RBA interest rates: Reserve Bank hikes cash rate to 4.6%, the highest level since 2011 29. September 2026 (07:23) Widely expected decision is fourth increase to interest rate this year and will be blow to mortgage holders across AustraliaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted its key interest rate to 4.6%, its highest level since 2011, while warning of further hikes.The widely expected fourth increase to the cash rate this year will add to repayment costs for millions of mortgage holders across the country. Before Tuesday’s meeting, it sat at 4.35%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We have time to make our case’: Labour insiders are confident Burnham can sell his social care reforms 29. September 2026 (07:00) Analysts believe PM has a ‘golden opportunity’ to offer older people better protection in return for weakening the triple lock guaranteeIt is a brave party leader who is prepared to go into an election promising a multibillion-pound new public service – likely to be funded by tax rises or holding back increases in the state pension.But Andy Burnham’s colleagues are excited about the confident promise of new social care system that seven previous prime ministers have failed to deliver. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sarah Hanson-Young announces Greens leadership tilt after MPs blindsided by Larissa Waters’ shock resignation 29. September 2026 (06:38) New leader expected to be chosen imminently, with Mehreen Faruqi, David Shoebridge and Hanson-Young among frontrunnersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHigh-profile Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has confirmed she will run for the party’s leadership, promising to bring the fight to Labor and One Nation after Larissa Waters’ shock resignation.The party’s longest-serving federal MP, Hanson-Young confirmed on social media she was discussing a tilt at the leadership with colleagues on Tuesday, ahead of a two-day party retreat in Sydney, when the new leader will be chosen. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Intimidatory’ far-right marches should not be allowed, says Angela Rayner 29. September 2026 (06:00) The UK communities secretary decried protests by ‘men in black wearing face masks’ and those ‘whipping up hatred’ towards lifeboat volunteersFar-right marches led by the self-styled “Danny Tommo” should not be treated like normal protests, the communities secretary, Angela Rayner, has said, calling the marches “intimidation” that should not be permitted.Rayner said the behaviour of some masked marchers – who have blocked roads and transport hubs – was not an acceptable form of protest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rubio says foreign actor was ‘clearly’ behind suspected RAF Fairford bomb plot 29. September 2026 (05:29) The US secretary of state offered no evidence for his claims, and also said many people were ‘disturbed’ that the five suspects had been released on bailUS secretary of state Marco Rubio has said unequivocally that a foreign actor was involved in the suspected UK bomb plot at RAF Fairford, hours after the five suspects arrested close to the airbase were released on bail.“What could have happened in the UK over the weekend is a very serious situation,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News on Monday evening, adding that it “clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘New kind of cyber incident’: OpenAI apologises for Medicare hack and reveals extent of attack 29. September 2026 (04:51) Chief strategy officer to fly to Australia to front joint committee on AI after breaches of government websitesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOpenAI has apologised to Australians for its agent attack on Medicare, and will front parliament next week, as the tech company revealed more details about its June hack of Australian government websites.In a blog post released on Tuesday, OpenAI said it should have handled its response better. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
