BHP bumper profit, dividends; rate hikes on RBA agenda; Taylor’s new frontbench

Wednesday 18 February 2026

BHP announces a bumper half year profit as its copper division earnings surpass iron ore. 

• The minutes of last fortnight’s Reserve Bank board meeting suggest another rate hike is possible. 
• The IMF calls on Australia to cut income taxes and lift the GST. 
• Angus Taylor announces his new frontbench. 
• The real story about Winter Olympic ski jumpers having injections into their penises to gain an advantage.

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