Australia has spent decades giving away its gas for free because politicians and senior officials have been unwilling to admit they were "conned" by the industry, according to Australia Institute co-CEO Dr Richard Denniss.
Australia has spent decades giving away its gas for free because politicians and senior officials have been unwilling to admit they were "conned" by the industry, according to Australia Institute co-CEO Dr Richard Denniss.
Australia has spent decades giving away its gas for free because politicians and senior officials have been unwilling to admit they were "conned" by the industry, according to Australia Institute co-CEO Dr Richard Denniss.
As state and territory governments face mounting pressure over debt and the delivery of essential services, some economists argue a flawed federal tax system – not spending decisions alone – has left them billions of dollars short.
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Older Australians have seen their wealth grow eight times faster than younger generations over the past two decades, but a Senate inquiry has heard housing inequality is no longer just a generational issue. The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) told a public hearing in Sydney that the issue extended well beyond the divide between younger and older Australians.
Housing inequality now extends beyond rent and property prices, with millions of Australians locked out of cheaper electricity because they cannot access rooftop solar or batteries, a Senate inquiry has heard. Solar Citizens is calling for a new tax incentive to encourage landlords to install rooftop solar, proposing the depreciation schedule be reduced from 20 years to five years for those invest in the technology.
The Albanese government is facing fresh pressure over gambling reform after Australians lost more than $104 billion in the three years since being handed the Murphy review, while the Greens and the Coalition have forced its proposed legislation to a Senate inquiry.
These news stories show that FOI plays an important role in Australian democracy, but governments too often drag their feet on releasing information that the public is entitled to. The ABC reported in April that requests for documents from Victoria Police are now slower than at any point in its history, with those seeking access now facing a nine-month wait.
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.
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Australia’s rental crisis is a policy choice, not an unavoidable consequence of market forces, a Senate inquiry has heard, with advocates arguing governments are failing to deliver the stability, affordability and security people deserve from a home.
Less than two days after learning about the AUKUS agreement, then opposition leader Anthony Albanese decided to support the biggest defence procurement in Australian history. This isn’t just a quick turnaround for a massive multinational defence deal; it’s a fraction of the time it takes Australian bureaucracy to do far simpler tasks.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has defended the AUKUS nuclear-submarine deal against critics in the Labor movement, arguing it continues to enjoy overwhelming support within the party.
