What we learned; Tuesday 24 February
That’s all for today folks, but first a quick recap of the day’s main news:
The latest Capital Brief/DemosAU federal poll showed One Nation’s continued surge in support.
The prime minister said Australia “volunteered” support to remove former prince Andrew from line of succession.
The Victoria government said new guidelines were coming for endometriosis diagnosis.
NSW police found human remains in the search for Chris Baghsarian which they later said they suspected were those of the missing 85-year-old.
Australia is on a trajectory towards “neo-feudalism”, a leading tax expert said.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for a large part of Melbourne.
Anthony Albanese said One Nation was more for Gina Rinehart than working people.
Gus Lamont’s parents pleaded for “even the smallest detail” of information from the public.
The blog will be back bright and early tomorrow morning.
Updated
High-speed train ticket between Newcastle and Sydney to cost $31 for one-hour journey from 2039
Australians would pay $31 for a 60-minute high-speed train between Newcastle and central Sydney from 2039, costing taxpayers $61.2bn, according to a business case provided to the government.
The next stage of the project, which would see the rail line go to Parramatta and Western Sydney international airport, would cost an extra $32.4bn and open by 2043.
The government released the business case for the project today, prepared by the High Speed Rail Authority, which cost more than $70m. It has promised another $230m for planning and development work to get the project “shovel ready” within two years, if final investment approval is granted.
The government said the total price tag of more than $93bn would be inclusive of stations, signalling, as well as a domestic advanced manufacturing facility to produce rail parts.
Read the full story here:
Updated
