At Epsom and Tāmaki election debates centre-right MPs are arguing for lower house prices.

Dozens of regional Qantas flights departing Perth Airport have been cancelled as pilots strike in an attempt to address what they say are substandard wages.

Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) members at Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation announced 24-hour industrial action for Wednesday, leading to significant cancellations.

The union says it has taken the strike action in order to address what it claims are illegal rates for some of its pilots.

READ MORE: New runway makes life hell in 226 suburbs

"The Australian Federation of Air Pilots is disappointed we have had to take this action and remains committed to reaching an agreement for our members who fly for Qantas domestically in Western Australia," senior industrial officer Chris Aikens said on Monday.

"Negotiations on an expired Enterprise Agreement have been at a standstill since March, leaving most Network Aviation pilots with wages and conditions that are well below industry standards.

"Many of these pilots even earn less than what is included in the Air Pilots Award, which is the bare legal minimum.

"Network Aviation's pilots are simply asking for something that is affordable and sustainable for the company and its workforce."

It is demanding a 50 per cent pay increase.

Qantas has offered a one-off increase of up to 25 per cent.

The airline accused the AFAP of disrupting the travel plans of thousands of Western Australians, saying half of Network Aviation's planned flights have had to be cancelled.

"The union has finally accepted our offer to return to the negotiating table, but it's disappointing that they are continuing with their disruptive strike action, which has been timed to hurt travellers during the busy school holiday period," Network Aviation COO Trevor Worgan said.

READ MORE: Australia's driest September on record as heat surges

"We've protected as much flying as we possibly can, but unfortunately our contingency options can only cover part of our regular schedule and we have had to cancel dozens of flights.

"Our offer provides Network Aviation pilots up to 25 per cent pay increases immediately and other benefits, but the union is demanding unreasonable increases of more than 50 per cent."

Qantas says it has rebooked 75 per cent affected customers onto different flights today, and is offering refunds to people who no longer wish to fly due to the disruptions.

It says it will cover accommodation fees for passengers who aren't able to travel today as a result of the strike.

If National and Act are elected, the Clean Car Discount is on the scrap pile.

Get up to date with all the latest NZ Herald headlines.

Some of Disney's most famous characters feature on a new range of Aussie-themed stamps from Australia Post.

William Izett stabbed a man twice in the torso after he asked to buy cannabis from him.

An anonymous council staff member says water charges could double in four years.

The race for the north is a complicated one.

Lawyers brought in to negotiate the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games were hired weeks before the Victorian government told the public, reports claim.

Documents, seen by The Age, reveal the government had engaged lawyers from Melbourne firm Arnold Bloch Leiber for "legal services regarding withdrawal from hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games" in June.

It was nearly three weeks later on July 18, when former Premier Daniel Andrews called a snap press conference, announcing the controversial decision.

READ MORE: Surviving mushroom poisoning victim arrives at memorial to farewell wife

The contract with the Melbourne firm, which ran until September 21, came at a cost of $1.27 million to taxpayers.

Documents also reveal the government had sent Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule to London to inform the Commonwealth Games Federation of the withdrawal, just days before it was made public.

The trip cost $22,115, including almost $15,000 in airfares, according to the documents.

When cancelling the Games, the former premier told media, that hosting games was no longer a viable option, after the cost had blown out by billions.

"Last year when the Commonwealth Games Authorities approached us, needed someone to step in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as a state we were happy to help out," Andrews said.

"But, of course, not at any price and only if there was lasting benefit.

"What's become clear is that the cost of hosting these Games in 2026 is not the $2.6 billion which was budgeted. It is, in fact, at least $6 billion and could be as high as $7 billion.

"Six to seven billion is well and truly too much for a 12-day sporting event."

The cost of cancelling the games will cost taxpayers $380 million, after the government reached a settlement with the federation.

Walking into state parliament today, Premier Jacinta Allan remained tight-lipped about the timeline.

"I don't have the advice on the exact date as that was a matter that was handled at the time by the department of premier and cabinet at the time," she said.

READ MORE: Guard's keys taken, three taken to hospital after riot at Malmsbury Youth Detention Centre

"But what I can say is that when it became clear that the costs to run a 12-day sporting event were going to exceed $6 billion dollars, that just became too much and it became clear in the weeks leading up to the announcement as the then-premier said at the time."

A senate parliamentary inquiry has been established to investigate the decision to axe the Games.

The Games were slated to be held from March 17-29 in 2026, across Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton.

US police are responding to an active shooter situation involving multiple victims at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

There is a "preliminary report of four individuals shot" somewhere on the university grounds, Baltimore City Fire Department Director of Communications Kevin Cartwright told CNN.

Both police and the university – a small HBCU in northeast Baltimore – have urged those on campus to shelter in place and avoid the area.

READ MORE: Surviving mushroom poisoning victim arrives at memorial to farewell wife

Footage from CNN affiliate WJZ shows multiple emergency response vehicles surrounding a taped-off student dormitory building.

The glass of one of the building's upper-floor windows appears to be shattered.

"Please stay clear of the area surrounding Thurgood Marshall Hall and the Murphy Fine Arts Centre and shelter in place," the university said in a notice on its website.

READ MORE: Facebook and Instagram users in Europe could get ad-free subscription option

Police said they were responding to the 1700 block of Argonne Drive.

ATF Baltimore said its agents are assisting police in responding to the shooting.

Morgan State is a historically Black university and had about 9000 students enrolled in Fall 2022.