What we learned, Tuesday 20 May
Well, it’s been a mammoth day and its reverberations will continue, but we’re going to let you get on with your dinner (and for those of you in Sydney, your torturous commute) and wrap up this blog. Here’s just a little of what we learned today:
The Coalition is no more, after the Nationals announced they will not be re-entering an agreement with the Liberal party, citing lack of alignment on key policies.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said the National party blew up the Coalition in part because it wanted its frontbenchers to be allowed to speak out against opposition policy.
The Queensland LNP says the federal Coalition split will have ‘no impact or bearing’ on the state government.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers described the Coalition’s break up as a “nuclear meltdown”.
Australia issued a joint statement with 22 other countries including the UK, Canada and Germany urging Israel to allow aid into Gaza and to enable “UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity”.
The Greens deputy leader, Mehreen Faruqi, has condemned the Labor government for not joining the UK, Canada and France in threatening a “concrete” response against Israel’s expansion of its war on Gaza.
The Reserve Bank cut the cash rate by quarter of a percentage point to 3.85%, saying it believes inflation is coming under control.
And a train accident, in which high-voltage wires collapsed on the top of a train in Strathfield, has caused commuter chaos in Sydney, shutting down a large part of the train network.
Look after yourselves, get home safely, and we’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.
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Continued from previous post:
The Sofronoff inquiry found the ACT’s top prosecutor, Shane Drumgold, had lost objectivity over the Lehrmann case and had knowingly lied about a note of his meeting with broadcaster Lisa Wilkinson.
The ACT Integrity Commission found that the majority of the Sofronoff inquiry’s findings were not legally unreasonable.
But it found Sofronoff’s behaviour during the inquiry gave rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias and he might have been influenced by the publicly expressed views of journalist Janet Albrechtsen.
Sofronoff repeatedly messaged the News Corp journalist and eventually leaked her an advance copy of his final report.
That leak led to the Integrity Commission’s “serious corrupt conduct finding” in March.
Justice Abraham reserved her decision on the bid to dismiss Sofranoff’s court challenge.
– AAP
Updated
Walter Sofronoff asks Federal court to throw out ACT corruption watchdog’s findings
A former judge trying to overturn a finding he engaged in serious corrupt conduct during his inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann’s criminal prosecution is fighting a legal move to throw out his challenge, AAP reports.
Walter Sofronoff KC has asked the Federal court to toss out the ACT corruption watchdog’s findings delivered in March, stemming from leaks to a journalist.
Justice Wendy Abraham on Tuesday heard arguments from Alison Hammond, for the ACT parliament’s speaker, that the Integrity Commission’s report into Sofronoff’s Lehrmann inquiry is protected by parliamentary privilege.
Sofronoff chaired a board of inquiry into the ACT’s criminal justice system after controversy plagued the prosecution of Lehrmann, accused of raping then-colleague Brittany Higgins in a ministerial office at Parliament House in 2019.
Lehrmann maintains his innocence. In the criminal trial in 2022 he pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual intercourse without consent, denying that any sexual activity occurred. A 2022 criminal trial was abandoned with no verdict because of juror misconduct.
In December of that year prosecutors dropped charges against him for the alleged rape of Higgins, saying a retrial would pose an “unacceptable risk” to her health.
On Tuesday, Hammond said the ACT speaker submitted that the corruption report was a proceeding in parliament “such that parliamentary privilege attaches to it”.
Sofronoff’s claim would infringe that privilege and should be dismissed, she said:
There is a sufficiently close functional connection between a report prepared by the commission … and the work of the legislative assembly so as to attract parliamentary privileged content.
The speaker’s position was that a challenge to or judicial review of a corruption inquiry was available to applicants but not after a report was completed and submitted to the speaker, Hammond said.
Adam Pomerenke KC, for Sofronoff, argued the corruption investigation had occurred outside empowering statutes, while errors in the report had already been admitted:
It’s this publication on the commission’s website, outside the legislative assembly, publication to the world, which is doing the real damage on our case to Mr Sofronoff’s reputation.
The Integrity Commission’s duty to expose corruption “has nothing to do with the legislative assembly”, Pomerenke said:
The mere tabling of a document in parliament … is not part of enacting the business of the house or committee.
Continued in next post
Updated
NSW transport minister: all passengers now off stranded trains
The NSW Minister for Transport John Graham has made a statement on the Sydney transport chaos this afternoon.
I have this evening been briefed at the Rail Operations Centre by Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland and Howard Collins, TfNSW Coordinator General.
This is a very serious incident in a critical part of the rail network and we apologise to all train passengers affected and trying to get home tonight.
The position of the train at Strathfield is a major artery of the network and has caused huge disruption.
Passengers have now been taken off the stranded train that was entangled in wiring, as well as three other trains that were stopped with passengers onboard.
Teams are now working to cut the entangled train away and an assessment made of recovery work needed. We will update on how that work progresses tonight and any flow-on impacts into tomorrow morning.
Sydney Trains is running shuttle services that avoid the Strathfield – Homebush area to the north, west and south-west.
Updated
Tim Wilson wins Goldstein, beating Zoe Daniel by 128 votes
All the votes in Goldstein have finally been counted and Liberal Tim Wilson has defeated independent MP Zoe Daniel by 128 votes.
Wilson’s lead, which was only 204 votes this morning, narrowed considerably with a small amount of postal votes counted today, but there were not quite enough in Daniel’s favour. Preference distribution is still to come, but unless it skews wildly towards Daniel, then Wilson has won.
With no votes left to count, Liberal Tim Wilson has defeated Independent Zoe Daniel to win Goldstein by 128 votes.
— Antony Green - elections (@AntonyGreenElec) May 20, 2025
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Sydney transport officials consulting Google Maps to help commuters find a way home
Communications between train workers in Sydney also appear to be strained as a result of the outages caused by this afternoon’s accident.
Frustrated commuters who swarmed around rail workers at Central station asking how they could get home, didn’t get clear answers from transport officials but were diverted to nearby bus stops.
The Guardian saw transport officials checking Google Maps to work out routes home for commuters, relying on that data rather than on internal Transport for NSW communications.
Confusion was heightened by platform announcements at odds with information displayed on station screens for each train service. At one point, a train that appeared to be headed for the airport – which was packed with travellers – emptied abruptly as a platform announcement informed passengers that the train on the neighbouring platform would instead operate the airport service.
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Passengers now being escorted off stranded Strathfield train
As we noted earlier, the public transport chaos in Sydney this evening was caused by an incident near Sydney’s Strathfield stations in which live high-voltage electrical wires collapsed on to a train containing about 300 passengers.
Commuters are now being evacuated from the train, with news helicopters capturing footage of them disembarking one by one.
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RBA’s Bullock: monetary policy shouldn’t be used to control housing prices
The Reserve Bank governor, Michele Bullock, has said state and federal governments have to “step up” to fix the housing shortage, amid economists’ predictions today’s interest rate cut will see house prices surge.
All four major banks committed to drop their home loan rates by the end of the month after the RBA cut interest rates this afternoon, the second rate cut this year.
While that would drive homebuyer activity and lift home values, Bullock said her priority was jobs and consumer prices.
If the right thing to do in terms of employment and inflation is to lower interest rates, I think we have to accept what that might imply for housing prices.
If we start thinking about, ‘well, do we lower interest rates because of housing prices,’ we’re going to take our eye off the ball.
Bullock said the onus was on federal and state governments to resolve the underlying housing shortage.
I acknowledge that some people are worried that as interest rates come down, housing prices will rise, but other policies have really got to step up here.
While Bullock refused to say whether more rate cuts were on the way, markets are expecting at least another two this year, and to come sooner rather than later, raising their bets from a one-third to a two-third chance the rate will be cut at the next meeting in July.
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Sydney commuter frustration mounts as train chaos continues
Rose Bilyk was at Central to catch a train home to the Fairfield area.
She lives on the T3 line, and previously relied on the Bankstown-Sydenham train line which is now shut for conversion to Metro. Her only alternative rail route in recent months has been to go via Strathfield – the centre of today’s chaos.
She said:
This is nuts, they have totally isolated south west Sydney because the only passage we had left was via Strathfield.
There is no train alternative for me, and they have cut the bus routes, so I have to try get as far south west as I can and then just get an Uber.
Updated
Coalition splits: the Nationals are breaking up with the Liberals after election defeat – video
The Nationals will enter into a new agreement with the Liberal party, ending the formal coalition for the first time since the 1980s. The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, said MPs had made the shock decision after a breakdown in negotiations with the opposition leader, Sussan Ley.
Catch up with that news here:
Sydney commuters pack Central station platforms, confused about train services
There were chaotic scenes at Sydney’s Central station this evening as thousands of commuters stood on crowded platforms hoping to board trains home.
Trains along the main western suburbs line were not moving, with carriages at crush capacity as commuters boarded, seemingly unaware that many services had been cancelled because of an accident involving high-voltage wires collapsing on the top of a train earlier in the day.
Station staff have erected tape to block entry to various platforms, but commuters remained unclear about the closures, with many ducking under the barriers to continue to platforms.
Jordi Bradley had travelled to Central for what she thought would be a quick transit to an express train home to Meadowbank, but soon realised she’d be spending much more of her evening on platform 19 than she had expected.
It’s a good thing I’ve got no plans tonight because I don’t think I’ll be getting on a train anytime soon.
There were people heading to the airport on the train I was on to get here, but they’re now stuck at Central with their luggage.
She has decided to wait on the platform rather than board one of the overcrowded trains
Nothing is moving.
Updated
NSW SES says more riverine flooding expected, several emergency warnings still in place
The SES has performed 58 flood rescues since intense rainfall began in NSW this week.
The State Emergency Service says more riverine flooding is expected this week with further intense rainfall forecast for the Mid North Coast. A number of emergency warnings remain active.
The current status of major rivers is as follows:
The Gloucester at Gloucester is above the major flood level and rising.
The Manning at Taree and Wingham is at moderate flood level and rising, with emergency warnings asking people in some low-lying areas of Taree and Wingham to evacuate.
The Williams peaked at major flood level and is now dropping, but more rain could cause more riverine flooding.
More than 140mm of rain is expected over the next 24 hours, with some isolated places expected to receive as much 200mm. Flash flooding and further riverine flooding is expected in coastal catchments.
Evacuation centres are open at Dungog RSL, Club Gloucester, Club Taree, Manning Point Bowling Club and Wingham RSL.
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Victorian tenants group disappointed no extra funding for affordable homes in state budget
Victorian Public Tenants Association CEO Katelyn Butterss says it is “disappointing” the Victorian government has provided no increase for housing “Victorians really need” in its budget, which was handed down today.
The Victorian government has made no additional funding commitments to help Victorians stay in safe and affordable homes.
As demand only continues to grow for public housing in the state, the government must prioritise safety and security for public tenants and their access to homes.
Last week, the Victorian Housing Peaks Alliance released research showing Victoria needs 377,000 new public and community housing homes by 2051 to meet demand. To get there, VHPA is calling for annual growth of 7,990 homes a year each year for the next decade so that Victoria can reach the national average.
Butterss said:
If we want to end homelessness in Victoria, and ensure that everyone has a home who needs one, this needs to be Victoria’s next big project. All Victorians will be poorer if we do not make this an urgent priority.
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Jurors watch CCTV footage of Erin Patterson at a petrol station day after lethal lunch
Here’s an update from the Erin Patterson trial.
Jurors have been shown CCTV footage that captured Erin Patterson at a BP petrol station in Caldermeade the day after a lethal lunch in July 2023.
The prosecution has called their next witness, detective senior constable Khuong Tran, who is part of the homicide unit. He was involved in investigating the deaths of people who attended a lunch at Patterson’s home on 29 July 2023
Tran was responsible for obtaining CCTV footage from the service station as part of the investigation, the court hears.
In the footage, Patterson is seen getting out of a red vehicle parked outside the service station.
Patterson then enters the toilets inside the service station for nine seconds, the court hears. When she returns, she browses items on the shelves and in a fridge before heading to the counter.
Patterson then leaves the service station and returns to her car.
The footage, which lasts for about three minutes, is dated 30 July 2023 and starts at 3.19pm.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of attempted murder.
Updated
Transport NSW: Sydney train chaos not caused by ‘lack of maintenance’
Collins says the issue should be resolved tonight, but it might create other problems for tomorrow’s services so commuters should check service announcements in the morning.
He says he strongly believes the incident had “nothing to do with a lack of maintenance”.
The live wires are “life-threatening”. Given the amount of voltage and ampage, “it will kill you straight away”.
The really important thing is to understand, whilst there might be a lot of frustration from people out there, we want to make sure this is safe. I’ve seen the pictures. The wire is sitting on the roof. It is dangerous to actually get people [out of the train] until we fully confirm that everything is switched off and fully earthed and isolated. That is being done. Now, I’m sorry it’s taking so long, but we need boots on the ground, [it’s a] very complex area with six tracks and loads of cabling and isolation. It does take time.
Updated
Transport NSW: rare to see ‘catastrophic event of this nature’ on Sydney train system
Collins says dealing with the main train that has the power issue is the first priority – isolating the power, and getting the hundreds of people on the affected trains safely off them and home. He says:
This is obviously an unusual situation. It’s very rare to see a catastrophic event of this nature. But we will get to the root cause, and I’m sure City Trains will carry out the full investigation.
The good news about the investigation is this is a B-set train. It has all the CCTV on it. It has a good computer diagnostics, so we should be able to understand whether it was the wire or the trains involved, but that will take some time.
Updated
Transport NSW: Avoid travelling by train in Sydney today
The Transport for NSW spokesperson, Howard Collins, says there aren’t many transport options for commuters.
I’d ask customers and passengers to be aware that if you are not travelling, please do not do so on the rail network, there are limited services in other areas. The only area not affected by this is the T4, under the south coast and central services. The rest of the other lines, including the airport line and other services on the North Shore, are impacted by this significant delay.
Once we isolate the power and get everyone clear of the area, we will be able to use the remaining four lines which are available to us to move trains in the area, but we cannot do that until we know this wire, which is on the top of the train, has been made safe.
Updated
Commuter chaos in Sydney as high-voltage wires collapse on train
A train accident, in which high-voltage wires have collapsed on the top of a train in Strathfield, has caused commuter chaos in Sydney, shutting down the entire westbound line.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson says response teams are on site:
They are now working to ensure that the correct isolations are put in place to remove the 300 passengers on that train, and also a couple of trains which are caught where the power was switched off in an emergency.
The most important thing here is safety, making sure we do that under safe conditions and [that] there’s no risk of the power being switched on by accident or other means. So once we’ve done that, our own response team plus also the assistance of police and other emergency services will safely evacuate those people.
Eyewitnesses have told Guardian Australia there’s a stream of thousands migrating from the Central concourse to Railway Square to catch westbound buses.
Meanwhile, Transport for NSW has activated the agreement with Uber against unreasonable surge pricing during this incident at Strathfield and its flow on effects.
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Littleproud: party will ‘do whatever it takes’ to improve the lives of Nationals supporters
Asked if he acknowledges the Liberal and National parties cannot be in government without each other, Littleproud says:
I totally understand that, but with that comes what is important to each other. This is really important to the National party and people that we represent, electorates we represent. I think it’s a very strong message to this electorate that we have a healthy democracy, we have got people that you sent to this parliament, and they will do whatever it takes to make sure that we change your lives for the better. That’s the commitment I give, and the commitment my party room gave today, as tough a decision as it was.
Updated
Littleproud admits there was less than an hour between Nationals deciding to quit Coalition and telling Ley
After that denial, Littleproud seems to backtrack a bit – acknowledging that there was less than an hour between the party room making its decision to leave the Coalition and telling Ley.
Littleproud says:
I think that is quite reasonable considering that [the] decision was coming. I made it clear to Sussan that a decision would be predicated in that room at 8am this morning and when I was done, I would advise [her] of the outcome.
Littleproud says this was “not a couple of weeks’ of policy work” but rather “months of going back through the process”.
He says he would “rather be upfront with people and look them in the eye and tell them what we believe in and what we need to have an agreement, and if you cannot facilitate that than you do that in respectful way”.
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Littleproud says process to split Coalition began ‘last Thursday’
Nationals leader David Littleproud is speaking to the ABC in the wake of Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s press conference about the split in the Coalition.
Littleproud denies reports that he only gave Sussan Ley 30 minutes’ warning about the split. He says the process “started last Thursday”.
In fact, Sussan Ley wanted to come to Canberra, to leave her dying mother, and I wouldn’t allow that. I drove to Albury, and then obviously we had discussions subsequently for that, and over the weekend when her mother died, obviously we were in no hurry but she wanted to get to a junction of being able to form a shadow cabinet, and to do that, she needed to have a coalition. We had a discussion about those policy areas that we wanted cemented in that way as part of the Coalition, so we weren’t asking for anything new that we wanted to have certainty around those, so these discussion took some time.
Then there was a process in my party room that we had to go through, and this wasn’t my decision individually, it was of the collective, and then had a process that I had to get my federal management to get ratification, then as soon as that was done, I went and saw Sussan personally and we had a discussion. So we followed the process and respecting the personal circumstances that Sussan is facing and making sure she dictates the terms.
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Sydney train services disrupted by power supply problem
Sydney commuters can expect significant delays on a number of train lines entering and leaving the Sydney CBD this afternoon because of a power supply issue at Strathfield station.
Transport NSW has advised people to plan for extra travel time or consider using Metro services between Epping, Chatswood and Central, or alternative bus routes.
The lines affected are T1, T2, T3 and T8, as well as lines to Newcastle via Strathfield.
Transport expects to hold a press conference on the matter at 4.30pm.
Updated
Sussan Ley: Debate between Liberals and Nationals normal but a coalition would have to show a ‘united front’
The strong message coming from Sussan Ley’s responses to reporters’ questions in this press conference is that the Liberals felt there was a risk that cabinet solidarity would not be maintained across the Coalition – reading between the lines, that the Nationals would advocate for different policies – and that was essentially a dealbreaker.
She says:
Cabinet solidarity is very important and unless I, as leader of the Liberals, could be sure about that, it was important that we didn’t take those next steps. And as I’ve said, I wasn’t assured of that with issues that may divide both members of their party room and members of our party room in the future.
So, it is not a new set of arrangements that fierce debates are had both within party rooms and within and around the shadow cabinet table and the cabinet table. Having participated in many myself over the years, I know this. But then you come out as a united front and you present a united agenda to the Australian people.
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Sussan Ley remains a ‘committed coalitionist’ but insists all policies must be up for review
Ley says she is a “committed coalitionist” and believes the Coalition is stronger together:
I am disappointed, I do want the Coalition to come together, and obviously this means for the Liberal party that the shadow ministerial positions will be filled by Liberals. And I have much talent in my party room. But that, if you like, is secondary to the fact that we won’t be forming a coalition, but we want to and we remain open to it.
However, the Nationals, she says, had “specific policies that they were determined to adhere”:
They’re entitled to do that, and I respect their own party room processes. I simply asked that they respect ours, which are that we aren’t going to land on those four policies, or any for that matter, right here, right now in the form that they were presented to us. We have to work through them carefully and take the time to get them right.
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Sussan Ley says the Liberal party is the official opposition
Ley is explaining why the Coalition split, framing it as being “not about the individual policies themselves, but the approach that we said we would take to our party room about policies”.
We offered to work constructively with the Nationals, and we asked for that respect in return, in good faith, I proposed that we stand up a joint shadow ministry consisting of Liberal party shadow ministers and National party shadow ministers, and that we go forward in a united way, and that we then work separately on policies, as we should, in our separate party rooms and come together articulating what those policies are at the right time over the course of the next term. And the Nationals did not agree to that approach.
The Liberal party also insisted that shadow cabinet solidarity be maintained in any coalition agreement, and that was unable to be resolved.
Ley is also essentially staking out a position of dominance in the split, articulating the Liberal party’s role as the “official opposition”, while also saying “on a constructive note” that the party will “work very closely with the Nationals”.
As the largest non-government political party, the Liberals will form the official opposition. The Liberal party is the official opposition in the parliament. A new shadow ministry will be drawn from the Liberals in the upcoming days, and obviously I will be saying more about that at the time.
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Liberal party will ‘modernise’ but door remains open to coalition with Nationals: Sussan Ley
Sussan Ley says the Liberal Party must “respect modern Australia, reflect modern Australia and represent modern Australia”, as she seeks to assure Australians that the party is listening to the “clear message” sent to it at the election.
We will take the time to get this right. We’ll listen, we’ll step up, we’ll modernise and we will rebuild. And it is with that undertaking from my party room and with my conviction and determination to get it right with respect to policies that I had front and centre with my conversations with David [Littleproud]. And while I have enormous respect for David and his team, it is disappointing that the National party has decided today to leave the Coalition.
But the most important thing I want to say is this: the Nationals’ door remains open, and our door remains open, and we look forward with optimism to rejoining at some point in the future.
And as David and I left today, we agreed that he and I would continue to meet regularly and to talk because we have much in common. We both have a big job to do to take the fight up to Labor.
Updated
Opposition leader Sussan Ley is speaking now in the wake of the National party splitting from its coalition with the Liberal Party.
Updated
RBA’s Bullock: Doesn’t expect Australian recession but ‘alert’ to the possibility
Governor Michele Bullock says the RBA is “on alert” for cataclysmic events on global financial markets, even though the financial markets have recovered since the US tariffs announcement. However, “the situation we’re in is not just uncertain, it’s actually unpredictable” Bullock says.
Asked if there was an increased risk of recession in Australia over the next two years, Bullock says that there is a scenario analysis for “a really bad outcome” in which a recession is possible. But she stresses:
That’s in the very extreme circumstance. And again, it was to try and give ourselves some sort of spectrum of outcomes that we might be looking at at the moment. We’re not looking at that, but we need to be alert.
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Bullock: Australia’s main trading partners’ growth expected to slow
One of the biggest issues since the last meeting of the RBA board has been the “complete rollercoaster” of global economic and policy uncertainty after the US tariffs announcement, Bullock says.
Bullock says the effect of the tariffs on the global economy will depend on negotiations between the US and their trading partners.
She continues:
Our baseline forecasts that we released today for the global economy reflect the potential economic impacts of higher tariffs and impacts on consumption and investment of policy uncertainty. We see growth in our major trading partners slowing over the remainder of this year and next year.
In terms of the forecasts for the domestic economy, we see growth in demand picking up, but a little more slowly than previously. This sees inflation declining a little more than previously forecast, and the unemployment rate a little higher. Some of this reflects the downgrade to world growth. But some of it also reflects the effect of uncertainty on domestic demand.
If the trade outcomes are much worse for the global economy, though, we could be facing a much larger downturn in Australia, with implications for inflation and unemployment.
Updated
Michele Bullock: RBA forecasts inflation to fall to about 2.5% over the next year
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says she recognises the recent period of high interest rates has been “challenging” for many, but it could have been worse.
Bullock is speaking to the media about today’s cash rate cut. She says underlying inflation is now under 3% and the RBA’s forecast is to see it around 2.5% over the next year. The board’s strategy has been to bring inflation down while avoiding a sharp rise in unemployment.
This is consistent with our dual mandate of price stability and full employment. I know this period of relatively high interest rates has been, and continues to be challenging for many households and businesses, but it was essential we brought inflation down because inflation hurts everyone.
The strategy that we took to achieve this was different to that of some other central banks, who took rates much higher than we did. The board accepted the trade off that, leaving the cash rate where it was would bring inflation down more gradually, but without a big increase in unemployment. A sharp rise in unemployment would have been very costly for families and for the Australian economy.
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Sussan Ley says the Liberal party’s door ‘remains open’ after Coalition split
Opposition leader Sussan Ley says the Nationals blew up the Coalition in part because it wanted its frontbenchers to be allowed to speak out against opposition policy.
In her first statement after the shock announcement that the two parties would split, Ley confirmed the Nationals wanted frontbenchers be allowed to cross the floor in parliament and vote against Coalition policy.
Ley issued a joint statement with her deputy, Ted O’Brien, and the Liberal senate leadership:
Whilst we have enormous respect for David Littleproud and his team, it is disappointing that the National party has taken the decision to leave the Coalition today.
As Liberals, we respect their decision and commit to continue working collaboratively with them.
The Liberal party’s door remains open to the Nationals’ should they wish to rejoin the Coalition before the next election. The coalition agreement has conventionally been focused on the makeup of our executive anchored in our principled commitment to our shared values.
The Nationals’ sought commitments on specific policies. As was explained to The Nationals, the Liberal Party’s review of election policies was not an indication that any one of them would be abandoned, nor that every single one would be adopted.
We offered to work constructively with the Nationals, respecting the party’s deeply held views on these issues.
We asked The National Party to work constructively with us, respecting our internal processes. In good faith, the Liberals proposed appointing a joint Coalition shadow ministry now, with separate policy development in each party room and subsequent joint policy positions determined in the usual way.
Unfortunately, the Nationals determined this was not possible. The Liberal party also insisted that shadow cabinet solidarity be maintained in any coalition agreement. This was not explicitly agreed to by the Nationals. As the largest non-government political party, the Liberal party is the official opposition.
Ley confirmed a new shadow ministry, drawn exclusively from the Liberals, will be announced in coming days.
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ACOSS calls for increase in social security payments now that inflation is under control
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has welcomed the RBA’s interest rate cut and called for more in the coming months to ease financial pressure on struggling households.
In a statement this afternoon, ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said the cut was “hugely important” for people on lower incomes, and that there was “no justifiable reason to keep interest rates at high levels” with inflation easing.
Goldie continued:
The priority now should be to grow jobs and the incomes of people struggling after a decade of stagnation in living standards. Low unemployment is an opportunity, not a risk. Reducing it further will not spark a fresh outbreak of inflation as some have wrongly suggested …
We are calling for an urgent increase to social security payments to lift the incomes of those with the least, as well as further investment in social housing and home energy upgrades for low-income homes to improve housing affordability and lower energy bills.”
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Brittany Higgins criticises Queensland anti-discrimination law pause
A state government will not be swayed into reintroducing landmark anti-discrimination laws despite a sexual assault survivor accusing it of failing to take women’s concerns seriously.
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins criticised the Queensland government for pausing changes to its anti-discrimination laws that would have taken effect on 1 July.
Before the 2024 election, the former Labor government legislated that employers would have a positive obligation to prevent discrimination of employees rather than acting retrospectively.
It also added more attributes to be protected from discrimination, including domestic violence, homelessness and irrelevant criminal or medical records.
But Attorney-General Deb Frecklington indefinitely halted the rollout of the changes in March after the justice department raised concerns about the protected attributes, particularly the irrelevant criminal record. She said there were concerns it could undermine decisions relating to weapons, police protection notices or licensing.
Higgins has argued that there has been extensive consultation over nearly four years for the implementation of the laws.
“By pausing this legislation indefinitely, without any clear explanation, [the government] further proves that [it] isn’t taking the concerns of the women in the state seriously,” she posted on X.
This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
Every day the Crisafulli government delays taking action more Queenslanders face risk at work.
Premier David Crisafulli welcomed Higgins’ comments on sexual harassment but said the legislation was rushed.
– Australian Associated Press
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RBA board: Trump’s tariffs will probably slow economic activity, predicts low inflation to persist
The Reserve Bank’s interest rate cut is a sign it believes inflation will now stay on target, the bank’s board has said, predicting there’s now more chance Trump tariff chaos will slow activity and push down prices.
The RBA until April had been focused on “returning” to low inflation, but the board said today that it was now focusing on “maintaining” low inflation – which it predicts will persists for the next few years. The board said in a statement:
Inflation is in the target band and upside risks appear to have diminished …
With inflation expected to remain around target, the Board therefore judged that an easing in monetary policy at this meeting was appropriate.
Heightened global uncertainty stemming from Donald Trump’s tariffs was one of the factors likely to keep inflation low, the board said.
The new cash rate of 3.85% will continue to keep the brakes on Australia’s economic activity but the RBA was “well placed to respond decisively” and cut again if overseas disruption increased, with the board using slightly stronger language than it did a month ago.
Updated
A quick note that, as usual on interest rate days, we’re expecting the governor of the Reserve Bank, Michele Bullock, to speak to the media soon.
Chalmers: Coalition learned ‘nothing’ from its election loss
The treasurer has had another crack at the Liberal and National parties.
The Coalition has proven itself not just incapable of sticking together, but of providing that kind of representation in every corner of Australia, which the prime minister prides himself on providing.
Asked if he thinks the fracture between the Liberal and National parties will be short- or long-term, he says it remains to be seen but says, nevertheless, it is “a seismic event in our political history”.
I think that’s really clear. And I think it shows that the most basic elementary test here has been failed and failed and fallen at the first hurdle …
As I said before, it’s consequential because the divisions in the Coalition were unable to be reconciled. And I think it does show that the former coalition parties learned nothing from the election result. They’ve learned nothing from the last three years. They’re focused inwardly on themselves. While the Albanese government is focused on governing.
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Chalmers: Australia not immune to ‘dark shadow’ hanging over global economy
Speaking at the press conference, Jim Chalmers says the Reserve Bank’s statement reflects that there is “a lot of unpredictability and uncertainty in the global economy” which is “casting a dark shadow over the whole global economy.”
And we are not immune from that. We’re better placed and better prepared but we’re not immune from those developments and you can see that in the way that the Reserve Bank has grappled with and explained that decision today. No doubt, Governor [Michele] Bullock will be asked about that shortly.
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Thank you for tuning in to a busy day on our live blog. I’m handing over now to the great Stephanie Convery, who will keep you updated into the evening.
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Jim Chalmers: Coalition is ‘nothing more than a smoking ruin’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says today’s Coalition break up was a “nuclear meltdown”. He is speaking live:
The Coalition now is nothing more than a smoking ruin. They are hopelessly divided on personalities and on policy. It shows that the new leadership has failed its first test. It shows that they’ve learned absolutely nothing from the last few weeks or indeed, the last few years. This is a nuclear meltdown in the Coalition. And it’s hard to see how Australians can take them seriously when they don’t even take each other seriously.
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Jim Chalmers ‘really pleased’ RBA rate cut will provide relief for homeowners
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is speaking after the Reserve Bank’s cash rate cut.
This is the second interest rate cut in the last three months. This is very welcome relief for millions of Australians. We are really pleased to see more help is on the way. And that’s what this decision today is all about. It reflects what we’ve made in the economy and recognises the uncertain global environment as well.
When it comes to inflation, both headlining and underlying inflation are now both in the Reserve Bank’s target band for the first time in almost four years. And this is the first time since records began that we’ve got the unemployment rate in the low 4s at the same time as we’ve got both measures of inflation in the target ban at the same time.
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RBA rate cut partly designed to protect indebted households from Trump’s tariffs
More on the RBA cutting the cash rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.85%.
The cut, representing the second reduction this year, is partly designed to protect indebted households from Donald Trump’s tariffs, which is spooking consumers and businesses, and creating the potential for a protracted trade war.
The RBA has even modelled an escalating “trade war” scenario that leads to a global confidence shock and sends unemployment soaring in Australia. In that scenario, the RBA would need to cut the cash rate heavily to stimulate the economy.
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RBA cuts cash rate by quarter of a percentage point to 3.85%
Economists view the decision as a sign Australia’s central bankers believe inflation is coming under control, and that there is no longer a need for a borrowing rate in excess of 4% to constrain households.
The reduction, marking the second rate cut this year, should swiftly flow through to lending rates, equating to an additional monthly saving of $114 for a $750,000 mortgage, according to Canstar.
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Here is footage of the lifesize fibreglass cow called Betsy that was stolen from a business in Truganina, Victoria:
Queensland LNP says federal coalition split has ‘no impact or bearing’ on state government
There will be no contest between Nationals and Liberals “in a futile waste of critical resources” in Queensland thanks to a “single united Liberal National Party”, LNP president Lawrence Springborg says.
Springborg confirms today’s Nationals-Liberals split has “no bearing or impact on the organisational arrangements within the Queensland LNP”.
If the former Liberal National Coalition had achieved the same proportion of seats in other states and territories as the LNP in Queensland at the Federal election, Peter Dutton and David Littleproud would be prime minister and deputy prime minister, respectively, with a four-seat working majority.
The LNP remains optimistic that the federal party rooms will continue discussions around negotiating a future Coalition agreement.
The positive benefit that comes from the single united LNP in Queensland is there will be no Nationals or Liberals contesting against each other in a futile waste of critical resources.
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Barnaby Joyce welcomes Coalition split as ‘healthy’ for both parties
The former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has told Guardian Australia he welcomes the Coalition’s split, describing the move as healthy for the Nationals and the Liberals.
“That election was not good. It was not good for the Liberal party and it was not good for the National party,” he said.
Joyce said regional voters had vastly different interests to Australians in the major cities, nominating the infrastructure required for renewable energy projects to connect to the grid.
It’s not going to be a walk in the park. It is going to come with its complications.
Speaking shortly after the decision was announced by leader David Littleproud, Joyce said the split was similar to tensions within conservative parties overseas.
This is not just happening in Australia, this is happening globally. Take [Reform UK leader] Nigel Farage and the Conservative party, or the Maga movement and Donald Trump in the United States. It is a global phenomenon.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is expected to make a statement later on today and Liberal MPs will hold an online party room meeting, this afternoon.
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Cop accused of murder expected to face court next month
A police officer accused of using his service weapon to murder a television presenter and his partner will face court more than a year after the pair went missing.
Beaumont Lamarre-Condon is charged with two counts of murder after allegedly shooting dead TV presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29, in February 2024.
He is accused of bundling the couple’s bodies in surfboard bags and dumping them at a rural property.
The 29-year-old has spent the past year in prison. The deaths are alleged to have occurred after a months-long campaign of “predatory behaviour” by Lamarre-Condon, targeting Baird.
Lamarre-Condon briefly dated the TV presenter before Baird began a relationship with Davies.
The case returned to Downing Centre Local court on Tuesday after confidential discussions between prosecutors and the alleged killer’s lawyer Alex Curnick in a case conference.
Both sides agreed “things are progressing,” magistrate Megan Greenwood was told.
A forensic psychiatrist’s report was also tendered after Lamarre-Condon was assessed in recent weeks.
No pleas have been entered but the accused killer is expected to face court at the next mention on 17 June.
Lamarre-Condon is facing two counts of domestic violence-related murder, and one count of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.
– Australian Associated Press
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Federal government reviewing bullying in schools
The federal government has launched a rapid review into bullying in Australian schools after growing concerns about the behaviour of students.
The education minister, Jason Clare, said the review, which will examine school procedures and best practice measures, would be a key part of Labor’s plans to develop a national approach to the issue.
The review is being led by psychologist Dr Charlotte Keating and Orygen research head Dr Jo Robinson AM, with a final report to be presented to education ministers in coming months.
Clare said the government would “listen to parents, teachers and students” and work with state and territory governments to “get this right”.
Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students. Last year, we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country.
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Victorian school reports antisocial behaviour falls nearly 50% after implementing respectful relationships program
Turning back to the Our Watch report that found governments must roll out respectful relationships education (RRE) across all Australian schools to address the growing challenges of AI-generated pornography, tech-facilitated abuse and sexual harassment.
Yarrunga primary school in the Victorian regional city of Wangaratta implemented RRE in 2019 after experiencing “strong gendered violence” among students.
Its acting principal, Michael Jenkins, said teachers were grappling with physical aggression between boys, students excluding other genders from games and disrespectful behaviour towards female staff.
Between 2019 and 2020, antisocial behaviour, such as teasing, physical aggression and sexualised comments, fell by nearly 50%, from 114 incidents to 61 incidents.
Jenkins said it was crucial to build emotional literacy and intelligence in young people, particularly in response to worsening behaviour after the pandemic.
Young people are not always aware of how their behaviour can impact other people and they are often mimicking behaviours that they think are OK and it has gone unchallenged. The reality is that we are teaching young people how to be good young people in the world, and respectful relationships education is a key part of that.”
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Greens say Labor call for more Gaza aid 'meaningless' without threat of sanctions
The Greens deputy leader, Mehreen Faruqi, has condemned the Albanese government for not joining the UK, Canada and France in threatening a “concrete” response against Israel’s expansion of its war on Gaza.
“Words won’t stop bombs. Words won’t stop the killing. Words won’t stop starvation,” Faruqi said in a statement after the foreign minister, Penny Wong, issued a joint statement with the foreign ministers of 22 other countries raising concerns over the UN and humanitarian partners not being able to deliver aid to Gaza under a new model reportedly approved by Israel’s security cabinet.
Faruqi’s statement continues:
Calling on Israel to allow aid through, without backing it with real action, is meaningless … At the very least, the Prime Minister could join the statement of our allies – the United Kingdom, Canada, and France – who have threatened sanctions against Israel. Signing a donor statement on aid does not absolve Labor of its complicity in Israel’s genocide, nor does it make up for their refusal to impose a single consequence for the slaughter of over 50,000 Palestinians.
More on this story below:
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SES warns of more flash flooding in parts of NSW
Andrew Cribb, NSW SES northern zone commander, has issued another warning about flash flooding, saying more can be expected as the rain continues.
Cribb says:
The SES has absolutely seen unprecedented rainfall in several areas in a short amount of time. That has led [to] flash flooding, and we will continue to see that flash flooding even though the predicted rainfall rates are a little lower than what we have experienced.
The short, intense bursts of rain that we expect will create further flash flooding and risk to the residents of the areas affected. This flash flooding is hitting the ground where it is absolutely saturated and running downhill towards the river catchments and the river tributaries which will prolong any flooding or indeed, increase the rises of those.
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Heavy rain expected until Wednesday, BoM says
Steve Bernasconi, hazard preparedness and response manager for the Bureau of Meteorology, has run through the rainfall totals across parts of NSW, which range from 61mm at Gloucester to 267mm at Taree over 24 hours – including 190mm at Taree in just 6 hours.
Bernasconi says:
This is a multi-day event, a multi-day weather event that’s turned into a multi-day flood event. And it will be focused on the Hunter and the mid-north coast today and into tomorrow with the potential for rainfall to still persist along the coast into the end of the week and weekend …
I’ve been asked to explain what’s causing this. A coastal trough that’s been positioned on the coast now for a couple of days persists. And it’s positioned around about the central mid-north coast area, and it’s expected to track slowly northwards today.
That means heavy to intense rainfall is expected on the southern side of that trough through today and into Wednesday.
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About 4,400 people across affected regions without power
The Swansea MP, Yasmin Catley, says Lostock dam and Glennies Creek dam are continuing to spill, and Patterson River has exceeded the major flood level.
Glenbawn dam is continuing to rise and more rain is expected. Chichester dam has peaked just 30mm short of a red alert.
A number of roads are closed across the Hunter region. About 400 people in Newcastle were without power this morning and about 4,000 on the mid-north coast.
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Four evacuation centres set up in flood-hit areas
There are four evacuation centres currently operating in the region: at Wingham, Dungog, Taree and Bulahdelah, says Jihad Dib.
Alerts will go out if and when other evacuation centres are set up. Communities are being door-knocked before they are affected by flooding.
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Authorities delivering update on NSW floods
The NSW emergency services minister, Jihad Dib, is speaking to media about the flooding situation in the Hunter Valley and mid-north coast.
The Upper Hunter region has seen rainfall of up to 270mm in the past 24 hours, Dib says:
That’s unusual weather. That is a lot of rain compared to what we would normally receive. We’re also seeing that spread out across the entire region. What we already know is that there are already ground is saturated. The dams are pretty full and the rivers are full, so with that, the expectation is that there will be some flooding.
There are 1,600 SES volunteers on the ground at the moment, Dib says. They have performed 24 flood rescues over the past 24 hours:
Many of those rescues, unfortunately, are as a result of people going through flood waters. I don’t know how many times I need to say this – please, do not drive through flood waters. Not only do you put yourself at risk, you put others at risk and you put them in harm’s way. We need people to be sensible. We need people to follow the instructions. We need people to be cautious.
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Kevin Hogan says he hopes Nationals and Liberals get back together after time apart
Nationals deputy leader, Kevin Hogan, says he views the Coalition split like a relationship breakup that will eventually end up back together again. He hopes sooner rather than later:
Maybe we’ve all broken up in a relationship that’s been important to us, and very often, more often than not, you get back together and join back together with clearer clarity and focus on what the relationship was about and when you get back together, how it is going to work even better.
That’s how I’m viewing this. I think that it is really important for the Coalition that that happens.
We are always best as a country with a strong Coalition. I hope, my wish in the future, is that it is going to happen again sooner rather than later, but we needed to make, for us, a principled stand on things today that we could not move on.
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Liberals and Nationals taking ‘time apart’ after eight decades as a coalition
Littleproud says the National-Liberal breakup is about “taking a deep breath” and saying to the Australian people it is “time apart for us to be better”.
He is speaking live:
We have had a coalition of over 80 years and I suspect we will have one in the future. It has been broken before. What this is about is taking a deep breath and say to the Australian people this is time apart [for] us to be better, focus on them.
This is a healthy part of our democracy which should be proud of.
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Nationals have ‘no animosity’ towards Liberal: Littleproud
Littleproud says the decision that the Nationals will not re-enter into coalition with the Liberals was made with “no animosity”:
There is no animosity, no angst, no heat. It is predicated on respect and understanding ...
The Nationals leader says this is one of the hardest political decisions of his life:
I did not make it by myself. The collective wisdom of everyone in that room today, getting to work through their lived experience of who they represent and what they [are] able to leave for them and next generations. I think our democracy is healthier for it. You’ve got 19 individual prepared to do that, to come here and get [to] the core purpose of why we are here.
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Littleproud leaves door open for resuming coalition when ‘Liberals decide what they want to be’
Littleproud has been asked whether he has just made both the National and Liberal parties “irrelevant in government … purely because of numbers”. The Nationals leader says:
No, this is mature conversation that both Sussan [Ley] and I had around their need to rediscover who they are and what they want to be. I need to leave a legacy for those people that I represent, for the 30% of Australians that live outside a capital city. I don’t intend to take a step back when I take big steps forward in three years.
I think that we can and will work together when the Liberals decide what they want to be and much of the capital cities that they want to be able to be prosecuting their case in. My job [is] not to be a drag on their boat and I’ve got to say, I never saw a billboard. I never saw a piece of material from the Labor party attacking me, or the National party at the last election. The National party didn’t drag anyone’s vote down in the capital city because we’re able to focus on the things that are important to us. This is a principled position. We come here not wanting to have to scrap over every last crumb.
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Liberal party ‘going on a journey of rediscovery’, Littleproud says
National’s leader David Littleproud reiterates the decision not to re-enter a coalition agreement with the Liberal party is “on a principle basis”.
He says the Liberal party are “going on a journey of rediscovery”:
It’s on a principle position of making sure that those hard-fought wins are maintained and respected, we continue to look forward. We look forward to what else we can do as a party and as part of an opposition now that we can shape the lives of regional Australians for the better.
We don’t want to have to look back and to waste energy on trying to re-prosecute the casement we should be continuing to look forward. And so, I had a respectful conversation with Sussan Ley this morning, sat down, made it very clear that we remain committed to having the door open, respecting the position that Sussan has been put in. That she is a leader that needs to rebuild the Liberal party. They are going on a journey of rediscovery, and this will provide them the opportunity to do that without the spectre of the National party imposing their will. But, setting clear boundaries, and parameters about what’s important to us – about what we achieved as a Coalition in the last three years. Building on that. Not having to look back, and to fight for things, but to actually focus on what’s important. Changing the lives of people in regional Australia – young kids in regional Australia.
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David Littleproud says Nationals will not re-enter into coalition with the Liberals
Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Nationals will not be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal party.
He is speaking live:
After the discussions that both Sussan Ley and I have had over the ensuing period, our party room has got to a position where we will not be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal party after this election. What we have got to a position is that the National party will sit alone on a principle basis. On the basis of looking forward, not having to look back and to try and actually regain important policy pieces that change the lives of the people we represent.
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Nationals to make announcement on future of Coalition partnership
There is growing speculation about the future of the Coalition in Canberra this morning, amid drawn-out negotiations over a new deal between the Liberals and the Nationals.
Nationals leader David Littleproud is going to speak to the media at Parliament House at 11.45am, after a party room meeting with MPs this morning.
The party says Littleproud will make “an announcement in relation to the Coalition agreement.”
He will be accompanied by the deputy leader, Kevin Hogan, and Senate leader Bridget McKenzie.
If the Nationals don’t enter into a coalition with the Liberals, their MPs would likely not be part of the formal opposition and would not have frontbench positions.
Littleproud has met with the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, since the 3 May election but the pair have so far not signed off on the traditional written agreement which influences the shadow ministry and some policy areas.
Net zero carbon emission commitments and the opposition’s nuclear policy are key sticking points between the two sides.
Some in the Nationals say they should go their own way in this term of parliament. That sentiment has been echoed by some Liberals, including the former MP Jason Falinski, who has argued in recent days the Nationals are a drag on the Liberals pitch to inner-city voters.
We will bring you more news in the next half an hour.
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Australia joins 22 countries in urging Israel to enable aid to Gaza
Penny Wong issued a joint statement with the foreign ministers of 22 other countries including the UK, Canada and Germany overnight urging Israel to enable “UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity”.
It raises concerns over the UN and humanitarian partners not being able to deliver aid under a new model reportedly approved by Israel’s security cabinet.
It also says Palestinian territory “must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change”.
The statement starts:
Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.
The statement acknowledges that prior to Israel’s blockade that cut off all aid to the Gaza Strip, “the UN and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel”.
These organisations subscribe to upholding humanitarian principles, operating independently, with neutrality, impartiality and humanity.
It says the UN and humanitarian partners of the countries signed on to the statement “cannot support” a new model for delivering aid “reportedly approved” by Israel’s security cabinet. The statement continues:
The UN and our humanitarian partners … are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles.
The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required. It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives. Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.
As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.
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Erin Patterson murder trial resumes evidence
We’re following Erin Patterson’s triple murder trial today and will bring you updates.
Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she served at her house in Leongatha, regional Victoria, on 29 July 2023. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The jurors have entered the courtroom in Morwell. Telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorell is continuing to give evidence.
Our justice and courts reporter, Nino Bucci, filed this report on what the jury heard on Monday:
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Respectful relationships education should be rolled out in every Australian school, report finds
Governments must roll out respectful relationships education (RRE) across all Australian schools to address the growing challenges of AI-generated pornography, tech-facilitated abuse and sexual harassment, a report from primary-prevention service Our Watch has found.
The report, based on more than a decade of research, emphasised the need for a “whole of school” approach in place of one-off programs and limited classroom lessons.
Our Watch CEO, Patty Kinnersly, said Australian students and teachers were facing alarming rates of gendered violence:
It is deeply concerning that nearly every week there is a new incident in the school environment – whether that be young men sharing deep fake porn of young women they know, or female teachers leaving the industry because they fear for their safety.
Research shows a clear connection between sexism, disrespect and gender-based violence. Respectful relationships education in every Australian school will support young people to develop their ability to critique the world, cultivate strong and healthy relationships and contribute to ending violence against women and girls.
The blueprint cited research showing 40% of 16-to-17-year-olds experienced sexual harassment at their place of study and nearly one in four (24%) women between 18 and 24 had experienced image-based abuse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
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Australia and Pacific in joint bid to host Cop 31 climate conference
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is speaking live from Fiji.
She says Australia has partnered with the Pacific in a bid to host climate conference Cop 31 in 2026 “to elevate Pacific voices”:
In an uncertain world we are counting on each other to work hard together to make our region even more resilient. Australia is a partner, Fiji can count on us. Fiji is a partner the Pacific can count on.
We are the largest partner in the region and have lifted our development assistant to record levels to more than $2.1bn to the Pacific, and recognised also the global aid cuts and the effect of those and we have dedicated almost half of our development program to support the Pacific.
And as I have done today, backing the Pacific on climate, including with our legislated cuts to our emissions, ambitious renewable energy target of 82% by 2030 and partnering with the Pacific in our bid to host Cop 31 to elevate Pacific voices and drive global action.
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Thousands specialist disability accommodation homes remain empty, conference told
At the DSC National Disability Insurance Scheme conference, Loki Ball from data company Performl, has said there are thousands of empty specialist disability accommodation homes – specifically designed houses for people with high support needs.
He said the specialist disability accommodation market is a good example of where the government needed to bring in reforms to make sure the NDIS was targeting the right areas, in the right way.
After a decade of setting the market rules for SDA, a large volume of low-quality providers, spurred by property brokers, have created more than 2,000 SDA places than people need. Just in Melbourne’s west and in the middle of a housing crisis, there are more than 2,800 vacant SDA places today.
Low-quality providers and unethical conduct are obviously wrong, but so too are the rules or lack thereof too often that have enabled this problem to occur.
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NDIS minister says scheme needs to ensure ‘people with disability can live with dignity’
The minister for the national disability insurance scheme, Jenny McAllister, has been speaking at the DSC annual NDIS conference in Melbourne.
She said she will honour the legacy of everyone involved who built the NDIS:
We need to make sure that the NDIS delivers better, consistent and fairer decisions, that it protects the safety and upholds the rights of participants, and that it operates transparently.
We need to ensure that there is a sustainable and vibrant disability sector that provides rewarding careers for the skilled and committed people who work in it. We need to be certain that every dollar allocated to NDIS participants reaches those participants and is spent in a meaningful way that makes a difference in people’s lives, that no one takes advantage of people with disability or their families, or of taxpayers.
We need to be certain that people with disability can live with dignity and exercise choice and control over their future through the scheme.
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ACCC says Qantas and Virgin have increased market dominance after demise of Rex and Bonza
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission finds Qantas and Virgin are only getting stronger and more profitable after the demise of Rex and Bonza airlines.
Qantas Group reported earnings of $1.5bn before interest and tax for the first half of 2024-25, the ACCC found in its latest report on domestic airline competition. Of that, $916m comes from its domestic operations across Qantas and Jetstar.
Qantas Group had an 80% share of the corporate travel market over the reporting period. “The high half-yearly earnings reported by Qantas Group reflect its dominance of the domestic airline sector,” the ACCC’s commissioner, Anna Brakey, said.
Virgin Austalia’s CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said in February that the airline group had achieved record profits in the first half of the current financial year, according to the ACCC report. After Rex withdrew from routes connecting capital cities, Virgin Australia has increased its share of passengers to 34.4% in March this year – an almost 3% increase from the year prior.
And the average air fare has increased by 9.6% between January and March this year – though it is down from their peak in October last year.
“The trends observed in average air fares since January reflect seasonal factors and are broadly consistent with those observed in previous years,” Brakey said.
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Police establish strike force Harkstead to investigate shooting death of Sydney man
More from the NSW Police press conference addressing a young man who was and killed at his home in Sydney’s south west. The police spokesperson said the victim was 23 years old and lived with his family:
We have a 23-year-old male who was brutally murdered on his front doorstep, and we have an extremely grieving family. We understand that he lives at home with his family, his mother and father, in their 50s, and I believe with his adult sisters. So this is extremely distressing for the community, and obviously for his family.
A vehicle similar to the small silver hatchback that arrived at the address where he was shot was located about 20 minutes after the attack on fire in Fairfield East, the police spokesperson said. He continued:
Upon that vehicle being extinguished of the flames, and a cursory search, a hand gun similar to that of a Glock style pistol was located in that vehicle.
The spokesperson later said:
At this stage, we know that there is a driver and the person who actually fired the gun.
Strike force Harkstead has been established.
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Police treating fatal shooting of Sydney man as a 'targeted execution'
NSW Police are treating the shooting of a man in his 20s in Sydney’s south west as a “targeted execution”, not a “random attack”.
About 10.30pm Monday, officers found a man with gunshot wounds at a home in Condell Park. He was treated by paramedics but could not be revived and died at the scene, police said in a statement.
The victim and his family are not known to the police and do not have criminal records, a police spokesperson said. He addressed press a short while ago:
I want to assure the community that at this stage, we believe that this is, although an extremely brutal and violent execution-style murder, is a targeted attack.
What I can say in this very early stage is that the victim and the holdings that we have on the victim and his family is that he is not known to police. He does not have a criminal record. His family members do not have criminal records. And he, at this stage, I believe, has one traffic offence.
Although this victim at this stage, we believe, may not have links to organised crime … we believe that this has the hallmarks of a targeted execution – very brutal, very distressing.
I want to reassure the community that we are treating this not as a random attack.
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Man shot at up to 10 times at Sydney home: police
NSW Police have seen CCTV footage showing the moments leading up to a man in his 20s being shot at multiple times in Sydney’s south-west overnight.
About 10.30pm Monday, emergency services were called to a home on Dalton Street after reports a man had been shot, NSW police said in a statement.
Officers found a man in his 20s with gunshot wounds. He was treated by NSW ambulance paramedics, but could not be revived and died at the scene.
“Detectives viewed good-quality CCTV, which was attached to the house,” a police spokesperson says. He is addressing press live.
The victim reversed his vehicle into the driveway of his home “not long before police arrival”. As he exited the vehicle, a small silver hatchback believed to be a Toyota Corolla arrived at the address and parked across the driveway. Police:
A male exited the rear driver’s side of that car and made his way up the driveway towards the victim … The victim saw the male, he backed back towards the home, and unfortunately, was up against the garage door, and an existing wall.
At this time, the male who was dressed in all black wearing a hood and believed to have his face covered, raised his right hand, and at this time, was armed with a small handgun, which we believe to be a Glock style handgun.
At very close proximity to the victim, he opened fire and we believe that he shot up to ten bullets at the victim … We believe that the victim suffered at least four gunshot wounds. He slumped to the ground out the front of his home and the offender returned to the hatchback and the car was last seen travelling eastbound on Dalton Street.
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Mary Fowler switches State of Origin allegience to NSW
New South Wales has delivered the telling first blow ahead of this year’s State of Origin series, with Matildas star and Queenslander Mary Fowler switching allegiances, according to her partner Nathan Cleary.
The NSW half revealed Fowler, who was born and raised in Cairns, has defected ahead of next week’s opening game of the three-match series in Queensland territory at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and will get behind the Blues, rather than the Maroons.
“I’m going to have to [send her a jersey], I reckon. She’s already put in the request, so I think I’m going to have to,” Cleary told News Corp. “She reckons she is going for the Blues, so I think I have swung her.”
But Fowler won’t be able to show her support for Cleary in person a week tomorrow – the injured Manchester City forward is recovering from surgery on a ruptured ACL and will be back in the UK on medical advice from her club.
“It’s pretty unfortunate because she was meant to be back last week, so she would have been able to come to the game,” Cleary said. “She’s sort of attacking her rehab at the moment and hopefully she can get back at some stage, but nothing is confirmed yet.”
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Australian of the Year Prof Richard Scoyler shares MRI scan of progressing brain tumor
Joint 2024 Australian of the Year professor Richard Scoyler has posted a recent MRI scan, showing the glioblastoma in the left side of his brain progressing.
“Whilst this may not be the best direction to be heading with my changes, amazingly (to me) I still seem keen to keep living, loving and having fun, whenever possible,” he said in the post to Instagram.
I feel like there are quite a few people on my team (including my family & friends) and they make me happy & proud!
Scoyler has been sharing his journey with recurring brain cancer on Instagram “in the hope of contributing to better outcomes for all”.
At the beginning of 2024, Scolyer and Prof Georgina Long, who were directors of the Melanoma Institute of Australia at the University of Sydney, took the mantle of joint Australians of the Year in recognition of their pioneering work developing immunotherapy treatment for melanoma. But for the treatment of brain cancers like his, very little progress has been made in decades.
“The thing about brain cancer is there’s nothing that’s proven that works on top of the treatments that started 20 years ago, so it brings grief to everyone,” he has previously told Guardian Australia.
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Woman dies after alleged DV assault in Redfern
A woman has died after an alleged domestic violence-related assault in Redfern, Sydney, on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to a unit on Morehead Street just after 4:30pm, after reports of an alleged domestic violence assault.
Officers found a 47-year-old woman with head injuries, NSW Police said. She was treated by paramedics and taken to Royal Prince Alfred hospital in a critical condition.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with causing domestic violence related grievous bodily harm to a person with intent. The man and woman are believed to know one other.
Police were notified at about 5:40pm that the woman had died in hospital. A report will be prepared for the coroner, and inquiries continue. The man remains before the court.
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NSW SES details fallout from overnight wild weather
There have been 22 flood rescues overnight and 1,405 calls to NSW SES for assistance in the 24hours since 5am this morning as heavy rainfall and damaging winds hit the Hunter, the mid north coast, the north-west slopes and plains, and the Northern Tablelands.
Emergency warnings were issued overnight urging people to evacuate Dungog, parts of Paterson, Gloucester holiday park, parts of Bulahdelah and Ferndale caravan park on Chichester Dam.
Fourteen watch and act warnings and 36 advice warnings are in place for flooding catchments across the mid north coast and the Hunter. About 160mm of rainfall was recorded in 6 hours overnight in Taree, causing significant sudden-onset flash flooding.
The 22 overnight flood rescues were all in the Hunter and mid north coast regions.
“Rivers and creeks are already responding quickly to renewed rainfall, as catchments remain saturated,” NSW SES said in a statement. There is major flooding on the Paterson, Gloucester and Wiliams Rivers.
Severe weather is expected to linger for several days, with widespread 24-hour rainfall totals of up to 130mm possible in some areas along the coast.
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Anthony Albanese meets Pope Leo XIV
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Here are some pictures.
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Queensland nurses’ union to vote on strike ballot after negotiations reportedly break down
Queensland nurses could walk off the job, with union members voting on protected industrial action later this week.
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union announced the move yesterday, saying negotiations had broken down with the state government over a new enterprise bargaining agreement. It comes after the government threatened to deny members two months of backpay if they voted to strike.
QNMU’s secretary, Sarah Beaman, said the threat was “an insult to the frontline public nurses and midwives who stood firm on the frontline of Queensland Health during Covid – and every day”:
Our workforce is in crisis, and we desperately need more nurses and midwives if we are to continue to deliver quality free care in Queensland.
The government’s EB12 offer, no matter how they try to spin it, does nothing to recruit, retain and respect Queensland’s nurses and midwives.
Nurses and midwives have made it very clear – they will not be unfairly pressured into accepting a deal that erodes Queensland’s public health system – or their rights, pay and conditions.
The union says it wants a substantially higher pay offer to make Queensland nurses the best paid in the country. It also says the government is attempting to remove clauses limiting contracting out public services and mandating flexible work arrangements, among others.
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British ultramarathon runner William Goodge becomes fastest man to cross Australia on foot
An ultra-endurance athlete has just smashed the world record for running across Australia after spending more than a month on foot.
Spurred on by his mother’s battle with cancer, and with his father by his side, William Goodge crossed the finish line in Sydney just after 4pm on Monday.
It brings an end to 35 days of pounding the pavement, striding the equivalent of two and a half marathons per day.
That’s four days quicker than previous record holder, Chris Turnbull, who completed the 3,800km feat in 39 days in 2023.
The 31-year-old Briton crossed the finish line at Bondi Beach, making his massive run a new Guinness world record. Goodge set out from Cottlesloe Beach in Perth on 15 April, averaging more than 100km per day at about seven and a half minutes per kilometre.
– Australian Associated Press
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Albanese ends whirlwind international tour in Singapore
Anthony Albanese will meet with Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong to bookend his first international trip since Labor’s resounding election triumph.
The prime minister, who met with the previous Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2024, is expected to consolidate Australia’s relationship with one of its most influential Southeast Asia neighbours.
Singapore will join the Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia between 13 July and 4 August, when more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations will take part in war games.
Albanese will meet the Singaporean prime minister on Tuesday after attending the pope’s inauguration at the Vatican and meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the mass.
The trip coincides with the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations after Australia became the first nation to establish a diplomatic relationship with Singapore and the second to recognise it after its independence in 1965.
– Australian Associated Press
Canva co-founder and wife make philanthropic Giving Pledge
Canva co-founder Cameron Adams and his wife, Lisa Miller, have joined a pledge taken by the world’s wealthiest philanthropists to give most of their wealth to charity in either their life or wills.
“Many of the ecosystems that support our lives are being destroyed – and our future depends on how we choose to save them,” Adams said in a statement.
Lisa and I believe that with good fortune comes great responsibility. We recognise that the opportunities we have had in life place us in a position to give generously and act with purpose.
Philanthropy is more than charity; it is a means of addressing systemic issues, driving meaningful change, and ensuring that future generations inherit a world rich in possibility and biodiversity. By joining the Giving Pledge, we aim to emphasise this responsibility and commit our resources to the planet that we all rely on.
And this commitment is critical during the next decade … We must not only halt nature’s decline but also begin its restoration. Governments and businesses will play vital roles, but philanthropy has a unique ability to drive bold action, fund innovation, and catalyse change at scale.
The Giving Pledge is a promise by philanthropists to give most of their wealth to charitable causes, founded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett in 2010. Adams and Miller have previously pledged to give “most” of their fortune away through their venture Wedgetail.
Adams will have access to his almost $7bn fortune soon, which has largely been in Canva equity, according to the Australian Financial Review.
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The three scenarios the RBA may deliver with today’s rate cut decision
The Reserve Bank will decide today whether mortgaged households will receive interest rate relief in a closely watched decision complicated by Donald Trump’s tariff regime. Here are the three most likely scenarios.
Quarter point cut: There is a strong view among market participants that the RBA will cut the cash rate by 25 basis points from 4.1% to 3.85% today, providing some relief for mortgage holders.
This view is backed by a recent easing in inflation, and the belief that the central bank wants to bring the cash level, which helps determine borrowing rates, back to a neutral rate somewhere around 3.5% over the coming months.No rate cut: This view has gained momentum in recent days due to strong labour data that suggests the jobs market may not require a rate cut.
The winding back of Trump’s tariff regime, which has eased economic tension between the US and China, along with a rebounding stock market has also caused some economists to suggest the RBA should wait to see if inflation falls further before cutting again.Half percentage point cut: While this outcome has become increasingly unlikely due to the easing of global economic tension and strong local jobs data, there are some who believe the cash rate is too restrictive for the Australian economy.
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Liberals question role of advocacy group Advance
We have an exclusive story this morning about the bitter aftermath within the Liberal party after its election defeat with some senior Liberal sources questioning the impact of Advance Australia, the rightwing advocacy that campaigned for the party.
A number of insiders are arguing that the group made “no difference at all” to the election result and others warning it “undermined” the party and cost it votes. Reaction coming up.
Read the full story from Henry Belot and Sarah Basford Canales:
Gallagher says Australia ‘seeking support’ for Gaza residents
Katy Gallagher was asked on ABC News Breakfast whether Australia joins the UK, France and Canada’s threatened action against Israel if it does not end its “egregious” renewed offensive and allow aid into the Gaza Strip.
Gallagher did not say whether Australia would:
We are absolutely deeply and gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza. For anyone who is watching the images or reading about what is happening there, we have been calling to ensure that aid is getting through and this is something that the Australian government keeps a watching brief on.
I will leave it to the foreign minister to make any further updates, but we … certainly … are seeking support for the people of Gaza and for Israel to allow that support to be provided.
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Finance minister says market predicts today’s RBA decision will be a rate cut
The finance minister, Katy Gallagher, is speaking live on ABC News Breakfast ahead of the Reserve Bank’s interest rates decision to come later today. She says the market is predicting a rate cut:
I know there will be loads of homeowners and those with mortgages that are watching this decision very closely.
As I said, the market is predicting a rate cut. We know inflation has come back into band … in all measures, and that is … welcome progress that has been made over the last two years and we know that has been hard for households.
The Reserve Bank will look at all the data, they will look at all the employment data, they will look at what is happening on the inflation front and they will make their decision.
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Man dies after shooting in Sydney’s south-west
A crime scene has been established after a man was shot in Condell Park, Sydney, overnight.
About 10.30pm Monday, emergency services were called to a home on Dalton Street after reports a man had been shot, NSW police said.
Officers found a man in his 20s with a gunshot wound. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, but could not be revived and died at the scene.
Specialist forensic police will examine the crime scene. Police are appealing to anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV from the surrounding areas to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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‘Udderly devastated’: fibreglass cow stolen from Victorian business
A lifesize fibreglass cow called Betsy has been stolen from a business in Truganina.
Victorian police are appealing for witnesses after the theft at 1:20am Saturday 27 April this year.
They have been told three unknown people attended the business premises on Peterpaul Way in a Holden VE Commodore station wagon pulling a trailer. Two of them exited the Holden in balaclavas and dark clothing, and the third and a driver stayed in the vehicle.
The pair lifted Betsy into the back of the trailer before leaving the scene east along Schembri Drive, police said
“Betsy’s owners are udderly devastated.”
Betsy is red and white, life-sized, and estimated to be worth $3,500. Police have released an image and CCTV footage of Betsy in the hope someone knows of the statue’s whereabouts.
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Thanks to Martin Farrer for kicking off the live blog this morning. I’ll be keeping you posted from here – let’s go.
Flood warnings from the NSW SES this morning include:
Advice to evacuate Gloucester Caravan Park by 6am due to rising flood waters,
Advice to evacuate Ferndale Caravan Park due to flood waters,
Advice to evacuate parts of Bulahdelah by 6am due to rising flood waters,
Advice to evacuate parts of Dungog due to major flooding, and
Advice to evacuate parts of Paterson due to major flooding.
There are more details on the Hazardwatch site.
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NSW issues severe weather warning for mid-north coast
The NSW SES issued a severe weather warning early this morning for the mid-north coast, advising people to stay indoors due to heavy rainfall, intense rainfall and damaging winds.
The warning covers:
Port Macquarie
Taree
Kempsey
Barrington Tops
Wingham
Yarrowitch
The SES said 166mm of rain was recorded at Taree airport in the 6 hours to 3:30am, 130mm at Port Macquarie, 97mm at Mount Barrington and 90.4mm at Careys Peak (Barrington Tops).
There were 70km/h sustained winds at Norah Head at around 9:30 pm.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a coastal trough – currently positioned offshore from the southern mid north coast – is forecast to slowly track northwards into Tuesday, with heavy, locally intense rainfall and possible damaging winds expected over coastal and inland areas on the southern side of the trough. Damaging winds are likely to ease during Tuesday, while heavy, locally intense rainfall may continue into Wednesday.
The rain may lead to dangerous flash flooding and the damaging winds are expected to ease by the afternoon.
Residents are advised to move or stay indoors clear of windows, bringing children and pets with them. The SES said to reconsider unneccessary travel and to have an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag handy in case of loss of power.
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Japanese firms 'profiting from on-selling Australian LNG', report claims
Japanese energy firms could be making upwards of $1 bn on-selling Australian liquefied natural gas to other countries at a time when domestic shortfalls loom, Australian Associated Press reports.
Australia is the top supplier to Japan’s third-party trade business, a new analysis suggests, making up roughly 40% of cargos with an estimated 600-800 petajoules on-sold via the intermediary.
The findings from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis follow repeat warnings of domestic gas shortages as well as several interventions into Australian energy policy debate by Japanese figures.
IEEFA Australia’s chief executive, Amandine Denis-Ryan, said it was “quite extraordinary” for Australia to be running out of gas for domestic use – and considering importing it – while Japan resells “enormous volumes of our gas overseas for a profit”.
The energy analysts drew on shiptracking and contracts data to understand how much Australian LNG was being resold via Japan.
The upwards of 600PJ estimated annually surpasses the 511PJ used by eastern Australian markets last year.
Resales from both eastern and western Australia also eclipsed projected annual gas shortfalls in those regions. In addition, emerging nations were not the top customers of repackaged Australian LNG – two-thirds of on-sold Australian product was going to Taiwan and South Korea.
Good morning from overnight
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the best of the overnight stories and then it’ll be Rafqa Touma to take charge.
It’s a big day for anyone with a mortgage with an overwhelming majority of economists expecting the Reserve Bank to cut the cash rate by a quarter point at its monthly monetary policy meeting. But the experts don’t all agree this is the most likely outcome. We’ll have it as soon as it happens at 2.30pm.
Victoria’s health system will receive an $11.1bn cash injection when the state budget is handed down this morning, with hospitals to receive more funding and pharmacists given greater powers to prescribe medications without the need for a GP visit. We’ll have all the details as soon as it happens.
Penny Wong, the foreign minister, will visit three Pacific island nations this week in her first standalone trip after Labor’s election win. Anthony Albanese, who is near the end of his first trip overseas trip since the election, will be in Singapore.
Also in politics: we’ll bring you all the latest from the counts in the few seats left uncalled – plus the tricky Coalition negotiations.
And there’s some wild weather north of Sydney, with strong winds in the Hunter and evacuation warnings for towns there and on the mid-north coast. We’ll have more details of that for you very soon
