The day that was, Friday 2 June
We will wrap up the live blog here for tonight.
Here’s what made the news today:
The Fair Work Commission announced minimum wages would lift by 5.75%, but taking into account a lift of base payments, some workers will get a wage boost of up to 8.6% from 1 July. The commission said this minimum pay boost would not lead to a wage-price spiral, but nevertheless business groups have warned it will add to inflation and hurt small businesses. Union groups have welcomed the move, with ACTU’s secretary, Sally McManus, saying it will make a huge difference for the up to 3 million workers affected.
In the wake of losing his long-running defamation case on Thursday, Ben Roberts-Smith has resigned as the general manager of 7News in Queensland. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, did not comment on the judgment, but said the Labor government was committed to responding to the Brereton report.
The Australian War Memorial responded to calls to remove Ben Roberts-Smith’s uniform from display in the wake of the ruling, saying it is “considering carefully the additional content and context to be included in these displays”.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, also refrained from commentary, noting that former defence ministers could be called to give evidence if there is a criminal investigation.
The education minister, Jason Clare, has said there is merit in considering how Hecs/Help debt is calculated after current and former students were hit with a 7.1% increase on their debt in line with inflation.
The outgoing WA premier, Mark McGowan, marked his last day in office on Friday, saying he had no regrets and was looking forward to more Netflix time.
We’ll be back again tomorrow with all the latest. Until then, enjoy your evening.
Updated
Cameron Caldwell emerges as frontrunner for Liberal National party in Fadden byelection
A Gold Coast councillor is shaping up as the likely Liberal National party contender for the Fadden federal byelection, AAP reports.
Cameron Caldwell is a former federal LNP candidate who has generated a strong local profile as planning chair of the council.
The 11-year veteran of the council will vie for preselection against four other candidates to be voted on by LNP members at a meeting on Saturday afternoon.
The other candidates are wealth manager Owen Caterer, disability advocate Dr Dinesh Palipana, Craig Hobart and businesswoman Fran Ward, the only female contender.
Labor’s Letitia Del Fabbro, a nurse educator at Griffith University, has been endorsed as the party’s candidate to take a second tilt at the seat following her unsuccessful run at the 2022 election.
The Greens have yet to select a candidate for the 15 July byelection and there are expected to be at least three other minor party and independent candidates.
Updated
