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.
Labor had an opportunity to do what it said it would do in opposition and address Australia’s unfair and punitive mutual obligations system. But instead of brave reform, it announced a tiered system that divides up obligations depending on how ready the state thinks you are for work.
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.
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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.
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.
Another day, day 15 after the budget, and the press is still full of stories trying to evoke sympathy for the downtrodden rich in Australia.
Advocates have warned the Albanese government’s planned overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) risks repeating the very policy failures that led to the system’s creation in the first place. Muriel Cummins from grassroots campaign Every Australian Counts – which fought to establish the NDIS - cautioned that while the reforms may reduce visible government spending, they risk increasing costs elsewhere.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
