What we learned, 18 May 2025
With that we’re wrapping up the blog. Before we go, here are the major stories from Sunday:
Murray Watt has told Sky News that Australia needs “an EPA with teeth” in an early morning interview after his appointment as environment minister
Watt also responded to Russia’s jailing of Australian Oscar Jenkins after he was captured while fighting with Ukrainians, saying he had endured a “sham trial”
Austria has won the 2025 Eurovision song contest
The Liberals’ new deputy leader Ted O’Brien says his party’s position on nuclear power will be decided by Coalition party leaders
South Australian senator Anne Ruston says nuclear power and commitment to the Paris climate agreement are divisive issues within the Coalition
An alarming rate of abuse in Queensland’s child safety system has prompted an inquiry
Urgent action is needed to tackle the NSW waste and recycling crisis, the state government has said
South Australian One Nation MLC Sarah Game has resigned from the party, saying its brand has become toxic
There are hopes for a EU trade deal revival as Anthony Albanese meets European counterparts
Large crowds have joined Nakba Day rallies in Melbourne and Sydney
We’ll pick things up again tomorrow.
Updated
More auctions across Australian capitals but less activity than last year
Auction activity has climbed this weekend with 1,835 auctions to be held.
This is a slight increase on the 1,735 held last week but a fall from the 2,146 auctions that took place at the same time last year.
Based on results collected so far, CoreLogic’s summary found that the preliminary clearance rate was 68.8% across the country, which is lower than the 70.2% preliminary rate recorded last week, but above the 65% actual rate on final numbers and the 65.4% at the same time last year.
Across the capital cities:
Sydney: 427 of 558 auctions held; with a preliminary clearance rate of 65.3%
Melbourne: 726 of 935 auctions; 73.8%
Brisbane: 104 0f 134 auctions; 59.6%
Adelaide: 78 of 132 auctions; 64.1%
Canberra: 53 of 68 auctions; 56.6%
Hobart: One of two auctions
Perth: Four of six auctions
Updated
