What we learned - Wednesday 26 June
That’s where we’ll leave the blog this evening, but first let’s recap the main events:
The Coalition used Labor senator Fatima Payman’s decision to cross the floor yesterday afternoon as an attack on Anthony Albanese’s strength as a party leader.
Australia’s university wage theft is on track to exceed $380m, new research found.
The Queensland government said it plans to establish a new greater glider forest park as part of a $200m plan to reform the state’s timber industry.
Fatima Payman will not be expelled from Labor for crossing the floor, Richard Marles said.
The Pharmacy Guild said the Coalition no longer opposes original prescription-only vaping bill.
Anthony Albanese met with the Solomon Islands prime minister, Jeremiah Manele, and spoke to the media afterwards.
Nationals senators crossed the floor to back the Greens’ failed bid to break up the supermarket duopoly.
Julian Assange was officially sentenced to time served.
Labor MP Kristy McBain defended the coal seam gas project approval.
Environment minister Tanya Plibersek said protecting koala habitat is one of the conditions for approving Gina Rinehart-backed gas project.
Politicians were warned against accepting Qantas compensation payments for cancelled flights.
Have a lovely rest of your evening.
Updated
Domestic inflation surprise sinks Australian shares
Australian shares have dropped after official data showed inflation re-accelerating, raising the chances of an August rate rise, AAP reports.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Wednesday gave back roughly half of Tuesday’s gains, finishing down 55.8 points, or 0.71%, to 7,783, while the broader All Ordinaries dropped 54 points, or 0.67%, to 8,022.9.
The ASX200 was already in the red but fell another 36 points in the space of two minutes after the late-morning inflation readout.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported consumer price rises rose 4% in the year to May, up from 3.6% in the 12 months to April, and the third straight month that inflation has come in hotter than consensus expectations.
Updated
