Month: March 2025 AWST

From www.aumanufacturing.com.au: Australia faces a severe housing shortage, prompting the federal government to plan for 1.2 million new dwellings.

To accelerate construction, repurposing shuttered car factories for housing production could utilise existing trained workers and advanced machinery.

Companies like Hickory Group are already exploring this idea, adapting automotive manufacturing techniques to modular home construction, which could help meet housing demands faster and cheaper.

From michaelwest.com.au: Whyalla Steelworks has nearly 3,500 creditors owed over $1.3 billion and a reported before-tax loss of $319.1 million in just seven months.

The South Australian government has introduced a $2.4 billion support package aimed at stabilising operations and ensuring the future of steel manufacturing in the region.

From www.theguardian.com: Zoe Daniel, the independent MP for Goldstein, expresses concern over the growing divide between Australia and the US under Donald Trump’s administration, highlighting that Trump’s actions threaten the traditional NATO principle of collective security and undermine democratic values.

Australia is investing billions in military capabilities through the AUKUS arrangement while facing concerns about potential trade retaliation from the US

Daniel calls for a re-evaluation of Australia’s foreign policy and highlights the absence of a backup plan if the US fails to fulfill its security commitments.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: The Northern Territory government plans to extend the life of the aging Channel Island gas-fired power station until 2035, delaying its previously scheduled retirement in 2027.

This decision raises doubts about the territory’s target of achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030.

The Utilities Commission warns that extending the gas generators is not a long-term solution.

From johnmenadue.com: Ross Garnaut asserts that despite Donald Trump’s re-election impacting global climate action, Australia is uniquely positioned to leverage its renewable energy resources and become a significant exporter of energy-intensive goods.

He highlights China’s commitment to decarbonisation and suggests that Australia can thrive economically in renewable energy, especially in rural areas, if supported by effective policies.

Continued investment in renewables and electricity storage technologies is required to ensure reliability and lower energy costs, while reliance on fossil fuels that could hinder net-zero goals.

From www.abc.net.au: Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton’s recent announcements regarding domestic beer tax indexation coincide with a crisis in the Australian-US alliance, exacerbated by Donald Trump’s controversial treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Albanese unequivocally condemned Russia while avoiding direct comments on Trump’s behaviour, indicating a reluctance to confront the shifting dynamics of their alliance with the US.

From johnmenadue.com: Klaas Woldring argues that Australia should create a new flag as the first step toward constitutional renewal, referencing the existing flag’s colonial ties to the British Crown.

He suggests that changing the flag could revitalise discussions on constitutional reform, currently overlooked by the Albanese Government, and advocates for representation of Australia’s multicultural society and Indigenous peoples.

Woldring emphasizes that while amending the Constitution is challenging, flag creation is feasible and could signal a commitment to progressive change in Australian governance.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: A leaked document reveals that the Western Australian government’s efforts to develop wind and solar projects have stalled, with few new developments ready to replace retiring coal power before the scheduled closure in 2027.

Despite claims from Premier Roger Cook of significant renewables progress, independent data indicates that large-scale renewable electricity generation has flatlined at 18% since 2021.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: More than 1,500 residents rallied against a proposed housing development in North Stoneville, Perth Hills, arguing it poses risks such as bushfire hazards and environmental damage to endangered species habitats.

Despite federal environmental approval, the local Shire of Mundaring and the WA Planning Commission have twice rejected the plan, and developer Satterley Group has appealed that decision, with a hearing scheduled for September.

Politicians from all sides have joined the protest.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: The NSW Minns government has decided to end the private management of Parklea Correctional Centre, returning it to public control due to ongoing safety issues, understaffing, and neglect attributed to profit-driven motives.

This transition from the Management and Training Corporation will begin in October 2026, with a six-month contract extension to facilitate the process.

Critics have pointed to high rates of violence and inadequate staffing under MTC, and the government aims to focus on rehabilitation and reducing reoffending post-incarceration.

From www.rossgittins.com: Australia’s productivity has stagnated for about a decade, primarily due to a lack of investment by businesses in machinery and equipment needed to enhance worker efficiency.

Economists and business leaders have historically pointed to government policies as the main culprit for poor productivity, but recent analyses reveal that private sector inaction is the real issue, as firms have opted to cut costs through practices such as casualisation rather than investing in productivity improvements.

Economists argue that both physical and public capital investments are essential to support a growing workforce and enhance overall productivity.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: DemosAU’s recent poll indicates a significant lead for Labor in South Australia, with 59% of voter support compared to 41% for the Liberals, reflecting changes since the 2022 election.

The poll highlights a positive perception of the current government, with 53% of respondents believing the state is on the right track, and Labor leader Peter Malinauskas leading as preferred premier.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: RedBridge Group’s latest marginal seat polling shows a slight uptick for Labor, which now sits at 34%, while the Coalition has declined to 41%, with the Greens steady at 12%.

There is an increase in certainty among Labor voters, from 45% to 47%, alongside improvements in ratings for Labor’s handling of health and housing issues.

Despite the encouraging signs for Labor, Peter Dutton maintains a better perception for managing relations with Donald Trump compared to Anthony Albanese.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: The federal opposition in Australia plans to spend $3 billion to reinstate a fourth squadron of F-35A fighter jets, increasing the Air Force’s fleet to 100 aircraft.

Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie emphasizes that this initiative will demonstrate Australia’s independence in military capability to international allies, particularly the U.S., amid global uncertainties.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a pledge of $644 million to establish 50 new Medicare urgent care clinics across Australia by mid-2026.

This initiative aims to ensure that around 80% of Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of these bulk-billing clinics, which provide free care for non-life-threatening conditions.

The government aims to alleviate pressure on public hospitals and has previously opened 87 similar clinics, serving over 1.2 million people.

From www.pollbludger.net: The Western Australian election campaign, one week from voting, faces challenges as Liberal candidate Thomas Brough raises controversial topics like abortion laws, which his leader prefers to avoid.

A recent leaders’ debate sees Libby Mettam performing better than expected against Labor’s Roger Cook, despite conflicting assessments of their performances. E

arly voting shows unconvincing results, with a straw poll suggesting that 49% of early voters from specific seats favoured the Liberals, yet this may not indicate a strong overall electoral outcome.

From www.sbs.com.au: Western Australia’s state election on March 8 is significant as it may influence the political landscape nationally, particularly with a federal election approaching.

Premier Roger Cook faces challenges addressing rising cost-of-living issues while maintaining Labor’s dominance following Mark McGowan’s departure, as the opposition Liberals, led by Libby Mettam, aim to recover from a historic loss and focus on economic pressures.

THe outcomes could affect the momentum for both major parties across Australia, with potential implications for the Albanese government’s support in WA.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: YouGov’s latest poll shows a 51-49 lead for the Coalition over Labor, with significant drops in major party support attributed to a rise in minor parties, particularly the Greens and One Nation.

Labor’s vote share decreased to 28%, while the Coalition reached 37%, and Clive Palmer’s party accounted for only 1% of the vote.

Despite the decline in overall votes, both party leaders experienced an improvement in their net approval ratings, with Anthony Albanese’s approval steady at 40% and Peter Dutton rising to 44%.

From www.aspistrategist.org.au: The deployment of a Chinese naval task group off the Australian east coast aims to test Australia’s responses and challenge its societal resilience.

Australia should focus on enhancing its maritime military capabilities rather than overreacting to perceived threats, as this could give China a propaganda victory.

Investing in naval resources and preparing for potential challenges is crucial for maintaining national security and the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed Australia’s strong support for Ukraine amid the US’s wavering commitment, emphasising that the war represents a struggle for international law.

Following a tense meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not being “more thankful” for US aid, Albanese maintained that Australia’s foreign policy is its own and will continue to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

European leaders echoed Albanese’s sentiments, reiterating their backing for Ukraine while expressing solidarity with Zelenskyy.