Australian news and politics recap: Federal politicians, partners attend black-tie Midwinter Ball in Canberra
RECAP: Federal politicians and their partners are gathering in Canberra decked out in black-ties and ball gowns for the annual Midwinter Ball.
Scroll down for a recap of latest news and updates.
Key events
01 Jul 2026 - 06:36 PM
SEE THE PICS: Black-ties and ball gowns flood the Press Gallery as politicians arrive for Midwinter Ball
01 Jul 2026 - 05:58 PM
PM arrives at Midwinter Ball as politicians dress up for annual black tie event
01 Jul 2026 - 02:04 PM
Albo defends tax cuts after 70¢ a day attack
01 Jul 2026 - 01:47 PM
UK‘s defence spending plan sends AUKUS message
01 Jul 2026 - 12:56 PM
‘Bring Scotty from marketing back’: Libs rebrand mocked
01 Jul 2026 - 12:54 PM
MPs pay tribute to a ‘simply extraordinary’ Australian
01 Jul 2026 - 12:33 PM
Australia bracing for huge house price falls
01 Jul 2026 - 11:49 AM
Building approvals fall for third straight month
01 Jul 2026 - 11:28 AM
Ex-Premier’s brother under microscope in Libs donation probe
01 Jul 2026 - 10:47 AM
Wilson accuses Chalmers of ‘crashing confidence’
01 Jul 2026 - 10:02 AM
ASX kicks off new financial year on a bum note
01 Jul 2026 - 09:48 AM
Calls for reform after polling booths likened to ‘war zone’
01 Jul 2026 - 09:25 AM
‘Coalition is moving in right direction’
01 Jul 2026 - 08:53 AM
Big Four face crackdown after string of scandals
01 Jul 2026 - 08:24 AM
Banks warn house prices could plunge 10 per cent
01 Jul 2026 - 07:52 AM
House prices suffer biggest fall in almost four years
01 Jul 2026 - 07:13 AM
Albo breaks his silence on ‘alarming’ banking scandal
01 Jul 2026 - 06:58 AM
Butler finds rumours he’ll be next PM ‘befuddling’
01 Jul 2026 - 05:59 AM
PM celebrates ‘great news’ as property prices tank
01 Jul 2026 - 05:37 AM
‘You’re crashing the market’: Cash erupts as Aussies lose
That’s all for today
We are wrapping up another day of our live coverage of Australian news and politics.
Thank you for following our blog updates. Join us again tomorrow as we bring you the latest events as they happen.
‘You’re crashing the market’: Cash erupts as Aussies lose
Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash has clashed with Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, accusing her and the Albanese Government of leaving Aussies worse off as the property market tanks.
Sydney’s median home price fell 1.2 per cent to $1,265,608 in June, leading a nationwide decline of 0.4 per cent, the largest month-on-month fall in national dwelling values since December 2022, property data firm Cotality said.
Before an ugly argument broke out, Senator Cash accused Ms O’Neil of crashing the property market through Labor’s controversial tax changes.
Ms O’Neil said Labor was acknowledging there was a problem and was making the market fairer to younger Australians.
“The big picture is you’re crashing the market,” Senator Cash said on Sunrise.
“You’ve got to start living in the real world and take responsibility for the real-world impact of your policies.
“You have hurt first home buyers, you have hurt renters, but worse than that, you have stalled confidence in the market. If you can’t deliver new homes, you can’t get new buyers into homes.”
Senator Cash added that the excuses from Ms O’Neil were a “load of crap”.
