Australia politics live: Japan’s ambassador to Australia downplays Albanese’s melon comments; witness paid for Reformer’s trip to Fiji to avoid inquiry, Icac told

Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Education minister says funding agreement with Victoria ‘very close’ The education minister, Jason Clare, says a funding deal with Victoria to get public schools funded to Gonski levels over the next decade is “very close”. We’re very close, mate. I know [Victorian premier] Ben Carroll gets this, and I’m optimistic that we’ll get this across the line. He understands how important it is that teachers are paid…