TRANSCRIPT
- The Reserve Bank governor defends interest rate hold as necessary to curb inflation
- Israel working on plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza into third countries
- Matildas edge Panama with a stoppage-time winner to end WA tour on a high.
The Reserve Bank Governor has countered claims that the central bank betrayed mortgage holders by keeping interest rates steady.
Michelle Bullock says the R-B-A's decision reflects the need to ensure the costs of goods remains under control for all Australians.
The surprise decision went against expectations of most traders and economists, who were leaning towards a 25 -basis-point cut to the cash rate.
Ms Bullock says the bank is trying to maintain price stability and full employment.
"No, I don't think we're betraying anyone. I think betrayal would be letting inflation get out of hand. What's made it so difficult for households over the past year or so has been the cost of living. We're never going to go back from the level of prices now but we can at least stop them from rising as quickly. So I think that households should be banking on us to make sure that we don't let inflation get away again. Provided inflation keeps coming in as expected, we can expect interest rates to decline. But we need to make sure we've nailed inflation."
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The family of 19-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker - who was fatally shot by Northern Territory police - say they remain sceptical police will be able to eliminate institutional racism.
The comments follow a final report from a three-year coronial inquiry into the shooting, with Coroner Elizabeth Armitage finding Mr Walker's death was avoidable, that Constable Zachary Rolfe was racist and the N-T police bears all the hallmarks of institutional racism.
In response, N-T Police have acknowledged this systemic racism and pledged to stamp out bigotry in its ranks.
But Kumanjayi Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown says she has little faith the force can be reformed.
"I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath and hope for the Northern Territory Police. I think I'd like to see a structural change but perhaps moving away from police and moving around community-based solutions and accountability and structures that are safe. At the moment, the Northern Territory is inherent unsafe for Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people. For me, asking the Northern Territory Police to become safe is unsustainable and a band-aid solution, so I'd like to see a structure that replaces that altogether."
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is continuing to work with the United States on a plan to facilitate the relocation of Palestinians outside of Gaza.
Both leaders say the relocations should be voluntary, with Mr Netanyahu suggesting deals with third countries are close.
"We're working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realise what they always say, that they want to give the Palestinians a better future. And those who, and I think we're getting close to finding several countries. And I think this will give, again, the freedom to choose. Palestinians should have it. And, I hope that we can secure it close by."
It comes amid reports the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which now runs aid in the strip, has submitted its own proposal to the White House to realise Mr Trump's vision, which originally included U-S ownership, and mass forced displacement.
The $2 billion plan would reportedly involve "large scale" and supposedly "voluntary" camps inside, and possibly outside, of Gaza.
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Three crew members aboard the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C have been killed in an alleged Houthi drone and speedboat attack off the coast of Yemen, according to the E-U naval mission Aspides.
It’s the second such incident in a day, breaking months of relative calm.
Red Sea shipping traffic has dropped sharply since the Iran-backed Houthi militia began targeting vessels in November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
These are the first reported seafarer deaths in the region since June 2024, bringing the total number killed in Red Sea attacks to seven.
The ship’s operator, Cosmoship Management, has not yet commented.
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To sport,
The Matildas have claimed a 3-2 victory over Panama at H-B-F Park in Perth, thanks to a stoppage-time goal by defender Charli Grant.
It brought some redemptions for the team, which lost an earlier game against Panama in Bunbury on Saturday [[05 JULY]].
The win was a good way for the Matildas to finish their four-match stint in Western Australia, but they still have plenty of work to do.
Australia only has two more international windows to prepare ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup, which kicks off on March 1.
