Good afternoon. Australia’s housing stress continues to worsen – a fact made clear by new rental data released today.
More than 40% of suburbs have recorded rental increases of 10% or more in the past year, with the national average rent now a staggering $583 a week. As I point out in the video below, that’s already above weekly welfare payments and has priced out people on minimum wage.
The grim news comes as families struggle to service rising mortgage repayments, as told in this first-person read by a mother of three.
Top news
Brittany Higgins’s compensation payout | Liberal senator Linda Reynolds last night flagged raising the compensation payout with the national anti-corruption commission. That was today dismissed by the prime minister, who said it would be “entirely inappropriate” for politicians to ask the commission to look into Higgins’s payout.
Respiratory illnesses on the rise | Health authorities are urging people to get their flu jab as almost all Australian jurisdictions saw a rise in respiratory illnesses in the fortnight to 28 May.
Scott Phillip White sentenced | The man responsible for the death of gay American Scott Johnson in 1988 has been sentenced to nine years in jail. Having already served part of his sentence, White will be eligible for release in 2026.
Ballet dancers ‘living on tuna and rice’ | Australian Ballet dancers are beginning industrial action over a pay dispute. Performers are still reeling from the pandemic, but the company refuses to guarantee their pay will keep pace with inflation.
Labor looking to revive contentious Coalition grant | The Morrison government approved a $5m grant for an “upgraded community hub” that services sports such as rowing in the affluent Melbourne suburb of Albert Park. The Albanese government is now looking to revive that grant, despite the auditor general originally warning it likely lacked lawful authority.
Dry ski season | There will be no skiing, no snowboarding and no snow to kick off the start of Australia’s ski season – and a drying El Niño may be to blame. The long-term winter forecast is warmer and drier than average across the alpines.
China trade up 20% | The total value of two-way trade between Australia and China was up 19.4% in the first five months of 2023. But it’s not looking as positive on the European front, with the federal government revealing talks on an EU trade deal have stalled.
Shannen Doherty’s breast cancer spreads | The actress has revealed, in an emotional post on Instagram, that the terminal breast cancer she has been receiving treatment for over several years has now spread to her brain.
Ukraine floods deaths | Three people have died as a result of flooding from the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, local media have reported, in what would be the first confirmed deaths, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy voiced fears for the lives of Ukrainians in Russian-held areas hit by the disaster.
Singapore ends horse racing | … to free up space for housing. The decision comes at a time when prices across Singapore’s property market are rising rapidly.
In video
The rental and housing crisis has exposed an imbalance in home ownership that’s contributing to the problem – 1% of Australian taxpayers own 25% of property investments. Watch the six-minute video.
What they said …
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“I’ve also had a miscarriage. I do know exactly what it’s like. It is horrific and stays with you for the rest of your life.” – Annastacia Palaszczuk
The Queensland premier says she will get personally involved in an internal health review following reports of the mistreatment of a woman who had miscarried at Ipswich hospital.
In numbers
The bulk of the cash purchases were in regions popular with retirees and in postcodes where the median dwelling price was well below state averages, according to the property data firm Pexa.
Before bed read
Do you have a salt tooth? Do you know how to recognise if you are a salt tooth? If not, or you’re just looking for ways to feed your salt craving healthily, give this a read.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: MANG. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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