What we learned today, Thursday 13 July
Thanks for following along on the liveblog today – here is where we’ll wrap our coverage.
Today’s main developments included:
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said his cabinet would make a decision on the RBA governor, Philip Lowe’s future together, when asked if he will be holding a special cabinet meeting tomorrow.
The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is due to decide on whether to extend his seven-year contract within a few days, with few expecting him to stay on.
Former Liberal MP Ewen Jones passed away aged 63 surrounded by family. He has been remembered and honoured by those across the political spectrum, with the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, writing he was “a jovial man who was a marvellous teller of jokes and a captivating storyteller”.
Cassy O’Connor announced she would step down as Tasmanian Greens leader, but intends to run for a seat in the state’s upper house.
Cases of influenza are on the rise in NSW, with hospital presentations growing among young people under 17 in particular. Calls for people to get the flu shot are also increasing after a second child died from the virus.
The minister for foreign affairs, Penny Wong, currently in Jakarta, said Australia condemns North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and that she had no desire to meet the Russian foreign minister as part of her travels.
New data from the Commonwealth Bank suggests young renters aged between 25 and 29 are pulling back on spending more than any other group, likely facing sharp rental increases.
Meanwhile, a Guardian Australia investigation revealed the no campaign against the Voice employs lobbyists that specialise in conservative Christian campaigning.
Have a lovely evening, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.
Updated
Farming group welcomes first national climate statement
Farmers for Climate Action has welcomed the first national statement on climate change and agriculture, signed by all state and federal agriculture ministers today.
They say the statement is an important first step in achieving a national plan to support farmers cutting their emissions and increasing farm productivity.
The board director, Brett Hosking, said there were three particularly encouraging elements in the statement:
There’s a commitment to make farm climate policies more consistent across Australia, a commitment to seek out opportunities presented to farmers by a low emissions future, and a commitment to pursue fair, free and open trade in agriculture to support emissions reductions.
Hosking said farmers will be “watching closely” to ensure all agriculture ministers honour these commitments:
We don’t want our farmers to miss out on the huge opportunities a low-emissions economy creates. We know some of the big overseas markets which buy our farm produce are pushing us to do better on emissions and biodiversity, and this is a reality which must be met head-on.
Updated
