FULL SHOW: the new frontbench, recession indicators + why fish keep washing up dead
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed his new frontbench. So who's in, who's out and what will they do?
And here's why gold bars, makeup and memes have become recession indicators.
Plus how citizen scientists track dead fish in South Australia.
Listen now:
01:12 - Who's on the new frontbench?
05:27 - What happened with the Nationals leadership?
10:48 - Gold prospecting in outback Australia
15:27 - What are actual recession indicators?
21:45 - Explaining South Australia's dead fish problem
Guests:
Shalailah Medhora, political reporter, triple j hack
Shalailah Medhora, political reporter, triple j hack Angel Zhong, finance professor, RMIT
Angel Zhong, finance professor, RMIT
Brad Martin, South Australia project manager, Ozfish
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News.com.au
39 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Melbourne buyers warned as auction market heats up
Melbourne's winter auction market is bucking the seasonal trend, with fresh data and renewed buyer confidence pointing to a heatwave beneath the surface of a cooling calendar. There are 952 homes set to go under the hammer across the city this weekend, a 14 per cent drop from the same time last year. Another 941 auctions are already scheduled for next week, down just 9 per cent, in what experts say is a far softer seasonal dip than usual. Bachelor couple eyeing $6m+ payday REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh said while the auction volume is lower, market conditions have flipped — and buyers are back in force. 'Melbourne led the country for monthly price growth in May,' Ms Creagh said. 'It's clear confidence has returned, and interest rate cuts in February and May have lifted borrowing capacity and encouraged buyers to move quickly.' Home prices rose 0.79 per cent in May according to PropTrack, the strongest monthly gain of any capital city. Melbourne's dwelling values are still 2.85 per cent below their previous peak, but Ms Creagh said the city's underperformance over the past five years, just 17.6 per cent growth since March 2020 compared to 60 per cent nationally, now gave it a competitive edge. 'Relative affordability is drawing buyers back in,' she said. 'That's why activity is holding firm even during what's typically a slower time of year.' Suburbs with the most auctions this weekend include Reservoir, 24 auctions, Mount Waverley, 19, Richmond, 15, Craigieburn, 14, and Wollert, 13. Ni Advocacy director and buyers advocate Kevin Ni said savvy buyers were shifting focus away from cookie-cutter stock and honing in on quality, character, and long-term liveability. 'Buyers are far more educated now,' Mr Ni said. 'They're looking for liveability, not oversupplied towers.' 'We've seen people spend six months stuck in limbo because they wouldn't budge on their dream suburb. 'The advice is: be realistic and flexible.' That mindset is driving strong interest across a range of listings this weekend, including a three-bedroom home at 14 Emery Court, Altona, where buyers are lining up for a slice of quiet, beachside living. The peaceful court location, vaulted ceiling, home office and landscaped yard have drawn attention from families and investors alike. The guide is $990,000-$1.08m. In Rowville, more than 100 groups have inspected 2 Moama Place, a renovated home backing onto Waterford Valley Golf Course. The three-bedder features American Oak floors, Bosch appliances, underfloor heating, and even a shed with a kitchenette — and is tipped to fetch $1m –$1.1m. Over in Preston, buyers priced out of Brunswick and Northcote are flocking to 9/26 Tyler Street, a rear townhouse in a boutique complex guided at $600,000 –$650,000. The mix of downsizers and first-home hopefuls has added a competitive edge. At the prestige end of the market, a five-bedroom architectural home at 14 Hunter Street, Kew, is drawing serious interest from families looking to secure a foothold in the private school belt. Behind its striking modern facade are polished concrete floors, a sparkling pool, butler's pantry, Miele appliances and EV charger, with a guide of $3.8m-$4.1m.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
John Tucker, Andrew Jenner to seek preselection to run as National Party candidates in the Tasmanian state election
Looking for a return to Tasmania's Parliament, John Tucker says he feels "vindicated". "I think that our politicians need to have a good, hard look at themselves and think about how they can learn how to work with people … I don't think that the Liberal Party knew how to work with us," Mr Tucker said. The former Liberal MP blew up Jeremy Rockliff's first government when he and fellow backbencher Lara Alexander quit the party over concerns about debt and transparency. While the pair signed a supply and confidence agreement to allow the Liberals to govern in minority, that relationship ultimately deteriorated. It prompted Mr Rockliff to call an election in March last year. While voters rejected Mr Tucker's independent tilt at that election, he has put his hand up for National Party preselection this time around, in the seat of Lyons. "I think that I'm a good fit with the Nats coming from a rural and regional area … I'm a farmer," he said. While he had promised to leave politics if he wasn't re-elected, he has now said regional Tasmanians were still not being heard. Preselection for the Nationals is open until next week, with the party aiming to run candidates in Bass, Braddon and Lyons. "I do think that there is a big opportunity there for us to pick up more people or pick up more votes — it's what I'm hearing on the street," Mr Tucker said. Former Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner will seek preselection to run as a National Party candidate in the seat of Lyons. Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie has been in Tasmania this week, in an attempt to help the local branch gain traction in the early stages of the campaign. She told reporters on Thursday the Nationals would focus on primary industries such as salmon and forestry, as well as health and education. "It's been very, very clear over recent weeks that the two major parties have been more focused on each other and power in parliament than actually focused on the needs and interests and concerns of everyday Tasmanians," Senator McKenzie said. The party is opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium, but Chair of the National Party Tasmania Branch Pip Allwright said the party would consider the stadium 2.0 proposal, and see how the "figures all stacked up". Asked what would be considered a successful result, Ms Allwright said the party would love "one or two" MPs elected in each of the divisions it was standing candidates. She said it was a "completely different kettle of fish this time", citing help from Senator McKenzie and the party's youth wing. "We went in very green last time … we're far more professional [now]." While the National Party has branded itself as the voice of regional Australia, it has struggled to gain a foothold in Tasmania. Political analyst Richard Herr described it as a "chequered history". Dr Herr said the Nationals were not able to establish themselves in Tasmania when the party formed on the mainland in the 1920s. "Essentially the Labor Party established itself as an effective representative for rural interests and it occupied that space," he said. Queensland National premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen toured Tasmania during his ill-fated push to become prime minister in the 1970s and 1980s, and later resided in the state after forming a close friendship with businessman Peter Murray. In recent decades, a Tasmanian affiliate to the federal National Party has been registered, and deregistered several times, most recently in 2013 and 2018. Dr Herr said the Nationals had struggled to find a niche in Tasmania. "We are the only really small, regionalised part of Australia, so the politics tends to be a bit more personal, a bit more local," he said. Pauline Hanson's One Nation and the Jacqui Lambie Network — both minor parties that have appealed to disaffected voters — have decided not to field candidates in this election. Dr Herr said the Nationals may have seen a "window of opportunity", with the other minor parties not running candidates. Election analyst Kevin Bonham said he expected former JLN voters to "go back to Labor". However, he said the "unusual circumstances" of both major parties supporting the Macquarie Point stadium — Labor was opposed to it on principle at the previous election — could make a difference to the Nationals' chances. Dr Bonham said the party would need prominent candidates but questioned whether the Nationals could be successful in Tasmania. "In general in Tasmania, there's not much demand for a separate rural branded party — I think that's particularly because the distances are smaller — the bush is not so isolated."
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Households are being warned their electricity prices are set to spike
Cash-strapped Aussies are being warned the 'cold hard truth' is electricity prices are on the rise this winter in the latest cost-of-living blow. After the Australian Energy Regulator made its final determination for the Default Market Offering back in May, millions of households will now be getting letters or emails about their new energy rates. The offer sets the maximum price caps for bill increases for customers paying for default plans. These prices are meant to protect Australian households who don't shop around as well as provide a consistent benchmark so people can find an alternative retailer. Canstar's analysis shows Sydney electricity prices are going up 8.6 per cent, meaning the average family will now pay $145 more for their power or $1830 a year. Melbourne energy prices spiked 6.2 per cent or $83 for the average household, setting families back $1421, while Brisbane prices are up 3.7 per cent or an average of $72, with the standard household now paying $2019 per year. Canberrans will get the nastiest shock with their electricity prices going up 8.5 per cent and the average household now paying a further $191 to $2436 a year, while Adelaide households will pay on average $70 more a year or $2247 in total. These figures exclude the federal government's $75 subsidy. Under the extension of the Government Energy Bill Relief Fund, every household will get two payments of $75 a quarter automatically applied to their energy bills. Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall said while it was never fun to read about price hikes, Aussies should 'grit their teeth' and see if they could find a better deal. 'The cold hard truth is that electricity price hikes are pretty much inevitable in states such as NSW, Queensland and South Australia this winter after the regulator approved hikes to the reference prices across all networks in these states,' Ms Tindall said. 'The exact costs for your daily supply charge and electricity rates are up to each provider; however, unless you're on an embedded network or in a state where there are limited options, this is one bill you can, and should, take control of.' Ms Tindall urges households to check the 'reference price' they receive in the next two weeks and compare it with other market offers. 'Electricity bills can often be ridiculously confusing, with daily supply charges, tiered electricity rates, time of day pricing and whether you've got a controlled load,' she said. 'However, if you just want to compare your options without getting into the weeds, the reference price is your friend.'
