What we learned, Monday 4 May
Thanks for joining us today. Here’s a reminder of the day’s top stories:
The royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion has held its first public hearings in Sydney, with testimony including the daughter of a Bondi terror attack victim recounting public antisemitic abuse.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, have announced a new agreement to elevate the “special strategic partnership” between the two countries.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says next Tuesday’s budget will not extend the 26c fuel tax cut beyond June.
Independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe called on the Albanese government to condemn Israel’s interception of Gaza flotilla.
Hundreds of weekday train services in Brisbane will be cut back this week as workers at Queensland Rail take industrial action after negotiations on a new enterprise agreement stalled.
Rolling teacher strikes planned for this week in Victoria will be delayed, the Australian Education Union has confirmed.
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Labor can’t be trusted to follow through with housing promises, Hastie says
Hastie has taken aim at the Albanese government for its anticipated winding back of tax breaks for investors.
The Albanese government is widely expected to announce changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing rules in next Tuesday’s federal budget. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said they were part of reforms aimed at addressing community concerns that younger generations are being left worse off under current tax settings.
Asked about the expected policy change, Hastie said:
Labor went to the last election not having made any of these policy commitments, and now they’re changing. You know, can we trust them? And I think the answer is no.
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