Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes the government is investing $1.2 billion of additional funding to protect the Great Barrier Reef, Prime Minister Albanese hinting at an early election due to a housing impasse, Australia’s house price growth down for July, and Beatles legend Paul McCartney is coming to Australia for a concert tour.
Nation
Prime Minister Albanese hints at early election over housing impasse
Australia could go to an election more than a year ahead of schedule as opposition parties threaten to block a flagship-housing bill for a second time, providing the government with the constitutional trigger for an early election, The Fiji Times has reported. The parliamentary deadlock revolves around the centre-left Labor government’s $10 billion housing package, which The Greens party is refusing to pass through the upper house without changes to increase spending and cap rents. Governments can dissolve both houses of parliament if the upper house twice blocks a bill passed by the lower house. The Greens in June voted with the opposition centre-right Liberal Party to delay the housing bill. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he preferred the bill passed the Senate but if it did not, the trigger for a double-dissolution election could focus attention on the policy.
Environment
More government funding to protect Great Barrier Reef
Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek says the Government has invested $1.2 billion of additional funding to protect the reef and is working closely with both UNESCO and the Queensland Government, SkyNews has reported. “We’re acting on water quality, we’re acting on fisheries management, we’re working with traditional owners to deal with problems like crown-of-thorns starfish and marine plastics,” Ms Plibersek said. “There’s now a government in Australia that is acting on climate change and that’s the biggest difference that UNESCO has identified—they’ve said that in the past that between the previous government and this government, it’s a bit like night and day.”
Property
July house price growth down
Australia’s house price growth decelerated in July following an increase in property listings that suggest sellers are taking advantage of current market strength, including those struggling to meet their obligations after rapid interest-rate increases. Prices across Australia’s capital cities advanced 0.8 per cent, a fifth straight monthly gain, albeit slower than June’s 1.2 per cent pace, data from property consultancy CoreLogic Inc. showed Tuesday. Market bellwether Sydney rose 0.9 per cent while Melbourne grew at a more subdued 0.3 per cent. Bloomberg reported.
Entertainment
Paul McCartney is coming to Australia
The Beatles legend is bringing his Got Back Tour to the country in October and November, stopping in Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane, and Gold Coast, The Brag Media has reported. McCartney first visited Australia back in 1964. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 11th at staggered times (see below). The Frontier Members pre-sale begins on Wednesday, August 9th, while the Telstra Plus (AU) Members pre-sale commences on Thursday, August 3rd. The upcoming tour is McCartney’s first time performing in Australia since 2017, and it will be his first time performing in Newcastle and Gold Coast.
https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/paul-mccartney-australia-tour-tickets/
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