The opposition claims recipients of a $560 million infrastructure funding program were gagged by confidentiality clauses. The Senate is examining the Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program, which included a $6 million grant to Marrickville Golf Club in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate. Good governance groups say the projects were selected without a proper merit-based process. The government says the scheme meets commitments made during the 2025 election campaign. Bureaucrats are due to appear before the committee on Thursday.
A young couple from Homebush bought a three-bedroom home at 9 Ingham Avenue, Five Dock, for $2.55 million at auction on Saturday. The price was $100,000 above the reserve. Auctioneer Ricky Briggs said consumer confidence had fallen, with fewer registered bidders and lower attendance, after the latest interest rate rise. In Marrickville, a young couple renting locally paid $981,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. In Sutherland, a young couple expecting their first child paid $1.88 million for a five-bedroom home with a pool.