- Anthony Albanese faces questions over the purchase of a $4.3 million dollar home
- Tighter regulations for landlords in New South Wales
- Socceroos coach Tony Popovic commended for his work with the team
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his purchase of a $4.3 million dollar waterfront home is not part of a retirement plan.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told reporters the Prime Minister is obviously preparing for the life post-politics.
The settlement for the clifftop property on the Central Coast of New south Wales is set for the end of this month.
Peter Dutton says while he's happy for the couple, he is concerned about home owners struggling to afford their mortgages.
"The home owners in Australia that I am worried about at the moment can't afford their mortgages. People have had twelve interest rate increases under this government. And interest rates should come back as they are doing in United Kingdom, United States, Canada and New Zealand but because of Mr Albanese's bad economic management we are seeing inflation remain high here and therefore interest rates remain higher as well."
_
Transaction data is suggesting that recent tax cuts are not fuelling more discretionary spending but are instead being used to pay for staples and debt payments.
The ongoing financial pressures facing households are seeing consumers look for ways to cut down on spending, including downgrading or dropping health insurance cover.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says plans to crack down on card surcharges, as well as tax cuts, are only a few of the ways Labor is addressing cost-of-living pressures.
"You asked a moment ago about our surcharging change, and what it will mean for the cost of living. You know that's an important step that we are taking to help ease the cost of living, but it's not the only step. Tax cuts for every taxpayer, energy bill relief for every household, cheaper medicines, rent assistance, cheaper early childhood education, getting wages moving again."
_
Three people are in hospital, with one suffering chemical burns, after a minor chemical flash at the University of Sydney.
One employee and two bystanders are in hospital after a reaction occurred when the acid-based chemicals were being moved for disposal.
New South Wales Fire and Rescue teams say they arrived on the scene and immediately set up an exclusion zone before making calls for a specialist HAZMAT crew to assist.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry says authorities are investigating what exactly occurred.
"Now there were two other people in the area that were also exposed to the vapor cloud, now they've been transported simply as a precaution as well. Now, we are still working through the actual composition of the two chemicals that are involved, out firefighters who specialise in hazardous materials including our scientific officer are working to determine the best way to neutralise and render that safe."
_
Landlords in New South Wales are set to be prohibited from evicting tenants without good cause as part of long-awaited amendments to be introduced in parliament.
The reforms will also stop landlords from increasing rent more than once per year and will bring the state into compliance with other jurisdictions.
The state government's rental reform package will be introduced in the chambers next Monday following years of consultation and stalled electoral promises.
Minister of Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong believes the action will provide tenants with "greater certainty and protection."
_
In soccer,
Forward Mitch Duke has commendedd Socceroos coach Tony Popovic for his work with the team.
It comes ahead of their World Cup qualifying game against Japan's Samurai Blue tonight.
Duke is hopeful of a win after their 3-1 win against China.
"The boss had a very short time to get the playing group together, the new coaching staff together to get the job done obviously against China and get his messaging and across to us quite quickly. And he's been very very good with his detail to make sure we are all aware of what our jobs are."
The Socceroos have not won a single match against Japan in the last 15 years.
In seven past meetings against Japan on their home soil, the Socceroos have had four losses and three draws.
