Australia news live

Here are some of the latest news updates from Australia:

Breaking News

• A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of New South Wales, with heavy rain and damaging winds expected. (Source: ABC News)
• A man has been charged over the alleged murder of a 21-year-old woman in Sydney's inner-west. (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
• The Australian government has announced a new package of measures to support small businesses and stimulate economic growth. (Source: The Australian)

National News

• The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released new data showing that the country's unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade. (Source: The Australian)
• The federal government has announced plans to introduce a new tax on digital giants such as Google and Facebook. (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
• A report has found that Australia is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. (Source: The Guardian)

State and Territory News

• A severe heatwave is expected to hit Western Australia this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius in some areas. (Source: The West Australian)
• A new report has found that Victoria is facing a housing affordability crisis, with many young people struggling to get onto the property ladder. (Source: The Age)
• The Queensland government has announced plans to introduce a new law to protect the state's koala population. (Source: The Courier-Mail)

Sport

• The Australian cricket team has been defeated by England in the first Test match of the Ashes series. (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
• The Sydney Roosters have won the NRL Premiership, defeating the Canberra Raiders 14-8 in the grand final. (Source: The Daily Telegraph)
• The Australian women's cricket team has won the T20 World Cup, defeating India in the final. (Source: The Australian)

Business

• The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in over a year, amid concerns about the global economy. (Source: The Australian)
• A new report has found that Australia's economy is expected to grow at a slower pace than previously thought. (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
• The Commonwealth Bank has announced plans to cut hundreds of jobs as part of a major restructuring. (Source: The Australian Financial Review)

Entertainment

• The Australian film industry has been boosted by the success of several local movies at the box office. (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
• A new report has found that Australia's music industry is worth over $1 billion a year. (Source: The Australian)
• The Melbourne Comedy Festival has announced its lineup for this year's event, featuring some of the biggest names in comedy. (Source: The Age)