Ed.

From johnmenadue.com: Recent studies indicate that individuals identifying as non-religious predominantly support the Australian Labor Party (ALP), with a 68% preference compared to the Coalition.

Political parties need to adapt their policies and narratives to connect effectively with non-religious voters.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has condemned the politicisation of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust during a commemorative event in Poland, asserting that these issues transcend political divides.

He and Foreign Minister Penny Wong attended the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation, amid increasing anti-Semitic attacks in Australia, which authorities suspect may involve organized crime.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced funding for Holocaust education initiatives, reinforcing the need to combat anti-Semitism nationwide.

Crowds gather across Australia for Invasion Day rallies, marking January 26 as a day of mourning for Indigenous communities, who refer to it as Invasion Day or Survival Day, Reports the ABC.

Participants advocate for changing the date of Australia Day and honour the historical trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reported at au.lifestyle.yahoo.com: More than 450 Australians were recognized in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list, celebrating significant contributions to the country.

Notable recipients include Professor Megan Davis, honored for her work in Indigenous rights, and the late Galarrwuy Yunupingu, a prominent Aboriginal leader honored posthumously.

Other recipients include Professor Allen Cheng for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and Lloyd and Sue Clarke for their advocacy for coercive control laws following the tragic loss of their daughter and grandchildren.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan reaffirms the commitment to the Suburban Rail Loop while addressing media reports that the federal government may prioritise funding for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link instead.

The federal government has allocated $2.2 billion for the SRL, but its release is pending assessment, with discussions ongoing between state and federal authorities about both projects.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a significant reshuffle of his frontbench ahead of the upcoming federal election, including David Coleman as the new shadow minister for foreign affairs following Simon Birmingham’s retirement, the ABC reports.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price will take on the role of shadow minister for government efficiency, a position reminiscent of Donald Trump’s approach in the U.S.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: Australians have substantial superannuation balances due to reforms implemented in the 1990s, leading many to rely more on superannuation than the Age Pension for retirement income.

However, four out of five pre-retirees find retirement planning complicated, resulting in retirees cautiously managing their funds and leaving a significant proportion unspent, which undermines the purpose of superannuation.

The Grattan Institute recommends that the government encourage retirees to purchase annuities with a portion of their superannuation to guarantee lifelong income, while also establishing a separate agency to provide financial advice.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Donald Trump has returned to the political arena with a disruptive agenda that includes significant proposals on taxes, energy, and international cooperation, leading to uncertainty in global and Australian markets.

In contrast, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasizes stability and calmness as he positions his government ahead of the upcoming election, highlighting achievements like reducing inflation and creating jobs.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: A five-year legal battle over a letter of advice from former attorney general Christian Porter to then prime minister Scott Morrison regarding the $100 million sports grants program concluded with the release of the letter, costing taxpayers over $400,000.

From nationalinterest.org: Beijing’s media has expressed concerns over the Australia-U.S. alliance, suggesting that the U.S. aims to use Australia as a strategic foothold in the Indo-Pacific amid potential geopolitical tensions.

Australia needs to consider broadening its defense cooperation with the U.S., while balancing its economic relations with China, its largest trading partner.

Reported at www.sbs.com.au: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered his first major speech of 2025 at the National Press Club, criticising Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and announcing a new $10,000 cash boost for apprentices in the trades sector.

Albanese described Australia Day as both a celebration and a painful reminder for many First Nations people, urging respect for the complexity of the nation’s history.

Six key moments from Albanese’s speech.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, several Aboriginal organizations are choosing not to celebrate Australia Day on January 26, advocating for changing the date due to its painful historical significance for Indigenous peoples.

Many in the region are marking the day instead as Survival Day, reflecting on resilience and cultural pride.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: A recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League indicates that 20% of Australians hold antisemitic views, equating to approximately 4.7 million individuals, although questions have been raised regarding the survey’s sampling size of only 594 people.

Critics argue that the survey’s methodology may contribute to overestimating antisemitism.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Anthony Albanese delivered his first major speech of 2025 at the National Press Club, outlining Labor’s election platform with a focus on health, Medicare, education, and job security while criticizing Liberal leader Peter Dutton as “weak.”

Key announcements included a $626 million initiative for construction apprenticeships and new education funding deals with Victoria and South Australia.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: South Australia and Victoria have signed the Commonwealth’s new school funding agreement, raising the federal government’s share of public school funding to 25% from 20%.

This initiative aims to ensure public schools meet the funding levels recommended by the Gonski review in 2012, with all states expected to contribute 75% of the total funding.

Reported at www.bbc.com: A statue of Captain James Cook in Sydney was vandalized and covered in red paint ahead of Australia Day, prompting an investigation by local police.

This incident marks the second act of vandalism against the statue in the past year, with similar acts occurring at other Captain Cook statues across Australia around the controversial holiday, which many Indigenous Australians view as a day of mourning.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Indigenous leaders express frustration over the divisive and aggressive debate surrounding Australia Day, emphasizing the need for respectful and mature discussions about its significance to First Nations people.

Recent polling indicates a majority of Australians now support keeping January 26 as the national day, reflecting a shift in public sentiment.

Reported at theconversation.com: Support for changing the date of Australia Day has slightly softened, yet remains robust among young Australians, with 53% opposing the current date of January 26.

Research conducted by Deakin University indicates that younger people are more inclined to advocate for a change compared to older generations, suggesting an enduring trend over the coming decades.

The Albanese Government has made progress in rebuilding the Australian Public Service capability but has failed to restore the degree of independence promised, with reforms lacking substantial legislative backing, reports johnmenadue.com.

Andrew Podger argues that there is a crucial need for genuine reform and greater APS independence, which should be enforced through legislative measures rather than vague commitments.

Crossbench pressure has a role to ensure reforms are enacted.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Police are investigating the vandalism of two busts of former Australian prime ministers, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd, which were decapitated and stolen from the Prime Ministers Avenue in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

The incident occurred between 2 am and 5 am, resulting in damage to 20 bronze busts, with others’ nameplates covered in spray paint.