What we learned today, Friday 4 April
Well, this has been an absolutely massive week – and we’re only on day eight of the election campaign. Here are all the main takeaways from what went down today:
Anthony Albanese wrapped up the first week of election campaigning with a stop in his home city of Sydney.
He spoke at a Daily Telegraph-hosted event in western Sydney, committing to extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses and tradies for another year.
Peter Dutton, also in western Sydney, made a $231m roads funding announcement at the same event.
The opposition leader’s popularity with voters has plummeted, according to the latest YouGov poll, with his approval rating at its lowest since taking on the Coalition’s top job. Albanese solidified his lead as preferred PM, leading 45% to 38%.
Dutton denied reports his relationship with the mining magnate Gina Rinehart is cooling, saying WA mining makes an “enormous contribution” to Australia.
The trade minister, Don Farrell, said the government would use critical minerals as a negotiating tactic with the US over tariffs.
ANZ joined the other three major banks in predicting an interest rate cut in May.
Voting trends among gen Zers in the western world point to young men favouring more rightwing parties while young women are leaning more to the left.
The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, and the shadow minister, Ted O’Brien, are scheduled to debate each other next Thursday.
The former One Nation leader Mark Latham’s homophobic tweet about political rival Alex Greenwich could cost more than triple after he was ordered to pay the independent Sydney MP’s legal costs.
The former Liberal MP Petro Georgiou has died at the age of 77.
Enjoy your weekend, and take care.
Updated
Head of Salmon Tasmania steps down after less than two years
The head of Salmon Tasmania, Luke Martin, has stepped down after less than two years in the job, the Mercury reports. It says the former department of primary industries secretary Dr John Whittington will replace him.
Martin took on the role in May 2023, replacing Sue Grau, who lasted less than 18 months in the job. The Salmon Tasmania chair, Lyall Howard, said in a statement:
Luke has been an outstanding advocate for our industry over the past two-years. He has led our industry with passion, skill and determination whilst navigating the challenging circumstances with Macquarie Harbour. Without him, the west coast community would be facing an uncertain future.
Luke will leave Salmon Tasmania with the respect and thanks of our industry from the very highest levels of our companies to the thousands of salmon workers and their families across the State.
Updated
