| No images? Click here Quote to note“Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon has a certain ring to it” Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu presented the award to Tuvalu’s Ambassador Limasene Teatu to recognise her work to foster ties between the countries. The ABC’s Stephen Dziedzic reckons the accolade – which comes with a fancy sash – is a pretty sweet prize… Making news this morning1. The east coast wholesale price of electricity jumped 141% to $87 a megawatt-hour in the March quarter, reports the Australian Energy Market Operator. Welcome to the next phase of the cost of living debate… 2. Pauline Hanson will work with the Nationals on lower house preferences, but moderate/climate aware Liberal MPs in the southern states won’t get a deal. “I owe the Labor Party and the Greens nothing. But I’m not the lacky for the Liberal party either,” she said last night (PW). 3. The Liberals will give their Senate preferences to Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party in every state but Western Australia. Liberal how-to-vote cards have the UAP second in Victoria and Tasmania, 3rd in NSW and Queensland and 4th in South Australia, the West Australian says (PW). 4. Australia is warning people smugglers that our border policies have not changed, despite the election campaign. Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral Justin Jones features in the new Border Force videos posted to YouTube. 5. Labor leader Anthony Albanese will ease back into things as he exits isolation today following his COVID infection. His doc has told him he can’t do “the 16 and 20-hour days that I was doing,” at least for the next few days, he says (PW). Going deeper: The cost of housing is a campaign wild cardWednesday’s 5.1% inflation jolt is still buzzing through the election campaign like a big electric shock. It’s still too early to know if undecided voters will favour the Coalition’s argument it’s “shielded Australia” and its economy better than any other country – or if Labor’s biting with its line the government’s delivered a “triple whammy”. ● Housing’s a big part of that inflation figure, but Australians are feeling things differently because about a 3rd rent, a 3rd own their house outright and a 3rd have a mortgage. ● Anglicare estimates only 2% of rental properties are affordable for someone on the minimum wage and fewer than 1% for an age pensioner. ● The RBA reckons the average home buyer is about 21 months ahead in their mortgage repayments since many Australians saved during COVID. What it means: While comparisons are being drawn with the interest rate rise in the 2007 campaign, it’s a much more complex picture now. Note: in 2007, the cash rate was 6.5% compared to the current of 0.1%. What’s next: We’ve got to wait until 2.30pm on Tuesday to find out if the RBA will actually lift rates – but as we said at the start, it’s still not clear if these economic clouds play better for either side. Europe calls ‘blackmail’ as Putin cuts gas suppliesSince Russia invaded Ukraine, European nations have been united in condemning Vladamir Putin and imposing sanctions. But the European Union is facing a serious test of that solidarity now Russia’s cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. ● Both those countries wouldn’t pay in roubles, the local currency Russia demanded as a way of getting around economic sanctions. ● Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has hinted other EU nations could suffer the same fate if they don’t use a new payment system. ● Russia supplies nearly 40% of the EU’s gas – and countries like Finland, Bosnia, Latvia, German and Italy are really exposed. What does it mean: Keep an eye on Germany. By volume, it’s the biggest importer, and one of its big energy importers says it’s prepared to bend to Russia’s demand. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that would be a breach of sanctions. What’s next: It’s not clear how some countries will get over short term shortfalls if Russia cuts them off. The EU says it’s mapping out a “coordinated response.” Andrews in the hot seat of Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog Most of Australia heard about former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s downfall at the hands of that state’s anti-corruption watchdog ICAC. But while that investigation was in the spotlight, hearings into the activities of the Victorian Labor Party were also ramping up. ● Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews has now appeared in secret before the watchdog, according to The Age. ● It’s viewed an interim report from Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, which has found the culture in Vic Labor is rotten and has encouraged nepotism and the misuse of public money. ● Adem Somyurek was sacked from Cabinet in 2020 after allegations he was involved in "industrial-scale" branch stacking. He was a high profile witness to the Commission and has criticised the fact Andrews was spared a public hearing. What it means: The draft findings haven’t been publicly released, and so far, Premier Andrews is refusing to say if he’s even been interviewed. Liberal Leader Matthew Guy says the interim report is so disturbing Andrews must resign. What’s next: There are many more questions for Andrews and federal leader Anthony Albanese. Remember: the national ALP organisation took over the disgraced Victorian branch back in 2020. Quick shotsBusiness leaders want to see the plan to head off an economic downturn as the Reserve Bank looks at lifting rates to tame inflation. Ai Group boss Innes Willox says (PW) that the RBA can’t fix labour shortages and the supply-chain constraints that are a handbrake on growth. A top former spy boss says Australia didn’t make the most of its chances to form meaningful relationships with Pacific nations. Nick Warner, who kicked off the RAMSI mission in the Solomon Islands, says China was circling almost a decade ago (PW). One ‘teal independent’ has jarred at being called a ‘Simon Holmes à Court candidate’. North Sydney hopeful Kylea Tink also didn’t like the suggestion she would “collude” with other Climate200-backed candidates and form a voting block if elected to parliament (PW). Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to the G20 in Bali in November. If he goes, he could come face to face with Russian President Vladamir Putin. Israel’s Prime Minister is going to pay for his own food. Naftali Bennett had attracted criticism for a $7,400 monthly bill at his family’s private residence but insisted it was within the rules. Former shock jock Alan Jones is getting his digital show – Alan Jones – up and running from Monday. Set to go live 4 nights a week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson are booked as the first guests. And there’s one issue in the fight for Wentworth that the headline candidates agree on… Liberal incumbent Dave Sharma and Teal challenger Allegra Spender support late trading hours for Paddington’s Indian Home Diner. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it… Post of the day We’ve got nothing to say about "hot”, but the Labor leader is certainly giving off some spy vibes in this photoshoot with InStyle. Anthony Albanese spoke to former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as part of the feature piece… What’s on todayDeputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is campaigning in Singleton, NSW 8.45am – Start of the latest Victorian parliamentary review of the state’s pandemic orders – Melbourne 10.00am – A NSW parliamentary inquiry will hear from Steffen Faurby, the former managing director of TAFE NSW, about his termination – Sydney 11.30am – ABS Data Releases – Participation, Job Search and Mobility, February; Producer Price Indexes, March; Regional population, 2020-21 4.00pm – The ACT Supreme Court to hand down a judgment on the application to halt the case against Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of raping former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins – Canberra *All times in AEST unless noted And today’s quote for the subject line is a classic from spy novelist par excellence, John le Carré. |
