The Reserve Bank of Australia's reforms eliminating debit and credit card surcharges from 1 October will save consumers $1.6bn, while documents reveal One Nation's national director James Ashby benefited from a $56,000 shed built on his property by a party-linked company, as the Treasury's intergenerational report projects smaller households and longer lifespans.
Card surcharge ban and consumer savings
From 1 October, extra checkout fees on Visa, Mastercard and Eftpos payments will be removed under Reserve Bank reforms. The RBA expects these changes to save consumers across Australia $1.6bn annually.
The ban applies to all businesses that currently pass on payment processing costs to customers. This reform targets the most common payment methods used in Australian retail transactions.
James Ashby's benefits and One Nation's operations
Documents obtained by Guardian Australia show that a company linked to One Nation built a $56,000 shed on James Ashby's central Queensland property. Ashby serves as the party's national director and is described as wielding as much – if not more – power over One Nation as leader Pauline Hanson herself.
According to the documents, the shed construction is among generous benefits Ashby enjoys as a result of his role. When the party bars media from press conferences, it is Ashby who makes the call, according to the report.
The revelations come as episode two of The Populist podcast tracks Ashby's rise from a PR flack, through a massive political scandal, to his ascent to power as One Nation's popularity soars.
Treasury's intergenerational outlook
The Treasury's latest intergenerational report, looking ahead 40 years, projects that Australian households will shrink but more people can expect to live well into their 90s. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to release the report this morning.
The report's findings suggest significant demographic shifts that will shape policy decisions in coming decades.
Other national news
A child has died in a stabbing attack in the Blue Mountains at Valley Heights, with two other children and a woman being treated in hospital in a critical condition, NSW police say.
A survey conducted in Queensland, NSW and Victoria found that one in six people think red foxes are native wildlife, despite most people correctly identifying wombats and kangaroos as Australian animals.
International developments
Baltic spy chiefs warn that Moscow is preparing for more decisive action in Europe, potentially testing the resolve of the Nato military alliance. Ukraine has targeted Moscow and the surrounding region in a large-scale attack involving hundreds of drones on the final day of Russia's parliamentary elections.
China is pushing back against US warnings over rapid AI development, viewing calls for a slowdown as a mechanism to lock in advantages enjoyed by American tech companies, according to analysis.
Nations across the Middle East are bracing for an escalation of violence after Iran claimed it had received intelligence that the US was preparing for a renewed bombing campaign.
Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to stay in office despite his party's heavy losses in two state elections, one to the far right and the other to a leftwing party.
Ed Sheeran, in his first show since his tour plunged into turmoil, said the situation in Gaza is “catastrophic and unjustifiable” amid continued calls for a fan boycott.
Donald Trump claims the triumphal arch he is planning for Washington DC will serve as a “top grade military complex” replete with drone and ammunition storage space.
Sport and media roundup
In sport, Australia denied Zimbabwe a consolation ODI win after Nathan Ellis pulled off a last-over heist in Harare. Alexander Isak pounced to give Liverpool victory on Iraola's return to Bournemouth. Alex de Minaur found top gear to seal Australia's Davis Cup progression over Poland.
A survey has revealed that Australians are waiting years for dementia diagnoses with early warning signs sometimes overlooked by health professionals, ABC News reports. Disposable vapes, toys, singing birthday cards and rechargeable tools are among devices causing thousands of fires in waste and recycling centres across Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
