The Reserve Bank of Australia has left rates on hold, following its Board meeting over the past two days. The cash rate remains at 4.35%. The rate was last changed in November 2023. Interest Rate Movements Since 1990 This is the statement issued by the Reserve Bank:
Jim Chalmers, the Federal Treasurer, has warned that global circumstances mean that the May Budget will lack the revenue growth of last year’s budget. Listen to Chalmers’ press conference (25m): Watch Chalmers’ press conference (25m): Read the official transcript of the press conference:
The terrorism incident in Sydney last night saw the government, Federal Police and ASIO speaking out today in an attempt to calm Australians already unsettled by the Bondi shopping centre murders on Saturday. In western Sydney overnight, a teenager with a knife entered Christ the Good Shepherd Church, an Assyrian community church in Wakely, and stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel whilst he was preaching.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today become Australia’s 22nd longest-serving prime minister, overtaking Harold Holt’s term of 1 year, 10 months and 23 days. Harold Holt was prime minister in 1966-1967. He disappeared on December 17, 1967 at Cheviot Beach, Portsea, whilst swimming. His body was never found. Albanese became the 31st prime minister on May 23, 2022, following the ALP’s victory in the election of May 21.
Justice Michael Lee of the Federal Court has found that on the balance of probabilities Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins. In so finding, Lee found in favour of Network 10 and its truth defence. Lehrmann’s defamation claim has been rejected. Lee said: “Mr Lehrmann is not entitled to the vindication of his reputation.
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has issued a statement on Iran’s attack on Israel. The statement was supported by the Acting Foreign Minister, Senator Katy Gallagher.
A knife attack at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre in Sydney has resulted in the deaths of seven people, including the killer. The dead include four women and one male who died at the shopping centre. The mother of a nine-month old baby subsequently died in hospital. The baby was also stabbed in the attack. The killer, a lone 40-year-old male, known to police, was shot dead by a NSW Police Inspector who was the first police officer to arrive on the scene.
This page shows the heads of government and opposition leaders in Australia from April 10, 2024. There are nine parliaments in Australia. There is one Federal Parliament in Canberra, six State Parliaments (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania) and two Territory Parliaments (Northern Territory & Australian Capital Territory). Each parliament has a lower house from which a government is formed.
Samantha Mostyn, a lawyer,business-woman and gender equality campaigner, has been appointed the 28th Governor-General of Australia. The appointment was announced this morning by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. The vice-regal appointment is made by King Charles III on the advice of the prime minister. Mostyn will take up the 5-year appointment on July 1, 2024.
This is Senator Dave Sharma’s maiden speech to the Senate. Sharma, a Liberal, assumed his NSW Senate position on November 30, 2023. He filled a casual vacancy created by the departure of Senator Marise Payne. At her retirement, Payne was the longest-serving female senator, having held her seat for 26 years, 5 months and 21 days since 1997. Previously, as the member for Wentworth (2019-2022), Sharma delivered a first speech to the House of Representatives.