Your noon Briefing: What a bunch of privileged lefties: CFMEU official

Your 2-minute digest of the day’s top stories.

Hello readers. CFMEU official dubs Labor critics of Coalition tax cuts ‘privileged Lefties’, and Donald Trump goes large for Independence Day.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

‘Privileged lefties’

A senior CFMEU official says all the Labor critics of the government’s tax cuts “seem to live in $100,000 households”.

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PM: economy on track

Scott Morrison says his economic plan will keep the economy on track, dismissing Labor criticism of part of it.

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

‘Epic tale of a great nation’

Donald Trump paid homage to the story of America, honouring its heroes in an Independence Day speech dripping with patriotism.

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A beggar, older and asian in appearance, on the corner of Flinders and Swanston St, Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Fake beggars busted

They weren’t homeless. Police say a begging ring flew into Melbourne to send money back to China.

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Close up of a senior couple having breakfast and doing bills

The long read: Unfair ‘tax’ on seniors

The Morrison government is under increasing pressure to lower the deeming rate for pensioners following the latest RBA rate cut. Glenda Korporaal reports.