The Loop: Zelenskyy speaks to parliament, Albanese's budget reply, vote for the best Bruce Willis movie

G'day. It's Thursday, March 31 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.

Let's start here

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the Australian parliament that, while the war could not destroy Ukraine's freedom, dignity or independence, it should send a message to other countries that they, too, could find themselves in a similar situation.

In the special address via videolink, the Ukrainian President said his country needed weapons as well as sanctions against Russia and its supporters.

Catch up on the speech here, or watch the whole thing in full: 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refused to leave Ukraine despite threats to his safety.

Happening tonight

Anthony Albanese is due to make his official budget reply speech from 7:30pm AEDT tonight.

He's set to promise billions of dollars to fix the aged care industry — which he's dubbed as being in crisis — if Labor wins the forthcoming federal election.

The pledge includes around-the-clock nurses for aged care homes, better food and safer conditions for residents and higher pay for workers.

Tonight's Loop won't be updated after that speech is made, so if you're reading this after that, head here for the latest update.

What else is going on

• An inquest into the murder of Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke and her three children, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey, has wrapped up, with emotional victim impact statements from her parents. Hannah's mother, Sue, says she hasn't been able to touch the girls' room since they left it two years ago, and that her family has been impacted by "all-consuming" grief from which there is "no escape".

Sue Clarke says her daughter had been in the process of becoming a police officer when she was murdered. (Supplied: AAP/ Department of Justice)

• The principal of a Brisbane school that added gender identity and sexuality clauses to its enrolment contract has officially resigned. Pastor Brian Mulheran had been on extended leave after a public backlash over the school's enrolment contract, after it was revealed that parents were asked to sign the agreement affirming students would identify as their birth gender and describing homosexuality as sinful.

What Australia has been searching for online

• Mt Disappointment. Police have confirmed five people on board a helicopter have died after it crashed at Mount Disappointment, north of Melbourne, this morning. Two helicopters were flying north from Melbourne's CBD as part of a private charter when one disappeared just after 9am.
• Tom Parker. The singer of The Wanted has died, aged just 33, after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. The band went their separate ways in 2014 after releasing three albums but reunited last year for concert organised by Parker to support cancer charities.

One more thing

As you may have heard earlier today, action movie icon Bruce Willis is stepping away from acting.

The 67-year-old's family has revealed he's been "experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia" — a disorder that impacts a person's ability to read, write and speak.

In a social media post signed by his first wife, actor Demi Moore, second wife, model and actor Emma Heming Willis, and his five daughters, the family says Willis's career "meant so much to him".

After what's quite-a-sad announcement, we're taking a look back to the happier times with some of Bruce Willis' most memorable, influential and iconic movie roles — you can head here to vote for your favourite.

You're up to date

Thanks for joining us.

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