Month: March 2025 AWST

From www.pollbludger.net: The live coverage focuses on the counting for the Western Australian state election.

Early voting participation is slightly down compared to 2021, and there will be a lag in results reporting between 8pm and 10pm due to the counting process for early and postal votes.

Changes in procedures, such as the classification of early votes and the handling of notional two-candidate preferred counts, add complexity to the election’s results projections.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has called an urgent meeting with the CEOs of private hospitals and health insurers due to Healthscope, the second-largest private hospital operator, facing financial crisis and potential voluntary administration.

Healthscope, heavily burdened with over $1.6 billion in debt, has failed to pay rent on several hospitals and announced plans to cut maternity services.

The meeting aims to address payment issues from insurers to hospitals, as the benefits ratio has declined, and action is required within three months to ensure patient care access.

From www.rossgittins.com: Australia’s job market has shown remarkable strength, despite the economy emerging from a prolonged period of stagnation, with employment growth exceeding expectations at 9.5% compared to the typical rate.

This surge largely stems from an expanding “non-market” sector, particularly in care services due to demographic shifts and increased immigration contributing significantly to employment growth.

The Reserve Bank’s hesitance to cut interest rates is tied to concerns over tight labour market conditions, though there are indications the economy can meet the demand for workers without triggering inflation.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: The Australian federal government will deliver its budget on 25 March, postponing an expected election announcement due to the impending impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been anticipated to call elections for 12 April but chose to delay until after the cyclone’s threat subsides, making elections likely on 3, 10, or 17 May.

Senior officials confirmed the budget will be used as a platform to promote Labor’s vision ahead of the campaign.

From theconversation.com: Two recent polls predict a substantial victory for Labor in the upcoming Western Australian state election, with Labor leading at 57.5% to 42.5% in a Newspoll and at 57% to 43% in a DemosAU poll.

The new election features significant upper house reforms, transitioning from a region-based system to a single statewide electorate that promotes proportional representation.

Labor, holding a majority in the current upper house, aims to maintain its strong position despite expectations that its results may not match the record highs from the 2021 election.

From johnmenadue.com: China’s recent naval operations around Australia are framed as a response to the AUKUS agreement, which aims to bolster military ties between Australia and the US against perceived Chinese aggression.

The author argues that while Australia engages with US military strategies, it risks compromising its sovereignty and escalating tensions with China, who is primarily focused on its own regional security.

Public opinion in Australia suggests a growing desire for a more independent foreign policy, as many citizens view the US as a greater threat to peace than China.

Reported at theconversation.com: Australia’s school funding system includes both public and private sources, with funding determined by a “schooling resource standard” based on student enrollment and special needs considerations.

Many public schools are considered “underfunded” because they receive less than the required standard due to insufficient contributions from state governments, while some non-government schools are “overfunded” as they receive more than their entitlements.

Recent funding agreements aim to ensure all schools achieve full funding, but this may not be realized until the 2030s.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Federal Labor has achieved its first polling victory in eight months, gaining a two-party preferred vote of 51% compared to the Coalition’s 49%.

This rise in support follows a significant $8.5 billion boost to Medicare and strong backing of Ukraine, which has helped increase Anthony Albanese’s standing as preferred prime minister.

Despite the gains, Labor’s primary vote remains at 31%, still trailing the Coalition’s 36%.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Western Australia’s elections, particularly in the metropolitan region of Perth, are heavily influenced by political donations, with Labor outpacing the Liberals by approximately $1.5 million since July.

During the current campaign, the Liberals received more donations overall despite Labor’s larger cumulative funds, and notable contributions have come from shooters concerned about potential firearm law changes.

Both parties are focusing their advertising efforts on key metropolitan seats, with Labor investing significantly in social media, while the Liberals aim to regain lost strongholds.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: Western Australia faces significant challenges in conducting elections due to its vast geography, leading to logistical issues such as postal voting delays and venue shortages for early voting.

Despite efforts to improve early voting access, more than 20% of electors have voted before election day; however, the popularity of early voting has put a strain on resources.

Electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy advocates for digital voting as a potential solution, emphasizing the practicality of trialling this technology in WA given its unique circumstances.

Reported at www.thenewdaily.com.au: Labor has gained the support of a majority of voters for the first time in eight months, now leading the Coalition 51% to 49% in a recent YouGov poll following a significant Medicare funding boost.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s approval rating has increased, with a six-point lead over Coalition Leader Peter Dutton, particularly benefiting from his support for Ukraine.

With elections expected by mid-May, Labor’s improved polling offers a much-needed boost in confidence ahead of the vote.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: Two recent polls indicate that Labor holds a significant lead in the Western Australia state election, with Newspoll showing a 57.5-42.5 lead and DemosAU presenting a slightly narrower 57-43 margin.

Labor’s primary vote is reported at 44% in Newspoll and 43% in DemosAU, while the Liberals have 29% and 30%, respectively.

Approval ratings for current Premier Roger Cook remain steady, with 55% approval, and the sentiment regarding the state’s direction shows 49% of voters believe it is moving in the right way.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that Australia will determine its own military spending levels in response to concerns raised by Elbridge Colby, Trump’s nominee for under secretary of US Defense policy, regarding Australia’s defence expenditures.

Albanese detailed plans for defence spending to increase to 2.3% of GDP by 2033-34 as the country receives new submarines while asserting that the security relationship with the United States remains secure.

Defence Minister Richard Marles reiterated the government’s commitment to defence, citing an additional $50 billion allocated since coming to power.

From johnmenadue.com: Australia is likely to have a minority government after the upcoming election, with independents holding the balance of power and negotiating each issue individually.

Many voters critical of the major parties may prefer independents, hoping their presence will lead to improved government responsiveness, particularly on issues like climate change.

However, the independents need to decide in advance which major party they will support for forming a government, as this decision will influence legislative negotiations and the overall direction of policies.

Reported at www.smartcompany.com.au: Minister Ed Husic announced the federal government’s commitment to implementing all 11 recommendations from the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review, aimed at removing systemic barriers that hinder participation, particularly for women and underrepresented groups.

The review called for an holistic approach to diversity, including a dedicated advisory council, safer workplaces, and targeted programs to support these groups in STEM fields.

The Minister noted that ongoing exclusion is counterproductive as Australia seeks to create 200,000 additional tech jobs by 2030.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: The current Australian healthcare system faces significant inequities and inefficiencies that require a bold restructuring, ideally moving towards a single funder model.

Despite some government initiatives, such as funding community-based acute care centres and incentives for bulk billing, these measures do not adequately address the root problems, such as the lack of post-hospital care facilities and long waiting lists.

There is a call for political courage to explore comprehensive healthcare reform, which is necessary to provide timely and equitable care for all Australians.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Australia awaits clarification regarding potential reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, which might target nations imposing taxes on U.S. products.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said that there are ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure an exemption for Australia, highlighting the mutual benefits of the economic relationship.

Despite speculation that Australia’s Goods and Services Tax could draw tariffs, Chalmers reassures that no additional tariffs have been communicated to Australia by the U.S. government.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Ousted CFMEU officials have launched a campaign targeting Labor MPs in marginal seats with social media ads criticising their ties to anti-union laws, seen by up to 400,000 users since February.

The group, named Your Union Your Choice, was formed after the union’s forced administration by the Albanese government, which was triggered by concerns of infiltration by organized crime.

Political analysts suggest these ads could complicate Labor’s chances in critical electorates during the upcoming federal election.

From the-riotact.com: Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher criticised Coalition plans to require public servants to return to the office full-time, arguing that US-style policies are unsuitable for Australia.

She questioned the anecdotal claims made by Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume regarding public servants misusing work-from-home arrangements and defended the effectiveness of current flexible work policies.

WE should be adapting public service policies to meet the needs of modern Australian workers rather than mimicking approaches from the US.

From www.pollbludger.net: Cyclone Alfred may affect Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s plans to call an election on April 12, as the cyclone’s impact could complicate the optics, particularly in Peter Dutton’s constituency.

Recent polling indicates little change in voter intention, with Labor at 29%, the Coalition at 35%, and the Greens at 13%.

The Roy Morgan poll reflects a 50.5% to 49.5% lead for the Coalition over Labor in two-party preferred voting, contrasting with prior data showing a Labor lead.