The backlash from vested interests was in full swing this week after the Federal Budget delivered real reforms that will make housing more affordable. They are trying to convince us that young people will be the biggest losers from these changes. The big problem with that is that it is entirely untrue. Young people get almost no benefit from the CGT discount.
It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. “Shorter America” is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.
The latest greenhouse gas emissions data has been released, showing that in 2025, total emissions fell 2.1% compared to 2024. And while this represents good news, unfortunately the pace remains well below what is needed to reach the government’s 2023 and 2035 targets, let alone achieve the cut in emissions required for Australia to do its share to limit global warming to 2C above pre-industrial levels.
The Albanese government has been criticised as “cowardly” and accused of delivering a “timid” response to the landmark Murphy inquiry into online gambling, with advocates arguing it will do little to reduce children’s exposure to betting advertisements.
Three quarters (76%) of parents with children at independent (non-Catholic private) schools think government funding for private schools should “increase at a rate closer to the consumer price index”, according to a new poll published by Independent Schools Australia.
Advertisement
Disability advocates have joined growing calls for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports, arguing the revenue could help protect Australians on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from cuts to essential supports. The renewed push comes as Labor introduced the legislation into Parliament today, projecting the changes will save the government $36.2 billion over the next four years.
Last week’s mainstream and social media were full of handwringing about the Budget’s tax proposals, particularly changes to the capital gains tax (CGT) discount. A lot of this content focuses on the idea that the tax changes will stop young people from buying their own home by undermining their efforts to use the stock market or other ‘investment strategies’ to save for a house. This is nonsense.
The Allan Government in Victoria has announced that it will accept 15 of the recommendations from the Rapid Review into Victoria's Firearm Laws, including introducing a citizenship requirement for firearms licence holders and tougher penalties for firearms tracking. Something they won't act on is limiting the number of firearms a licence holder can own, and they won't participate in the national buyback.
Australia’s $368 billion AUKUS pact is facing fresh scrutiny as the Albanese government continues to deepen its investment in a program critics warn may never deliver promised nuclear-powered submarines.
Advertisement
Australians elected climate and integrity super-majorities, giving Labor two paths through the Senate: with the Greens and crossbenchers, or with the Coalition. And while Labor is quick to blame the Coalition for Labor’s failure to act, the reality is that Mr Albanese has always been willing to negotiate with the Greens when he actually wants something to happen.
Today, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that annual inflation in April was 4.2%, down from 4.6% in March. While it is likely to have little impact on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) rate decision next month, the figures at least show that the large jump in inflation in March was a once-off.
Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth has announced what she described as “once-in-a-generation reforms”, declaring Australia’s “one-size-fits-all” employment services system is failing the country’s 1.1 million jobseekers.
This morning, at Senate estimates, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) were asked about the drop in emissions since 2005. Almost all of the drop cited was due to the inclusion of land clearing.
It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. “Shorter America” is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.
The first calls for a boycott came in 1964. A young Danish left-wing activist stormed the stage holding a banner reading “Boycott Franco and Salazar”. Though, the most controversial part of the competition has long been the inclusion of Israel.
