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“Inflation is likely to remain above target for some time.”
That was the damning admission from the Reserve Bank yesterday as it raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, and laid the foundations for at least one more hike this year.
Because economic activity has picked up faster than expected, stoked by last year’s three rate cuts, inflation pressures are, if anything, intensifying.
The RBA now says inflation will hit 4.2% in June and will not get back inside the 2–3% target band until June 2027.
Stella Huangfu explains why Australia is now out of step with most other developed economies, which are still cutting rates.
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Victoria Thieberger
Business and Economics Editor
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Stella Huangfu, University of Sydney
A modest move on rates now could reduce the chance of more aggressive action later.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The outcome of the South Australian election is all but decided, but Cory Bernardi will be leading the One Nation charge to turn good polling into seats.
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Tony Wood, Grattan Institute
It wasn’t so long ago pundits claimed Australia’s grid couldn’t run on higher than 20% renewables. Now it’s 50%.
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Christian Downie, Australian National University
New research finds about 20 groups dominate climate policy in Australia, from firms to industry advocates and NGOs to thinktanks.
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Ben White, Queensland University of Technology; Casey Haining, Queensland University of Technology; Katrine Del Villar, Queensland University of Technology; Madeleine Archer, Queensland University of Technology
The NT looks set to introduce voluntary assisted dying mid-year, while other states are reviewing – and may change – current laws. Here’s what you need to know.
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Keith Rathbone, Macquarie University
American athletes and officials may get a frosty reception as US-Europe tensions bubble away ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
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Mark Williams, University of Leicester; Jan Zalasiewicz, University of Leicester
Just one of the many ways the Anthropocene is reshaping life on Earth.
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Susan Luckman, Adelaide University ; Michelle Phillipov, Adelaide University
Despite being on lower incomes, younger people were generally willing to pay more to buy local for environmental reasons or to support better conditions for workers.
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Politics + Society
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Milad Milani, Western Sydney University
The question is not whether Islam belongs in Australia. It’s how religious authority is situated in a society that values freedom, accountability and civic trust.
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Sana Nakata, James Cook University; Daniel Bray, La Trobe University
Democracies thrive on adapting and changing to new injustices and problems. The failure of the Voice referendum raises questions about Australia’s democratic health.
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Grant Duncan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Voters can expect a lot of political polling in the lead-up to NZ’s general election in November. It’s important to know what the numbers can and can’t reveal.
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Health + Medicine
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Lynne Chepulis, University of Waikato; Sara Mustafa, University of Waikato
NZ’s one-size-fits-all approach to managing type 2 diabetes is better in theory than practice for many patients.
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Vincent Ho, Western Sydney University
Laxatives are generally quite safe when taken at the recommended dosage. But they can cause side effects and long-term use and overuse can lead to problems.
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Environment + Energy
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Emily McIntyre, The University of Melbourne; Craig Nitschke, The University of Melbourne
Long-footed potoroos dig up and eat many truffle-like fungi, spreading spores and keeping vital fungi-forest relationships healthy.
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Science + Technology
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T.J. Thomson, RMIT University
There have been six key shifts – and no doubt more is to come.
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Daniel Binns, RMIT University
An AI agent you can run at home has gone viral – and things are getting a bit weird.
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Sara Webb, Swinburne University of Technology; Rebecca Allen, Swinburne University of Technology
The mushrooms lived in space for over a month – and could be key to the health of astronauts in the future.
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Arts + Culture
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Emlyn Dodd, School of Advanced Study, University of London; Macquarie University
New research suggests olive trees have been exploited for more than 6,000 years. The first Italian olive oil was produced perhaps 4,000 years ago.
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Books + Ideas
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Wanning Sun, University of Technology Sydney
China’s economic growth didn’t benefit Hu Anyan – but his exceptional literary talent did. His book about struggling to survive as a gig worker is a worldwide hit.
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Life as a principal
"After serving as principal in three regional schools I was emotionally and physically exhausted. The abuse I experienced led to PTSD; my doctor advised early retirement. I returned to schools three years later in backroom administration roles only. Would I recommend teaching and the principalship in particular? It is the best and worst of roles: so much brokenness, such high – and frequently contradictory – expectations and so few resources. A role only for the strongest of hearts and most resilient of constitutions. I hope that's useful."
Chris Pitt, Shell Cove NSW
The Coalition question
“Rebuild the coalition? Let's not do it. In the last Federal election, the biggest swing was towards independents and cross-benchers. Because voters are sick of the cosy duopoly who are much more alike than they are different. We need to have no parties, but until we can bring that about, more parties and minority governments should be the objective.”
Glen Davis
Should de-extinction go extinct?
"You can bring back an individual or two but that does not bring back a gene pool. Bringing a species back from extinction is a smokescreen for unspeakable crimes to the environment."
Shaun Ashcroft
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
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