Ed.

Reported at www.rossgittins.com: Ross Gittins warns against focusing solely on the cost of living during the upcoming federal election, stressing that climate change poses a greater threat to the future.

He explains that rising consumer prices result from pandemic-related global disruptions and the consequent monetary policy responses, rather than direct government failures.

Gittins urges voters to consider the implications of their choices, particularly the difference in wage policy between the current Labor government and the Coalition, while advocating for a minority government supported by parties committed to urgent climate action.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: Dan Tehan, Shadow Immigration Spokesperson, has criticised the Labor Government for its handling of rising asylum seeker numbers, which have exceeded 120,000.

The Government has increased funding to address asylum processing but faces ongoing challenges due to a backlog of applications, and there remains uncertainty about how either party will deal with the issue going forward.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Peter Dutton plans to eliminate the 36,000 public servant positions created by the Labor government since 2022 to enhance government efficiency.

He claims the savings from these cuts could be redirected to cost-of-living relief and defence funding, while Labor maintains that many of these roles are crucial for proper government function and are located outside Canberra.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: A Roy Morgan poll shows the coalition with a narrow lead over Labor, registering 52% to Labor’s 48% on a two-party-preferred basis, consistent with other recent polls.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have been campaigning in Western Australia as the federal election deadline approaches.

The poll indicates a decline in support for the Greens and a rise for One Nation and independent candidates, while Albanese has yet to announce the election date, which must occur by mid-May.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: New South Wales has implemented a ban on advertising for gambling, including casinos, lotteries, and online betting, on public transport to protect youth from exposure to these promotions.

The decision is part of a broader strategy by the Minns government to address gambling-related issues, responding to concerns from parents and criticism regarding the party’s ties to the gaming industry.

The process expected to take up to 12 months.

Reported at theconversation.com: Treasurer Jim Chalmers reported that Australia has made significant progress against inflation, with recent data showing underlying inflation at 3.2% and headline inflation at 2.4%, leading markets to expect an interest rate cut from the Reserve Bank in February.

Chalmers emphasized that while the fight against inflation continues, the worst challenges are deemed to be behind, urging careful consideration by the Reserve Bank amidst ongoing pressure on households from high rates.

The upcoming March budget may also introduce cost-of-living relief as discussions regarding potential election timing unfold, though speculation about a budget surplus remains cautious.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: Leaders of the Labor Party and the Coalition have begun to pay attention to the long-standing issue of underfunding in Australia’s public schools, with Labor committing to increase its contribution from 20% to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard by 2034, excluding Queensland and NSW where negotiations are ongoing.

There is a pressing need for a unified approach to confront systemic inequalities and ensure equitable education for all students in Australia.

Reported at www.9news.com.au: Australian families have saved an average of $2,768 on childcare costs since new subsidies were introduced by the Labor government in September 2023.

Education Minister Jason Clare highlighted that families with a joint income of $120,000 benefitted significantly, with some households receiving up to 90% back on childcare fees.

The government aims to address workforce challenges in the sector by increasing salaries for early childhood education workers and is proposing a $1 billion early education fund to provide more access to early learning.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the expansion of a scheme to subsidize the electrification of homes in Australia, encouraging community groups to apply for grants to help residents install electric appliances.

The initiative, which previously showed positive results in New South Wales, allows households to receive grants of up to $10,000 for replacing gas appliances and provides low-interest loans for solar panels and electric vehicles.

the Minister criticised the Opposition’s energy plan as a “nuclear fantasy,” asserting that the new funding will help reduce power bills and emissions.

From shows.acast.com: Cultural studies professor Graeme Turner joins Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga on the Democracy Sausage podcast to discuss the potential influence of Donald Trump’s return on Australian democracy and the implications for the upcoming federal election.

They explore whether Peter Dutton might adopt a Trump-style campaign and if such an approach could find traction in Australia. The conversation also examines Labor’s governance and narrative challenges as they prepare for re-election.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Key battlegrounds in Victoria and New South Wales, where both major parties face risks and opportunities, will be critical in determining the election outcome.

The Labor Party currently holds 78 seats, needing to maintain its majority against a Coalition seeking to gain 19 seats to govern.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Australia plans to expand suburb-wide electrification trials to aid the transition away from gas.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, will provide subsidies for households to switch to solar batteries and electric appliances, following the success of a pilot program in Wollongong.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Australia’s largest state economy, Western Australia has been ranked as the country’s best-performing in the latest CommSec State of the States report.

The report highlights WA’s strengths in retail spending, unemployment, and housing finance, while Queensland and South Australia followed in second place overall.

Despite economic slowdown due to rising interest rates and inflation, the job market and population growth remained robust, with WA experiencing a significant rise in annual home prices.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Federal political leaders Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have both recently visited Western Australia to appeal to voters ahead of upcoming elections.

With nine out of fifteen federal seats in WA currently held by Labor, both leaders are vying to influence the electoral dynamics and ensure support in the state.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: The Albanese government has proposed a comprehensive restructuring of accounting, auditing, and sustainability reporting rules, emphasising the need for transparency in the process.

There are concerns that political pressure may lead to creation of unnecessary committees and the implications for the independence of standard-setting processes.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: KordaMentha has formed a new defence practice by hiring two prominent KPMG partners amid a crackdown on consultancy firms in the national security sector.

The firm aims to leverage its independent status, stressing the absence of audit and tax services, to provide specialised support to Defence projects without conflicts of interest.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Dan Cregan, the South Australian Police Minister, announced his resignation from cabinet and retirement from politics due to pressing family matters.

Having represented the Adelaide Hills seat of Kavel as an independent since defecting from the Liberal Party, Cregan plans to ensure a smooth transition for a successor before the next election.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: A recent Newspoll indicates that 53% of voters expect the coalition to win the upcoming federal election, while Labor’s primary vote has dipped to 31%.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are actively campaigning across the country as the election approaches.

Several developers, including Oceanex Energy and Skyborn Renewables, have withdrawn their applications to build an offshore wind farm off the coast of Western Australia’s South West due to delays and regulatory challenges, the ABC reports.

Oceanex cited capital tied up in projects on the east coast and a complicated approval process as key factors in their decision.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Ellie Smith, backed by the Climate 200 movement, has announced her candidacy as an independent for the federal seat of Dickson, challenging sitting opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Her focus is on local issues such as cost of living and community integrity rather than strictly environmental concerns, emphasising her identity as a community independent rather than a “teal.”