Fitzpatrick Advisory Special Counsel Bruce Hawker says the cost of living is “driving” the thinking of Australians at the moment. According to the latest Newspoll, the Coalition and Labor are polling equal at 50 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. “My view, and I think it’s one that I’ve maintained consistently as well, is that the government has to be dragging down interest rates, and that means attacking inflation,” Mr Hawker told Sky News Australia. “Until such time as that happens, I think there’s going to be a lot of uncertainty in the polling, and people are going to be concerned that it’s harder and harder for them to make ends meet – that’s an international problem. “When those interest rates do come down … then I think we’ll get a better indication of where the two parties stand in the eyes of the electorate. “What’s really driving people’s thinking at the moment is cost of living.”

Writer and broadcaster Esther Krakue claims it was a “wise” decision not to invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Trooping the Colour for a second year in a row. “To have the Sussexes anywhere near the Royal Family at this precarious time when three members of the Royal Family have significant health issues would not be a very wise thing to do,” Ms Krakue told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “It’s not surprising at all. “And it's an invitation I suspect the Duke and Duchess would reject because they don’t feel safe here in the UK.”

The US consulate in North Sydney has again been vandalised. Symbols spray painted on the doors of the consulate are typical of those used by the pro-Palestine community. This comes just two months after the building was vandalised with the graffiti message ‘Free Gaza’.

Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Albanese government is going to “fall short” of their climate targets with their “all-renewables” approach. Opposition leader Peter Dutton said he would not quit the Paris Accord or give up on net zero. It is understood Mr Dutton's recent dismissal of the 2030 climate target was due to the goal being unachievable. “The government, even because they’re going to fall short of getting to their 82 per cent renewables by 2030, has already admitted they're going to need a lot more gas – a whole lot more gas to firm up our energy grid to get their all-renewables approach,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia. “What you need to make sure is you don’t put pressure on the economy, you have a sensible solution in the transition. “We’re not walking away from our international commitments – we’re staying firm to that, but what we’re saying is, our trajectory will not be a linear pathway, but one that will set Australia up without damaging the economy.”

Curtin University Dean of Global Future Joe Siracusa says the "fruit doesn't fall far from the tree" regarding Hunter Biden and Joe Biden. The prosecution has rested its case against Hunter Biden using two witnesses to prove Mr Biden lied about his drug use on an application form while purchasing a handgun six years ago. “I think the President’s going to have worn this in ways that people don’t understand,” Mr Siracusa told Sky News Australia. “Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. “Kid’s a loser; the old man’s probably a loser too. “Americans can make the connection without anyone telling them that.”

Curtin University Dean of Global Future Joe Siracusa says that Joe Biden is either a “blind father” or “dumb”. The prosecution has rested its case against Hunter Biden using two witnesses to prove Mr Biden lied about his drug use on an application form while purchasing a handgun six years ago. “It’s not a sad story – the kid was close to his father at all times when he was going down the gurgler here,” Mr Siracusa told Sky News Australia. “His father keeps saying … Hunter’s done nothing wrong. “Well, that makes Biden either a very blind father or kind of dumb.”

Thousands brave high temperatures to attend Donald Trump's campaign rally in Las Vegas. Some waited in line since five in the morning to purchase Donald Trump merchandise. Attendees are standing by the former president, despite his legal battles.

French President Emmanuel Macron calls for a sudden election after dissolving the National Assembly. Mr Macron has said there will be legislative elections on June 30 and July 7. This is a reaction to his party’s loss to the far-right National Rally party in the European elections.

Two of Australia's most polarising Covid-era Premiers; Daniel Andrews and Mark McGowan have been awarded the King's Birthday Honour. Daniel Andrews was one of Victoria's longest-serving Premiers, leading them through one of the longest Covid-19 lockdowns in the world. Mark McGowan served as Premier of Western Australia and introduced a hardline border approach during Covid-19. They're among athletes, comedians and other politicians recognised for their commitment to community and country.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton says he will not quit the Paris Accord or give up on net zero. It is understood Mr Dutton's recent dismissal of the 2030 climate target was due to the goal being unachievable. The Liberal leader is being warned his actions will make him an 'international pariah.' Climate change minister Chris Bowen is being accused of launching scare campaigns that will see a rise in electricity costs. The Liberals continue to push for nuclear, as the Labor party are yet to vocalise a solid plan.

Primary support for the Coalition has lifted to its highest point in nearly three years. The latest Newspoll, conducted by The Australian shows the Coalition continue its upward trajectory against Labor. Both parties are locked in a stalemate on a two-party preferred basis - now tied at 50 each. Peter Dutton has also narrowed Anthony Albanese's lead as preferred prime minister to reach his highest rating on this measure since he became Opposition Leader. The latest Newspoll cycle has been dominated by poor economic and inflation numbers as well as the fallout over Direction 99.

Sky News host Paul Murray calls for the Greens to be put “last” on election ballots as they are the most “destructive force” in Australian politics. “We always say the Greens should go last; they are the most destructive force in Australian politics,” he said. “They believe in things that would change this country, in my belief, for the absolute worst.”

Sky News host Paul Murray says “fast fashion” is experiencing a boom as anti-slavery groups warn against potential “slave labour” use in other countries. “It is pretty crappy stuff; it is made with particularly intensive issues when it comes to the environment, but more importantly, many of these very cheap products … is believed to be being made by slave labour,” he said. “There is yet another call for people to actually use their shopping dollar, but also governments to turn around and say you can’t sell stuff that has been made with slave labour.”

Liberal candidate for Boothby Nicolle Flint says whatever the Democrats are trying to do to Donald Trump is “backfiring”.  “The more the Democrats attack Donald Trump, the more it annoys people for some reason,” she told Sky News host Paul Murray.  “It seems to help him.”  This comes as the Republican presidential candidate is leading in the polls against President Joe Biden in key swing states despite his recent conviction in the New York hush money trial.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship is under scrutiny as rumours Harry was ‘terrified’ of Meghan leaving him to go throughout the media, Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says. “We don’t know the nature of the relationship … Prince Harry has been fighting for years now to even get his armed protection back here in the UK so he could feel safe bringing his family over,” she said. “This is obviously just a rumour … but we do not have any evidence of that just yet.”

What “wounded” Prince Harry the most in leaving the Royal Family is likely his “deep ties” to the military, Writer and Broadcaster Esther Krakue says. “It might be some sort of tension … I don’t think Meghan is unsympathetic to Prince Harry … Britain is his home,” she said. “She does not have those deep ties … what wounded Prince Harry the most was having to give up his military titles.”

Israelis across the world celebrate as four hostages have been rescued following their kidnapping by Hamas, Sky News host Danica De Giorgio says. “Four hostages have been rescued alive. The four were held in two residential areas in central Gaza after being kidnapped,” she said. “Israelis across the world have seen this as due cause to rejoice and celebrate.”

Pro-Palestinian encampments taking over Australian universities are “pro-Hamas not pro-Palestine”, says Sky News Senior Reporter Caroline Marcus. Her remarks come after students from ANU protested against the expulsion of a former student who publicly declared her unconditional support for Hamas. Mr Marcus said the protests and hate speech puts “Jewish students’ lives at risk".

Sky News host Caleb Bond says there’s been a bit of pushback from landowners in Victoria who don’t want “great big, ugly” transmission towers built on or near their properties. The state government has set up a planning agency called VicGrid, which is meant to improve the consultation and planning process. One proposal being considered is one-off payments of up to $40,000 in compensation to neighbours who are significantly impacted by the projects.

Sky News host Caleb Bond has called for councils to be “abolished,” labelling them as “utterly useless”. “Councils only exist by the good grace of the state government because the state constitutions give provision for councils to exist,” he said. “They are utterly useless. Just get rid of the councils.”