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. Interest Rate Movements Since 1990 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): Read the official transcript of the press conference:
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): Listen to Marles’ speech and questions (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. In western Sydney overnight, a teenager with a knife entered Christ the Good Shepherd Church, an Assyrian community church in Wakely, and stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel whilst he was preaching.
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.
This page shows the heads of government and opposition leaders in Australia from April 10, 2024. There are nine parliaments in Australia. There is one Federal Parliament in Canberra, six State Parliaments (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania) and two Territory Parliaments (Northern Territory & Australian Capital Territory). Each parliament has a lower house from which a government is formed.
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.
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. Previously, as the member for Wentworth (2019-2022), Sharma delivered a first speech to the House of Representatives.
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”.
Scott Morrison, the former Prime Minister (2018-22), has delivered his valedictory speech to the House of Representatives. Morrison will resign as the Liberal member for Cook later this week. First elected to parliament in 2007, Morrison was re-elected five more times. He served nearly six years in opposition before becoming a Cabinet minister upon election of the Abbott coalition government in 2013.