Oz Politics Writ Large
Reported at The Conversation: Australian politicians, including Greens candidate Wen Li, are increasingly using the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (Red) to connect with Chinese-Australian voters, as it allows for more open discussions compared to WeChat.
It highlights the platform’s growing popularity and the engagement challenges politicians face while navigating cultural nuances and language barriers in their outreach efforts.
From The Conversation: The Australian government is launching a sports diplomacy initiative by establishing a Papua New Guinea-based NRL team, funded by $600 million over ten years, to enhance national unity and regional security.
Critics express concerns about potential neocolonialism and the intertwining of sports with security issues.
From Michael West Media: The Australian government is pushing to strengthen hate crime laws by criminalizing threats of violence against marginalized communities and establishing a national hate crimes database.
A Senate committee report highlights the need for these measures to promote community respect and tackle hate crimes effectively.
From Michael West Media: A recent report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis highlights the adverse effects of Australia’s Liquified Natural Gas exports, revealing that gas prices have tripled since 2015 while demand has significantly dropped.
This contrasts with News Corp’s gas-industry-sponsored content, which promotes increased gas production without addressing the negative consequences of rising prices and declining domestic use.
Reported at www.theguardian.com: The Albanese government’s plan to significantly reduce net migration to 260,000 this financial year is deemed unachievable by migration expert Abul Rizvi. Slower departures, political resistance, and economic factors have all contributed to the numbers.
This situation could lead to an embarrassing revision of migration projections in the upcoming mid-year economic update, despite the potential population boost helping to avoid negative economic growth.
Pastoralists in Western Australia are labelling the state government’s proposed changes to pastoral leases “anti-agriculture” and a move to push smaller, family-run operations off the land. – reported at www.abc.net.au
The WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage wants to “modernise” the terms of pastoral leases to include types of mandatory insurance and clauses to indemnify the state from potential costs.
It has also flagged future potential native title payments.
From ASIC: ASIC is suing Regional Express Holdings Limited for allegedly engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct related to a false ASX announcement about expected profits.
The case also involves former executives and directors for their roles in the company’s governance failures and breaches of duties.
Reported at www.thenewdaily.com.au: A vehicle was set on fire in Woollahra, Sydney, amid a series of antisemitic hate crimes that included vandalism of several properties.
The incidents have sparked police investigations and condemnation from local officials, highlighting growing tensions following recent attacks on Jewish communities.
From the ABC: The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept interest rates on hold at 4.35% for the ninth consecutive meeting, and signalled the possibility of a rate cut as early as February 2025 amidst weak economic growth and low inflation.
Reported by the ABC: A national audit reveals that while internet access is improving in remote Aboriginal communities, with 86% now online, half still lack mobile phone coverage, making it difficult for residents to access essential services.
The Closing the Digital Divide project report highlights ongoing challenges, including reliance on single mobile devices and affordability issues, as well as a significant increase in households without computers.
Paul Fletcher, former minister and federal member for Bradfield since 2009, has announced his decision not to contest his seat at the next election.
Reported at: paulfletcher.com.au and watoday.com.au
Reported by ABC News US : Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to change his family trust to give his eldest son, Lachlan, control of the media empire has been blocked by a Nevada court, which found that both Rupert and Lachlan acted in “bad faith.”
The decision is seen as a victory for Rupert’s other children, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence, who now retain control of the trust following their father’s passing.
From the ABC: A 20-year Queensland study has found that interventions targeting preschoolers and their families can significantly reduce youth crime rates, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The research demonstrated that children who received communication training were less likely to commit crimes by age 17 compared to those who did not receive such training.
It has been reported at theguardian.com that Anthony Albanese will announce plans to give families earning up to $530,000 a year access to the childcare subsidy for three days a week.
The proposal suggests eliminating the activity test which currently determines the subsidy level.
Further reports at : michaelwest.com.au and theguardian.com and see PM’s media release
Liberal leader Peter Dutton has stated that he will not stand beside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at press conferences, asserting that Australians should unite under a single national flag. – reported at www.abc.net.au
This stance has drawn criticism from Indigenous leaders, who view it as an attempt to marginalize Indigenous representation in Australian politics.
From the ABC: The Victorian government has approved environmental plans for two mineral sands mines, the Goschen Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project and the WIM Resource Avonbank Mineral Sands Project, despite opposition from local farmers concerned about the potential impacts on health and agriculture.
Both mines aim to produce critical minerals used in various industries, but require further government approvals before commencing operations.
From The Guardian: A new Resolve poll has found Labor on a primary vote of 27%, a three-point slide from their last survey, potentially threatening their majority government status.
Other surveys indicate a more stable position, with results closer to their 2022 election performance.
Reported at michaelwest.com.au: A special anti-Semitism taskforce, led by the AFP and ASIO has been announced by the Prime Minister to investigate threats and violence against the Jewish community in Australia, after the firebombing of a synagogue.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for national unity as he unveiled Special Operation Avalite.
Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Australia has secured a deal with Nauru to guarantee its access to banking services while gaining a veto over the Pacific nation’s security agreements with other countries, effectively limiting China’s influence in the region.
Financial support for Nauru’s budget and security will be provided, and the Commonwealth Bank will start offer banking services in 2025.
The ABC reports that Health Minister Mark Butler has warned private health insurers against using “loophole tactics” like “product phoenixing” to raise prices on new policies while closing older ones, threatening potential legislative action if the practices do not cease.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman will continue to monitor these tactics, as they exploit regulatory gaps and undermine the spirit of existing laws.