That’s it for today, thanks for reading
Here are the main stories on Friday, 21 July:
The furore surrounding Victoria’s scrapping of the Commonwealth Games continues, with premier Daniel Andrews rejecting calls to dump the minister responsible for the decision and the opposition demanding a parliamentary inquiry, as the possibility of a Gold Coast bid is all but ruled out;
Australians feel less able to make ends meet, the “wellbeing budget” of treasurer Jim Chalmers finds;
Big W ditches in-store announcements that supported the Indigenous voice to parliament after feedback from staff and customers;
The body of art dealer Tim Klingender is recovered from waters off Sydney’s Watsons Bay after a boating accident;
A Victorian man is in a critical condition after he was Tasered multiple times and shot with “flexible baton rounds” by officers when he allegedly confronted them armed with knives;
A new outbreak of highly invasive fire ants is discovered only 5.5km from the NSW border; and
Research into merging human brain cells with artificial intelligence has received a $600,000 grant from defence and the Office of National Intelligence.
We will see you all again tomorrow morning.
Updated
Lucy Zelic weighs in on World Cup commentary furore
The former SBS football presenter Lucy Zelic has weighed in to the furore surrounding a Channel Seven commentator who made comments on Matilda Katrina Gorry being a mother:
I’d love to add some context to a discussion where certain individuals are so concerned with being outraged by their own opinions, that they’re completely incapable of acknowledging that countering views exist, particularly when it comes to motherhood.
— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) July 21, 2023
Zelic says her own experience as a mother of two meant she said “hear hear” when the commentator, David Basheer, referred to Gorry’s motherhood not blunting her “competitive instincts”. Basheer and Zelic previously worked together at SBS. Zelic said:
What Bash said spoke to me because Mini’s passions weren’t ‘blunted’ like mine. I was in awe of her.
I am always in awe of every mother and father because the journey comes in all shapes and sizes – not just the one you, or anyone else, sees fit. Some comments will offend you in this life and that’s fine, just know that your reactions to them don’t tell the entire story either.
Updated
If you have just missed Switzerland knocking off the Philippines 2-0 in the Women’s World Cup, the good news is Spain v Costa Rica is starting in 15 minutes or so. Follow along here:
Updated
Man armed with knives Tasered, shot by officers
Victorian police say a man is in a critical condition after he was Tasered multiple times and shot with “flexible baton rounds” by officers when he confronted them armed with knives.
Police attended a property in Frankston North, south-east of Melbourne, on Thursday afternoon as part of an “active investigation”.
The man, 46, subsequently barricaded himself inside the house about 4.40pm, police said.
The critical incident response team (Cirt) were called, and attempted to negotiate with the man.
Police said in a statement that:
Shortly before 8pm police attempted to enter the property and were confronted by the man armed with knives and in an agitated state.
Police continued to attempt to negotiate with him however were unsuccessful.
The man was confrontational and as a result, he was tasered multiple times to no avail and subsequently flexible baton rounds were used.
Flexible baton rounds are similar to bean bag rounds, and are considered a “non-lethal” option by police. They are typically fired from shotguns issued to the Cirt.
Police said the man was provided with immediate medical care after he appeared to become unresponsive during his arrest.
He remains in hospital in a critical condition, the force said. It added:
No one else was in the property at the time of the incident and no one else was injured.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Homicide Squad and Professional Standards Command have been notified as per standard procedure.
Updated
A fatal shooting in New Zealand has revived debate about the country’s gun laws, after two men were killed and 10 others injured in an attack in Auckland.
On Friday, police said the men killed were aged in their forties and worked at the construction site where the shooting took place. The gunman was identified as 24-year-old Matu Tangi Matua Reid, who also worked at the site and died at the scene.
Reid entered the construction site on Thursday with a pump-action shotgun, and opened fire as he moved through the 22-floor building. Ten people were injured in the attack, including two police officers.
More on that story here:
Big W has abandoned in-store announcements that expressed support for the Indigenous voice to parliament, citing responses from customers and staff.
The discount chain, owned by supermarket operator Woolworths, recently used an acknowledgment of country across its stores that affirmed support for the constitutional change to be voted on at an upcoming referendum.
“Based on customer and store team feedback, we will be reverting to the previous acknowledgment of country in-store message,” a Big W spokesperson said.
You can read more on that story here:
A Channel Seven commentator has been criticised for saying the Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry has retained her competitive instincts despite becoming a mother, as the opening match of the Women’s World Cup gave the network a national broadcast audience of 1.974 million.
“Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure,” Seven’s David Basheer said, as the Matildas midfielder won a tackle.
“She is one fighter for Australia.”
More on that story here:
Updated
Here’s our story on the death of Sydney art dealer Tim Klingender in a boating incident:
Proposed migrant worker laws not strong enough: union
The government’s proposed legislation to protect migrant workers from exploitation has been criticised for not going hard enough, and leaving them at risk of deportation if they come forward with claims of illegal behaviour.
In their submission to the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill, Unions NSW have called for the federal government to tighten the laws so that migrant workers will not be deported.
The current draft legislation suggests the minister will have discretionary power to choose if the worker should be deported.
Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, said if migrants or workers on visas can’t stay in the country while their case is launched then the changes will be pointless:
People just don’t come forward. They persist in exploitative frameworks because they’re scared of being deported.
There needs to be some visa that enables those workers to stay in the country while they’re giving evidence of the prosecution’s going on.
The second thing is, while the penalties against companies are very good, it’s often individuals who set up those companies then dissolve them, and then Phoenix them into a new company.
The economic impact of illegal phoenix activity is estimated to be between $2.85bn and $5.13bn annually. Morey said:
The banning should not just be about companies, but should also be targeted at individuals.
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NSW faces ‘jobs for the boys’ accusations
The New South Wales government is facing accusations of handing out “jobs for the boys” after announcing a number of high profile appointments including the former NSW premier Morris Iemma as chief executive of VenuesNSW.
The oposition deputy leader, Natalie Ward, called on the premier, Chris Minns, to explain why Iemma – a former Labor premier and sports minister – had been given the job at the head of the powerful government agency.
Ward described Iemma as “widely respected”, “experienced” and a “very nice person” but accused Minns of having “put his mate” in an important and high-paying job. She told reporters on Friday:
The fact is that this Labor government is demonstrating that if you’ve been a staffer, you’ve made a donation or you’re a friend of Morris Iemma or Chris Minns you’re pretty likely to get a job and that for me is not what New South Wales needs.
Her comments came after the Laing O’Rourke executive Josh Murray, who once worked for Iemma, was named the new secretary of the Department of Transport and two of Iemma’s sons were given jobs in Minns’ office.
The former NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird defended Iemma’s appointment as the head of VenuesNSW, telling Sydney’s 2GB Radio:
I understand why the opposition is attacking appointments. At times you need to stand above it and say ‘this is an outstanding appointment’. He’s very qualified for this role. His passion for sport is evident in what he’s done.
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“I can’t at this time give away too much – I keep it close to my chest.” With those words on Wednesday evening, barely 24 hours before Australia began their Women’s World Cup campaign with a narrow win over Ireland, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson did nothing to hint at the bombshell he would later drop.
The question had not been intended to elicit anything of the magnitude of the news that would break the following day, that Sam Kerr would miss at least the first two matches of the tournament. It was an innocuous query, a request for a fitness update with two players – Tameka Yallop and Kyah Simon – known to be nursing injuries.
You can read more on that story here:
The Weekly Beast, our media column which never disappoints, is up:
Save the Children calls for focus on child wellbeing in national framework
The federal government’s focus on the wellbeing of the nation should be welcomed but future reports must also prioritise children, a charity says.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ inaugural national wellbeing framework was released earlier today.
It painted a picture of a population feeling the stress of the past few decades coming home to roost in several crucial areas, including health, income and housing.
Save the Children Australia chief executive, Mat Tinkler, said the report was valuable as measuring wellbeing in addition to more traditional economic benchmarks gave a more meaningful, comprehensive, and rigorous picture of how Australian’s are faring and the government’s performance.
But he said future reports should also consider children. He said:
We welcome the government’s focus on the wellbeing of the nation through the Measuring What Matters report.
However, prioritising child wellbeing in subsequent reports would be a valuable contribution to the future health and prosperity of our nation.
Updated
Looks like tyre-ing work.
A bottle of olive oil and a lot of patience were the winning tools to help Queensland firefighters free this puppy from a wheel-y tight spot. 🐶
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) July 21, 2023
The firies from Mareeba Fire & Rescue say Bonnie the pup is recovering well.#9News pic.twitter.com/1izS9izZRq
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Victorian Liberals call for inquiry into cancellation of Commonwealth Games
Victoria’s opposition are calling for a parliamentary inquiry to probe the Andrews government’s cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The government on Tuesday announced the cancellation, citing a cost blowout from an initial $2.6bn estimation to $6bn-$7bn.
In a statement, the opposition said the inquiry would seek to investigate when the government was first aware of the cost blowout.
In a statement, opposition leader John Pesutto accused the government of knowing the real costs of the event but covering up the figures for “political purposes”:
As well as a full report by the auditor general into this scandal, we need a parliamentary inquiry to get to the bottom of this sorry saga.
The Greens, who share the balance of power with Legalise Cannabis in the upper house, have flagged they are open to supporting an inquiry.
The opposition have also written to Victoria’s auditor general requesting it examine the cancellation and the costs taxpayers will incur for the termination of the contract.
Updated
Just a reminder that you can see our live coverage of the World Cup (with two teams in the Matildas group, Nigeria and Canada, currently tussling in Melbourne) over here:
‘Pinch yourself’: Matildas defender reflects on win
Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter has reflected on Australia’s historic win over Ireland before a record-breaking crowd on Thursday night, as the team travelled back to Brisbane to return to their base camp on Friday. She said:
It was a game, but it was also an occasion. Walking out there was so emotional, singing the national anthem in front of so many people. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity – and something I’ll never forget. It was a very proud moment.
If you think back 10 years ago, no-one really knew who the Matildas were. And having 80,000 people screaming for us, millions of people watching on TV, it’s a pinch yourself moment. I’m just very grateful to be part of this team and part of this World Cup on home soil.
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Fire ants on the march puts NSW at ‘extreme risk’
This just in from the Invasive Species Council:
A new outbreak of highly invasive fire ants has just been discovered only 5.5km from the NSW border at a pony club in Tallebudgera. The outbreak is 8km further south from the recent Miami High School outbreak.
The Invasive Species Council says it puts NSW at extreme risk of being invaded by the highly destructive pest species and are calling on Australia’s governments to urgently fast track funding for a ramped up and effective eradication program.
“This means that NSW is now at extreme risk of being invaded. The distance is now close enough for a single queen ant’s flight to spark a fire ant infestation across the border,” Invasive Species Council spokesperson Reece Pianta said.
“If fire ants spread across Australia they will be worse than rabbits, cane toads, foxes and feral cats combined.”
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Man found dead after boating incident identified
Guardian Australia understands the man found dead after a boating incident in Sydney’s east is Sydney art dealer Tim Klingender.
NSW police said earlier officers from the Marine Area Command responded to reports of boating debris floating in the water off Watsons Bay on Thursday morning.
Police are still searching for a second missing man.
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Late launch: punctuality of flights across Australia decreasing
Australian airlines are increasingly cancelling flights and taking-off and arriving late, with a significant drop off in punctuality last month keeping the industry well below historical averages.
In June, just 69% of domestic flights arrived at their destinations on time, down from 74% in May and a long term average of 81.4%, according to data released by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport and Regional Economics. Just 70.3% of domestic flights departed on time in June, down from 73.9% in May and a long term average of 82.5%.
Jetstar was the most punctual major airline in June in terms of on-time arrivals, with a rate of 67.1%, followed by Virgin at 65.2% and Qantas at 64.4%.
The rate of flight cancellations in June was 3.6%, up from 3% in May and a long term average of 2.1%. Virgin cancelled the most flights of any major airline, at 4.1% in June, while its regional wing cancelled 6.9% of flights. Jetstar, Qantas and regional carrier Skytrans cancelled 3.6% of flights, while Rex cancelled just 2.2% – the lowest of any airline. New budget operator Bonza was not included in the data due to its low level of operations.
Cancellations continue to be highest for Sydney airport flights, with 9.6% of flights from Canberra to Sydney cancelled in June, while 9.2% of flights from Sydney to Canberra were cancelled. Additionally, 8.9% of flights from Melbourne to Sydney were cancelled, while 8.4% of flights from Sydney to Melbourne were cancelled.
The high rate of cancellations for Sydney airport flights has fuelled accusations from smaller airlines such as Rex and Bonza that larger operators Qantas and Virgin are “slot hoarding”, whereby they schedule more flights than they intend to run and selectively cancel them to retain their take off and landing slot – a limited commodity capped by legislation – and prevent competitors from introducing a rival service.
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Thanks for the posts Cait Kelly. I’m Nino Bucci, and I’ll be seeing you through the afternoon.
Man’s body found in NSW after boat debris reported
Police have located the body of one man and are searching for another after a boating incident in Sydney’s east.
In a statement, police said:
About 10.20 am yesterday (Thursday 20 July 2023), officers from the Marine Area Command responded to reports of boating debris floating in the water off Watsons Bay.
Officers recovered the body of a man in the water of the debris field.
While he is yet to be formally identified, he is believed to be aged in his 50s.
Investigators are currently being assisted by PolAir and Rescue Squad to search for a second man, aged 51, who was believed to have been travelling in the vessel as well.
As investigations continue police are urging anyone who may have seen – or has any available footage - of the boat or information relating to the matter to contact the Marine Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
More to come.
Updated
$100,000 Hadley’s Art Prize winner announced
Yankunytjatjara artist Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan has won the $100,000 Hadley’s prize for Australian landscape art, AAP reports.
One of Australia’s richest art prizes, the competition is in its sixth year, with prize money equal to that of the much-loved Archibald.
The winning artwork Ngayuku Ngura (My Country) was chosen ahead of a field of 30 finalists from every state in Australia.
The dot painting in tones of red and purple features an expansive arc across the large canvas, a design connected to the ancestral stories of the Yankunytjatjara lands, part of the APY lands in South Australia.
“I was really surprised to hear I was the winner,” the artist told AAP after travelling from remote Indulkana to Hobart for Friday’s announcement.
“My painting is connected to the Tjukurpa (ancestral stories) that I know, but also my paintings are an extension of who I am, and how I interpret my place in the world,” she said in her artist’s statement.
See some of the other final entrants for the prize here:
Updated
Woman missing in NSW for five days ‘out of character’
Concerns are growing for a NSW woman missing for five days, with police describing her disappearance as out of character.
Tina Quinn was last seen at a property on Yass River Roadd in the southern NSW town of Yass River at 10.30am on Sunday.
The 34-year-old’s final contact with family came via a text message at 5pm the same day.
Police started a land search on Tuesday in the Yass River area after family members were unable to contact Ms Quinn.
Authorities and family are concerned about her welfare given the time she has been missing. Police said her disappearance was “out of character”.
Updated
We reported earlier that Liberal MP Andrew Bragg had called for the voice referendum to be delayed. Here Amy Remeikis has the full story:
Updated
Chinese military expected to monitor Talisman Sabre defence exercises
Chinese spy ships are set to be closely watching military exercises off the coast of Australia, as tens of thousands of troops prepare for the war games, AAP reports.
More than 30,000 defence personnel from 13 countries will take part in Talisman Sabre, which will formally begin in Sydney on Friday.
Once originally involving Australia and the US, the biennial exercises have expanded to include military from nations including Japan and South Korea.
It’s expected vessels from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy will head towards Australia while the military exercises take place.
Talisman Sabre director, Brigadier Damien Hill, said the Chinese ships would be free to come into Australia’s exclusive economic zone.
“We monitor our borders very carefully and that includes nations such as the PLA operating — and as long as they do so in accordance with international law there will be no issues from us,” he told the ABC.
Updated
Inflation readings to determine whether the RBA hikes rates again
After June’s labour market numbers surprised (yet again) with the strength of demand for workers in the economy, pundits have started turning to next Wednesday’s release of inflation figures for the June quarter as a whole.
Next Wednesday we’ll learn from the ABS whether consumer prices are rising at a slower rate than the March quarter’s 7%.
We already know April’s consumer price index measure came in at 6.8% (year on year), and May’s was a much more welcome 5.6%.
Among the major banks, the expectation is for the June quarter to come in at just over 6%. CBA, for instance, expects a 6.1% reading, ANZ at 6.2% and Westpac 6.3%.
Some recent drops in inflation in the US, New Zealand and even the UK (which has been an outlier in terms of price pressures), will prompt some to hope for a bigger-than-expected slowdown here too.
The September quarter CPI, though, might turn out to be surprising in the other direction as big jumps in the cost of electricity and gas, insurance and other 1 July-related price resets have just hit our bills.
Anyway, ahead of next week’s data, markets were pricing the odds of another 25 basis point hoist of the RBA’s cash rate to 4.35% when its board next meets at the start of August as just under 50:50.
Whether that unlucky 13th rate rise in this RBA cycle happens or not, all of the big four banks are now offering fixed-interest loans of more than 6% after NAB joined the rest today, RateCity.com says.
Fixed-interest rates from the major banks are all now at more 6% after NAB lifted its rates. (Source: @RateCity) pic.twitter.com/E411TVjuHE
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) July 21, 2023
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Premier rules out sacking Jacinta Allan over cancellation saga
Andrews says he has confidence in the state’s deputy premier, Jacinta Allan, after the opposition called for her to be sacked over the Commonwealth Games cancellation.
Allan held the portfolio of Commonwealth Games delivery that no longer exists.
Asked about the opposition’s calls for Allan to be sacked from cabinet, Andrews says he won’t take career advice from his opponents:
If anyone’s going to get sacked it will be the leader of the opposition.
Asked about the prospect of a parliamentary inquiry to probe the cancellation, Andrews says he’s not interested in “political stunts.”
Updated
Victorian government knew for months that Games costs had blown out
Andrews says he has been aware for months that the Commonwealth Games budget had exceeded the original $2.6bn.
Andrews says the government has been working for months to get a “consolidated, agreed, final position on costs. He stresses that a decision to cancel the event was not made in a matter of days:
There is work that happens. That’s the job of the government to do that work.
Andrews also confirmed that the increased event cost of $6bn-7bn was calculated internally by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Treasury and Finance officials.
Updated
‘Some weeks’ preparation on choice to cancel Games
Asked when he heard the budget for the event had more than doubled, Andrews says it’s been “some weeks we’ve been finalising our position.”
You don’t make a decision like this in a day or a week.
He says there may have been a submission made by the state’s office of the Commonwealth Games asking for a $5bn funding commitment to cover the increased cost, as reported by the Age.
Updated
Victoria in negotiations over cancellation costs for Commonwealth Games
In Victoria, premier Daniel Andrews has addressed the media.
Andrews says the state’s officials remain in negotiations with Commonwealth Games organisers in London to determine the cost of breaking the contract to host the event.
The state government has vowed to get the best deal for Victorian taxpayers.
Andrews reiterates that “discussions are going well” and says he won’t speak publicly about it because it could jeopardise the negotiations:
When we can report progress, we will.
Updated
Police yet to clarify who allegedly stole vehicle that crashed
Police said they are unsure if the person in hospital was the same person who allegedly stole the vehicle. The 38-year-old woman was not known to anyone in the other cars, they’ve said.
At this stage the nature of any interaction or relationship before this incident is still subject to investigation. I can confirm however that it does appear the 38-year-old female in the Great Wall vehicle was not known to any person in those other two vehicles.
Updated
Details emerge about fatal crash in Queensland
Queensland police are speaking now. They say a 25-year-old woman, a 65-year-old man and 38-year-old woman are dead after the three-vehicle crash on the freeway.
They said a white Isuzu was stolen yesterday after someone approached a woman with a knife.
Later on this morning at about 4am the police received reports of a silver Nissan Navarra and a white Isuzu MUX travelling northbound on Bruce Highway.
Initial investigations indicate the white Isuzu MUX was trying to ram the Nissan Navarra motor vehicle and as a result that motor vehicle then crossed onto the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway.
That vehicle then collided with another motor vehicle at that location and as a result three people [were] located deceased at that accident scene.
Also located there was a 25-year-old male person in the vicinity of that white Isuzu motor vehicle. At this stage that male person has been taken to Sunshine Coast University hospital for treatment for his injuries.
Updated
We are expecting to hear from Queensland police soon about the triple car crash this morning on the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway near Federal, about two hours north of Brisbane.
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We reported earlier that police are offering $1m for information to catch the killers of Indigenous teenager Mark Haines.
AAP has the full story here:
Updated
Daniel Andrews to hold press conference this morning
Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, is due to hold a press conference shortly.
He’s likely to face questions about a story in the Age on Friday which reported that state government officials knew in April that the cost of running the 2026 Commonwealth Games had doubled from the original $2.6bn figure. The Andrews government on Tuesday announced the shock cancellation of the events, citing a cost blowout of between $6bn-$7b.
Andrews will be speaking at a winery in Mannerim, about 24km from Geelong.
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National anti-scam body holds first advisory board meeting
The National Anti-Scam Centre held its inaugural advisory board meeting this week marking the commencement of greater cross-sector collaboration in the fight against scammers.
The advisory board includes senior leaders from government, industry, consumer organisations, victim support services and law enforcement.
The advisory board will support and inform the delivery of the National Anti-Scam Centre’s work to disrupt scammers and reduce the impact of scams for consumers and businesses.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, said:
As scammers become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, a coordinated response across government, law enforcement and the private sector is essential to combat scams more effectively.
The National Anti-Scam Centre’s advisory board will enable government to work with key industry sectors and consumer organisations to identify emerging scam and fraud issues, share information and coordinate our efforts to better protect consumers.
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New research suggests nurse follow-ups could halve hospital readmissions
New research suggests that hospital readmission rates for at-risk patients could be slashed by more than half if hospitals coordinate their healthcare needs within their community.
Research from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians’ (RACP) Internal Medicine Journal looked at 325 patients discharged from hospitals run by Peninsula Health in Victoria from May to November 2017.
It found the hospital 30-day readmission rate was cut by 66% for patients who were assisted over the phone by a qualified nurse in the first month of being discharged from hospital.
The program was supported by an algorithm that identifies patients at-risk of immediate readmission - those with complex health disorders, and those who were older and more likely to live alone.
Lead author and Peninsula Health clinician Rebecca Pang said:
Once we identified those at-risk patients, we allocated them a care navigator, in this case a nurse who knew the local area.
Over the course of 30 days, the nurse would help coordinate the care of the patient between multiple community providers. It would begin with simple, weekly phone calls designed to help patients access follow-up healthcare services. It would also include simple, practical advice, such as reminders of upcoming appointments, corresponding with a local GP to ensure continuation of care and in some cases assisting with social needs such as transport and housing.
Assoc Prof Nadine Andrew said Australia’s health system is operating at capacity, and targeted care can help direct resources where they’re most needed to ease the strain on the system caused by an ageing population.
Wellbeing framework to be measured and updated annually
Those feelings, which fall under five main themes of health, security, sustainability, cohesiveness and prosperity will now be measured across 50 indicators, with Chalmers seeking to measure more than GDP when considering the prosperity of the nation.
The framework will be refined in future statements and indicators will be tracked on an online dashboard which will be updated annually. The framework won’t direct government decisions, but is aimed at helping to guide them, with the idea the metrics are used to “better link policy decisions”.
Chalmers first raised the idea of a wellbeing budget in early 2020, while still in opposition.
Measures to track wellbeing are not new – New Zealand’s Labour government under Jacinda Ardern introduced a wellbeing budget in 2019, while Bhutan and Wales also measure their nation’s emotional satisfaction over a range of issues to mixed results.
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Australians feel less able to make ends meet, ‘wellbeing budget’ finds
Jim Chalmers wanted to know how Australians were feeling and he’s been told – we feel poorer, are having more trouble making ends meet, are suffering from more chronic illnesses and more concerned with housing than in previous decades.
The treasurer’s inaugural national wellbeing framework paints a picture of a population feeling the stress of the past few decades coming home to roost in several crucial areas, including health, income and housing.
While Australians feel safer, have more trust in others and public services, and feel there is better acceptance of diversity and more job opportunities, they feel less able to make ends meet and online safety has deteriorated.
Access to care and support services, the prevalence of chronic conditions, trust in national government, homelessness, skills development, economic resilience, biological diversity and national safety are among the other measures to have deteriorated over recent decades.
Incomes have improved but the cost of housing is taking up more of it. Australians also feel that over the past 20 years it has become harder to access health care and support services and productivity have declined.
Updated
Chalmers has been spruiking (and defending) his new ‘wellbeing budget’ this morning - Amy Remeikis has had a look at what it is, and what it says.
Sit tight, those posts are coming next.
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There’s been a bit of chatter this morning that the mortgage data is out of date in the wellness report, but Guardian Australia’s economics correspondent Peter Hannam just pointed this out on Twitter:
@JEChalmers' Wellbeing Report seems too light on climate details. 16% of population deemed to have low capacity for 'disaster resilience' looks like being a bit of an underestimate for what is coming...https://t.co/whe3HS3Oif
— @phannam@mastodon.green (@p_hannam) July 20, 2023
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Chalmers:
That is our focus, on rolling out billions of dollars of cost of living help. We are doing that at the same time as we bring the budget back to surplus. At the same time, there is half a million jobs that are being created, a record for a new government.
Our focus is firmly on pressures that people are under, on rolling out our economic plan including cost of living help but that should not come at the expense of leading a national conversation about how we better align our social and economic objectives.
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Chalmers explains ‘wellbeing budget’ measures how to better economy and society
If some of you have been following along this morning, you’ll remember Chalmers was asked on Radio National about the mortgage data – as it is five years old.
He has been asked about it again, and offered a similar response:
One of the motivations for releasing this first national wellbeing framework is to recognise where we need to do a much better job measuring what matters in our economy and our society.
When it comes to things like mortgage repayments, we get much more up-to-date and regular reporting on the types of pressures that people are under.
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‘Wellbeing budget’ has limitations in data, Chalmers says
Chalmers is talking about the inaugural national wellbeing framework, which was released this morning. He says this is the first crack at it, and acknowledges there are limitations in the data.
[What] we are releasing today is all about trying to broaden the economic conversation, so that we are focusing on health and wellbeing, security, prosperity, cohesion and sustainability as well.
Across five things, in the first national wellbeing framework, we are measuring about 50 different indicators to try and get a better read, in addition to the usual economic indicators, not instead of the usual economic indicators.
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Government’s primary focus is cost of living, Chalmers says
Chalmers says the government’s primary focus is on cost of living:
We understand that Australians are under the pump right now.
That is why a number one overriding focus is providing cost of living relief at the same time as we have overseen the creation of half a million jobs in our first 13 months, a record for a new government, and we are bringing the budget back to surplus as well.
[Our] primary focus is on strengthening the economy and rolling out that help because we understand that people are under the pump.
Updated
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is speaking in Brisbane.
He has started by congratulating the Matildas.
Updated
Australia’s alcohol spirits tax to exceed $100 per litre
Drinkers are facing another hike in the cost of liquor with Australia’s tax on spirits set to tip over the $100 per litre mark for the first time.
Already paying some of the highest taxes on spirits in the world, Australians are being warned to expect further cost increases.
Distillers and spirits manufacturers are calling for a freeze on alcohol excise rises as the price peaks at a milestone it had not been expected to hit before 2029.
The excise tax on spirits increases twice yearly in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The latest excise increase follows hikes of 4.1% last year and another 3.7% in February.
Australian Distillers Association chief executive, Paul McLeay, said the increases were unsustainable and it was crucial to support the industry comprising more than 600 distilleries - primarily small family-owned businesses in regional areas.
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Interest rate hikes not solving supply-side drivers of inflation, forecasts suggest
Aggressive interest rate hikes are doing little to solve supply-side drivers of inflation, a prominent economic advisory group warns, AAP reports.
Deloitte Access Economics forecasts suggest the central bank has already lifted rates too far in the fight against sources of inflation over which it has minimal influence, only serving to dampen Australia’s economic growth outlook.
The group has repeatedly urged the central bank to end its tightening cycle and maintains it has done too much.
The Reserve Bank of Australia opted to keep interest rates on hold in July, after 400 basis points of tightening aimed at taming runaway inflation since May 2022.
Lead author of the updated set of forecasts, Stephen Smith, said most of the inflation in the system had been fuelled by supply-side issues such as global shipping costs, a disorderly energy transition and disruptions to construction - none of which respond readily to higher interest rates.
Additionally, the full force of the increases is so far yet to be felt.
Smith said:
Overall, the profile for the normalisation of inflation is achievable with the monetary policy decisions already taken.
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NSW public sector workers to receive 4% pay rise
More than 80,000 New South Wales public sector workers will receive a 4% pay rise and a 0.5% boost to their superannuation following an agreement in the Industrial Relations Commission yesterday.
The government and the Public Service Association deal includes backdating the rise to 1 July.
Industrial relations minister, Sophie Cotsis, said:
This will benefit the people that keep the state’s essential services like schools, prisons, and national parks up and running.
The people of NSW deserve world-class public services. We will continue to keep people at the heart of all of our work.
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Gold Coast’s bid for Commonwealth Games set to fail
Gold Coast’s offer to host the Commonwealth Games is set to fall at the first hurdle, with the Albanese government unlikely to financially back the lifeline, as AAP reports.
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate has launched a late bid for the 2026 Games after Victoria pulled out of hosting the global sports event.
The prospective bid was contingent on federal funding given Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ruled out her state coming to the rescue of the Games.
Federal cabinet minister Jason Clare poured cold water on the move, saying the government was focused on investing in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Clare told Seven’s Sunrise program on Friday:
I just think that this is unlikely given the focus and the investment that we are making in Brisbane in the lead up to 2032.
Perth mayor Basil Zempilas has made a similar pitch for the Games, but no premiers or chief ministers are interested in hosting duties.
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Liberal senator Andrew Bragg calls for referendum to be delayed till 2024
Liberal senator Andrew Bragg, who is a supporter of the Indigenous voice, has urged the PM to delay the vote to next year.
Speaking on 2GB he said:
I have always been a supporter of this concept because I think it will help people make better community-level decisions.
But I fear the process has not yielded enough consensus to garner a yes vote.
It would be worth recalibrating at this stage, to save the concept and deliver a successful referendum.
Bragg says he thinks there’s “not enough centre ground” for the vote to be successful.
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Female workers citing lack of progression and unsupportive managers, survey finds
Employers have been told to better support female workers as many worry over a lack of opportunity to advance their careers and unsupportive managers, AAP reports.
About half of Australian women are considering a career change, according to a survey by leadership development organisation Women Rising.
One-quarter of women who shifted roles in the past 18 months cited a lack of progression, according to the 1,200-strong survey conducted earlier this year.
Almost three-quarters of respondents said they would change jobs if their boss had no investment in developing their careers.
More than one in three had left their jobs over the last 18 months but most did so by choice, just 6% were laid off or made redundant.
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With audience profiles still stubbornly white, middle-class and middle-aged, most of Australia’s arts and cultural organisations have done little to broaden and diversify their audience base in recent years, a study has found.
Police offer $1m award for killers of Indigenous teen, 35 years after death
More than 35 years after Indigenous teenager Mark Haines was found dead on train tracks in rural NSW, police are offering $1m for information to catch his killers, AAP reports.
The reward and another coronial inquest offer hope his grieving family finally receive the answers they have been longing for.
Mr Haines was 17 when he died on train tracks outside Tamworth on 16 January 1988, with a stolen car found crashed nearby.
Police concluded the Gomeroi teen laid on the tracks either deliberately or in a dazed state, something his family never believed.
After a 1989 coronial inquest returned an open finding, a fresh inquest was announced earlier this year and will begin in April 2024.
At a press conference in Tamworth on Friday, NSW Police will double the reward for information from $500,000, which was set on the 30th anniversary of Mr Haines’ death in 2018.
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Three dead after three-vehicle crash in south-east Queensland
There has been a fatal three-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway at Federal this morning.
In a statement, police said:
Police received calls just before 4am of the crash and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances involved.
Three people have died and a male in his 30’s sustained a head injury and was transported in a serious but stable condition to Gympie Hospital.
The Bruce Highway is expected to be closed in the southbound lanes for an extended period and diversions are currently in place.
The forensic crash unit is investigating.
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Jim Chalmers says Australians ‘doing it tough’ on mortgages
Chalmers has been asked about some of the data in the wellbeing framework that is out of date – including the information on mortgage repayments:
People are doing it tough. We’ve talked about that. The main game is rolling out cost-of-living relief for people who need it. We get more frequent data that help us understand those pressures, what we’re talking about is in addition to that.
We made it clear, this is our first crack at it. One of the tasks is to identify the gaps in the data. We want people to discuss it and critique it.
We haven’t had a national wellbeing framework before. What it makes clear is we need to be better at measuring our progress over time.
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Treasurer says ‘supply issues’ affecting cost of living
The treasurer has said there are some supply-side issues increasing inflation:
There are supply-side issues relating to inflation. The war in Ukraine and the pressure on supply chains coming out of the pandemic. A number of those issues are supply issues.
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Jim Chalmers says job market ‘remarkably strong’
Jim Chalmers has been asked about the employment figures yesterday – which show the jobs market is still red hot, with employment at 3%.
The fact our job market has been remarkably strong has been good surprise.
When you consider what’s happening around the world it’s a remarkable thing we have employment at 3%. And half a million new jobs have been created.
The Reserve Bank’s incoming governor said last month that the unemployment rate needed to be around 4.5% for the economy to be at a sustainable point.
The treasurer said there’s a big difference between a technical definition and broader aspirations – the objective of the government is to create well-paid jobs “for everyone who wants”.
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Welcome
Good morning everyone!
Here are the stories around this morning:
My colleague Amy Remeikis has the story on treasurer Jim Chalmers’ inaugural national well-being framework - which paints a picture of a population feeling stressed. But it’s not all bad news – I’ll bring you more on that in a minute.
Stand-in skipper Steph Catley insists the Matildas can rally without injured captain Sam Kerr for as long as required as the star striker plays a role from the sidelines. The Matildas won last night against Ireland 1-0.
There are growing calls for a royal commission into the top consulting firms.
And the mayor of Alice Springs, Matt Paterson, has challenged the Northern Territory government’s decision to extend alcohol restrictions in central Australia. He says the community wasn’t consulted in the lead-up, and cited other alternatives to reduce crime, including tougher penalties and coordinated social services.
My colleague Elias Visontay has reported this morning that Australia is at risk of being priced out of the international aviation network as airlines look to meet their emissions reduction targets. I’ll also bring you more on that.
Let’s get into it.
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