TRANSCRIPT
Australian borrowers have avoided extra loan repayment pain after the Reserve Bank of Australia opted to leave interest rates steady, in a broadly expected move.
The key interest rate has been unchanged at 4.35 per cent since November 2023, a level the central bank believes is high enough to slow the economy and tame still-elevated inflation.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says it's a welcome decision from the Reserve Bank that acknowledges the financial stress Australians are under.
"This is a welcome decision from the Reserve Bank because it recognises the pressures people are under, the progress we've made on underlying inflation but also the severe market volatility we've seen and global economic uncertainty more broadly. Australians are doing it tough enough already, the last thing they needed today was more cost-of-living pressure."
Any case to lift interest rates at the August meeting fizzled out after June quarter inflation date landed broadly in line with the central bank and market expectations.
In the post-meeting statement, the Reserve Bank board kept its options open on future moves, preferring not to rule anything out.
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Disability advocates have protested at the New South Wales parliament today against housing policy which they say discriminates against people with disability and older Australians.
The protesters condemned the state government as one of only two Australian states that have refused to sign up to mandatory accessibility standards for new houses.
The Disability Royal Commission and the National Disability Insurance Scheme review both strongly urged New South Wales to adopt the design standards that would allow people with disability to access the buildings.
This means there are fewer houses available for people with disability and older Australians.
The advocates attempted to listen in to Question Time at the New South Wales parliament, however CEO of the Physical Disability Council of New South Wales, Edward Morris, says they were unable to due to a lack of accessibility.
"So I just went in and had a chat with Ian, the chamber attendant, and I'm so sorry but the venue isn't accessible so we won't be able to listen to Question Time. The government should be absolutely ashamed that, not only is there housing discrimination in this state, but we can't even access our own parliamentary building. So I just want to apologise to our community. Government should be doing better and we'll be taking this up with both the premier and the disability minister."
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The top university advocacy group in Australia claims capping international student numbers is a rushed policy that serves only to win political battles over migration.
The government is looking to introduce legislation that would allow the minister to set a limit on the number of overseas students that are enrolled in Australian universities
Universities Australia told a public hearing into the bill that international students are being treated as "cannon fodder" in the migration debate, and the contribution of the sector to Australia's economy has been overlooked.
Chief Executive Luke Sheehy says the bill doesn't serve Australia's best interests.
"We believe the bill as drafted is more a political smoke screen than an instrument for good policy as the government seeks to gain an upper hand in the battle of migration ahead of the next election, our main issue lies with the amendments that seek to control the number of international students our universities can enrol and what courses they can enrol in. This is ministerial overreach to an extent we have never seen before."
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In AFL,
Veteran Geelong player Tom Hawkins has announced he'll retire at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old forward has been off the field with a foot injury since round 15, but he still hopes to return and play a role in one last premiership push.
Hawkins has the record for the most games played for the cats at 359 including three premierships.
The legendary player broke the news to team-mates and fans in a video posted to X by Geelong today.
"Hi members and Cats fans, I wanted to let you guys know first that season 2024 will be my last. It's been a hell of a ride, a wonderful journey and I want to thank you very much for all the support you've shown and given me throughout my 18 years here at Geelong. It's been an awesome journey, it's certainly not over yet, some exciting times to come as we embark on the back half of the season. I'm looking forward to seeing you and hopefully being out there soon."
