What we learned today, Tuesday 3 October
With that, we’ll wrap up our live coverage of the day’s news.
Here’s a summary of the main news developments:
Residents of the New South Wales south coast and Hunter regions were warned to take shelter on Tuesday night, as fire crews battle to bring bushfires under control. In the Bega Valley, those who have evacuated to the coastal town of Bermagui have been told it is too late to leave, as they brace for winds to fan an out-of-control blaze eastwards to the coast around midnight.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept its key interest rate on hold for the fourth straight month, giving mortgage holders another small reprieve.
Victoria’s treasurer has shocked the property industry and even some of his colleagues by announcing an expansion of taxes on vacant residential land during Jacinta Allan’s first day of parliament as premier.
A man has been accused of returning to his mother’s home and killing her, and her cat, a day after he was granted bail for allegedly assaulting her.
A man accused of threatening the journalist Stan Grant intends to apologise and has had some of the charges against him withdrawn, a court has heard.
A judge hearing a discrimination case brought by a mother against a bank has stepped aside after being inadvertently recorded making remarks about the matter, described as “inappropriate” by the woman’s lawyer.
Thanks for reading, have a pleasant evening.
Updated
NSW Kearsley fire alert level downgraded from ‘emergency’ to ‘watch and act’
In some positive news on the firefront, the blaze at Kearsley in New South Wales has been downgraded from “emergency” to “watch and act”.
Firefighters remain on scene and will work over the coming hours to contain the fire, the Rural Fire Service said. Residents are advised to monitor conditions and stay up-to-date.
Updated
