What we learned today, Wednesday 21 May
That’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here are today’s major developments:
Flooding and heavy rainfall will continue overnight and into Thursday on the New South Wales mid-north coast after leaving nearly 50,000 isolated.
The NSW State Emergency Service has carried out hundreds of flood rescues and warned residents in areas under evacuation orders to leave immediately.
Sydney commuters have battled a second day of delays after vulnerabilities in the city’s rail network were once more exposed, prompting the state to promise a day of fare-free travel and an independent review.
Penny Wong has condemned the “abhorrent and outrageous” comments made by Netanyahu government members in recent days and said the Israeli government “cannot allow the suffering” in Gaza to continue.
Greens leader Larissa Waters said the government should go further and join the UK, Canada and France to warn Israel its military campaign in Gaza would prompt targeted sanctions.
The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, admitted not all of his colleagues supported the decision to split with the Liberals.
Nationals MP Darren Chester said the Coalition should get back together “sooner rather than later” and encouraged the two parties to take advice from senior elders.
Liberal frontbencher James Paterson called for the Nationals to rejoin a coalition, which he said could happen “well before” the next election.
Telstra announced it would again increase its mobile and internet prices, less than a year after hiking them.
And Australia will miss the Albanese government’s target for 1.2m new homes by nearly a quarter, the independent housing agency has warned.
Thanks so much for your company today. Stay safe this evening and see you bright and early tomorrow.
Updated
Albanese formally wins his inner-Sydney seat
More than a fortnight after Labor’s emphatic victory, Anthony Albanese has officially been declared the winner at his local ballot box, AAP reports.
The prime minister was formally announced as the victor in his Sydney seat of Grayndler by the Australian Electoral Commission at a short ceremony on Wednesday.
Albanese increased his primary vote and easily won on first preferences in Grayndler. Speaking at the ceremony, he described Labor’s election success in securing a second term as astounding:
It’s the first time ever that a government seeking re-election has increased its primary vote, increased its two-party vote and increased the number of seats that it holds in the House of Representatives.
My objective over the next few years is not to just occupy the space, but to change things for the people who voted Labor in this election, and for the people who didn’t as well.”
As of today, Labor has claimed 93 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, while the Liberals have 28, and the Nationals 15. The remaining 12 are shared between the Greens, independents and other minor parties.
Updated
