| No images? Click here Quote to note“In Kyiv, they were saying they might get nuclear weapons and NATO started exploring the lands close to us and that became an obvious threat to our country and to our borders. Everything was telling us that there is a need to fight." Said Russian President Vladimir Putin in his Victory Day speech in Moscow’s Red Square yesterday. The day commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in WWII – a war that saw 27 million of its citizens die. And on the 77th anniversary, most of the world considers Russia the aggressor and its ‘special operation’ in Ukraine as an illegal invasion. Making news this morning1. Power costs will rise no matter what PM Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese say on the campaign trail, the Financial Review says. It comes after average wholesale power prices went up 141% in the March quarter on the previous year. 2. Labor leader Anthony Albanese will today commit at least $2.2 billion to Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop. He’s in Melbourne with Premier Daniel Andrews for the announcement. Note: the Morrison Government’s assessment is the project doesn’t ‘‘stack up’’. 3. The Greens will unveil a $24.4 billion plan to halt wildlife extinctions by 2030 and create an ‘Independent Environment Protection Watchdog’. The party says it will be a top priority in negotiations if it holds the balance of power in the next parliament. 4. Australia has rescinded invitations to China and Russia to attend a big naval get-together. The Indo-Pacific International Maritime Expo and Sea Power conference starts in Sydney today. 5. Nine will report NSW One Nation MP Mark Latham to authorities over an allegedly racist tweet he posted during Sunday night’s televised leaders’ debate. Yesterday, the former federal Labor leader said the response has been manufactured by "the Outrage Industry". Going deeper: Paying up on wages growth claimsAs PM Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese went to their safe spaces yesterday of defence and health, the next chapter of the economic debate commenced. Securing wages growth is an issue that has bubbled throughout the campaign, with Labor attacking the Coalition for its record while Albanese talks up his plan to ensure living standards don’t go backwards. ● That would require wages growth (currently at 2.3%) to outstrip inflation (currently at 5.1%). Albanese baulked at guaranteeing that wages under a Labor Government would rise faster than inflation when given the opportunity at the debate on Sunday night. ● Morrison yesterday kicked the issue along, saying there is “no magic pen" to make wages rise. For his part, he’s offering workers “a strong economy where businesses are doing well”. What it means: Albanese isn’t letting it go, launching a new ad on the issue. But yesterday, he introduced the ‘P’ word into the conversation – productivity. And he says an employment summit bringing business and the unions together will get the ball rolling. What’s next: The Bureau of State has an update to the quarterly Wage Price Index on Wednesday next week – just 3 days out from polling day. Note: the Reserve Bank has predicted wage growth will hit 2.7% by June and 3% by the end of the year. A sign of the times The Australian Electoral Commission takes the business of electoral communication very seriously. And while it has no role in regulating political content, it steps in to ensure material is correctly authorised and correct disinformation. ● Yesterday, the AEC confirmed its Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce will investigate allegations that the campaign posters of some independent candidates are being tampered with in breach of the electoral rules. ● Specifically, Teal candidates have reported the widespread defacing of corflutes and other signage that falsely links them to the Greens. Those affected include Zali Steggall in Warringah, Sophie Scamps in Mackellar and Monique Ryan in Kooyong. What it means: Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers says it’s a "very serious matter". And he’s vowed to look into reports that some candidates’ campaign signs have been defaced, pulled down and destroyed. What’s next: The taskforce will get to work. Note: it’s made up of representatives from the Australian Federal Police, the Office of National Intelligence, and Home Affairs. Quick shotsNine’s ‘Great Debate’ averaged 641,000 metro viewers – that’s considered to be a healthy number. That compares to Sky’s debate average audience of 192,000 viewers on Foxtel and 102,000 on Sky News Regional. The Daily Telegraph says the Teal candidates are “more extreme than even their mega-rich green backer”. Climate200 founder Simon Holmes a Court reckons a 2030 carbon emissions cut of 46-50% is “about right” (PW), whereas many Teal candidates want reductions of 60%. United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly’s chief of staff Frank Zumbo will defend sexual misconduct charges in court after the election. He has pleaded not guilty to 18 offences (PW) that arose after a 16-year-old girl made a complaint, and 3 women came forward with more claims. Sri Lanka’s PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned after weeks of protests over the nation’s deepening economic crisis. He sent his resignation letter to his younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Queen Elizabeth will miss the State Opening of the UK Parliament and the Queen’s Speech for the first time since 1963. Prince Charles will fill in as she deals with "episodic mobility problems". Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin has been listed as a Commonwealth heritage site. The area and its use as the backdrop of national occasions mean it’s “an important and essential part of Canberra,” the application said – and officials agreed. The Electoral Commission has procured a democracy sausage dog. This is not a drill… Post of the day Politics makes strange bedfellows, as they say… Just a couple of weeks ago, 81yo conservative media monolith Alan Jones said of Anthony Albanese: “Nice bloke to meet at the pub, but you can’t quite imagine him being your international representative.” With Jones recently launching his new media venture, it could be seen as a mutually beneficial encounter… What’s on todayThe Northern Territory Government delivers the budget 7.30am – Defence Minister Peter Dutton will meet ADF cadets and reservists with Liberal MP for Braddon Gavin Pearce, followed by a doorstop conference 9.00am – Nationals Regional Minister Bridget McKenzie to make "a number of announcements" – Darwin 9.00am – Start of the Transport Workers’ Union annual National Council meeting – Hobart 12.15pm – ASIS Director-General Paul Symon to deliver an address to the Lowy Institute to mark the 70th anniversary of the agency – Sydney *All times in AEST unless noted Today’s quote for the subject line comes from Revenge of the Nerds actor, Curtis Armstrong. |
