Australia news live: banks pass on interest rate hike to customers; Sydney ‘globalise the intifada’ forum held in park
Summary
Australia’s main banks have raised interest rates after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased the cash rate to 4.35%. The federal government is preparing a budget with $74 million to combat terrorism and online threats amid concerns raised by the Middle East conflict and its effects on inflation and fuel prices.Key Facts
- The RBA increased the cash rate from 4.1% to 4.35%, marking the third hike in a row.
- Macquarie Bank and Australia’s big four banks (Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, and ANZ) passed on the 0.25% rate rise to their home loan customers.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is leading talks with state and territory leaders about the international fuel crisis.
- Australia currently has 43 days of petrol, 33 days of diesel, and 28 days of jet fuel supplies.
- US President Donald Trump warned Iran against attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, where over 800 ships and 20,000 crew are stranded.
- The government will allocate $74 million over two years to set up a national center to detect and disrupt online violent extremism and terrorism.
- This center will coordinate efforts from ASIO (Australia’s security agency), federal police, state police, and international law enforcement.
- The new capability will focus on monitoring and countering extremist threat online by tracking high-risk spaces and engaging covertly.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.