Millions of Australia's lowest-paid workers are set to get a raise; Hezbollah and Israel agree to a partial de-escalation; Serena Williams confirms her comeback to professional tennis
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TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin:
- Millions of Australia's lowest-paid workers are set to get a raise
- Hezbollah and Israel agree to a partial de-escalation
- Serena Williams confirms her comeback to professional tennis
Almost three million workers in Australia will receive a wage increase of 4.75 per cent.
The Fair Work Commission has ruled that the minimum wage of $24.95 an hour should increase to $26.44 an hour for the lowest-paid employees from next month.
Unions had been seeking an increase of 6 percent, while the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry had requested a 3.5 per cent rise.
Fair Work Commission Justice Adam Hatcher says the aim is to have this decision go some way to narrowing the gender pay gap, as many of Australia's lowest paid workers are women in casual or part-time employment.
"We have concluded regrettably that it would not be practicable or responsible in the current uncertain circumstances to award a real wage increase for employees who are reliant on modern award wage rates that would be sufficient to close the real wage gap entirely. However, we consider that we should at least ensure that Modern Award reliant employments are generally not worse off in real times, then they were at 1 July 2025."
Meanwhile, new analysis by Oxfam finds the richest 20 Australians now hold more wealth than the poorest 3 million households.
The anti-poverty organisation analysed the 2026 Australian Financial Review Rich List and found the total wealth of 178 Australian billionaires year has exceeded $686 billion.
The billionaires' collective wealth increased by $25.67 billion - or just under $50,000 a minute between 2025 and 2026.
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Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog is set to be given expanded powers to trace how taxpayer funds are spent while investigating criminal activity on government projects.
Under current laws, the IBAC can investigate public officials or bodies, but not contractors or third parties such as union officials or bikies.
The reforms extend the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission's powers to investigate the movement of public funds through subcontractors and labor-hire companies.
Premier Jacinta Allan says the changes constitute the most far-reaching overhaul of IBAC's powers since it was established.
"Let me be clear, I want the follow-the money powers to be retrospective. IBAC should be able to examine recent allegations, and work alongside Victoria police, to ensure all criminal behaviour is investigated. I have always maintained a no tolerance position on criminal behaviour in any workplace. That remains absolute.”
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Australia has announced fresh sanctions against three Israeli individuals and four entities in response to escalating violence from so-called settlers in the West Bank.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the Magnitsky-style sanctions in a statement earlier today, but did not name the newly-sanctioned parties.
She says the decision was taken in coordination with New Zealand, with financial sanctions and individual travel bans imposed, and farming outposts designated for the first time.
Australia has previously sanctioned Israeli government minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
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Lebanon's embassy in Washington says Hezbollah has accepted a US proposal to stop attacking Israel in exchange for Israel halting attacks on south Beirut.
US President Donald Trump earlier posted on social media that he had a very good call with the Iran-backed group; and managed to persuade Hezbollah and Israel to de-escalate.
No US president has ever spoken with Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States.
Meanwhile, France's ambassador to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont has addressed an emergency session of the UN Security Council, which was requested by France.
Speaking through a translator, he says nothing can justify the continuation and scale of Israel's military operations in Lebanon.
"Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity are not negotiable. We do not accept the occupation on Lebanese soil; or the establishment of a buffer zone. We do not accept evacuation orders, restrictions preventing displaced persons from returning to their homes; or acts of destruction. This includes archaeological sites, notably the city of Tyre, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. No security consideration can justify a permanent infringement upon a sovereignty of a state."
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And now to sport.
Serena Williams has announced her return to professional tennis, after an absence of almost four years.
The 44-year-old has been granted a wildcard for the Queen’s Club tournament, which begins on Monday.
She will play alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko.
In a statement, Williams says she is excited to be back competing – and Queen's Club feels like the perfect place to begin her next chapter.
