Australia news live: Senior gallery worker accused of funnelling $8m in mobile phone scheme; interest rate hike still likely after jobless rise

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 600 Qantas ground crew workers have begun a 24-hour strike this morning across the country over an escalating industrial dispute.Qantas said that it has contingency plans in place and any impacts would be felt primarily by the airline’s freight and regional QantasLink services.We remain focused on reaching an agreement through the bargaining process and continue to engage constructively with the union.