Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Aussies still facing financial distress even with RBA’s interest rate pause, Thousands of NZ nurses wanting to work in Australia for better pay and working conditions, and Amazon Web Services investing at least $13 billion in Australia over the next five years. Also, Australian tradies on a budget now have another workhorse to consider, and Australia A suffered a shock loss in their first tour match against New Zealand A in Lincoln.
Economy
Australians continue to face financial distress even with interest rate pause
While the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to hit pause on increasing interest rates has been widely welcomed, both homeowners and renters have been warned their financial pain isn’t over, 9 News has reported. The RBA has ended its run of ten consecutive rate rises after inflation slowed to 6.8 per cent last month, but is still above the bank’s two to three per cent target. National housing campaign Everybody’s Home said that while that offers good news for mortgage holders, it’s unlikely to have any effect on rising rents.
Employment
New Zealand nurses to work in Australia for better pay
Thousands of New Zealand nurses are registering to work in Australia in pursuit of better pay and conditions, amid staffing shortages and industrial action in their home country, The Guardian reported. Almost 5,000 New Zealand nurses have registered to practise in Australia since August last year. While not every nurse who registers will make the move, they make up about 8 per cent of the approximately 65,000 nurses registered in New Zealand. Nurses who had moved to Australia were now earning almost triple New Zealand rates, particularly over holiday seasons and in smaller mining towns.
Technology
Amazon Web Services investing $13 billion in Australia
Amazon Web Services will invest more than $13 bn in Australia over the next five years as it expands its cloud computing operations in Melbourne and Sydney and works towards running its data centres entirely on renewable energy. The investment in the expansion and operation of the two centres will bring in 11,000 full-time-equivalent positions, the company estimated, including direct employees, contractors and construction, maintenance, engineering and communications suppliers, The Guardian has reported.
Motoring
Australian tradies on a budget now have another workhorse to consider
GWM (Great Wall Motors) has launched the new cab-chassis version of its Cannon Ute, News.com reported. The new Ute is still a five-seater but it ditches the tub tray for a hardwearing aluminium one that is easier to load and customise. The base Cannon two-wheel drive variant is priced at $36,990 drive-away, which is $1000 more than the equivalent tub tray variant. Many mainstream ute brands don’t offer a cab chassis two-wheel-drive ute with five seats. Adding four-wheel drive to the Cannon-CC increases the price by $3000. This undercuts the popular Toyota HiLux Workmate by more than $10,000. All GWM vehicles come with a seven-year/unlimited km warranty and five years of roadside assistance.
Sports
Australia A suffers shock loss against New Zealand A
Australia A has suffered a shock loss in their first tour match against New Zealand A in Lincoln, with the hosts successfully chasing a 365-run target in the fourth innings of the four-day contest, Fox Sports has reported. After the Australians declared their second innings at 2-218 late on day three, the Kiwis plundered 334 runs in 74.4 overs on Tuesday to clinch an unlikely three-wicket victory at Bert Sutcliffe Oval. New Zealand A emerged victors despite taking just eight wickets across the match, with Australia A’s seemingly premature declarations coming back to the hunt them.
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