The opposition’s plans to ban foreign investors from purchasing existing properties would do little to solve Australia’s housing crisis, according to Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton inflamed a political debate over the housing crisis after vowing to slash permanent migration numbers by 25 per cent and banContinue Reading
Australia’s peak social equality advocacy body says the federal budget handed down on Tuesday fails to address the needs of the poorest people. The Australian Council of Social Services, after analysing the financial impact of the budget’s cost of living supports on various family types, argued it unfairly targeted theContinue Reading
Australian universities and colleges could be banned from enrolling foreign students if they exceed their caps under new laws to ensure the “integrity and quality” of the $48bn education export industry. The move is also part of the Albanese government’s attempts to limit net overseas migration by reducing the intakeContinue Reading
The NSW Opposition is in arms over a motion which would extend the sitting weeks to Friday, while cutting question time on the additional days. Opposition MPs say they weren’t given any notice to consult on the changes, and were told of the “ambushed” with just an hours notice beforeContinue Reading
The Albanese government’s proposed fuel efficiency standards are set to sail through parliament after it clinched a deal with the Greens. But Labor will dump legislation designed to speed up environmental approval processes for new offshore gas developments in return. A vote on proposed emissions caps for new vehicles andContinue Reading
The Coalition’s budget reply speech is set to focus on addressing the cost-of-living crisis and attacking Labor on high migration numbers. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who believes Anthony Albanese could call an election within months, will use his speech on Thursday night to make a pitch to voters. The PrimeContinue Reading
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the federal budget was ‘tough’ for the state, but promised to fight to ensure Australia’s most populous state receives a larger share of the GST carve-up. Compared to the December mid-year economic update, NSW will receive $1.3bn less in GST revenue by 2026-27, and despiteContinue Reading
Disgruntled sheep farmers outraged with the Albanese government’s decision to phase out live sheep exports have staged a walkout during the Agriculture Minister’s post-budget speech. In what the National Farmers Federation described as an “unprecedented move”, a group of people walked out during Murray Watt’s speech to CropLife on WednesdayContinue Reading
Energy rebates set to shave off $300 from every household electricity bill are designed to help Australians “right now”, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has claimed, in an attempt to neutralise criticism over Labor’s key $275 power bill cut promise. Speaking on Wednesday following the federal budget, the Treasurer outlined the AlbaneseContinue Reading
Another state is making moves to protect family violence, sexual assault and harassment victims, as Victoria proposes changes to defamation and evidence laws. The Attorney-General and Legal Aid Victoria say current defamation laws have a chilling effect on reporting sexual abuse or harassment, with some victim-survivors not reporting crime forContinue Reading