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Rents have reached a record high in Australia as demand outstrips supply in some areas, elevating cost of living pressures for tenants. So what can be done about it?

Migrant and refugee communities have welcomed initiatives in the federal budget, but say more detail is needed on tailored strategies to reach members of the community. The measures targeting First Nations communities have also been applauded, but advocates say there is more work to be done.

Labor will deliver a second consecutive surplus for the first time in three decades. The budget tried to walk a fine line of trying to tackle inflation, whilst providing cost of living relief.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled his federal budget for the next financial year, and announced a budget surplus for the second consecutive time - the first time that's happened since before the Global Financial Crisis in 2008.

Australian army whistleblower David McBride has been sentenced to five years and eight months in jail by the supreme court of the A-C-T for leaking Defence Force material to journalists. His sentencing has been condemned by whistleblower rights activists, who say there need to be greater protection rights for whistleblowers.

Israeli forces have pushed deep into the ruins of Gaza's northern edge to recapture an area where they had claimed to have dismantled Hamas months ago. It comes as Israeli protesters block aid trucks headed for Gaza, demanding the release of hostages.