Good afternoon. Mortgage holders have been spared another rate hike, with the Reserve Bank today electing to pause the cash rate at 4.1%.
Expectations of a pause increased after the monthly inflation rate in May fell to 5.6%. The RBA governor, Philip Lowe, has warned more rate rises are possible, “but that will depend upon how the economy and inflation evolve”. Millions are doing it tough with interest rates at their current high, with data showing first home buyers are allocating, on average, 37.4% of their income to service their loans – a massive jump from 24.6% in 2019.
And BoM data makes a mockery of our frequent complaints of cold weather – apparently the nation (yes, even the south-east) had one of the warmest Junes on record!
Top news
Ashes controversy | Anthony Albanese has weighed in on the Ashes controversy, backing the Australian team who faced hostile chants at Lord’s of “same old Aussies, always cheating!” following the stumping of Jonny Bairstow. Albanese’s response today: “Same old Aussies – always winning!”
Stuart Robert allegation referred | A witness statement released by the parliamentary audit committee that alleged the lobbying firm Synergy 360 proposed a structure to allow the former Coalition minister Stuart Robert to benefit from government contracts has been referred by Services Australia to the prime minister’s department, which administers the ministerial code of conduct. Services Australia is still considering whether to make a referral to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which formally began operations on Saturday. Robert has denied wrongdoing and there is no suggestion any payments were made to him.
AFLW player first female athlete diagnosed with CTE brain trauma | Adelaide premiership player Heather Anderson died unexpectedly in November 2022 at the age of 28. Her family donated her brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank hoping to better understand why she died. The findings from the ASBB researchers, published today, describe the examination of her brain and neuropathological findings that fulfil current diagnostic criteria for low-stage CTE.
Relative charged with poisoning murder of elderly couple | Adelaide detectives allege a 62-year-old family member killed Brenda and Lynton Anderson – both aged 94 – a year apart by deliberately administering medication. Brenda Anderson died at Flinders Medical Centre in March 2022 before her husband Lynton died in May this year after being found unconscious by a carer at his home.
Indonesian president visits Australia | The Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, has met with Anthony Albanese and the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, in Sydney. Renewable energy, electric vehicles, visa arrangements and Aukus were among the items on the agenda.
Dogs rescued from ‘horrible conditions’ | Labradors and corgis are among 29 dogs seized by the RSPCA from a central Victorian property after a tip off. “The animals were found in [allegedly] horrible conditions at the property and we’re now providing care and treatment to the animals while we investigate further,” Shannon Walsh, RSPCA Victoria’s senior inspector, said.
Japan plans to release radioactive water into sea | Japan has unsettled Pacific neighbours with its intention to release treated water from the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant. China has called it “extremely irresponsible” and urged Tokyo to suspend its plans, while Pacific Island nations have also raised concerns. Pat Conroy, Australia’s minister for the Pacific, said last week that Canberra is “broadly comfortable with what’s happening” as long as “the best scientific principles are being followed”.
US man hid mother’s death to collect benefits | A California man has pleaded guilty to hiding his mother’s death for more than three decades while he collected her social security and military retirement payments, a scheme believed to be the longest-running and largest fraud of its kind in the district.
Thousands of Palestinians flee Jenin refugee camp | Arab countries have condemned a major Israeli operation in the West Bank city, which has so far killed eight Palestinians and prompted an estimated 3,000 people to flee their homes. Israel’s attack on Monday has brought the death toll of Palestinians killed this year in the occupied West Bank to 133.
Ukrainian forces make slow progress | Ukraine has said its troops have regained more ground along eastern and southern fronts in what the president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, described as progress in a “difficult” week for Kyiv’s counteroffensive against Russian forces.
In pictures
Will the Greedflation Godzilla get any credit for high interest rates, cartoonist Fiona Katauskas asks?
What they said …
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“A poorly constructed building shell uses more energy to keep people warm or cool, which leads to an increase in carbon emissions and expensive power bills.” – RMIT Prof Priya Rajagopalan
An RMIT-led report warns that Australia won’t meet net zero carbon emission goals without a national approach to home thermal efficiency.
In numbers
It might be hard to believe given the recent cold fronts, but even Victoria and Tasmania recorded above-average temperatures last month.
Before bed read
Jacqui Hodder was unfit, prediabetic and approaching 60 when she signed up to volunteer work in Costa Rica – a trip that has changed her life.
“I thought: ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ I think I would have pulled the pin if I hadn’t booked everything and paid for everything. But I’m so glad I didn’t. I’m so glad I pushed myself.”
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: RAMS. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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