What we learned, Monday 20 April
Thanks for staying with us today. Here were the day’s top stories:
The NSW Greens accused the state premier of an ‘extraordinary attack on our independent judiciary’.
Australia’s trucking industry cheered a Fair Work order to change fuel payments
Gas company chief executives will shun a parliamentary inquiry into taxation of their industry, though Shell will send its Australian head.
The RBA has found half of Australians pay with cash in a typical week.
NSW police will review charges relating to the Sydney protest against the Israeli president after laws restricting that protest were struck down.
Viva, owner of the Geelong refinery, saw its share price fall after a market update revealing the refinery would return to 90% in a few weeks’ time.
Ben Roberts-Smith reported to a police station after being released on bail.
The government confirmed Australians will soon be able to make $1,000 instant tax deductions for the first time.
Updated
Queensland police confirm death of helicopter pilot
Queensland police have confirmed the death of a helicopter pilot after a crash in western Queensland.
Emergency services were called to a helicopter crash near Blackall, about 965km north-west of Brisbane, on Monday morning about 9.30am.
“The pilot and sole occupant of the helicopter, a 42-year-old man, was declared deceased at scene,” a spokesperson for the police said.
A spokesperson for the Australian transport safety bureau said it had launched an investigation into the incident.
The Robinson R22 helicopter crashed at Pretty Plains Station after being “observed descending rapidly, prior to a collision with terrain,” the spokesperson said.
A team of investigators is expected to arrive at the remote location tomorrow.
Updated
