What we learned, Tuesday 23 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:
Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas handed down his ninth and “most difficult” budget today. You can read the full details here.
Included in the budget was the announcement that native forest logging will end across Victoria in December, six years earlier than previously planned.
The federal government was pressed at Senate estimates as to why a public servant who held top jobs at two departments responsible for robodebt was given a plum $900,000-a-year job in June 2022 as an Aukus adviser.
Penny Wong responded that evidence revealed during the robodebt royal commission went “beyond what [she] would’ve anticipated”
The police officer who Tasered 95-year-old Claire Nowland at an aged care facility in Cooma last week has been suspended from duty with pay.
Offshore processing on Nauru will cost Australia more than $400m this year, despite there being only 22 refugees and asylum seekers left at the Pacific Island’s regional processing centre.
Qantas is on track to deliver a record net profit of up to $2.48bn this financial year amid surging travel demand, representing a sharp turnaround for the national carrier.
Affordable rental properties in Australian capital cities are at a “record low”, with the number of properties listed for under $400 a week halving over the past year.
Updated
Australian and Indian PMs set for India gala in Sydney
A rally at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney to celebrate Australia’s large and vibrant Indian community is kicking off shortly, with prime minister Anthony Albanese due to speak at around 6.45pm before introducing Indian PM Narendra Modi.
It is the Indian leader’s first visit to Australia since 2014 and the event is expected to draw around 20,000 people. Celebrations have already begun, with performers taking to the stage.
Updated
