Independent analyst Evan Lucas believes while June is a “relatively positive view” for the Reserve Bank to cut rates, it is “more likely” they will cut rates in the latter half of the year. The Reserve Bank of Australia will meet next week for their first meeting of 2024 to decide on the official cash rate, which currently sits at 4.35 per cent. “I think June’s a relatively positive view to have the idea the RBA could cut rates then; it’s more likely though that it will be in the very latter half of the second part of this calendar year,” Mr Lucas told Sky News Australia. “I actually don’t think they’ll start until September. “We’ve seen data at the second half of last year was falling and falling rapidly. “I think what’s also slightly missed by yesterday’s inflation number was that the September quarter, which they used as justification for rising in November, was significantly downgraded from 4.3 per cent to 4.8, so that is also something to be aware of.”

The Environmental Defenders Office is facing further calls for its funding to be scrapped after the Federal Court found it distorted and manipulated the views of Indigenous people. Northern Territory Labor MP Luke Gosling says he will raise the issue with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek when parliament sits next week. “The criticism of the conduct of the Environmental Defenders Office is something that requires investigation,” Northern Territory Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said. “This is a publicly funded body that’s been acting to the detriment of the Northern Territory, and we don’t need activism for activist’s sake.” The Environmental Defenders Office Chief Executive David Morris has issued a statement responding to calls for its funding to be cut: “Our clients are grandparents concerned for younger generations, environmental charities acting for nature, community groups defending their local patch and First Nations people.”

The US Federal Reserve has left the interest rate target unchanged but withheld specific details on rate cuts, according to CommSec’s Craig James. The US rate target remains at 5.25-5.5 per cent. Mr James said the Federal Reserve didn’t provide any “specific guidance” on future rate cuts. “Saying they want more confidence that inflation is returning to 2 per cent,” he told Sky News Australia. Presented by CommSec.

Sky News host James Macpherson says former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett is “making sense” on a proposal to solve youth crime around Australia. “He is proposing, that instead of putting juveniles in prisons where they are only made even more prone to crime by hardened criminals there, that we put them in work farms,” Mr Macpherson said. “They do manual labour, they engage in education, they set goals, they share responsibilities, they have limited time on devices. “Basically, they learn in a group setting to be good citizens. “He is proposing; put these kids in families.”

Sky News host James Macpherson has approved a plan by the Australian Institute of Sport to bench junior athletes for 21 days if they were to suffer a concussion. “Obviously those who follow football and even cricket would be aware that concussion is a massive issue in sport,” he said. Mr Macpherson shared a personal story where his son was knocked unconscious at school during a lunchtime football game. “This is frightening as parent,” he said. “The ambulance are telling the school, have you got a defibrillator? Get it out and get it ready.”

Sky News host Caleb Bond says a headline in The Australian indicates Australian soldiers won’t be protected from killer drones for “eight years” as they look for alternative solutions, such as “trained eagles”. “The headline tomorrow says – ‘eight year wait for anti-drone solution as radical ideas take flight’,” Mr Bond said. “Defence takes its time to assess potential options, including the use of trained eagles and hawks to attack unmanned aircraft. “We’ve got all this technology in the world and we’re talking about trained hawks for heaven's sake. “If they find out a way to get an eagle to carry a rifle then we’re really sorting things out, aren’t we?”

Former Speaker of the House Bronwyn Bishop says the government and energy companies are planning to control electronic appliances through smart meters. Energy companies in Queensland are able to remotely access home air conditioners and turn them off. Ms Bishop told Sky News host Paul Murray that she urges people to not get a smart meter. “Why do you think they want EV cars – because with a smart meter, they can drain off the battery. “They are planning rationing as part of their system.”

Sky News host James Macpherson says political elites are the “biggest problem” in the Indigenous activism issues surrounding “woke” corporations and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “Aren’t these activists really just taking woke corporations, the woke prime minister at his word,” Mr Macpherson said. “I’m no longer really that angry or annoyed at them. “They’re not the biggest problem here. “The biggest problem has been created by our political and cultural elites who keep saying things they don’t mean.”

The Australia Media Writer Sophie Elsworth says the ABC is so “hell-bent” on meeting certain quotas and criteria that they don’t have diversity of thought. “The issue is – they are not interested in diversity of thought,” Ms Elsworth told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “You look on their shows, and you just see this sway to the left and they just are ignoring it. “I cannot see, unless you can tell me how, Kim Williams can turn this around – the new Chair.” This comes as ABC managing director David Anderson rejected claims of "systemic bias” at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster.

GB News host Patrick Christys says the UK seems to have “forgotten” they are a Christian country after a young girl was “clobbered by the full force of the law” for singing Christian songs in the street. “You have got somebody there singing a beautiful Christian song meanwhile other religions are treated as a protected species,” Mr Christys told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “We have had videos clips of people doing the Islamic call to prayer right outside Downing Street – that’s obviously not a problem. “But if you dare to sing a Christian song in this country then you can get clobbered by the full force of the law. “The fact that it doesn’t seem to matter anymore in this nation that you can essentially batter Christianity – that to me indicates the slow colonisation of Britain.”

The PM's staffers want a 20 per cent pay rise amid our dire cost-of-living crisis, Chris Minns apologises for a canned rock concert that was planned on ANZAC Day. Plus, Megyn Kelly joins the show over the Taylor Swift PSYOP conspiracy theory. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Concerning deepfakes have recently begun appearing across social media and have renewed fears around the use of artificial intelligence. EFTM Editor and tech expert Trevor Long says it is a “troubling world we’re moving into here”. “It has become so easy for anyone to create these things,” he told Sky News host Sharri Markson. “The problem is … detecting it, and unfortunately, there isn’t going to be a simple way other than verifying the source. “It’s a real problem for us today, and unfortunately, I don’t have an answer as to how we solve the problem.”

Reports have come out suggesting the former president Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, may be running for president instead of Joe Biden. Sky News host Sharri Markson gave the latest details on the possible presidential candidate, with suggestions of Mr Biden not running for a second term due to health concerns. “She reportedly started meeting hedge fund CEOs as far back as 2022, this is according to the New York Post, and she allegedly told them that she’s running and she was asking for their support. “The famous columnist for the New York Post Cindy Adams revealed these secret moves – she says the plan is for Joe Biden to announce he is not going to run in May, citing health concerns. “Now Michelle has been very subtly dropping hints lately, have a listen to her on this podcast. “If Michelle Obama ran, it would certainly make the US election contest more interesting and no doubt she'd give Donald Trump a run for his money.”

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson says bringing in more migrants “props up our gross domestic product” as she accused the Albanese government of bringing Australia “close to recession”. “Productivity is down in the nation and we are on the borderline, I believe, of a recession,” she told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “It is only immigration which is propping us up but the general populous are the ones suffering. “We haven’t had the policies in place to provide the infrastructure that goes along with the population increase. “We haven’t had a real debate about population in this country – parliaments at the time just do it at their own whim.”

Former chief of army Peter Leahy says the Australian Defence Force needs an “urgent” upgrade to drone resistance technology. Mr Leahy told Sky News host Chris Kenny that Australia doesn’t have the “capabilities” to defend against drone attacks. “We’re seeing everyday on television, the threat. “We just don’t have the capabilities to defend ourselves with counter-drone capabilities. “We need to do something urgently.”

Nationals MP Keith Pitt has criticised the Albanese government’s plan to pump tens of billions of dollars into transmission lines for renewable energy projects. “Transmission makes up roughly 50 per cent of your bill,” Mr Pitt told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “That money has to be recovered, there is a set rate of return for people who invest in it and it will push up prices even further.” According to the Australian energy regulator, wholesale electricity prices have fallen sharply across the country in 2023. Despite the relief, AEMO has warned it will take some time for the drop to translate to retail cost.

Annual inflation falls to 4.1% in December quarter, woman attacked by shark in Sydney now in stable condition, Victorian gangs suspected in 11 recent murders, pricing concerns raised over Murray Darling Basin plan, Labor to target the Coalition’s seats in tax campaign, Donald Trump to remain on Illinois primary ballot, massive blaze destroys businesses in Kenya. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Sky News host Peta Credlin says Labor is attempting to make tax a problem for the Opposition and Liberal leader Peter Dutton. Ms Credlin’s remarks come after the Albanese government decided to change its position on stage three tax cuts and make changes as the cost of living continues to worsen in Australia. The Opposition is delaying its decision around the government’s stage three tax cut changes as polling shows the Dunkley by-election race is neck and neck. “I mean, this is sheer gall,” Ms Credlin said. “It does show that this whole tax ambush owes everything to tricky politics and nothing to good policy.”

Jordan Belfort has discussed how his “urges” and how he “defined myself as a man” are very different from when he was younger. “When I was in my 20s and 30s, I loved cars – it just meant everything to me what car I drive,” Mr Belfort told Sky News host Piers Morgan. “I never drive even; I’ll take an Uber or something … it’s so much easier, and I can just relax in the backseat. “A lot of the urges I had and how I defined myself as a man are very different than the way I do today.” Jordan Belfort joined Piers Morgan to discuss investing, Wall Street, cryptocurrency, Donald Trump, his time in prison, and the first thing he did when he was released.

Cheaper power bills could be on the cards as the energy regulator reveals a big fall in wholesale prices. However, it will take months before Australians notice a difference. Wholesale electricity prices on the east coast declined in the last year – down 44 per cent in South Australia and 64 per cent in Tasmania. Wholesale costs are one of the main factors which determine how much energy retailers charge their customers. “We’re pleased with the impact of those electricity bill rebates so far, and obviously, we’ll consider a whole range of ideas between now and the May budget,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.