Good morning readers, and welcome to our live news blog for Thursday, August 28.
Making headlines today is a bit of mud-slinging in Budget Estimates, where it emerged yesterday the annual cost of running the WA premier’s office had jumped by $2.3 million over the past three years.
Naturally, the opposition seized on the figures, with Basil Zempilas labelling the cost “extraordinary”.
The breakdown revealed the total operating cost of the premier’s office has increased from more than $5.95 million in the 2021-22 financial year to nearly $8.23 million in 2024-25.
“The only thing the premier should be describing as world-class at the moment is his government’s overspending,” Zempilas said.
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Rio Tinto boss Simon Trott.Credit: Matt Jelonek/Rio Tinto
Meanwhile, new Rio Tinto boss Simon Trott has swung the axe at the mining company, announcing the exit of two high-ranking executives, the combination of far-flung businesses and a review into assets in America and Africa.
Trott, who officially took over from Jakob Stausholm as the mining giant’s chief executive this month, told staff on Wednesday afternoon that the company would reorganise four divisions into just three: iron ore, copper and a merged lithium and aluminium business.
Two of the company’s most senior executives – Rio Tinto Australia chief executive Kellie Parker and chief executive of minerals Sinead Kaufman – would leave the company, he said.
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Thank you for joining us this morning. Stay tuned as we bring you more news you need to know.
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