Four years ago today, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation abolished its 15-minute 7.45am news bulletin.
The 7.45 bulletin was first broadcast in December 1939, at the outset of the Second World War. I have been unable to find the exact date.
Citing cost factors and a declining audience, the ABC announced in 2020 that the 7.45 bulletin would be abolished, 80 years after it began.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has left rates on hold, following its Board meeting over the past two days.
The cash rate remains at 4.35%. The rate was last changed in November 2023.
This is the statement issued by the Reserve Bank:
Richard Marles, the Defence Minister, has launched a new National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program.
Marles spoke today at the National Press Club. A full transcript of his speech appears below.
Watch Richard Marles at the National Press Club (72m):
Justice Michael Lee of the Federal Court has found that on the balance of probabilities Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins.
In so finding, Lee found in favour of Network 10 and its truth defence. Lehrmann’s defamation claim has been rejected. Lee said: “Mr Lehrmann is not entitled to the vindication of his reputation. The respondents, however, are entitled to vindication by the entry of judgment on the statement of claim.”
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has issued a statement on Iran’s attack on Israel.
The statement was supported by the Acting Foreign Minister, Senator Katy Gallagher.
Samantha Mostyn, a lawyer,business-woman and gender equality campaigner, has been appointed the 28th Governor-General of Australia.
The appointment was announced this morning by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. The vice-regal appointment is made by King Charles III on the advice of the prime minister.
Mostyn will take up the 5-year appointment on July 1, 2024.
Watch the Albanese-Mostyn press conference (26m):
This is Senator Dave Sharma’s maiden speech to the Senate.
Sharma, a Liberal, assumed his NSW Senate position on November 30, 2023. He filled a casual vacancy created by the departure of Senator Marise Payne. At her retirement, Payne was the longest-serving female senator, having held her seat for 26 years, 5 months and 21 days since 1997.
The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35%, in a decision announced today.
The cash rate has now been held at 4.35% for the past four months.
In a statement released today, the RBA board says that inflation has moderated but is still high. It says the “outlook is highly uncertain”.
The Defence Minister, Richard Marles, has announced an upgrade and expansion of the Australian Navy to give it an “enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet”.
Flanked by the Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defence Industry, Marles announced an additional $11 billion over the next decade. The money will be used to expand the Navy’s fleet of warships to 26 vessels, an increase of 15 craft.
Jeremy Rockliff, the Liberal Premier of Tasmania, has announced that negotiations with two former Liberal MPs have broken down and he will call an early election tomorrow.