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🗞️ Breaking records
More than a dozen South Australian towns just recorded their hottest September day on record, with temperatures hitting the mid to high 30s - 10 to 15 degrees above what's normal for this time of year.
Pick & Scroll News
September 30, 2026
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Good morning. More than a dozen South Australian towns just recorded their hottest September day on record, with temperatures hitting the mid to high 30s - 10 to 15 degrees above what's normal for this time of year.
Adelaide had its second-hottest September day on record at 34.4°C, Port Pirie hit 35.9°C, and the Bureau of Meteorology says it felt more like January than September.
A cool change moving across the state brings temperatures back down to the low 20s, with showers and possible thunderstorms forecast for Thursday and Friday.
All the headlines and more below...
CHOBANI SPENT $20M TO ENTER AUSTRALIA'S FLAVOURED MILK MARKET AS PROTEIN DEMAND SURGES
Chobani has converted its Dandenong South plant to manufacture high-protein flavoured milk in 5 flavours across 2 sizes, putting it up against Bega, which holds 40% of Australia's milk-based beverages market through Big M, Dare, Farmers Union and Dairy Farmers. The American brand is already Australia's third-largest yoghurt producer behind Bega and Lactalis, and its revenue jumped 49% in the 3 months to 6 September driven by demand for extra protein.
The drinks will launch in 7-Eleven stores before rolling out to Coles and Woolworths in November. Chobani's Australian head Scott Hadley said protein demand has moved from the gym into everyday life, and that the downturn in consumer sentiment hasn't hurt yoghurt sales as shoppers trade into larger value packs.
The shift is being driven partly by weight-loss drugs including Ozempic, which suppress appetite and make it more important that food consumed is highly nutritious and sustains muscle mass. A Citi survey of 1,800 shoppers found that 50% or more of those taking GLP-1 drugs for more than 3 months now eat fewer sugary and savoury snacks, soft drinks and ice-cream, and that these shoppers eat more high-protein and high-fibre meals.
AUSTRALIAN NEWS
The RBA has lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.6%, a 15-year high, as it fights stubborn 3.5% inflation and warns of further hikes. LINK
A growing number of small businesses has said it will stop accepting card payments and switch to cash or bank transfers as a looming surcharge ban forces merchants to absorb card costs. LINK
The ATO has received more than 52,000 community tip-offs about suspected tax and super misconduct in 2025-26, up about 11% from 2 years earlier. LINK
Australia’s total household and industry energy use has fallen 4.9% since 2019 as EV uptake, lower household gas use and booming rooftop solar and batteries lift energy efficiency. AFR
The Australian Trucking Association is warning that surging diesel costs now consuming 50-60% of transport operators’ expenses will drive higher food and goods prices as it seeks fuel tax relief. AUS
WESTPAC: FIRST HOME BUYER MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS DOWN 32% SINCE NEGATIVE GEARING CHANGES
First home buyer mortgage applications at Westpac have dropped 32% since the budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions, a sharper fall than the 30% among investors and 18% among owner-occupiers. Seasonally adjusted Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show first home buyer loan commitments fell from 31,337 in the December quarter to 29,319 in the June quarter.
Four interest rate rises this year have cut borrowing capacity, with more predicted, and Australian dwelling values fell $34.1B in the June quarter - the first drop in nearly 4 years. Many first home buyers are waiting for further price falls or fear buying into negative equity while rate rises continue. The policy changes also removed the rentvesting pathway, where buyers continued renting while purchasing a cheaper property elsewhere and using rental income and negative gearing to break into ownership.
Investors exiting the market has reduced competition but also reduced available stock, as vendors hold off selling into falling prices, leaving fewer properties for first home buyers to purchase.
COMPANY NEWS
Flight Centre has reported triple-digit growth in bookings for Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern and China Airlines as travellers seek cheaper alternative routes to Europe and Asian carriers upgrade products. AUS
Accor has reported rising hotel occupancy in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and especially Melbourne, driven by major AFL and NRL events, as it pushes ahead with mixed-use developments. AUS
Cochlear has been hit with a shareholder class action after it cut underlying net profit guidance from $435M-$460M to $290M-$330M, citing softer Q3 sales and Middle East uncertainty. LINK
Marks & Spencer has signed a deal for Sephora to open staffed beauty areas in 100 stores and sell online through its website as it targets younger shoppers. LINK
Anthropic has filed a prospectus for what could be a US$2T IPO as it flags US$518B in cloud and computing commitments and a 2025 net loss of US$42B. LINK
Megaport has secured 3 new AI contracts worth $978.6M and upsized its debt facility to $845M as it lifts 2026-27 revenue, EBITDA margin and capex guidance. LINK
Codan has forecast December-half net profit of at least $160M, more than doubling from $71.2M, as surging war-zone drone demand drives sales of its radio components. LINK
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