Afternoon Update: Barnaby Joyce on foreign ownership; Liberals eye One Nation preference deal; and Australia’s path to…

Good afternoon.

One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce has claimed that “people who look like they’ve recently arrived” are knocking Australian buyers out of home auctions, despite tax office data showing fewer than 1% of dwellings are bought by foreigners.

The federal race discrimination commissioner subsequently warned against “demonising migrants” in the debate about housing affordability.

Existing property laws, extended by Labor in last month’s budget, ban non-residents from buying most Australian property types, and require foreign buyers to apply for approval from the tax office.

Top news

Jacinta Allan says Pauline Hanson ‘chooses to barrack for bullies’ over ‘ditch the witch’ billboard

Tony Abbott and Angus Taylor eye One Nation preference deals

ABC began international search to replace Justin Stevens as news director without his knowledge

Brisbane woman who gave lethal medication to terminally ill husband released on bail after murder charge

Powerful earthquake in southern Philippines leaves at least 37 dead

Donald Trump given hostile reception as New York crowd boos and jeers president at NBA finals

In pictures

We’re only halfway through 2026. Here’s how to get through the next six months, according to comic artist Jess Hardwood.

What they said …

“You escape the slaughter. But there’s a long tail of sadness” – Bedouine

With roots in Armenia, Syria and Saudi Arabia, singer-songwriter Bedouine now lives in the US. But despite her Carole King-style sound, her homelands are never far from her mind.

Full Story

Should Married at First Sight be taken off air? – Full Story podcast

Allegations of rape and sexual assault on the UK’s Married at First Sight have brought a fresh focus on the Australian version. Former Mafs contestants and political figures such as Tanya Plibersek have spoken out, calling for a broader reckoning around the show.

Reged Ahmad speaks with reporter Caitlin Cassidy about safety concerns on set and whether the show still has a place on our screens.

Listen to the episode here.

Before bed read

The Socceroos knocked on their ceiling at the last World Cup when reaching the round of 16 for the second time in their history. Four years later, and with an exciting new crop of talents emerging, there is reason to dream that Australia can match that – and perhaps even go further. But who stands in their way?

Daily word game

Today’s starter word is: ACTA. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.

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