1. Matthew Guy re-elected as Victorian Opposition Leader

After leading the Liberal Party in Victoria from 2014 to 2018, Matthew Guy has been re-elected as Opposition Leader in the state this morning, replacing Michael O'Brien after less than three years. The leadership spill vote reportedly took only ten minutes, with 20 of the 31 MPs voting in favour.

2. Australian flights remain at 26% of pre-Covid levels

Australian airlines are operating flights at only 26% of the levels prior to the pandemic, behind the global average of about 70% according to analysis by Citi Research shared by The Australian. The US topped the list of countries analysed with an 88% recovery, followed by Spain with 70%, France with 66% and Italy with 65%.

3. Rental prices in Byron Bay rise by almost a third

The average rental price for a home in Byron Bay has risen over 32% to $1,150 per week compared to a year ago according to CoreLogic figures published by the AFR. Rents in South Hedland and Broome in WA as well as Ulladulla and Kingscliff in NSW have all risen by more than 28%. "Many of the strongest rental markets, such as Byron and Ulladulla, are relatively small regions where an influx of demand from both homeowners and renters hasn’t been met with a supply response," said CoreLogic's Tim Lawless.

4. Landlord left with 15 tarantulas and a python by tenant

A landlord in the city of Auburn, Maine in the United States has arranged for the collection of 15 live tarantulas and a ball python from her apartment after they were left abandoned by a former tenant. The creatures were collected by local animal rescuer Drew Desjardins, who told the Sun Journal that tarantulas "are not a dangerous animal" and that they are less dangerous than bees.

5. Wall Street closed for Labor Day holiday

The Australian market will be without its usual lead in from the US today as markets are closed for the Labor Day federal holiday. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 5.60 points or 0.07% to 7,528.50 yesterday, with futures indicating a positive open for the local market today.