Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly says the Labor government is “getting wages moving again” in female-dominated industries through the amended tax cuts. This comes after the government’s revised tax cut plan passed through the Senate. “As the Prime Minister said earlier, 90 per cent of women taxpayers will be better off under our tax plan,” she said during Question Time on Wednesday. “I might add those industries often employ high numbers of migrant and culturally and linguistically diverse women. “That’s why the gender pay gap is at the lowest it’s ever been – we supported two increases in modern awards benefiting early childhood education and carers.”

Western Australian Liberals are in turmoil after the resignation of Steve Thomas who was the Deputy Leader of the party in the state. Mr Thomas’ resignation came as a result of admitting he had spoken with former WA premier Brian Burke on the phone to try and set up a meeting with Perth businessman John Poynton about an electorate matter. Incoming WA Deputy Liberal Leader Steve Martin joined WA Liberal Party Leader Libby Mettam in a press conference after the sudden resignation and gave his comments about his change in position. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “It’s not something that I anticipated happening but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Greens Housing Spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather says their policy is to “phase out” tax handouts for property investors. Mr Chandler-Mather told Sky News Australia that the tax handouts stop millions of renters from “ever being able to buy a home”. “We’re putting our necks on the line here. “Going out there to try and push the government to phase out these tax handouts for property investors. “The tax system has been created for decades now to encourage people to buy investment properties.”

There are suggestions Apple has shelved its long-held ambition to become an electric vehicle manufacturer, according to reports from Bloomberg. The news site suggests the Apple Car will be abandoned – around 10 years after it was first reported the phone and computer leader was working on it. It is thought that billions of dollars have been spent on it. It is thought the project, known as Titan, which Apple has never publicly acknowledged, had around 2,000 people working on the team. Reports suggest the vehicle Apple was working on had no steering wheel or pedals and was completely autonomous.

Greens Housing Spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather says both Liberal and Labor are shifting “closer together”. Mr Chandler-Mather joined Sky News Australia to talk about the changing political views of the Greens party. He said that the two major parties “offer very little to the public”. “And has left the Greens often out there talking about policy solutions. “That actually have broad support in the public.”

Independent MP Dai Le has lashed out at supermarkets for their record profits, asking if people can feed their family with a “pack of cheese” for $10. Federal MPs Andrew Wilkie and Bob Katter are pushing a bill to reduce the dominance of the supermarket giants. “I agree in terms of the money that supermarket giants are making from the food to ordinary Australians,” Ms Le told Sky News Australia. “My community in Fowler, the economic backbone of this country, is just struggling – working in manufacturing, working in retail, working in the frontline: nurses, teachers, ambulance drivers. “You promote to feed your family for $10, but for $10, you buy a pack of cheese. Are you going to feed your family with a pack of cheese?”

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor says his government would take a “strong tax reform package” to the next election. Mr Taylor told Sky News Australia that they have “already announced parts of it”. “We’re seeing small businesses collapsing. “We need to see that kind of tax reform package. “We’ll announce it before the election.”

Independent MP Dai Le has called for vehicle emissions standard policies which don’t “impact the cost of living” and allow Australians to “carry on and work and look after their families”. On Monday, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen claimed there would be no purchase price impact on vehicles under the proposed vehicle emissions efficiency standards changes, despite the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry estimate that it could cost $38 billion over five years. “The majority of voters are just working; the majority of voters are using petrol-fuelled cars to drive to work,” Ms Le told Sky News Australia. “At the moment, from my perspective, whatever policies we do, we need to ensure that it doesn’t impact the cost of living for the majority of working Australians, and it’s great to have the fuel efficiency bill, but how does it flow down to ordinary working Australians. “We’re all for the environment … but how do we make sure that people can also carry on and work and look after their families.”

Former Labor MP Michael Danby says Europe and the United States must send Ukraine artillery ammunition so they won’t be “overrun” by Russia. Mr Danby joined Sky News Australia host Peta Credlin to discuss the latest in the Ukraine-Russia war. “What we need to do is for Europe and America to send artillery ammunition so they can hold the Russians out and not be overrun,” he said. “This is the cheapest, most pragmatic and the most ethical way of the world not living under the influence of Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. “If we want to resist a world like that and it therefore affects Australia, give the Ukrainians the wherewithal – they’ve got the biggest army in Europe and they will defend themselves.”

Former Labor MP Michael Danby joined Sky News Australia host Peta Credlin from Kyiv to give the latest details on his trip to Ukraine amid the nation’s war with Russia. His visit follows the war-torn nation marking its second anniversary since the Russian invasion. “People are weary but resolute,” he said. “50 million Ukrainians want to live like us; they want to live like Europeans in an open and democratic society. “What we need to do is for Europe and America to send artillery ammunition so they can hold the Russians out and not be overrun.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been grilled by Sky News host Laura Jayes on the changes to the stage three tax cuts and cost of living measures. This comes after the government’s revised tax cut plan passed through the Senate. “We understand that low and middle-income earners, in particular, are doing it tough – that's why we made not the easy decision but the right decision to intervene and to change the tax cuts,” Mr Albanese said. “Every single Senator voted for the change that was made last night. “What we’ve done is the responsible thing.”

Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick has faced backlash after suggesting people should eat cereal for dinner to save money. The popular cereal brand has enraged customers who have labelled the CEO's comments as "garbage" and "sad". Mr Pilnick said the cereal brand has "always been affordable" and is a "great option" for customers who are experiencing financial pressures. Kellogg's is well known for its popular breakfast cereals Corn Flakes, Froot Loops and Raisin Bran. Social media users have called out the CEO, saying "Kellogg's is capitalising on the struggles of Americans".

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has expressed sympathy for Australians “who are watching their Prime Minister whoop with glee” about the stage three tax cuts providing a weekly boost of $15 which starts later in July. “Meanwhile, costs are rising,” she told Sky News Australia. “Children’s expenses, grocery expenses, electricity expenses, fuel expenses. “This is all that their weak Prime Minister can actually produce. “It is just a drop in the ocean - $15 a week and it starts in July.”

The families of murdered couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies visit the crime scene where their bodies were found, the bodies of a man and woman have been found inside a Brisbane home, 30,000 Victorian residents face evacuation alerts, total fire bans are also in place for parts of South Australia, the federal government's revisited Stage 3 tax cut plan passes through the senate, and Liberal MP Craig Kelly joins One Nation. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Sky News Business Reporter Edward Boyd says every single week in February saw “more and more” properties up for sale and auction. REA Group says February has been a strong month for auctions. “The past couple of weeks, we’ve had a super Saturday in both Melbourne and Sydney where there has been more than 1,000 homes auctioned,” Mr Boyd said. “The results are pretty strong – we’re looking at a clearance rate of 65 per cent. “We get the numbers on Friday but expect property prices to have lifted in February.”

A Hamas official has said the group is yet to receive a formal ceasefire proposal. The comment comes despite US President Joe Biden suggesting a truce could come within a week. Israel and Hamas are meeting in Qatar this week to discuss a proposal which would suspend fighting for 40 days. The terrorist group are reportedly seeking a ceasefire in time for their holy month of Ramadan. “My national security advisor tells me we are close,” the US President told the media.

Prince William pulled out of a church service at the last minute today because of a “personal matter”. The Prince of Wales missed a memorial service for his Godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece. Prince William called the Greek Royal Family to inform them of his absence. King Charles didn’t attend either, as Queen Camilla led the members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle. Kensington Palace also issued an update on Princess Kate’s health, writing: “The Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, continues to do well”.

Total fire bans are in place for large parts of Victoria on Wednesday as the state faces some of its worst fire conditions in four years. Over 30,000 people have been issued evacuation advice as catastrophic fire danger sweeps through the western regions. Six homes have already been destroyed, but no fatalities have yet been recorded. CFA’s Chief Officer Jason Heffernan advised residents no home is built to withstand such conditions. Premier Jacinta Allan urged people to heed the state’s fire restrictions and to listen out for any emergency services’ guidance.

The federal government’s revised stage three tax cut plan has passed through the Senate. The reformed tax cut plan will come into effect in July. The changes will benefit 13 million Australians earning less than $146,000. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the bill is a win for all Australians as he turns his attention to this weekend’s Dunkley by-election. Dunkley residents will head to the polls this Saturday, March 2, to vote in the by-election.

Western Australia’s Health Minister is in India on a mission to recruit thousands of healthcare staff to fill shortages across the state. However, the move has raised questions over where the workers would live as WA’s housing crisis continues to take hold. Perth and Adelaide have the tightest vacancy rates of all capital cities in Australia. That’s followed closely by Hobart and Brisbane. The Cook Labor government is introducing a range of measures to help address the housing shortage, such as offering Airbnb owners an incentive to turn their homes into long-term rentals.