Australia's headline inflation rate has accelerated to 4.3%, a figure the treasurer attributed to the war in the Middle East. The development came as the Reserve Bank of Australia's chief economist dismissed any suggestion the country is heading into a recession.
Political and Security Developments
Independent senator Fatima Payman said she has offered a personal apology to Helen Haines and her office following comments about the MP's alleged attack. Earlier in the day, the Australian Federal Police responded to a bomb threat at Parliament shortly before lunch, though inquiries into who may have called it in are continuing.
Inflation and Economic Outlook
The RBA's chief economist has ruled out any suggestion that the country is heading into a recession, providing some reassurance amid the rising inflation figure.
Other Key Stories
The ABC has doubled down on its call, made in Senate estimates, for depictions of Bluey to be removed from a One Nation cartoon in which the beloved character repeatedly runs over politicians with an SUV. Greens leader David Shoebridge addressed the National Press Club in Canberra, where he promised to help Australians struggling with cost-of-living pressures.
A Climate Council report found that Australia has paid more than twice as much as any other nation in additional diesel import costs during the global fuel crisis. The outgoing Australia Post CEO, Paul Graham, was paid a $1.2m bonus on top of his $1.64m base salary in the last financial year.
