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The day's breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy.
What this year’s rate rises mean in six charts
Why the Reserve Bank has lifted rates to 3.1 per cent and what it means for mortgage holders.
No bill relief for months as Commonwealth signals cash for states in energy deal
Energy export states may receive temporary compensation under an energy price cap but even if a deal is done, households will have months to wait to see the flow through to bills.
Students expelled after parents refuse to keep quiet on child sex abuse claims
Siblings have been expelled from a Jewish school in St Kilda because their parents refused to sign an agreement that stopped them from going public about allegations of child sexual abuse.
Alfred cancels elective surgery as children’s hospital reveals reasons for long wait times
A surge in staff with COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of elective surgery at the hospital as The Royal Children’s Hospital emergency department deals with a near record number of patients.
Merri-bek wants cats indoors, but only if owners are feline like it
The inner Melbourne council is the latest municipality to take on roaming cats, but will pursue an education campaign rather than an enforceable ‘cat curfew’.
Giant-slayer: How door-knocking and deals turned red Richmond Green
Despite the Greens’ lofty predictions at last weekend’s election, it claimed only the inner-city seat of Richmond from Labor. What made this seat different?
Updated
Victorian election
Victorian Liberal leadership contest hangs in the balance
A power struggle over who will lead the Victorian Liberals is split along factional lines, but may be influenced by newly minted MPs.
Indonesian ban on sex outside marriage ‘problematic’ for Bali tourists
De facto foreign couples can’t be denounced to authorities but a tourist who had sex with a local and was reported by that person’s family could face trouble.
Child protection workers racist towards Indigenous families, commission hears
The Yoorrook Justice Commission has heard more claims of racism and disparaging attitudes towards First Nation families.
Scott Morrison bid to use secret cabinet documents in robo-debt defence
A closed hearing has been scheduled for Thursday after Morrison’s lawyer said his client’s “reputation is on the line”.
Exclusive
Indigenous Voice
Voice to parliament ‘yes’ campaign plans tour, more TV
The “yes” campaign for the Indigenous Voice to parliament is stepping up, with the Uluru Dialogue expanding its TV ad campaign.
‘A milestone moment’: Christmas carol sung in 12 Indigenous languages
Gardening Australia’s Clarence Slockee consulted with Elders as he embarked on the mammoth task of translating the festive classic O Christmas Tree.
Leading Melbourne craft brewery closes indefinitely due to asbestos
Brewing has been put on hold and the brewery’s future at an Alphington industrial precinct now hangs in the balance.
Not just wine: Australia’s hottest wine regions
Wine regions across the country are booming, and now offer a wealth of other attractions - including great food - other than wine.
Blues snare Good Friday game as part of blockbuster first month
Carlton and Geelong are in line for blockbuster starts to next season, as the Western Bulldogs were dumped from Good Friday footy, while Melbourne will keep selling a home game a year to Alice Springs despite being debt free.
Australian Grand Prix tickets sell-out within hours
The 2023 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park is on track for a record attendance after tickets for the Sunday race day sold out in three-and-a-half hours on Tuesday.
From the World Cup to A-League: Fans urged to turn out for Socceroos stars
Eight Socceroos stars are expected to play in the A-League this weekend – a competition players and officials say has earned its stripes.
Victoria
West Gate down to one lane? Big Build to cause traffic pain over summer
There’ll be “significant” delays on routes including the West Gate Bridge, Domain Tunnel, Monash Freeway, and the CBD.
Teacher faces jail after posing as teen girl to lure students into sending sexual images
Primary school teacher Timothy Patrick Cordova is facing years behind bars after pleading guilty to an array of child sex offences.
Multimillionaire Ultra Tune boss loses bid to uncover explosive recordings
A judge has rejected Ultra Tune boss Sean Buckley’s attempt to discover who his ex-girlfriend and a former employee sent explosive recordings to.
Victoria set for low-risk fire season but grass growth worries firefighters
Emergency authorities are tipping a below-average bushfire season for the state this summer after heavy rains and flooding, but thick grass could pose a risk once it dries.
Exclusive
Women's health
Women tell of ‘obstetric violence’ during childbirth
One in 10 women who gave birth in the past five years say they were made to feel “violated, powerless or dehumanised”, a study found.
FIFA World Cup
Brazil 4 South Korea 1
Sublime Brazil crush South Korea with attacking masterclass
Brazil took just seven minutes to hit the lead and didn’t let up in a frantic opening term which underlined their status as tournament favourites in Qatar.
Updated
Japan seize up in shootout as Croatia move into quarter-finals
Japan have failed again to reach the last eight at a World Cup finals after being beaten in a penalty shootout, thanks to three awful, softly taken spot kicks.
Politics
Updated
Interest rates
Mortgage holders face sharpest rate increase since 1980s
The bank has taken the official cash rate to 3.1 per cent, its highest level since November 2012, even as it admitted risks to the national economy were growing.
Business
ACCC takes Telstra to Federal Court for ‘misleading’ customers
The ACCC has accused Telstra of neglecting to notify 8897 customers of a reduction in NBN upload speeds and failing to lower their charges accordingly.
World
Analysis
Inside China
In death, Jiang Zemin deployed to cheer Xi’s legacy
Behind the mourners, a black banner revealed how much has changed since Jiang Zemin left office in 2002.
Opinion
The West has escalated its attack on Putin’s war chest. Now it’s a waiting game
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Why politicians are too scared to lower the voting age to 16
Justine Landis-Hanley
Australian Youth Affairs Coalition spokesperson
We thank doctors for their COVID response. Why do we bash Lowe?
Jessica Irvine
Senior economics writer
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Property
‘A landlord’s market’: Little relief for renters amid tight vacancy rate
A record low vacancy rate is giving some tenants little choice but to offer as much as $50 extra a week, even in outer suburbs.
The builders who are putting their money on timing the property market
Some builders are returning to the property market, picking up rundown homes at auction to flip in the next year.
Lifestyle
Prince Harry spills on ‘dirty game’ against Meghan in Netflix doco trailer
Prince Harry has signalled that the Netflix documentary series might be an uncomfortable watch for members of the royal family.
Culture
‘How I get myself through’: Inside Michelle Obama’s book of life lessons
The former US first lady follows her bestselling memoir Becoming with a glimpse inside her “personal toolbox” that reads like a long-form TED talk.
Sport
Stars captaincy a national leadership audition for Zampa
Adam Zampa believes being captain of the Melbourne Stars will give the national selectors a chance to consider whether he figures in Australia’s white ball captaincy plans.
Australian Grand Prix tickets sell-out within hours
The 2023 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park is on track for a record attendance after tickets for the Sunday race day sold out in three-and-a-half hours on Tuesday.
Updated
AFL injury ward
Max King to miss start of season with shoulder injury
Prized St Kilda forward Max King is set to undergo a left shoulder reconstruction after a training incident that will significantly delay his season next year.
From the World Cup to A-League: Fans urged to turn out for Socceroos stars
Eight Socceroos stars are expected to play in the A-League this weekend – a competition players and officials say has earned its stripes on the global stage during the World Cup.
Blues snare Good Friday game as part of blockbuster first month
Carlton and Geelong are in line for blockbuster starts to next season, as the Western Bulldogs were dumped from Good Friday footy, while Melbourne will keep selling a home game a year to Alice Springs despite being debt free.
‘Lift the spirits’: Lara rallies Windies dressing room
Brian Lara evoked the spirit of the great West Indies teams in a passionate dressing room address to Kraigg Brathwaite’s tourists after their fighting loss to Australia in the first Test in Perth.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2022
Eagle under police investigation; New Bomber never gave up on his dream
Police are investigating Isiah Winder, who was allegedly involved in an incident in Geelong over the weekend, while mature-age Essendon recruit Rhett Montgomerie is ready to make his mark in the AFL.
Have Your Say
Why Tim Cahill has cast an awkward shadow over Socceroos’ Qatar success
Tim Cahill can claim partial credit for Australia’s World Cup success in Qatar, but he repeatedly ducked Australian media throughout the tournament - which is a damn shame, because there’s an awful lot to ask him.
Vince Rugari
Reporter
