Budget deficit defies forecasts | Midday News Bulletin 28 September 2026

The RBA hikes interest rates to a 15-year high; The government assisting the family of an Australian man detained in Cambodia; The NRL makes a major call on who will referee the rugby league grand final on Sunday.The RBA hikes interest rates to a 15-year high; The government assisting the family of an Australian man detained in Cambodia; The NRL makes a major call on who will referee the rugby league grand final on Sunday.

Reports that US officials have spoken with mediators about the Iran war; A second doses of bird flu vaccinations given to at-risk wildlife in South Australia; Nathan Cleary calls on fans to stop social media abuse.Reports that US officials have spoken with mediators about the Iran war; A second doses of bird flu vaccinations given to at-risk wildlife in South Australia; Nathan Cleary calls on fans to stop social media abuse.

The Reserve Bank tipped to raise interest rates to 4.6 per cent; Five men arrested on suspicion of terror offences in the UK released on bail; Sydney Swans' longest-serving coach poached by Essendon.

In this bulletin, treasurer Jim Chalmers says higher-than-expected super behind improved federal budget balance, Tehran says it is ready for 'apocalyptic war' if US attacks. And in sport, Mike Baird quits as Cricket Australia chair.

In this bulletin, a six-billion-dollar boost to the federal budget bottom line, five men remain in custody over an alleged UK terror plot. And in NRL, Brisbane through to a fifth NRLW Grand Final.

Five arrested over an alleged terror plot near a UK air base; OpenAI pauses training of AI models over security concerns; The Wallabies pull off a stunning upset over the world champion Springboks.

OpenAI halts training its latest AI models after more breaches; A national information campaign on bird flu launched; And in the AFL, the Lions coach on his future after the team wins three premierships in a row.

OpenAI boss Sam Altman called to face an Australian Senate inquiry; The government shuts down calls for another cut to the fuel excise; and in rugby, the Wallabies face the world champions in Perth.

Donald Trump rejects Iran's plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; Huge crowds gather for the Pope's open-air Mass in Paris; and in the AFL, Brisbane fight back to win a third straight premiership.

Anthony Albanese on his upcoming visit to India; Further cases of OpenAI agents bypassing security controls; The Socceroos rest and re-strategise ahead of the second friendly against Brazil.