Month: March 2025 AWST

Reported at www.theguardian.com: The New South Wales government has decided to abandon its commitment to remove 9,500 poker machines statewide, citing advice from an independent panel that indicated such a removal would not significantly impact gambling issues.

Gaming Minister David Harris stated that focusing on the intensity of play rather than the number of machines is more critical, and spending $60 million on a buyback scheme would be ineffective.

The Opposition has criticised the government for breaking an election promise and failing to effectively address problem gambling in the state.

Reported at www.claytonutz.com: Australia’s Federal Opposition proposes introducing nuclear power to replace aging coal-fired power stations, requiring significant legal and regulatory changes due to existing bans on nuclear power under federal and state laws.

Specifically, two federal laws prohibit the construction and operation of nuclear facilities, with additional state-level restrictions in places like New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.

To advance this proposal, the government must amend both federal and state legislation, which includes lifting bans on nuclear power and facilitating public referendums in certain states.

From www.rossgittins.com: The Australian home building industry has seen a 12% decline in productivity over the past 30 years, contrasting sharply with a 49% improvement in other industries.

A Productivity Commission report highlights issues such as inefficient processes, a lack of innovation, and cumbersome government regulations as key factors hindering the industry’s performance.

To address the affordability crisis in housing, significant reforms in regulatory practices and efficiency improvements are necessary to modernize the home building sector.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Opposition leader Peter Dutton proposes a return to controversial “safety grants,” which critics suggest resemble the previous government’s pork-barrelling practices that favoured partisan political interests over genuine community needs.

Past instances of corruption involved significant public funds being allocated in ways that primarily benefited Coalition electorates, raising integrity concerns.

Both major parties engage in grant allocation, but Dutton’s initiative signals a potential revival of blatant electoral bribery reminiscent of the Morrison government’s tenure.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: The federal opposition’s proposal to break up insurance companies has been abandoned, with Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor stating that the coalition would not extend divestiture powers to the insurance sector.

This contradicts Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s earlier comments about potential government intervention in the insurance market.

Taylor indicated the coalition would still take action against insurers who mistreat customers but did not specify the measures they would implement.

From johnmenadue.com: A hung parliament in Australia does not constitute a constitutional crisis, as the current government may remain in office until the prime minister resigns or faces a no-confidence vote.

Historical precedents exist where previous governments operated effectively without a parliamentary majority, demonstrating that governance can continue through various arrangements, including minority governments without formal deals from independents.

Foreign interference in elections has been a concern, with instances such as Elon Musk’s backing of specific political parties, and raising questions about the impact of foreign influence on Australian politics and the public’s trust in electoral integrity.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered to send troops for potential peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, signalling strong support for European allies amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

Experts warn, however, that Australia’s defence capabilities are currently insufficient for such a deployment and call for increased military spending.

The proposal has sparked debate within the Australian government, with opposition leader Peter Dutton opposing the idea of Australian troops on the ground in Ukraine.

From shows.acast.com: The Democracy Sausage podcast discusses the current political landscape, focusing on election polls and demographics influencing Australian voters ahead of the federal election.

The discussion is led by Professor Mark Kenny and Dr. Marija Taflaga from The Australian National University.

This episode also explores the potential impact of Donald Trump’s interactions with foreign leaders on Australia’s diplomatic relationships and analyses the factors contributing to Peter Dutton’s political gains.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: The Coalition plans to end flexible work arrangements for Australian public servants if elected, arguing that such policies undermine productivity and public service.

Jane Hume, the Coalition’s public service spokesperson, reiterated the need for all public servants to return to the office five days a week, while existing flexible work agreements remain in place until they expire in 2027.

The announcement aligns with a global trend of reinstating office attendance amid concerns over productivity and workplace engagement.

Reported at www.sbs.com.au: A Coalition government would mandate that all federal public servants return to the office five days a week, with limited exceptions, arguing that working from home is “unsustainable.”

Labor senator Katy Gallagher criticized this approach as reminiscent of Donald Trump’s policies and detrimental to working women, while Greens senator Barbara Pocock stated it would punish women and carers.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton defends the policy as a commonsense approach essential for productivity.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: A recent Guardian Essential poll indicates that Anthony Albanese’s approval rating has dropped to minus eight, with nearly half of Australians unsure of their voting intentions ahead of the upcoming federal election.

Despite this dip, voters perceive Albanese as better positioned than Peter Dutton to address cost-of-living issues and safeguard Medicare, with Labor leading slightly in key areas such as wage support.

The poll also reveals a divided preference between the major parties, with the Coalition slightly ahead at 48% compared to Labor’s 47%.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: New South Wales has reached an agreement with the federal government to fully fund public schools by 2034, resulting in an expected injection of $4.8 billion into the education system over the next decade.

This deal raises the commonwealth’s funding contribution to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard and coincides with similar agreements made with other states, leaving Queensland as the only state not participating.

Education Minister Jason Clare has noted that the funding is contingent on reforms aimed at improving educational outcomes and support for students.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: More than half of Australian employers have reduced their gender pay gap over the past year, but only one in five have an average gap within the target range of -5 to +5 percent.

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency has reported that 72 percent of employers still pay men more than women on average, with high-paying companies exhibiting the largest gaps.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Households could face an average annual increase of $449 in power bills by 2030 if the government pursues a nuclear energy strategy, according to analysis by the Clean Energy Council.

This scenario suggests that slowing the rollout of renewable energy and relying on more expensive gas would drive up costs, contrasting with Labor’s plan for 82% renewable energy by 2030.

Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton argues that increasing renewable energy deployment is the most reliable way to keep energy bills low.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: New South Wales is a key battleground for the 2025 federal election, with approximately a dozen Labor-held seats at risk due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting outer-suburban households.

There are crucial races in marginal electorates such as Bennelong, Gilmore, and Werriwa, where swings could indicate significant shifts in voter sentiment.

Recent polling suggests that while Labor currently holds a slight edge, voter dissatisfaction with government performance could favour the Coalition in these closely contested areas.

From www.aph.gov.au: The research paper discusses the deteriorating security environment in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting that the U.S. may no longer have a military advantage in the Western Pacific, prompting Australia to shift its strategic defence focus to deterrence.

It compares the capabilities of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) with conventional ones (SSKs), noting SSNs’ advantages in stealth, speed, endurance, flexibility, and armament, making them a superior deterrent in Australia’s vast operating area.

However, while SSNs are seen as a game-changing upgrade, Australia’s own SSNs will not be operational until the 2030s, with interim support provided by U.S. and U.K. submarines.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: The Tasmanian government starts the parliamentary year facing criticism for abandoning its independent review of the Integrity Commission, leading to discontent among crossbench MPs.

Despite these challenges, the minority Liberal government maintains support from two independent MPs, preventing immediate threats to its stability or calls for a no-confidence motion from the opposition.

Ongoing issues for the government include the budget deficit and delays in significant projects like the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

From roymorgan.com: A recent Roy Morgan survey shows the Coalition regaining a narrow lead with 50.5% support compared to the ALP’s 49.5%, indicating a potential hung parliament if an election were held now.

The findings reveal a drop in government confidence and suggest the initial boost in support for Labor following the Reserve Bank’s interest rate cut has diminished.

From smallcaps.com.au: Australia faces potential new tariffs from the US on aluminium and steel, with President Trump unlikely to grant an exemption despite prior diplomatic efforts.

Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy advises that retaliatory measures would exacerbate economic harm to Australian consumers and businesses, suggesting that finding alternative export markets is a more effective strategy.

Successful past negotiations post-China’s tariffs showcase Australia’s ability to adapt and strengthen trade relations amidst rising global trade barriers.

Reported at theconversation.com: The Albanese government has secured a new schools funding agreement with New South Wales, providing an additional A$4.8 billion for public schools over a decade.

This agreement will increase the federal funding contribution from 20% to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard by 2034 and ties funding to various reforms aimed at improving student outcomes, including phonics checks and mental health support.

As part of this initiative, NSW commits to fully funding its schools, while Queensland remains the only state yet to join the agreement.