Afternoon Update: Chalmers says auction decline a ‘good thing’ for new buyers; Abbott downplays One Nation surge; and an amateur pianist’s big moment

Want to get this in your inbox every weekday? Sign up for the Afternoon Update here , and start your day with our Morning Mail newsletter . Good afternoon. The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has seen the positives in a drop in auction clearance rates , saying “if we are making it easier for first home buyers to get a fair crack at auctions, then that’s a good thing”. Abbott plays down One Nation support in poll but says Coalition ‘obviously’ in competition Accused Islamic State member renounces terrorist group in Melbourne court after returning from Syria Socceroos’ World Cup squad revealed as Tony Popovic rolls dice with two uncapped strikers Lead prosecutor withdraws from criminal case against James Comey Kuwait reports missile and drone attack; US says it struck Iran radar sites over weekend Masturbation among birds is ‘natural’ and should not be punished, say experts Continue reading...