Lamborghini may ditch its first fully electric car altogether
The Lanzador, a high-riding 2+2 GT coupe unveiled in 2023, was presented as a preview of Lamborghini's first fully electric model.
However, recent comments from CEO Stephan Winkelmann suggest the brand is rethinking its powertrain strategy for the car, citing a softening in global demand for EVs, particularly in the high-end segment.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'We took two decisions so far based on the fact that the acceptance curve of the electric cars worldwide and globally, not only in our type of segment, is flattening, and this is even more true for our type [of cars],' Mr Winkelmann told CarExpert.
The production version of the Lanzador was originally slated to spearhead Lamborghini's EV transition, sitting alongside the hybridised Revuelto, Temerario and next-gen Urus. But Mr Winkelmann says a plug-in hybrid is now firmly on the table.
'The first decision [we made as a result of the EV market] is that Urus replacement would be, again, a plug-in hybrid, and that we postpone the launch of the fourth [model],' he said.
While the vehicle's arrival was pushed back a year from 2028, the final decision on whether it will be fully electric or hybrid has yet to be made. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'We have to decide whether we go one way or the other very soon, but today is still… it's possible [that it is a plug-in hybrid], but it's something which is still very open,' Mr Winkelmann said.
The comments reflect broader shifts in the luxury car market, where EV enthusiasm appears to be slowing. While Lamborghini remains committed to electrification, its approach is pragmatic.
'Again, we said we don't need to be there at the beginning, but we need to be there when the people are ready to buy these things. And for me, this is paramount for the success of a company like ours,' Mr Winkelmann said.
The brand has already committed to hybridising its entire lineup and the new V8 plug-in hybrid drivetrain developed for the Temerario reflects the company's investment in long-term performance-oriented electrification. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Mr Winkelmann also reiterated Lamborghini's intent to keep internal combustion engines alive in its two flagship supercars for as long as regulations allow.
'If sustainable fuels are coming, then this is a huge opportunity to keep internal combustion engines. Besides that, for sure, the headline should be, we will keep them as long as possible, at least for the two supercars,' he said.
With the Lanzador-based fourth model still years away, Lamborghini is using the time to reassess its strategy. The original plan to go more electric remains technically feasible, but it may no longer make sense commercially and the company is conscious of its potential impact on residual values.
'We are a technology-driven company, but about certain things, you have always to look into the emotional side of the people which it is surrounding, and the second buyer for sure… because performance is driven not by just acceleration or top speed, but by emotion.' Mr Winkelmann said.
Lamborghini isn't walking away from electrification. But whether the Lanzador makes it to production as an EV or a plug-in hybrid will depend on whether customers are ready to embrace it by 2029.
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Sydney Morning Herald
22 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
As it happened: Brisbane on Wednesday, July 30
Key posts 1.47pm Falling inflation points towards interest rate cut 11.21am The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom to take centre stage in Brisbane 11.16am 'Still come to school': Education Minister promises student safety during teacher strike 11.03am Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role 10.14am Parents urged to keep their kids home as teachers prepare to strike 10.01am 'It's going, it's ...': Queensland rocket meets fiery end 9.32am Cache of guns, child exploitation material allegedly found in hoarder's den 9.01am Kids who show up at school during strike will be supervised Hide key posts Go to latest Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role By The husband of Queensland's Assistant Finance Minister was appointed secretary of the consortium behind Brisbane Queen's Wharf development earlier this year, estimates hearings have revealed. But Finance Minister Ros Bates has rebuffed questions about any conflict of interest involving her deputy. Lawyer Adam Stoker – the husband of Assistant Finance Minister Amanda Stoker – was appointed in April as the secretary for two companies: Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Holdings Pty Ltd and Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd. The consortium, which comprises the embattled Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, is behind the massive Queen's Wharf development fronting the Brisbane River. Loading Bates was quizzed during today's budget estimates hearings by shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman about her role in negotiations around the financial position of Queen's Wharf. Company extract information from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, tabled by Fentiman, shows Adam Stoker was appointed to the roles on April 28. Bates repeatedly declined to directly answer whether she knew of the 'huge conflict of interest', but said 'a conflict management plan is in place, and the assistant minister has had no contact [with the companies involved].' 3.22pm Former MP looks set to keep top development job By Matt Dennien Former federal Liberal MP Julian Simmonds will likely be made the permanent chief executive of the Queensland government's property development agency, Economic Development Queensland – without any formal recruitment process. Simmonds, who sat on Brisbane's LNP city council for nine years before his term as the federal member for Ryan, was given the role in an acting capacity in April after his predecessor Debbie McNamara's resignation. Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick used much of his time in today's estimates hearings to quiz both Simmonds and State Development Department director-general John Sosso, whose role places him on the EDQ board. Simmonds said that, while he could not recall the timeline, he approached Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie's chief of staff to express his interest in the role and was told to speak to board chair Brendan O'Farrell. Sosso, a veteran public servant of LNP governments whose recent appointment to a group responsible for the redistribution of state electorates sparked impartiality concerns from Labor, said O'Farrell then recommended Simmonds for the job, 'satisfied that his skill set and personality would be advantageous to the future success of EDQ'. Asked whether a national executive recruitment process for the role had begun, Sosso said it had not, and that based on Simmond's current performance and unanimous support of the board, he may be appointed permanently 'without further advertisement' in coming months. Before Simmonds' appointment to the public agency role, he was the executive director of Australians for Prosperity, which ran attack ads against federal and state Labor governments. 2.05pm 'Build, baby, build': Bleijie apes Trump at estimates hearing By Matt Dennien Today's estimates hearings have moved on from Ros Bates to the varied portfolios of Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. The minister for state development; infrastructure and planning; and industrial relations is no stranger to performance – both in and outside parliament. So it was that the staunch monarchist tried his best impression of US President Donald Trump in summing up his introductory comments for the state development portfolio. Loading 'If I were to sum up the role of the department of state development, it is this: build, baby, build. And we will,' Bleijie said, aping Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' slogan calling for a boost to oil and gas production. Bleijie used his appearance today to make a range of announcements, declaring the North Harbour site at Burpengary, north of Brisbane, a priority development area, and providing further detail of the looming CFMEU Commission of Inquiry. Terms of reference for that inquiry have now been finalised, Bleijie said, with the expected 12-month probe to consider evidence of, and allegations around, the 'systemic nature' of misconduct involving the current and former union leadership. Any involvement of organised crime or other criminal elements will feature, as will irregularities in the union's financial dealings and the impact of any misconduct on the productivity of specific projects, the construction industry in general, and the wider economy. Falling inflation points towards interest rate cut By Shane Wright Lower than expected inflation figures just released points to the Reserve Bank delivering an interest rate cut next month. The Australian Bureau of Statistics this morning reported that headline inflation was 0.7 per cent in the June quarter, taking the annual rate down to 2.1 per cent. It had been 2.4 per cent in the March quarter. The important measures of underlying inflation showed a 0.6 per cent increase in the quarter, with the annual rate easing to 2.7 per cent. The underlying inflation result was the lowest since December 2021. In announcing a surprise decision not to cut rates earlier this month, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock noted that these quarterly inflation numbers would be a key factor in determining when home buyers would enjoy further interest rate relief. 12.53pm Magnitude 8.7 earthquake in Russia sparks tsunami warnings A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, generating a tsunami of up to 4 metres, prompting evacuations and damaging buildings, officials said. A Russian official said a tsunami with a wave height of between 3m and 4m was recorded in parts of the Kamchatka region. The Japanese government raised its tsunami alert and issued an emergency warning. It said it expected a tsunami as high as 3m to arrive at large coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean. The US National Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Alaska, issued a warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a watch for portions of the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington, and Hawaii. The advisory also includes a vast swath of Alaska's coastline. 12.51pm Chalmers celebrates 'absolutely outstanding' inflation numbers By Brittany Busch Treasurer Jim Chalmers is celebrating the latest inflation figures, which mark the lowest annual inflation rate in four years and mounts pressure on the Reserve Bank to deliver an interest rate cut in the next fortnight. 'These are very pleasing, very welcome, absolutely outstanding inflation numbers when you consider how far Australians have come together in this defining fight against inflation,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'When we came to office, headline inflation was three times higher than what it is in these numbers today.' The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported this morning that headline inflation had fallen from 2.4 per cent in the March quarter to 2.1 per cent in the June quarter. Chalmers said key metrics of inflation have all come down. 'This is the lowest inflation in almost four years.' 11.21am The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom to take centre stage in Brisbane By Brittney Deguara Fans of The Wiggles' energetic Tree of Wisdom will be pleased to hear he's headlining a show in Brisbane. The iconic children's group have announced a new Australian tour at the end of the year, but there's just one Brisbane show on the schedule. The show celebrates Dominic Field's viral Tree of Wisdom character. 'The Tree of Wisdom started as a bit of fun, but what's blown me away is how much people, young and old, have embraced the character,' said Anthony Field (the blue Wiggle). The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom Arena Tour will be taking over the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on December 6, with tickets available via presale from today, and general sale from Friday. In other Wiggles-related news, the group's chief executive, Kate Chiodo, was recently sent by YouTube to lobby the federal government over its social media ban, after it was announced the video website would be off limits for children under 16 in Australia. 11.16am 'Still come to school': Education Minister promises student safety during teacher strike By Felicity Caldwell Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has promised students who turn up to state schools during next week's teacher strike will be safe and supervised. It comes as the Queensland Teachers' Union has asked parents to keep their children at home as members go on strike for the first time in 16 years. There are more than half a million students who attend state primary and high schools in Queensland. Speaking from Caloundra this morning, Langbroek said the Education Department and principals would make sure there would be adequate supervision for children at schools. 'Your children are our number one priority when it comes to safety,' he said. And despite the union urging parents to keep their kids at home, the minister says they should go to school. 'Students will be safe, they'll be supervised, and we're encouraging students to still come to school,' Langbroek said. 11.03am Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role By Matt Dennien The husband of Queensland's Assistant Finance Minister was appointed secretary of the consortium behind Brisbane Queen's Wharf development earlier this year, estimates hearings have revealed. But Finance Minister Ros Bates has rebuffed questions about any conflict of interest involving her deputy. Lawyer Adam Stoker – the husband of Assistant Finance Minister Amanda Stoker – was appointed in April as the secretary for two companies: Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Holdings Pty Ltd and Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd. The consortium, which comprises the embattled Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, is behind the massive Queen's Wharf development fronting the Brisbane River. Loading Bates was quizzed during today's budget estimates hearings by shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman about her role in negotiations around the financial position of Queen's Wharf. Company extract information from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, tabled by Fentiman, shows Adam Stoker was appointed to the roles on April 28. Bates repeatedly declined to directly answer whether she knew of the 'huge conflict of interest', but said 'a conflict management plan is in place, and the assistant minister has had no contact [with the companies involved].' 10.14am Parents urged to keep their kids home as teachers prepare to strike By Felicity Caldwell Queensland parents are being encouraged to keep half a million state primary and high school students at home next Wednesday as teachers walk out. About 95 per cent of Queensland Teachers' Union members voted to walk off the job for 24 hours on Wednesday next week amid negotiations over pay and conditions with the state government. This morning, the union urged Queenslanders to 'stand with us at this crucial time', arguing schools were critically understaffed and teachers and school leaders were burning out. 'If you have children, please keep them at home on Wednesday,' the union said on social media. 'We do not do this lightly. We have been left with no choice, because education in this state is at breaking point.' Loading The union said the government's offer showed little respect for teachers' essential work and would reduce them to some of the lowest paid in Australia. 'The state government's offer, if accepted, would compound an already critical teacher shortage,' the union's statement says. Yesterday, an Education Department spokeswoman said it was focused on maintaining safe, operational schools and minimising disruption for students and staff.
News.com.au
22 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the new Lamborghini of phones
As I'm checking out emails and Google chat messages across two screens on a super thin 8 inch display, a fellow editor is enviously watching on. 'I want one,'' she gushes as I show off the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to her. And she's not alone. After three weeks of testing, this is probably the best phone I've reviewed in the past two decades. If there's a Lamborghini of AI-powered smartphones right now, this is it. And like the supercar, it's a design story that has been years in the making. Finally, we have a foldable phone that should tempt many to switch to the innovative format. As expected, the first thing you notice when you take it out of the box is how incredibly thin, stylish and yet solid it really is. Then as you start to use it, you notice how light it is. It's an engineering wonder. Folded, it's the size of a normal phone. There's no bulge in the pocket, the feeling is the same as with any other phone. The front screen display is more than adequate for checking messages, even scanning website headlines and stories, reading emails, and scrolling through social media sites. With a new 200MP camera, it finally meets what I needed in a foldable phone: Something to take great pictures and video in a compact form, while being able to edit them on a bigger canvas. And if I want to throw in a bit of AI image generation, or get Gemini to revamp my email, it's also there. And that's the beauty of this phone. On the move it's a normal phone but the laid-back experience you get on the bigger screen means you can use it for everything from creating new marketing materials for your business to enjoying a movie while on a flight. The Fold7 phone is 8.9mm thick compared to 12.1mm in the Fold 6. Unfolded it is a super thin 4.2mm. It weighs less than the S25 Ultra at 215 grams – something you really notice when you are holding it up for extended periods of time while gaming or watching a movie. But what about battery life in the Galaxy Z Fold 7? My big worry was the 4400mAh battery wouldn't last the distance. And after a big workout on the first few days, it was getting close to running out of juice. I took it on a beach photo shoot before sunrise, including shooting lots of video, and then took it for a full day at Australia Zoo, again shooting lots of video and photos. I also accidentally left video recording on a few times after hitting the record button again after stopping so the use was higher than it should have been. Even with all that, the battery did get me through the day with about 20 per cent of charge left. But given its hefty price tag, some have rightly suggested Samsung might have offered the more advanced silicon-carbon battery. Oppo, for example, has a 5910mAh battery in one of its phones. There are also a few other things that are annoying about the Fold 7. You definitely notice more reflection on the screen when in full sunlight, though you can get an anti-reflective screen protector. While I was not a huge user of the S Pen, given the creativity options you have with a larger canvas, the lack of support for it in the Fold 7 is also disappointing. As someone who goes to the beach a lot, the Fold doesn't have the same dust resistance so the risk of tiny sand granules causing damage could be a concern. But for 99 per cent of what most people will use a phone like this, it is an incredible device which combines creativity with fun, functionality and productivity. What is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera set up like? The number one reason I wouldn't buy a foldable phone in the past was because the cameras were never as good. With the Fold 7, this has definitely changed. It now comes with a 200MP ultra high resolution main camera with a two times optical zoom, a 12 megapixel ultra wide camera and a 10MP camera with a three time optical zoom. In comparison, the S25 Ultra and the top of the range iPhone offer a 5X optical zoom. But in our testing, even when we took the Fold 7 to 10x (a hybrid zoom), we were getting very good video and photos, especially in our daylight shoots. The camera set up is equipped with a ProVisual Engine which Samsung says offers more than 160 AI-powered imaging technologies. The end result is definitely sharper, more vivid night videos. Samsung says the wide angle camera captures shots that are 44 per cent brighter and four times more detailed than those taken with the Fold 6. We tested with a night time shoot from a balcony above the Brisbane River and the results, in both video and photos, were stunning. The beauty of the 200MP lens during daytime shoots is that you don't need to zoom in. With that much resolution you can crop your photo in later without losing detail. One of the biggest challenge for me on the beach is how well my camera will capture the pooches on the move. With a shutter speed up to seven times faster, the Fold 7 did a great job in getting shots of Ava and Maggie in full flight while I love the option of being able to create little slow motion videos by just holding down the video while it is playing back and saving the clip. When I am wandering around our neighbourhood, I love to try to capture some of the bright colours of the flowers in full bloom, moving the camera really close to see what extra details it might pick up. The 12MP ultra-wide lens on the Galaxy Z Fold7 now supports auto focus, enabling macro photography. To maintain precise focus at close range, Samsung says the device leverages Dual Camera Depth Calibration — a system that gauges subject distance, switching between the wide and ultra-wide cameras when needed. For those into selfies (not I), the 100-degree front camera on the main display allows you to take larger group photos. When faces are near the edges, the camera uses Wide Distortion Correction, which automatically adjusts proportions and reduces distortion. It also produces more natural skin texture on photo subjects, thanks to AI-driven adjustments. Samsung says AI-powered filters trained on over 5,000 real analog film images let you fine tune your photos based on contrast, saturation and colour temperature. When it comes to editing your photos and video, needless to say being able to do it on a bigger screen helps from the outset. You can easily remove unwanted objects from your photos and then have the AI naturally fill in the background. In the photos we tested, it did an exceptional job. Through Galaxy AI's scene-understanding capabilities, Suggest Erases proactively suggests edits like removing passers-by or other distractions in photos. With the 8 inch screen, Side-by-Side Editing lets you compare original and edited versions of your photos in real time. Through better AI prompt engineering, Portrait Studio helps pet lovers and portrait enthusiasts alike refine images to capture vibrant expressions and striking profiles. Overall, there's a lot to love about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. With a starting price of $2899 it's not for everyone but if you use your phone a lot for work and play, it's certainly worth checking out.
The Age
22 minutes ago
- The Age
As it happened: Brisbane on Wednesday, July 30
Key posts 1.47pm Falling inflation points towards interest rate cut 11.21am The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom to take centre stage in Brisbane 11.16am 'Still come to school': Education Minister promises student safety during teacher strike 11.03am Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role 10.14am Parents urged to keep their kids home as teachers prepare to strike 10.01am 'It's going, it's ...': Queensland rocket meets fiery end 9.32am Cache of guns, child exploitation material allegedly found in hoarder's den 9.01am Kids who show up at school during strike will be supervised Hide key posts Go to latest Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role By The husband of Queensland's Assistant Finance Minister was appointed secretary of the consortium behind Brisbane Queen's Wharf development earlier this year, estimates hearings have revealed. But Finance Minister Ros Bates has rebuffed questions about any conflict of interest involving her deputy. Lawyer Adam Stoker – the husband of Assistant Finance Minister Amanda Stoker – was appointed in April as the secretary for two companies: Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Holdings Pty Ltd and Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd. The consortium, which comprises the embattled Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, is behind the massive Queen's Wharf development fronting the Brisbane River. Loading Bates was quizzed during today's budget estimates hearings by shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman about her role in negotiations around the financial position of Queen's Wharf. Company extract information from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, tabled by Fentiman, shows Adam Stoker was appointed to the roles on April 28. Bates repeatedly declined to directly answer whether she knew of the 'huge conflict of interest', but said 'a conflict management plan is in place, and the assistant minister has had no contact [with the companies involved].' 3.22pm Former MP looks set to keep top development job By Matt Dennien Former federal Liberal MP Julian Simmonds will likely be made the permanent chief executive of the Queensland government's property development agency, Economic Development Queensland – without any formal recruitment process. Simmonds, who sat on Brisbane's LNP city council for nine years before his term as the federal member for Ryan, was given the role in an acting capacity in April after his predecessor Debbie McNamara's resignation. Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick used much of his time in today's estimates hearings to quiz both Simmonds and State Development Department director-general John Sosso, whose role places him on the EDQ board. Simmonds said that, while he could not recall the timeline, he approached Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie's chief of staff to express his interest in the role and was told to speak to board chair Brendan O'Farrell. Sosso, a veteran public servant of LNP governments whose recent appointment to a group responsible for the redistribution of state electorates sparked impartiality concerns from Labor, said O'Farrell then recommended Simmonds for the job, 'satisfied that his skill set and personality would be advantageous to the future success of EDQ'. Asked whether a national executive recruitment process for the role had begun, Sosso said it had not, and that based on Simmond's current performance and unanimous support of the board, he may be appointed permanently 'without further advertisement' in coming months. Before Simmonds' appointment to the public agency role, he was the executive director of Australians for Prosperity, which ran attack ads against federal and state Labor governments. 2.05pm 'Build, baby, build': Bleijie apes Trump at estimates hearing By Matt Dennien Today's estimates hearings have moved on from Ros Bates to the varied portfolios of Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. The minister for state development; infrastructure and planning; and industrial relations is no stranger to performance – both in and outside parliament. So it was that the staunch monarchist tried his best impression of US President Donald Trump in summing up his introductory comments for the state development portfolio. Loading 'If I were to sum up the role of the department of state development, it is this: build, baby, build. And we will,' Bleijie said, aping Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' slogan calling for a boost to oil and gas production. Bleijie used his appearance today to make a range of announcements, declaring the North Harbour site at Burpengary, north of Brisbane, a priority development area, and providing further detail of the looming CFMEU Commission of Inquiry. Terms of reference for that inquiry have now been finalised, Bleijie said, with the expected 12-month probe to consider evidence of, and allegations around, the 'systemic nature' of misconduct involving the current and former union leadership. Any involvement of organised crime or other criminal elements will feature, as will irregularities in the union's financial dealings and the impact of any misconduct on the productivity of specific projects, the construction industry in general, and the wider economy. Falling inflation points towards interest rate cut By Shane Wright Lower than expected inflation figures just released points to the Reserve Bank delivering an interest rate cut next month. The Australian Bureau of Statistics this morning reported that headline inflation was 0.7 per cent in the June quarter, taking the annual rate down to 2.1 per cent. It had been 2.4 per cent in the March quarter. The important measures of underlying inflation showed a 0.6 per cent increase in the quarter, with the annual rate easing to 2.7 per cent. The underlying inflation result was the lowest since December 2021. In announcing a surprise decision not to cut rates earlier this month, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock noted that these quarterly inflation numbers would be a key factor in determining when home buyers would enjoy further interest rate relief. 12.53pm Magnitude 8.7 earthquake in Russia sparks tsunami warnings A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, generating a tsunami of up to 4 metres, prompting evacuations and damaging buildings, officials said. A Russian official said a tsunami with a wave height of between 3m and 4m was recorded in parts of the Kamchatka region. The Japanese government raised its tsunami alert and issued an emergency warning. It said it expected a tsunami as high as 3m to arrive at large coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean. The US National Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Alaska, issued a warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a watch for portions of the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington, and Hawaii. The advisory also includes a vast swath of Alaska's coastline. 12.51pm Chalmers celebrates 'absolutely outstanding' inflation numbers By Brittany Busch Treasurer Jim Chalmers is celebrating the latest inflation figures, which mark the lowest annual inflation rate in four years and mounts pressure on the Reserve Bank to deliver an interest rate cut in the next fortnight. 'These are very pleasing, very welcome, absolutely outstanding inflation numbers when you consider how far Australians have come together in this defining fight against inflation,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'When we came to office, headline inflation was three times higher than what it is in these numbers today.' The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported this morning that headline inflation had fallen from 2.4 per cent in the March quarter to 2.1 per cent in the June quarter. Chalmers said key metrics of inflation have all come down. 'This is the lowest inflation in almost four years.' 11.21am The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom to take centre stage in Brisbane By Brittney Deguara Fans of The Wiggles' energetic Tree of Wisdom will be pleased to hear he's headlining a show in Brisbane. The iconic children's group have announced a new Australian tour at the end of the year, but there's just one Brisbane show on the schedule. The show celebrates Dominic Field's viral Tree of Wisdom character. 'The Tree of Wisdom started as a bit of fun, but what's blown me away is how much people, young and old, have embraced the character,' said Anthony Field (the blue Wiggle). The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom Arena Tour will be taking over the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on December 6, with tickets available via presale from today, and general sale from Friday. In other Wiggles-related news, the group's chief executive, Kate Chiodo, was recently sent by YouTube to lobby the federal government over its social media ban, after it was announced the video website would be off limits for children under 16 in Australia. 11.16am 'Still come to school': Education Minister promises student safety during teacher strike By Felicity Caldwell Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has promised students who turn up to state schools during next week's teacher strike will be safe and supervised. It comes as the Queensland Teachers' Union has asked parents to keep their children at home as members go on strike for the first time in 16 years. There are more than half a million students who attend state primary and high schools in Queensland. Speaking from Caloundra this morning, Langbroek said the Education Department and principals would make sure there would be adequate supervision for children at schools. 'Your children are our number one priority when it comes to safety,' he said. And despite the union urging parents to keep their kids at home, the minister says they should go to school. 'Students will be safe, they'll be supervised, and we're encouraging students to still come to school,' Langbroek said. 11.03am Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role By Matt Dennien The husband of Queensland's Assistant Finance Minister was appointed secretary of the consortium behind Brisbane Queen's Wharf development earlier this year, estimates hearings have revealed. But Finance Minister Ros Bates has rebuffed questions about any conflict of interest involving her deputy. Lawyer Adam Stoker – the husband of Assistant Finance Minister Amanda Stoker – was appointed in April as the secretary for two companies: Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Holdings Pty Ltd and Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd. The consortium, which comprises the embattled Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, is behind the massive Queen's Wharf development fronting the Brisbane River. Loading Bates was quizzed during today's budget estimates hearings by shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman about her role in negotiations around the financial position of Queen's Wharf. Company extract information from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, tabled by Fentiman, shows Adam Stoker was appointed to the roles on April 28. Bates repeatedly declined to directly answer whether she knew of the 'huge conflict of interest', but said 'a conflict management plan is in place, and the assistant minister has had no contact [with the companies involved].' 10.14am Parents urged to keep their kids home as teachers prepare to strike By Felicity Caldwell Queensland parents are being encouraged to keep half a million state primary and high school students at home next Wednesday as teachers walk out. About 95 per cent of Queensland Teachers' Union members voted to walk off the job for 24 hours on Wednesday next week amid negotiations over pay and conditions with the state government. This morning, the union urged Queenslanders to 'stand with us at this crucial time', arguing schools were critically understaffed and teachers and school leaders were burning out. 'If you have children, please keep them at home on Wednesday,' the union said on social media. 'We do not do this lightly. We have been left with no choice, because education in this state is at breaking point.' Loading The union said the government's offer showed little respect for teachers' essential work and would reduce them to some of the lowest paid in Australia. 'The state government's offer, if accepted, would compound an already critical teacher shortage,' the union's statement says. Yesterday, an Education Department spokeswoman said it was focused on maintaining safe, operational schools and minimising disruption for students and staff.
