As it happened: Government wary of US Red Sea warship request; New Queensland premier sworn in

In case you missed it, the biggest one-year jump in Australia’s population has prompted warnings that the nation’s rental market will remain under pressure for years.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed a record 518,100 new migrants called the country home.

The population swelled by 624,100 through 2022-23, more than 1700 people a day, with 80 per cent of the extra residents absorbed across Victoria, NSW, Canberra and Queensland.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Victoria’s population grew by more than 181,000 to 6.8 million while NSW added 172,600, taking its total number of residents beyond 8.3 million.

Most migrants moved to four states: NSW took in 174,200, Victoria added 154,250, Queensland gained almost 84,000 while the fastest growing part of the Commonwealth, Western Australia, accepted 61,600.

Catch up on the full story here.

Thanks for following along today. Here’s a wrap-up of what happened.

• Barry Humphries, one of Australia’s most beloved satirists, was farewelled in a state memorial at the Sydney Opera House. The sails of the iconic building will be lit from 8.30pm tonight in tribute.
• Former Network Ten presenter Lisa Wilkinson returned to the witness box today in Bruce Lehrmann’s high-stakes defamation case. You can read everything that happened here.
• New Queensland Premier Steven Miles used his first major speech in the job to announce a significant boost to the state’s climate action plans.
• The Federal Court imposed a $6 million penalty on Honda Australia after finding the company “misled” thousands of customers over the closure of multiple dealerships.
• Victorian federal Labor MP Peta Murphy has been remembered as a widely admired parliamentarian and a beloved person at a memorial service in Melbourne following her death aged 50 from cancer earlier this month.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted Australia has called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and “humanitarian pause”.
• Health Minister Mark Butler announced a $456 million boost for Lifeline, 13 Yarn, Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline as he acknowledges there is more demand for mental health services in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
• The biggest one-year jump in Australia’s population prompted warnings that the nation’s rental market will remain under pressure for years after new data showed a record 518,100 new migrants called the country home.
• And overseas, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a marathon four-hour press conference that he intends to continue the invasion of Ukraine unless Kyiv capitulates.

We now say goodbye to the live blog until January 29 next year.

For everyone who read the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age blog this year, we thank you for trusting us with your readership. Have a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic new year.

Whatever 2024 holds, we’ll be there to cover it.

Sarah Keoghan, signing off.

New Queensland Premier Steven Miles has used his first major speech in the job to announce a significant boost to the state’s climate action plans.

Fresh from the climate talks in Dubai, and touching on some of his other announcements this week, Miles said the state will legislate a 75 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2035, ahead of net-zero by 2050.

The state is on track to meet its 30 per cent by 2030 target, one of the least ambitious in the country, by next year. All three will be written into law.

“I’m from the suburbs, but I’ll be a premier that unites the city and the bush, a premier that works for Queenslanders … right now, I want us to unite on the opportunity of decarbonisation,” he said.

“By legislating this target, we will create certainty for industry and for jobs.

“By legislating this target, we are making a very clear statement to the world that … Queensland is the place to do business if you’re looking to use clean energy to create prosperity.”

Sydney health workers and community leaders will unite for a pro-Palestinian procession and vigil tonight in the CBD.

Speeches will be held at Sydney Eye Hospital at 7pm before a vigil at Hickson Rd Reserve at 7.40pm.

The event is being held by Health Workers 4 Palestine, a group dedicated to “addressing the healthcare crisis in Gaza”.

“We extend our invitation to local community members, leaders, and members of the press to attend this vigil in solidarity with the people of Gaza and with healthcare workers affected by this crisis,” the group said in a statement.

“This vigil is open to all, and attendees are encouraged to bring candles and flowers as an expression of solidarity.”

There is also a planned pro-Palestinian student rally for 4pm outside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office in Marrickville. The event has been organised by students from Sydney Uni.