Tune in to today’s blog for your latest local news update.

Hello and welcome,

This is the Wednesday blog, hosted by Georgia Rossiter.

It’s started off on the cool side this morning but it’s still meant to hit a top of 32 degrees with some cloud cover all day.

UPDATE, 9 am: In the news today

Controverisial religious descrimination laws are being contested in parliament today. Coalition MPs remain confident of passing long-awaited religious discrimination laws, despite opposition to the laws from within the government.

A majority of Australians back a huge wage rise for aged care workers and say federal government funding for the sector should be increased. The polling conducted for the Health Services Union found 71 per cent of voters backed a 25 per cent increase in the average pay rate to $29 per cent hour, from around $22.

An “opportunistic” crime after discovering a bank door was accidentally left open has resulted in 100 hours of community work for a Numurkah man. The burglar and co-accused were caught out by fake cash and exploding dye, reports Anna McGuinness.

In real estate news, residential land in Shepparton and Mooroopna has become so scarce that real estate agents have virtually nothing left to sell. Chief correspondent Darren Linton writes future stages of major residential estates are already sold, in many cases more than 12 months prior to the titles being available.

And some good news, Wunghnu Primary School siblings Tayden McNally, 10, and Attalyia Woods, 8, have each been awarded a prestigious primary school scholarship — out of only 11 offered across the state.