Australia's&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;Labor Party&nbsp;leader, Anthony Albanese, said Monday he was only "human" after being unable to remember the country's unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;on the first full day of campaigning for May 21 elections.

Albanese's party is ahead in the polls as he seeks to oust Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative coalition government.

The economy is a key issue for many of the country's 17 million voters.

&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-prime-minister-scott-morrison-announces-general-elections-on-may-21-469899">Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces general elections on May 21</a>

Asked to give the national&nbsp;jobless&nbsp;rate&nbsp;by a reporter, Albanese stumbled, replying: "The national unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;at the moment is, I think it is 5 point...4, sorry, I am not sure what it is."

Australia's unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;is at a 13-year low of 4.0 per cent, a level that Morrison has been touting as he warns voters not to trust Labour with the economy.

Albanese also skirted questions on the key interest that banks charge each other for overnight loans. Known as the bank&nbsp;rate, or the cash&nbsp;rate, it stands at 0.1 per cent.

"Earlier today I made a mistake. I'm human," Albanese said shortly afterwards.

Watch |&nbsp;Australian PM Scott Morrison calls federal election for May 21

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australian-pm-scott-morrison-calls-federal-election-for-may-21-469909/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"But when I make a mistake I will fess up to it and I will set about correcting that mistake. I won't blame someone else. I will accept responsibility. That's what leaders do."

On a two-party basis, Labor leads the Liberal-National Party coalition by 53 per cent to 47 per cent, according to the latest Newspoll released this weekend.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-sentences-australian-for-hurling-wine-bottle-killing-man-469294">Singapore sentences Australian for hurling bottle, killing man in 'act of religious hostility toward Muslims'</a>

Asked similar questions later, Morrison gave the correct figures, adding his own government's prediction that the unemployment&nbsp;rate&nbsp;"is falling to a 50-year low".

Multiple surveys show the cost of living, with gasoline prices soaring since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is a key concern ahead of the election.

Australia's opposition Labor Party leader, Anthony Albanese, said Monday he was only "human" after being unable to remember the country's unemployment rate on the first full day of campaigning for May 21 elections.

Australia's opposition Labor Party leader, Anthony Albanese, said Monday he was only "human" after being unable to remember the country's unemployment rate on the first full day of campaigning for May 21 elections. Albanese's party is ahead in the polls as he seeks to oust Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative coalition government. The economy is a key issue for many of the country's 17 million voters. Also read | Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces general elections on May 21 Asked to give the national jobless rate by a reporter, Albanese stumbled, replying: "The national unemployment rate at the moment is, I think it is 5 point...4, sorry, I am not sure what it is." Australia's unemployment rate is at a 13-year low of 4.0 per cent, a level that Morrison has been touting as he warns voters not to trust Labour with the economy. Albanese also skirted questions on the key interest that banks charge each other for overnight loans. Known as the bank rate, or the cash rate, it stands at 0.1 per cent. "Earlier today I made a mistake. I'm human," Albanese said shortly afterwards. Watch | Australian PM Scott Morrison calls federal election for May 21 "But when I make a mistake I will fess up to it and I will set about correcting that mistake. I won't blame someone else. I will accept responsibility. That's what leaders do." On a two-party basis, Labor leads the Liberal-National Party coalition by 53 per cent to 47 per cent, according to the latest Newspoll released this weekend. Also read | Singapore sentences Australian for hurling bottle, killing man in 'act of religious hostility toward Muslims' Asked similar questions later, Morrison gave the correct figures, adding his own government's prediction that the unemployment rate "is falling to a 50-year low". Multiple surveys show the cost of living, with gasoline prices soaring since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is a key concern ahead of the election.

Australia's opposition leader forgets jobless rate, says 'I made a mistake. I'm human'

Australia has committed A$70 million ($50 million) to fund lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine, including missiles and ammunition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday.

Australia has shifted from its stance last week when it said it would only fund military technical assistance.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-gives-visas-to-only-50-ukrainian-refugees-france-calls-it-lack-of-humanity-459814">UK gives visas to only 50 Ukrainian refugees, France calls it 'lack of humanity'</a>

Morrison told reporters on Tuesday the majority of the new weapons funding for Ukraine would be in the lethal category.

"We're talking missiles, we're talking ammunition, we're talking supporting them in their defence of their own homeland in Ukraine and we will be doing that in partnership with NATO."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-allies-plan-ways-to-help-establish-support-a-ukrainian-government-in-exile-459791">US, allies plan ways to help establish, support a Ukrainian government-in-exile</a>

He said the weapons would be delivered rapidly, but didn't disclose how.

Morrison also urged Australian citizens not travel to join Ukraine's militia in fighting against the Russian military, saying the legal position of foreign civilian combatants was unclear.

"Don't do it," he said.

Australia will commit A$35 million in humanitarian support to international organisations assisting Ukrainians with shelter, food, medical care, water and education, he said.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia calls for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from 7 AM GMT to aid in evacuations

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-calls-for-a-temporary-ceasefire-in-ukraine-from-7-am-gmt-to-aid-in-evacuations-459818/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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Australia has committed A$70 million ($50 million) to fund lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine, including missiles and ammunition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday.

Australia has committed A$70 million ($50 million) to fund lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine, including missiles and ammunition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday. Australia has shifted from its stance last week when it said it would only fund military technical assistance. Also read | UK gives visas to only 50 Ukrainian refugees, France calls it 'lack of humanity' Morrison told reporters on Tuesday the majority of the new weapons funding for Ukraine would be in the lethal category. "We're talking missiles, we're talking ammunition, we're talking supporting them in their defence of their own homeland in Ukraine and we will be doing that in partnership with NATO." Also read | US, allies plan ways to help establish, support a Ukrainian government-in-exile He said the weapons would be delivered rapidly, but didn't disclose how. Morrison also urged Australian citizens not travel to join Ukraine's militia in fighting against the Russian military, saying the legal position of foreign civilian combatants was unclear. "Don't do it," he said. Australia will commit A$35 million in humanitarian support to international organisations assisting Ukrainians with shelter, food, medical care, water and education, he said. Watch | Russia calls for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from 7 AM GMT to aid in evacuations

Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Australia will fund lethal weapons for Ukraine, says PM Morrison

In the wake <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-wildlife-destroyed-by-intense-wildfires-could-take-decades-to-recover-271954">devastating bushfires</a> in Australia, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australian-pm-to-visit-india-in-january-calls-india-a-natural-partner-253636">Prime Minister Scott Morrison</a> has deferred his visit to India which was likely to take place this month.&nbsp;

PM Morrison was also supposed to visit Japan this month, the trip has been postponed.&nbsp;

"I should stress that both of those scheduled meetings are postponed and will move quickly to identify another opportunity," Morrison said as reported by news agency Reuters.

This would have been Morrison's first visit to India after taking charge as the Australian PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended an invitation to Morrison to visit India.

"So I am honoured to accept the invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi to visit India in January, including to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue," Morrison had said during the Sydney townhall.&nbsp;

"My visit will be another step in cementing India in the top tier of Australia’s partnerships," he added.

PM Morrison had congratulated Modi after the latter won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

PM Modi also congratulated "Prime Minister Morrison for guiding his Liberal-National Coalition Party to victory in recently concluded elections in Australia," a Ministry of External Affairs release said.

In the wake devastating bushfires in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has deferred his visit to India which was likely to take place this month. PM Morrison was also supposed to visit Japan this month, the trip has been postponed.

In the wake devastating bushfires in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has deferred his visit to India which was likely to take place this month. PM Morrison was also supposed to visit Japan this month, the trip has been postponed. "I should stress that both of those scheduled meetings are postponed and will move quickly to identify another opportunity," Morrison said as reported by news agency Reuters. This would have been Morrison's first visit to India after taking charge as the Australian PM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended an invitation to Morrison to visit India. "So I am honoured to accept the invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi to visit India in January, including to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue," Morrison had said during the Sydney townhall. "My visit will be another step in cementing India in the top tier of Australia’s partnerships," he added. PM Morrison had congratulated Modi after the latter won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi also congratulated "Prime Minister Morrison for guiding his Liberal-National Coalition Party to victory in recently concluded elections in Australia," a Ministry of External Affairs release said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defers trip to India, Japan as bushfire crisis looms 

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Australia's opposition leader forgets jobless rate, says 'I made a mistake. I'm human'

Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Australia will fund lethal weapons for Ukraine, says PM Morrison

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defers trip to India, Japan as bushfire crisis looms