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:
Jim Chalmers, the Federal Treasurer, has warned that global circumstances mean that the May Budget will lack the revenue growth of last year’s budget.
Listen to Chalmers’ press conference (25m):
Watch Chalmers’ press conference (25m):
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):
The terrorism incident in Sydney last night saw the government, Federal Police and ASIO speaking out today in an attempt to calm Australians already unsettled by the Bondi shopping centre murders on Saturday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today become Australia’s 22nd longest-serving prime minister, overtaking Harold Holt’s term of 1 year, 10 months and 23 days.
Harold Holt was prime minister in 1966-1967. He disappeared on December 17, 1967 at Cheviot Beach, Portsea, whilst swimming. His body was never found.
Albanese became the 31st prime minister on May 23, 2022, following the ALP’s victory in the election of May 21.
A knife attack at the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre in Sydney has resulted in the deaths of seven people, including the killer.
The dead include four women and one male who died at the shopping centre. The mother of a nine-month old baby subsequently died in hospital. The baby was also stabbed in the attack.
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”.