Good morning and welcome to the Morning Buzz for Monday, June 19. It’s set to be mostly sunny today, with expected highs of about 20 degrees. Enjoy your day!
Here’s what’s making news this morning:
Report shows families are sacrificing meals and GP visits to pay bills
The last of the three energy retail giants has revealed its new prices, with Origin announcing it will increase electricity prices by 16.1 per cent – or $310 a year for the average household – from July 1.
This means residential customers in NSW with either AGL, EnergyAustralia or Origin – which control more than 90 per cent of the state's retail market – will pay 17 per cent more on average for electricity next financial year. Last year, the jump was 8 per cent. Read more.
Sydney truckie charged over road rage attack
A truck driver will face a Sydney court after he allegedly forced a car into a concrete barrier during a road rage incident on the M4 motorway.
Police say the driver of a Honda Jazz was not injured but his car was heavily damaged following the incident at Greystanes in Sydney's west on Friday afternoon.
It's alleged the the truck and trailer was travelling parallel to the Honda when the truck driver leaned out of the window and threw an object that fractured the car's windscreen. Read more.
Government to spend $123 million on Parramatta Road upgrades
The state budget will include $123 million to revitalise neighbourhoods along Parramatta Road, with hectares of open space, bigger parks, urban plazas, and new cycling areas.
The funds, to be announced in the budget on Tuesday, are the first for construction under the government's urban amenity improvement program to transform areas around Sydney's oldest roads. Read more.
Billions for NSW schools to meet enrolment surge
More than 120 primary and high schools will be built or upgraded across NSW with $2.2 billion in new infrastructure funding to address chronic overcrowding fuelled by an explosion in student numbers.
The government will on Monday announce the list of projects– which range from new and redeveloped schools to extra classroom space, halls and libraries – to be funded in Tuesday's state budget. Read more.
NSW Police officer sacked for tipping off tow truck driver about crashes
A police officer who gave a tow truck driver tip offs about accidents in south Sydney has been sacked after a stoush between rival operators exposed the bribery scheme.
Less than a minute after details of a car crash would come over encrypted police radio, Hurstville constable David Luke Cottrell would text the details to St George Towing driver Charlie Ghassibe.
The pair exchanged 389 calls and texts between 2009 and 2011, many of which were subsequently deleted, including one that the NSW Police Force argued was proof that he met Mr Ghassibe at the back of the towing company's workshop one day to collect $1000. Read more.
Government minister admits cladding was banned in the UK
The type of cladding used on London's Grenfell Tower is banned in the UK, the US and Europe, a top-ranking British official admitted on Sunday, questioning whether the panels played a major role in a fatal high-rise fire.
Speaking on BBC television, Chancellor Phillip Hammond said multiple formal inquiries were underway following the June 14 fire at the 24-story residential building, which killed at least 58 people and left dozens more missing. Read more.
Frustration for Dragons as Parramatta Eels cruise home
St George Illawarra slid out of the NRL top four as they fell to a 24-10 loss to Parramatta on Sunday.
The Dragons slipped to sixth place after their fifth defeat in their last seven games with Brisbane and Manly both climbing above them despite not playing this weekend thanks to their byes. Read more.
Tyson Frizell to rely on painkilling injection before game 2
Tyson Frizell will require the assistance of a painkilling injection 15 minutes before kick-off in Origin II to get through the pain of a rib cartilage injury he feared would cruel his chances of playing.
The Blues back-rower has done very little contact work in the lead-up to game two and was sheepish about his level of training when quizzed on Sunday afternoon. Read more.
Giants' injury woes deepen as Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper face tests
Greater Western Sydney have confirmed star youngsters Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper picked up injuries during training on Saturday, and will undergo medical assessments on Monday.
Kelly, one of the AFL's most sought after young talents, pulled up tight in the hip while Hopper has an ankle complaint. Read more.