TRANSCRIPT
- Australia's economy grows by 0.3 per cent in the September quarter
- The Commonwealth Bank changes it approach on new fees, after customer backlash
- The Matildas looking for a win in their match against Taiwan tonight in Melbourne
The Australian economy rose 0.3 per cent in the September quarter, representing a twelfth consecutive quarter of growth - although the rate of increase has continued to slow down.
Over the year, Australia’s economy grew 0.8 per cent - the lowest rate since the COVID pandemic impacted the December quarter in 2020.
Government spending and public capital investment were the main drivers of G-D-P growth.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says it is positive to see economic growth, but he concedes it remains weak.
"Our economy is still growing very slowly. It is weighed down by interest rates and cost of living pressures and global economic uncertainty as well. The most important, the most encouraging aspect of the data is that the growth in real incomes. And this growth in real incomes reflects the progress we're making when it comes to inflation. But also solid wages growth - and very importantly government's cost-of-living tax cuts."
—-
Australia's largest bank has admitted it has done a poor job of communicating the introduction of a $3 fee for customers withdrawing their own money.
The Commonwealth Bank says it will now change its approach in how it is introducing the fee to reduce the impact on customers experiencing cost-of-living pressures ahead of the festive season.
It says it's still proceeding with the measure, so that 90 per cent of customers on a Complete Access account will be automatically moved to what's called a Smart Access account with the $3 fee for withdrawals made at bank branches, post offices or over the phone.
It won't impact withdrawals from ATMs.
The bank says it has assessed that this group will be better off - or no worse off - with the change, as they mainly use internet and app banking.
CBA spokesperson Angus Sullivan says for the remaining 10 per cent, the bank will pause the change and will instead reach out to these customers over the next six months to discuss the best products for their needs.
"This is based on us listening to our customers and making sure that we do the best we can by them. And we feel we didn't get the communication right on this. So we've paused and we want to take a different approach. The approach that we have outlined of having a more individual approach, engaging each of our customers to make sure that we have got a solution. It is very much from listening to our customers - and making sure that we adapt our approach, as is helpful."
—-
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has criticised Australia's vote in support of a United Nations resolution that calls for an end on Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Australia has joined 157 countries to support the resolution calling for "an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible".
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia wants to help "move the dial in the Middle East" - and the assessment was made that, on balance, the resolution will "contribute to peace and a two-state solution".
Mr Dutton says he thinks it is the wrong move for Australia to shift its stance on the issue when it is voted against such resolutions in the past.
"It's not something that I support. We've been very critical of the position which the government has adopted. Which has been at odds to the commitments they gave to the Jewish community before the election. He looked people of Jewish faith in the eye before the election and gave them a guarantee that there would be no difference between the two parties. That there would be bipartisan positions in relation to the votes at the UN and our position with regards to Israel. They have completely abadoned the Jewish community."
—-
Thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need to travel more than an hour to visit a primary health care service.
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows reveals many of these communities are located in very remote areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
The data also shows unmet need, with 13 per cent of First Nations people unable to see a GP when they needed to see one - over a 12-month period.
At least 19 per cent of First Nations people had at least one instance in the past 12 months when they needed dental care but did not get it.
—-
The Matildas will be looking to turn things around as they aim for a win against Taiwan tonight in Melbourne - and then in South Geelong on Saturday.
The Matildas have lost their last two games against Brazil.
Up until then Brazil had not beaten Australia since 2016.
Australia's team will be missing a number of experienced players, including Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Ellie Carpenter, and Hayley Raso.
Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni says ahead of Australia hosting the 2026 Asian Cup, it is important newer players are given an opportunity to play.
"These games have really given us an opportunity, which hasn't happened in the Matildas for many years, where we have got a chance to actually look particularly at domestic talent and actually assess some young players that haven't had. And some more experienced players who have been out of the picture for a little while. And we're also fortunate in the Brazil games to give a couple of players their first cap in the team. And they have done exceptionally well. And hopefully that will happen in these two games."
