SBS News In Depth

Nearly half of Australia's LGBTIQ+ workers say they have faced discrimination and harassment in the past year. With hate speech rising in Australia, rights groups say stronger laws and greater legal representation are needed to protect the LGBTIQ+ community from greater harm.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has increased interest rates for the first time since November 2023, hiking the official cash rate to 3.85%. It says it now expects inflation to remain well above its 2-3% target for longer, leaving the door open for further rate increases. For more on this, Stephanie Youssef spoke with HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham. Despite the decision, the Australian share market finished the session strong, amid a strong global stocks rebound that included a gold and silver price recovery. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with Mark Gardner, CEO at MPC Markets.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has ended a two-year hiatus by raising interest rates to 15 per cent, sparking a fierce political debate over whether government spending or private demand is fuelling persistent inflation. While the Treasurer defends the budget and points to external pressures, the Opposition and the Greens argue that current policy settings are punishing everyday Australians and ignoring alternative economic levers.

A fresh search in Victoria's High Country has begun for accused police killer Dezi Freeman, with detectives now believing the 56-year-old is most likely dead. Mr Freeman is accused of killing two police officers and severely injuring a third after they executed a search warrant on a rural property near the Victorian town of Porepunkah last year. Police are now focusing on a new search area in the vast Mount Buffalo National Park.

From London to Oslo, institutions built on tradition and public trust are being tested by demands for transparency, accountability and justice. In Britain, both a former prince and a senior political figure are being urged to answer questions about their past associations with Jeffrey Epstein. While in Norway, a criminal trial involving the Crown Princess’s son is unfolding under intense public scrutiny.