Australia news live: Tasmania budget to tackle cost of joining AFL as treasurer ponders privatisations
Update:
Date: 2025-05-28T20:30:07.000Z
Title: Welcome
Content: Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer, bringing you the best early stories and then your morning blogger will take over.
It's official – working from home is not to blame for the sharp drop in productivity in the wake of the pandemic, according to a report by the Productivity Commission today. Instead the commission points out that because people generally worked fewer hours during the lockdowns, when everybody started going back into the office when the pandemic ended productivity fell.
Rising debt, the ferry debacle and the ongoing question of a new AFL stadium hang over Tasmania's finances as the Liberal government hands down the state budget this morning. Forecasts show the deficit could blow out to nearly $10bn by 2027/28, meaning that asset sales could be on the cards. We have more details coming up.
A nine-year-old girl raised the alarm before a married couple was found dead by police with gunshot wounds inside a home in Cairns. The child alerted a family member who called police, with officers later discovering the 'traumatising' scene. More coming up.
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The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Australia demands China explain ‘biggest military build-up since Second World War'
Australia's defence minister called on China to explain its massive military build-up, claiming it was sparking concern in the region due to a lack of transparency. Richard Marles urged Beijing to offer strategic assurance about its defence policies. 'What we have seen from China is the single biggest increase in military capability and build-up in conventional sense by any country since the end of the Second World War, ' Mr Marles said on Sunday. 'It is the fact that it is happening without strategic reassurance. It's happening without a clear strategic intent on the part of China. What we want to see is strategic transparency and strategic reassurance be provided by China and an understanding of why it is needed to have such an extraordinary military build-up.' He pointed to Australia as a model of transparency, claiming that Canberra publicly shared its defence strategy and reviews to make it 'utterly clear' that its military build-up was meant to ensure security for the country and the region more broadly. 'So, there is total strategic clarity and assurance that is being provided by Australia to our neighbours, to the region, to the world. That's what we would like to see,' he said. Mr Marles said China 's recent military exercise near Australia and New Zealand was 'disruptive' and 'could have been done in a better way' but added that ultimately ' China was acting in accordance with international law'. In February, China's military exercise in the Tasman Sea, involving three naval ships and possibly live fire, prompted flight diversions between Australia and New Zealand. Australia called the manoeuvres 'unusual', while China maintained they were lawful and in international waters. At the time, China's foreign ministry confirmed that it was carrying out naval training and exercises in 'distant waters'. A spokesman, Guo Jiakun, said the drills were conducted safely, 'in professional manner' and in line with international laws and norms. Mr Marles emphasised the importance of upholding a rules-based order. 'The guiding light, the bedrock here, needs to be compliance with international law. That's what we keep talking about, is the rules-based order,' he said. On calls for Indo-Pacific allies of America to boost defence spending amid China's rise, Mr Marles said Australia was 'taking steps' and 'up for it' though it hadn't yet committed to president Donald Trump's push for increasing military spending to 3 per cent of the national GDP. China earlier rejected US defence secretary Pete Hegseth 's warning of a 'real' and 'potentially imminent' threat from Beijing, calling his claim groundless. Beijing also accused the US of being the 'biggest troublemaker' for regional peace. The Chinese embassy in Singapore said on Facebook that the speech was 'steeped in provocations and instigation' and that Mr Hegseth had 'repeatedly smeared and attacked China and relentlessly played up the so-called 'China threat''. 'As a matter of fact, the US itself is the biggest 'troublemaker' for regional peace and stability,' the embassy said. 'What the US now offers the most to the world is 'uncertainty'. The country claims to safeguard peace and not to seek conflicts. We've heard it. Let's see what moves will it take.'
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
An Australian woman on trial for triple murder testifies over mushroom poisoning
The woman accused of murdering three members of her ex-husband's family by serving them poisonous mushrooms has taken the stand at an Australian court on Monday as the highly publicized triple murder trial nears its conclusion. Erin Patterson, 50, is accused of killing her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, and also of attempting to murder Wilkinson's husband, Ian, 68 after the four consumed a meal at Patterson's home in Victoria state in July 2023. She could face up to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder charge, while murder in the state of Victoria carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Her lawyer, Colin Mandy, previously told the Victorian state Supreme Court during the six-week trial the poisoning was accidental. Patterson's appearance as a defense witness Monday marked the first time the 50-year-old has spoken since pleading not guilty to all charges in May last year. She served meals of beef Wellington, mashed potato and green beans at her home in the rural town of Leongartha on July 29, 2023. All four guests were hospitalized the next day with poisoning from death cap mushrooms, also known as amanita phalloides, that were added to the beef and pastry dish. Ian Wilkinson survived after a liver transplant. Under questioning from Mandy, Patterson revealed personal battles with low self-esteem, shifting spirituality, the complicated birth of her son and growing distance from her estranged husband's family in recent years. 'I had felt for some months that my relationship with the wider Patterson family, and particularly Don and Gail, perhaps had a bit more distance or space put between us,' Patterson said. 'We saw each other less.' Patterson is due back on the witness stand Tuesday as the trial continues. The prosecution completed the presentation of its evidence to a jury of 14 people earlier on Monday afternoon.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Heartbreaking last post of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner revealing his 'bucket list' trip before tragic car crash death aged 24
The heartbreaking last post of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner has been revealed after his tragic death in a car crash aged 24. The reality TV contestant had been driving on the A34 in Gatley, near Manchester on Monday when his car suddenly left the road, rolling before it eventually landed on its side, according to Greater Manchester Police. Sam, who featured in the BBC show's second series in 2020 with his mum Jo, was the only person in the vehicle, with his family paying tribute in an moving statement. Now it has been revealed that his last Instagram post showed the contestant enjoying a stunning beach in Australia. Posting from Whithaven Beach, he captioned it: 'This place needs to be on people's bucket list, pure beauty.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He posed with parrots and showed off the gorgeous coastline in January 2024. His dad Andrew joined Jo in delivering the message, saying: 'We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. 'Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special. 'Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective. 'He did Race Across The World in 2019, which opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel. 'He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. 'He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland. 'Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. 'We will miss him endlessly, but we'll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade.' A spokesperson for the makers of Race Across The World said: 'We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam. 'Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo. 'Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result. 'Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across The World cast family, and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends.' Sam had been working in Scotland as a landscape gardener but travelled down to Stockport, Greater Manchester to go to a family birthday, according to his uncle Jonny Gray. During their time on Race Across The World, Sam and Jo aimed to get across South America quicker than their fellow contestants, with a strict budget and no mobile phone. The pair failed to complete the challenge as they ran out of money, but he described it as a 'life-changing' experience. During filming, Sam said: 'Mum and I are very close - we often think or say the same things. 'She has travelled a lot in her life, so I think it would be fun to do it with her.'
