Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece says the “number one, number two and number three” issue in the Dunkley by-election is “cost of living”. The by-election, on Saturday, was held following the passing of Labor MP Peta Murphy. Counting is now underway in the seat of Dunkley. “Out on the booths, they’re hearing number one issue, number two and number three was cost of living, which is probably what you’d expect in a seat like this,” Mr Reece told Sky News Australia. “We know cost of living is a huge issue.”

Sky News Chief Election Analyst Tom Connell says the demographics in Dunkley “could be positive” for the Coalition as there are more mortgage holders “feeling the cost of living pinch”. The by-election, on Saturday, was held following the passing of Labor MP Peta Murphy. Counting is now underway in the seat of Dunkley. “The demographics could be positive for the Coalition – more tradies than the average around Australia, more mortgage holders feeling the cost of living pinch, with a slightly lower income,” Mr Connell said. “Labor has the numbers on its side when it comes to those tax cut changes.”

Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell has questioned why Labor MPs aren’t “raising a few points” on behalf of their constituents and has branded the government as a “compliant caucus”. The by-election, on Saturday, was held following the passing of Labor MP Peta Murphy. Counting is now underway in the seat of Dunkley. “The problems for them are going to start if they lose, and that’s when people in the caucus might, for the first time in this entire term, start to question some of the direction. “Have you ever seen a more compliant caucus? “Where’s the actual someone raising a few points on behalf of their constituents?”

Sky News host Peta Credlin says the Dunkley by-election having no One Nation or United Australia Party candidate is “hopeful” for the Liberal Party. The by-election, on Saturday, was held following the passing of Labor MP Peta Murphy. Counting is now underway in the seat of Dunkley. “I think what’s hopeful for the Libs in this race is there is no One Nation and no Palmer candidate. “They were eight per cent of the vote in 2022. “Will that eight per cent come back and sit inside the Liberal Party? Well you’d want to hope it does otherwise you’re in trouble.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi has reacted to a comic poking fun at the “painfully woke left”. Comic Damien Slash posted a video where he was ‘decolonising’ his 2001 Honda Civic. “Now let’s enjoy this comic poking fun at the painfully woke left,” Ms Panahi said. “Brave and stunning work. “Damien is very, very droll indeed.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi has commented on a young lady identifying as a “therian”, telling her “good luck with all that”. In the video, the person asks other ‘bird therians’ what makes them feel ‘more connected’ to their ‘theriotype’. “Let’s hear now from a young lady who identifies as a ‘therian’, and she has some questions,” Ms Panahi said. “Did you notice that her pronouns are bone and brittle? “Good luck with all that, lady.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi says Lefties Losing It has “arrived at TV game show Jeopardy!” with their inclusion of “xems, xyrs, xemself” as a trivia phrase. On Jeopardy!, the trivia phrase contestants were presented with was ‘Xem, Xyrs, Xemself’. The answer was: ‘What are pronouns?’ “You’ll be happy to know that Lefties Losing It has arrived at TV game show Jeopardy!,” Ms Panahi said. “Xems, xyrs, xemself – please.”

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Bondi Partners Senior Advisor Peter McGauran says the Albanese government “fell into a hole” after the Voice to Parliament referendum and the Dunkley by-election will “answer a lot of questions”. The Dunkley by-election is being held on Saturday to replace the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. “This will give us a very good idea of where the parties sit,” Mr McGauran told Sky News Australia. “There’s no doubt, as the government candidly admits it, at least amongst itself, that they fell into a hole after the Voice referendum in October, but they have reset. “This by-election will answer a lot of questions, such as has that reset work, to what extent is Peter Dutton beginning to be known and beginning to be accepted by the electorate.”

New TV show, Shogun, is a “terrific series”, says entertainment commentator Shane A. Bassett. Mr Bassett applauded the premise and praised the “really great production”. “I highly recommend it on Disney+,” he told Sky News Australia. “It’s amazing and it hooks you in from the first episode. “I’ve seen all eight episodes – I give it a solid four (out of five stars).”

Adam Sandler has once again shown the depths of his acting range in his new Netflix film, Spaceman, says entertainment commentator Shane A. Bassett. “He’s proved himself as a dramatic actor a few times now,” he told Sky News Australia. “And this one, he does it again. “Adam Sandler is on point and proves he can really act.” Mr Bassett awarded the movie three stars out of five.

Dune Part Two is a “thundering cinematic achievement”, says entertainment commentator Shane A. Bassett. “Part One I thought was kind of underwhelming, but this really raises the science fiction bar so high,” he told Sky News Australia. “It’s entertaining, but it is just such a huge scope of a film. “The cinematography, and the acting, and the music that’s involved – it’s an experience just going to the cinema to see it on a big screen.” Mr Bassett gave the film 4.5 stars out of 5.

Former Parramatta Eels player Peter Wynn joined Racing Dreams to discuss his passion for horse racing. Mr Wynn said the reason he was attracted to the sport was the amazing feats the horses could achieve. As a former professional athlete himself, he praised the preparation it took for them to be physically capable of high-performance standards. Mr Wynn told Racing Dreams host Tim Gilbert his favourite racing event was The Golden Slipper. In partnership with Racing NSW.

Entertainment commentator Shane A. Bassett says he’s “not sure” if anyone will be able to beat Oppenheimer at the 96th Academy Awards. “I don’t think there’s going to be many surprises this year,” he told Sky News Australia. “Sometimes it can get movies that go under the radar, or there’s a shock winner. “But I’m not sure anyone will beat Oppenheimer or Poor Things this year.” The event will be televised on Monday, March 11 at 10am AEDT.

Transport workers in Germany have walked off the job as they seek better working hours and pay. The strike is the second in as many weeks after negotiations between unions and operators stalled. Action is expected to increase across the weekend. The strikes will affect bus and rail services in 14 states. Berlin’s public transport operator BVG has called the walkout unnecessary and exaggerated.

Prince William has met with Wrexham FC officials during a visit to Wales. The Prince poured drinks behind the bar at the Turf Pub, made famous by the documentary about the club’s fortunes since its Hollywood takeover. Wrexham FC was bought by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who turned the purchase into a popular TV series about the team’s rise to fame. The Prince met with co-owner and Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney, who welcomed the Prince with open arms, as he did for King Charles, who also visited the team in 2022. “It’s not very often that you get a call from the Palace,” Mr McElhenney told Sky News. “My plan was not to be here, I start shooting on Monday, but when you get a call from the Prince, you come because it’s a great honour. “It’s a great honour for the club.”

The Spanish city of Valencia has resumed its annual fiesta after a deadly apartment fire. Celebrations were put on hold to pay tribute to the ten victims. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed. However, authorities say plastic building materials on the building’s façade likely contributed to accelerating the blaze. The celebrations mark the beginning of spring.

Australia just finished its third-hottest summer on record but bushfire season is not over yet for large parts of Western Australia. Central Australia missed out on the wetter-than-usual weather meaning there is an increased risk of fires. Bushfire risks could be especially damaging for Perth and WA’s southwest. These areas are set to enter Autumn with much dryer landscapes than usual. The large air tanker is expected to remain in WA until the end of March, and firefighters are standing by for operations.

Weather patterns are beginning to point towards a shift to La Nina after less than six months of El Nino. The climate driver is set to have a major influence on Australia’s weather patterns throughout 2024. Sky News Weather Meteorologist Rob Sharpe says, “No two La Ninas or El Ninos are the same”. “La Nina has a slightly greater influence on Australia than El Nino on average,” he said. “Historically, we see significantly more rainfall during our La Nina year.”

The victims of New Zealand's White Island volcano disaster will be paid more than $9.5 million in reparations. The sentencing in Auckland on Friday marked the end of a 10 week-long trial. This comes more than four years after the catastrophe which killed 22 people, including 17 Australians. 25 others were injured – many left with serious burns and life-altering injuries. Five companies have been convicted of health and safety failings in the lead up to the disaster.