Australia news LIVE: Treasurer under renewed pressure after inflation rise; dozens killed in high-speed rail crash in Spain

What to know this morning

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Welcome to the national news live blog for today, Thursday, October 29. Here’s a look at today’s biggest stories:

• At least 68 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in Spain after two high-speed trains collided south of Madrid. The two trains, departing Madrid six minutes apart, were carrying 500 passengers combined at the time. Officials have warned the death toll could rise, as rescue workers scour the crash site. Spain will enter three days of mourning.

• The man accused of running down Helen Haines claims he had no grudge against the politician and that striking her repeatedly with his car was entirely accidental. Two sources familiar with the case, but unable to speak publicly, said Nugent has said he never intended to drive into Haines and that his behaviour at the scene was caused by panic. Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition after losing both legs in the attack.

• Treasurer Jim Chalmers is under renewed pressure after inflation rose in September, all but guaranteeing another cash rate rise on Melbourne Cup Day. The 4.3 per cent headline inflation rate, and 3.6 per cent underlying measure, were described by Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser as too high. The Reserve Bank has lifted rates four times this year, with another threatening to lift the cash rate to an 18-year high of 4.85 per cent on Tuesday.

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Spanish PM vows investigation into train tragedy

By Ellen Connolly

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced three days of national mourning following the deadly train collision, vowing to investigate the disaster and address any safety failures.

“All of Spain is in mourning,” Sánchez said during a televised address near the crash site south of Madrid.

He said the government would investigate the cause of the collision, which has killed at least 68 people, and take action if negligence or safety failures were uncovered.

“If there was negligence, we will find out,” Sánchez said, speaking after travelling to the crash site. “If there have been failures in the security system, we will respond decisively.”

Follow our rolling coverage of the tragedy here. 

Nugent claims he panicked after hitting Haines with car

By Chris Vedelago

The man accused of running down Helen Haines claims he had no grudge against the politician and that striking her repeatedly with his car was entirely accidental.

Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after losing both legs in the incident outside her Wangaratta electorate office on October 19.

Two sources familiar with the case, but unable to speak publicly, said Nugent has said he never intended to drive into Haines and that his behaviour at the scene was caused by panic.

The 43-year-old has also dismissed suggestions he may have held a grudge against Haines or her politics, saying he had previously voted for the House of Representatives member for the seat of Indi. She was first elected in 2019 and then re-elected in 2022 and 2025.

Read more from Chris Vedelago here. 

Pinned post from 6.32am

What to know this morning

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Welcome to the national news live blog for today, Thursday, October 29. Here’s a look at today’s biggest stories:

• At least 68 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in Spain after two high-speed trains collided south of Madrid. The two trains, departing Madrid six minutes apart, were carrying 500 passengers combined at the time. Officials have warned the death toll could rise, as rescue workers scour the crash site. Spain will enter three days of mourning.

• The man accused of running down Helen Haines claims he had no grudge against the politician and that striking her repeatedly with his car was entirely accidental. Two sources familiar with the case, but unable to speak publicly, said Nugent has said he never intended to drive into Haines and that his behaviour at the scene was caused by panic. Haines, 65, is in a serious but stable condition after losing both legs in the attack.

• Treasurer Jim Chalmers is under renewed pressure after inflation rose in September, all but guaranteeing another cash rate rise on Melbourne Cup Day. The 4.3 per cent headline inflation rate, and 3.6 per cent underlying measure, were described by Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser as too high. The Reserve Bank has lifted rates four times this year, with another threatening to lift the cash rate to an 18-year high of 4.85 per cent on Tuesday.

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