Here’s today’s riddle: What's the least number of chairs you would need around a table to sit four fathers, two grandfathers, and four sons?

Answer is in the tidbit!

The quote
“I think it’s pretty unfair to be honest... our government’s only been going six days.” — New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon on protests across the country over the new government’s policies affecting Māori people.

The stat
54%
The percentage of “middle-age, middle-wage” workers (35-49, earning $50K-150k) who experienced elevated distress due to the cost-of-living crisis and their debts in the last few months, according to Suicide Prevention Australia.

Today in history
2022: Donald Trump’s real estate company ‘Trump Organization’ was convicted of tax fraud in New York.

Some headlines from this morning:

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has kept the cash rate at 4.35% after its final meeting for 2023.

In a statement, RBA Governor Michele Bullock said the slowing of inflation (rising prices) was a key influence supporting the decision.

Board members will next meet in February. It follows a 0.25% increase in November.

The context
The cash rate is what the RBA charges commercial banks for short-term loans. It flows through to other interest rates across the economy, so it's often referred to as 'increasing interest rates'.

There were 10 consecutive rate rises from May 2022 to March 2023, as the RBA moved to combat inflation (rising prices) by discouraging spending. There were five cash rate rises in 2023.

This is how the cash rate changed in 2023.

Fighting inflation
The RBA uses the cash rate to combat inflation (rising prices) by discouraging spending.

Inflation peaked in December last year when prices rose by 8.4% over 12 months. This year, inflation has continued to rise, but at a slower pace.

Yearly inflation figures to October (4.9%) were the equal-lowest since July, but still above the 2-3% rate the RBA is seeking.

Bullock’s response
Bullock said that data up to October suggested inflation was "continuing to moderate", but noted that it was still too high.

The cash rate will hold at 4.35% until at least February next year when the RBA board meets for its next monetary policy decision.

Any reduction to the cash rate isn't expected until late next year or 2025.

What’s next?
From 2024, RBA meetings will be reduced to eight times a year, from 11. This will impact how many times the cash rate can be changed.

During an address at the Economic Society of Australia in July, then-RBA Governor Phillip Lowe said longer, less frequent meetings would "provide more time for the Board to examine issues in detail and to have deeper discussions on monetary policy strategy".

Australia's federal police have confirmed two recently released immigration detainees were charged in SA and NSW, and Victoria Police has confirmed one person was arrested.

All three people were recently released after the High Court ruled that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful last month. At least 148 detainees were released in light of the High Court's decisions.

Here’s what you need to know.

First, background
In November, the High Court ruled that indefinite detention in Australia was unlawful. This decision related to a case about a Rohingya refugee born in Myanmar known as 'NZYQ'.

NZYQ arrived in Australia by boat in 2012. In 2015, he was charged and subsequently convicted on one count of child sexual abuse in Australia. He was released on parole in 2018 and returned to immigration detention, where he was being held indefinitely.

The High Court ruled that indefinite detainment should be a matter for the courts, not the Government. This resulted in the immediate release of NZYQ, as well as more than 140 detainees in similar circumstances.

Many of these detainees had a criminal history and had already served their sentences.

Soon after the High Court's ruling, the Government passed laws adding strict conditions to those released, including ankle monitors and curfews.

Three detainees arrested
On Monday night, the Australian Border Force (ABF) said two of the detainees have been charged since they were released in SA and NSW.

In SA, a 65-year-old man was charged with two counts of indecent assault after police received reports that a woman had been indecently assaulted by a guest staying at a hotel.

In NSW, police arrested a 45-year-old man in western Sydney over possession of an illicit drug, suspected to be cannabis.

In Victoria, a 33-year-old man failed to regularly report to police – which he is required to do as a registered sex offender.

Opposition’s response
Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan has called for Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to step down after the two detainees were charged.

"The Government was asleep at the wheel when the High Court handed down its decision that resulted in the release of criminals from immigration detention," Tehan said.

"They should have had a plan to protect the Australian people, including legislation for a preventive detention regime, ready to go."

Govt’s response
The Government has rejected calls for O'Neil and Giles to step down. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said on the Today Show: "The logic of that is that the High Court should resign if you really think that there was some way to prevent this."

The Government is trying to quickly pass preventative detention laws that would re-detain those who were released because of the High Court's ruling. It's expected to be tabled in Parliament today.

We’d like to introduce you to the tennis world’s Minister of Happiness: Ons Jabeur. Known around the circuit for her infectious personality and positive attitude on and off the court, Jabeur is one player we’re really looking forward to seeing in Melbourne at the Australian Open 2024.

She’s the first African woman in Open Era history to reach a Grand Slam final, and at the Australian Open 2024 she’ll be trying to go one further than her Wimbledon and US Open finals appearances. She’s a character in world tennis you need to know - and we made a film about her for you to enjoy.

Watch it here, and buy your tickets to see her on court here.

Get all the news you need to know today in your ears on The Daily Aus podcast!

The oldest living land animal has turned 191 years old. Jonathan the tortoise is believed to have been born around 1832.

The average life expectancy for giant tortoises like Jonathan is over 100 years.

Although he can no longer smell or see, he lives on a South Atlantic island with three other giant tortoises.

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Would you want to become neighbours with the prime minister? Well, you could be…for $4.28 million. 

Around the corner from The Lodge (the official residence of the Australian prime minister) a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house is for sale. 

The 2,104-metres-squared property is at 74 National Circuit, Deakin in the ACT. It was bought by the current owners in June 2011 for $1.76 million. 

The listing takes advantage of its famous neighbour, stating: “Located directly opposite The Lodge providing excellent neighbourhood security”.

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Answer in tidbit: Four. The four fathers could be grandfathers and are definitely sons already.

What a coincidence! That’s exactly who The Daily Aus reaches. Get in touch with us to see how we can work together.