Housing & Cost of Living: A new “rent-to-deposit” plan from Coposit aims to help struggling renters buy a home by redirecting their first-year rent toward a deposit, as record median rents and wage lag keep pushing ownership further out of reach. Housing Finance: Tasmania is moving to remove a key barrier to modular builds with a Modular Housing Finance Guarantee Scheme, designed to back early construction finance before homes are installed. Property & Debt Politics: ANZ forecasts bigger house-price falls, reviving fears of negative equity, while politicians argue over whether cooling prices is “knee-capping” Australians. Security & Diplomacy: Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is set to fly to Australia amid the “Melongate” fallout, with talks expected to cover defence cooperation and new warship production. Sport (Cricket): Bangladesh are on the brink of a historic first Test win in Australia, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking key wickets on Day 4 in Darwin as Australia fight to avoid defeat. Sport (Rugby): Wallabies prop Massimo De Lutiis marks a milestone as the 1000th man to play Test rugby for Australia, with family history tied to the original Test cap. Culture & Community: Hands On Studio is celebrating 30 years, with an artist hoping a portrait of Julia Gillard will hang in Parliament House. Social Issues: Calls grow for better support for sex-crime victims, as advocates argue Australia’s system leaves survivors navigating court without the help they need.