You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Remove items from your saved list to add more.
You've used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.
Welcome to the national news live blog for today, Thursday, October 29 . Here’s a look at today’s biggest stories:
The man accused of running down Helen Haines claims he had no grudge against the politician and that striking her repeatedly with his car was entirely accidental. Two sources familiar with the case, but unable to speak publicly, said Nugent has said he never intended to drive into Haines and that his behaviour at the scene was caused by panic. Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition after losing both legs in the attack.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is under renewed pressure after inflation rose in September, all but guaranteeing another cash rate rise on Melbourne Cup Day. The 4.3 per cent headline inflation rate, and 3.6 per cent underlying measure, were described by Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser as too high. The Reserve Bank has lifted rates four times this year, with another threatening to lift the cash rate to an 18-year high of 4.85 per cent on Tuesday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced three days of national mourning following the deadly train crash, vowing to investigate the disaster and address any safety failures.
“All of Spain is in mourning,” Sánchez said during a televised address near the crash site south of Madrid.
He said the government would investigate the cause of the crash, which has killed at least 68 people, and take action if negligence or safety failures were uncovered.
“If there was negligence, we will find out,” Sánchez said, speaking after travelling to the crash site. “If there have been failures in the security system, we will respond decisively.”
Follow our rolling coverage of the tragedy here.
The man accused of running down Helen Haines claims he had no grudge against the politician and that striking her repeatedly with his car was entirely accidental.
Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after losing both legs in the incident outside her Wangaratta electorate office on October 19.
Two sources familiar with the case, but unable to speak publicly, said Nugent has said he never intended to drive into Haines and that his behaviour at the scene was caused by panic.
The 43-year-old has also dismissed suggestions he may have held a grudge against Haines or her politics, saying he had previously voted for the House of Representatives member for the seat of Indi. She was first elected in 2019 and then re-elected in 2022 and 2025.
Read more from Chris Vedelago here.
Welcome to the national news live blog for today, Thursday, October 29 . Here’s a look at today’s biggest stories:
The man accused of running down Helen Haines claims he had no grudge against the politician and that striking her repeatedly with his car was entirely accidental. Two sources familiar with the case, but unable to speak publicly, said Nugent has said he never intended to drive into Haines and that his behaviour at the scene was caused by panic. Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition after losing both legs in the attack.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is under renewed pressure after inflation rose in September, all but guaranteeing another cash rate rise on Melbourne Cup Day. The 4.3 per cent headline inflation rate, and 3.6 per cent underlying measure, were described by Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser as too high. The Reserve Bank has lifted rates four times this year, with another threatening to lift the cash rate to an 18-year high of 4.85 per cent on Tuesday.
