What we learned; Wednesday 17 May
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today – thanks so much for joining us. Here is a wrap of the day’s biggest stories:
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said in a speech today that the full ambition of Aukus will only be realised if the transfer of technology and information between Australia and the US is “seamless”.
Wages increased at annual rate of 3.7% in the March quarter, topping expectations.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has revealed the Quad meeting will not be going ahead after US President Joe Biden’s withdrawal.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is still expected to come to Australia this year.
Anthony Albanese criticised Liberal MP Stuart Robert’s no-show at parliament as “completely unacceptable”.
Some of the injured children involved in yesterday’s collision between a school bus and a truck will have to undergo amputations. The truck driver was charged earlier today.
The shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, was at the National Press Club and rejected suggestions the opposition rhetoric on migrants had emboldened fascists.
The former Liberal shadow attorney general Julian Leeser said the voice referendum wording was “a stumbling block” for some to vote yes.
Sydney recorded a new low in rental listings, with the number of new listings falling 17% month-on-month in April on realestate.com.au – the lowest it has been in a decade.
The Falls festival will not ring in 2024, with organisers announcing the national New Year’s event will take a year off to recalibrate.
The AFL has decided against a twilight grand final, confirming the 2023 decider will be held at the traditional time of 2.30pm AEST on 30 September at the MCG.
The Miles Franklin long-list was announced, and included 11 Australian novelists.
Updated
Mark Latham likely to have to defend controversial tweet insulting Alex Greenwich in court
AAP is reporting that the controversial NSW One Nation MP Mark Latham is set to defend a graphic and homophobic tweet in court as his window to apologise closes.
The One Nation state leader was widely condemned from across the political spectrum after posting the tweet directed at openly gay Sydney MP Alex Greenwich last month.
Greenwich earlier this month said the tweet was “extremely defamatory” and he was prepared to sue Latham if the One Nation MP did not apologise, retract the comment and commit not to make similar statements again.
A deadline for Latham to apologise for the tweet passed at 5pm on Wednesday, and it is expected a claim will be filed in the federal court in the coming days.
Updated
