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia.https://t.co/93geNvCBnU pic.twitter.com/ZedZ199lvJ — NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) January 9, 2020 × The adverse impact is not merely subjected to its nearby surroundings. Not only has it visibly darkened the mountaintop snow but it has damaged the air quality in New Zealand. × ''The smoke that plummeted from the bushfire had crossed South America, turning its skies hazy It had already moved halfway across the Earth by January 8'', NASA said. "Unusually large" number of pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) events which are fire-generated thunderstorms were produced by the massive bushfire. A group of NASA satellites working together has been analyzing the aerosols and smoke from the massive fires burning in Australia. Colin Seftor, a research scientist at Goddard said, “the higher the smoke plume, the larger the aerosol index value. Values over 10 are often associated with such events. The aerosol index values produced by some of the Australian pyroCb events have rivalled that largest values ever recorded.” Also see: Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage The ash and smoke that had risen from the bushfire triggered these thunderstorms which provide a pathway for the smoke to travel more than 10 miles up into the stratosphere. It was due to this reason that it succeeded in travelling ''halfway around the Earth'' and will eventually return to the nation itself.

Australian bushfire smoke will take a 'full circuit' and return to the nation: NASA

A political poll showed&nbsp;Australian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-proposes-high-powered-inquiry-into-bushfires-response-273680">Scott Morrison</a>'s popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-bushfires-2000-homes-destroyed-military-buries-4000-animals-to-prevent-diseases-272607">bushfires crisis</a> that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes.

Monday's Newspoll comes as officials confirmed 11.2 million hectares have now been razed by fires that have been burning for months, nearly half the area of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/royal-family-fallout-uks-queen-elizabeth-calls-prince-harry-for-crisis-meeting-273672">United Kingdom</a>.

Morrison has come under attack for being slow to respond to an unprecedented crisis, even taking a family holiday to Hawaii while fires were burning.

Also watch:&nbsp;Australia Bushfires: Over 50,000 Sq Km of land consumed by fire

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&nbsp;

He acknowledged during a television interview on Sunday that he had made some mistakes.

"We have heard the message loud and clear from the&nbsp;Australian people," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday, when asked about the poll result as he announced a A$50 million wildlife protection fund.

"They want to see a Federal Government adopt a very direct response to these natural and national disasters," Frydenberg said.

The Newspoll showed Morrison's approval rating dropped 8 points to the lowest level since he took over leadership of the Liberal Party in August 2018.

He was overtaken by Labour leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-leader-curtails-holiday-as-firefighters-killed-in-huge-blazes-269260">Anthony Albanese</a>. No margin of error was provided for the poll, which surveyed 1,505 people from Wednesday to Saturday, although it was about 2.5 percentage points in previous Newspolls.

The poll was taken after Morrison announced a A$2 billion bushfire recovery fund and called out 3,000 army reservists to back up state emergency workers - responses that were viewed as too slow.

Morrison said on Sunday he would take a proposal to Cabinet to hold a Royal Commission national inquiry into the bushfires, including examining the response to the crisis, the role and powers of the federal government and the impact of climate change.

After weeks of raging fires whipped up by erratic winds and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), conditions eased over the weekend with showers forecast for New South Wales (NSW), the worst hit state, over the next few days.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-megablaze-brought-under-control-273841">Australian 'megablaze' brought under control</a>

"If this BOM (Bureau of Metereology) rainfall forecast comes to fruition then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed," the NSW Rural Fire Service said on Twitter.

Here are key events in the crisis:

*Frydenberg announced A$50 million in funding on Monday for protecting wildlife and restoring damaged habitat, with a focus on threatened species, like koalas, with heartbreaking images of rescues of burned animals having gone viral around the world.

*Since October, thousands of&nbsp;Australians have been subjected to repeat evacuations as huge and unpredictable fires scorched more than 11.2 million hectares, an area nearly half the size of the United Kingdom.

*Across New South Wales, 111 fires were still burning late on Sunday, 40 of them not yet contained, but none at emergency level.

*A number of fires burning in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and into Victoria have merged across more than 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of land. They do not pose a threat, authorities say, despite being in an area hard to reach.

*The government said on Sunday it would provide A$76 million&nbsp;for mental health counselling and healthcare consultations to firefighters, emergency workers, individuals and communities.

*Western&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday an out-of-control and unpredictable fire that is moving slowly in the state's south, poses a possible threat to lives and homes in the area.

*South&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;said on Sunday that more than 32,000 livestock animals, mostly sheep, had died in recent fires on Kangaroo Island, while fire services are working to strengthen containment lines ahead of expected worsening weather conditions on Monday.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/satellite-images-reveal-the-extent-of-australian-bushfire-damage-272645">Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage</a>

*Thousands of&nbsp;Australians took to the streets on Friday to protest against government inaction on climate change, and were supported by protesters in London.

*Australia's wildfires have dwarfed other recent catastrophic blazes, with its burnt terrain more than twice the extent of that ravaged by 2019 fires in Brazil, California and Indonesia combined.

*Westpac estimated total bushfire losses to date at about A$5 billion, higher than the 2009 bushfires in Victoria but smaller than the Queensland floods in 2010/11. It forecast a hit of 0.2 percent&nbsp;to 0.5 percent&nbsp;on gross domestic product.

*The Insurance Council of&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;increased to more than A$900 million its estimate of damage claims from the fires, and they are expected to jump further.

*About 100 firefighters from the United States and Canada are helping, with 140 more expected in coming weeks.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-strengthens-bushfire-defences-as-economic-environmental-costs-mount-272815">Australia strengthens bushfire defences as economic, environmental costs mount</a>

*The fires have emitted 400 megatonnes of carbon dioxide and produced harmful pollutants, the European Union's Copernicus monitoring programme said.

*Smoke has drifted across the Pacific, affecting cities in South America, and may have reached the Antarctic, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization said.

A political poll showed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a bushfires crisis that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes.

A political poll showed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's popularity declined sharply as his government grappled with a bushfires crisis that has killed 28 people and destroyed 2,000 homes. Monday's Newspoll comes as officials confirmed 11.2 million hectares have now been razed by fires that have been burning for months, nearly half the area of the United Kingdom. Morrison has come under attack for being slow to respond to an unprecedented crisis, even taking a family holiday to Hawaii while fires were burning. Also watch: Australia Bushfires: Over 50,000 Sq Km of land consumed by fire × He acknowledged during a television interview on Sunday that he had made some mistakes. "We have heard the message loud and clear from the Australian people," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday, when asked about the poll result as he announced a A$50 million wildlife protection fund. "They want to see a Federal Government adopt a very direct response to these natural and national disasters," Frydenberg said. The Newspoll showed Morrison's approval rating dropped 8 points to the lowest level since he took over leadership of the Liberal Party in August 2018. He was overtaken by Labour leader Anthony Albanese. No margin of error was provided for the poll, which surveyed 1,505 people from Wednesday to Saturday, although it was about 2.5 percentage points in previous Newspolls. The poll was taken after Morrison announced a A$2 billion bushfire recovery fund and called out 3,000 army reservists to back up state emergency workers - responses that were viewed as too slow. Morrison said on Sunday he would take a proposal to Cabinet to hold a Royal Commission national inquiry into the bushfires, including examining the response to the crisis, the role and powers of the federal government and the impact of climate change. After weeks of raging fires whipped up by erratic winds and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), conditions eased over the weekend with showers forecast for New South Wales (NSW), the worst hit state, over the next few days. Also read: Australian 'megablaze' brought under control "If this BOM (Bureau of Metereology) rainfall forecast comes to fruition then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed," the NSW Rural Fire Service said on Twitter. Here are key events in the crisis: *Frydenberg announced A$50 million in funding on Monday for protecting wildlife and restoring damaged habitat, with a focus on threatened species, like koalas, with heartbreaking images of rescues of burned animals having gone viral around the world. *Since October, thousands of Australians have been subjected to repeat evacuations as huge and unpredictable fires scorched more than 11.2 million hectares, an area nearly half the size of the United Kingdom. *Across New South Wales, 111 fires were still burning late on Sunday, 40 of them not yet contained, but none at emergency level. *A number of fires burning in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and into Victoria have merged across more than 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of land. They do not pose a threat, authorities say, despite being in an area hard to reach. *The government said on Sunday it would provide A$76 million for mental health counselling and healthcare consultations to firefighters, emergency workers, individuals and communities. *Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday an out-of-control and unpredictable fire that is moving slowly in the state's south, poses a possible threat to lives and homes in the area. *South Australia said on Sunday that more than 32,000 livestock animals, mostly sheep, had died in recent fires on Kangaroo Island, while fire services are working to strengthen containment lines ahead of expected worsening weather conditions on Monday. Also see: Satellite images reveal the extent of Australian bushfire damage *Thousands of Australians took to the streets on Friday to protest against government inaction on climate change, and were supported by protesters in London. *Australia's wildfires have dwarfed other recent catastrophic blazes, with its burnt terrain more than twice the extent of that ravaged by 2019 fires in Brazil, California and Indonesia combined. *Westpac estimated total bushfire losses to date at about A$5 billion, higher than the 2009 bushfires in Victoria but smaller than the Queensland floods in 2010/11. It forecast a hit of 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent on gross domestic product. *The Insurance Council of Australia increased to more than A$900 million its estimate of damage claims from the fires, and they are expected to jump further. *About 100 firefighters from the United States and Canada are helping, with 140 more expected in coming weeks. Also read: Australia strengthens bushfire defences as economic, environmental costs mount *The fires have emitted 400 megatonnes of carbon dioxide and produced harmful pollutants, the European Union's Copernicus monitoring programme said. *Smoke has drifted across the Pacific, affecting cities in South America, and may have reached the Antarctic, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization said.

Australian Prime Minister's approval rating singed by bushfires

Australia's parliament voted Monday to implement a maritime border treaty with East Timor, potentially unlocking billions in offshore oil and gas revenue after a bitter decade-long dispute.

The treaty is expected to provide a major boost to East Timor, one of Asia's poorest countries, by establishing new arrangements for sharing revenue from the Greater Sunrise gas fields in the Timor Sea.

It comes just days after East Timor's parliament voted in favour of ratifying the treaty, which the two countries signed at the United Nations in March 2018 and was the first-ever reached under a special conciliation mechanism of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Discovered in 1974, the lucrative Greater Sunrise fields - located 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of East Timor and 450 kilometres northwest of Darwin - are estimated to be worth between US$40 and $50 billion.

East Timor plans to develop the gas fields through a pipeline that would reach the country's south coast, with hopes it would provide much-needed employment opportunities, though Australia has cast doubt on the smaller nation's capacity to do so.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in the Senate Monday that the treaty "settled a long-running dispute over our maritime boundaries, agreed upon a pathway for the development of Greater Sunrise and laid the foundation for a new chapter in our bilateral relations".

Australia has seen its international reputation damaged by the dispute with its less powerful neighbour, with Dili dragging Canberra to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague after contesting a previous deal signed in 2006.

East Timor wanted that treaty, which also covered the vast Greater Sunrise fields, torn up after Australia was accused of spying to gain a commercial advantage during the negotiations.

As the dispute escalated, a group of energy companies including Australia's Woodside, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and Osaka Gas decided to mothball plans to develop the fields.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said during the House of Representatives debate on Friday that the lengthy dispute "has not done a great deal for Australia's standing as good neighbours to one of the newest nations on the planet".

Australia has continued to profit from an oil field stake that is set to be handed to East Timor under the treaty, taking an estimated AUS$60 million in the 12 months after the treaty was signed but not ratified, national broadcaster ABC reported.

East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 before it gained independence in 2002 after a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999, which will be marked by 20th-anniversary celebrations on August 30.

Australia's parliament voted Monday to implement a maritime border treaty with East Timor, potentially unlocking billions in offshore oil and gas revenue after a bitter decade-long dispute.

Australia's parliament voted Monday to implement a maritime border treaty with East Timor, potentially unlocking billions in offshore oil and gas revenue after a bitter decade-long dispute. The treaty is expected to provide a major boost to East Timor, one of Asia's poorest countries, by establishing new arrangements for sharing revenue from the Greater Sunrise gas fields in the Timor Sea. It comes just days after East Timor's parliament voted in favour of ratifying the treaty, which the two countries signed at the United Nations in March 2018 and was the first-ever reached under a special conciliation mechanism of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Discovered in 1974, the lucrative Greater Sunrise fields - located 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of East Timor and 450 kilometres northwest of Darwin - are estimated to be worth between US$40 and $50 billion. East Timor plans to develop the gas fields through a pipeline that would reach the country's south coast, with hopes it would provide much-needed employment opportunities, though Australia has cast doubt on the smaller nation's capacity to do so. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in the Senate Monday that the treaty "settled a long-running dispute over our maritime boundaries, agreed upon a pathway for the development of Greater Sunrise and laid the foundation for a new chapter in our bilateral relations". Australia has seen its international reputation damaged by the dispute with its less powerful neighbour, with Dili dragging Canberra to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague after contesting a previous deal signed in 2006. East Timor wanted that treaty, which also covered the vast Greater Sunrise fields, torn up after Australia was accused of spying to gain a commercial advantage during the negotiations. As the dispute escalated, a group of energy companies including Australia's Woodside, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and Osaka Gas decided to mothball plans to develop the fields. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said during the House of Representatives debate on Friday that the lengthy dispute "has not done a great deal for Australia's standing as good neighbours to one of the newest nations on the planet". Australia has continued to profit from an oil field stake that is set to be handed to East Timor under the treaty, taking an estimated AUS$60 million in the 12 months after the treaty was signed but not ratified, national broadcaster ABC reported. East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 before it gained independence in 2002 after a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999, which will be marked by 20th-anniversary celebrations on August 30.

Australia ratifies maritime boundaries with East Timor

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