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Housing Minister Michael Sukkar says the Coalition is responsible for getting the level of first home buyers to its highest in 15 years. RMIT ABC Fact Check runs the numbers.

Get in The Loop with a quick look at today's headlines.

Boosting workers' wages by 5 per cent – for all workers, not just those on the minimum wage — would lead to an increase in prices across the economy of about 2 per cent, according to a new report.

With mental health concerns on the rise and treatment rates still lagging, psychologists and artists are teaming up to create experiences that instantly improve mood but also build resilience.

The government knows how miserable the real-world outcome is for people on low wages suffering excruciating effective marginal tax rates.

The cost of living is on the rise. The recent Consumer Price Index (a measure of inflation of a standard basket of goods) revealed Australians’ grocery baskets are one of the biggest casualties.

The second leaders' debate on the Nine Network was full of accusations and acrimony. RMIT ABC Fact Check cuts through the shouting to bring you the facts.

COVID-19 travel restrictions brought migration to Australia to a virtual standstill, and over the course of the pandemic about 500,000 temporary migrants have left our shores. Now many Australian businesses are screaming out for more workers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says retail trade rose 1.6 per cent in March to a record $33.6 billion, coming before rising interest rates take their toll.

This week’s Newspoll, conducted April 27-30 from a sample of 1,538, gave Labor a 53-47 lead, unchanged since last week. Primary votes were 38% Labor (up one), 36% Coalition (steady), 11% Greens (steady), 5% One Nation (up two), 4% UAP (steady) and 6% for all Others (down three).

Labor says its childcare policy will ease costs for almost 30,000 Hunter families after inflation figures this week showed a 4.2 per cent annual price rise in the sector.