Ed.

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.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $626 million boost in apprentice allowances for those in housing construction and clean energy, marking the first increase since 2003.

Eligible apprentices will receive $10,000 in 4 installments over 36 months.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: Treasury has proposed a significant restructuring of Australia’s accounting and auditing standard-setting bodies into a single governing board, replacing the existing Financial Reporting Council, Australian Accounting Standards Board, and Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.

Stakeholders have until February 21 to provide feedback on this proposal, which aims to streamline standard-setting functions similar to structures in the UK and New Zealand.

From www.themandarin.com.au: New South Wales councils have disputed the Minns government’s claims that they are obstructing housing development applications, citing various economic factors as barriers to housing supply.

Local government leaders pointed to a decline in development applications and issues such as rising construction costs, labor shortages, and higher interest rates as contributors to the ongoing housing crisis.

Councils are pushing for a more comprehensive discussion on the economic conditions affecting the housing market.

From www.sbs.com.au: Aftab Malik, Australia’s first special envoy to combat Islamophobia, reports a more than 600 percent increase in Islamophobic incidents since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, highlighting the normalisation and underreporting of such incidents.

Malik emphasises that these occurrences happen in everyday settings, yet many victims choose not to report their experiences.

From independentaustralia.net: Australia has experienced a record surge in working holidaymakers contributing to net migration, with figures reaching 89,950 in 2022-23 and 72,480 in 2023-24.

Policy changes were significant factors driving this increase.

Projections suggest that if the labor market remains robust, the contribution of working holidaymakers to net migration will continue to exceed pre-COVID levels.

Reported at australiainstitute.org.au: Corporate lobbyists can access politicians cheaply in Australia, while peaceful protestors face severe penalties due to draconian anti-protest laws enacted across several states.

Recent polling shows significant public support for protecting the right to peaceful protest and stricter regulations on cash-for-access lobbying practices.

The disparity highlights a prioritisation of corporate interests over public voices.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: Support for state Labor in Victoria has dropped to a historic low of 22%, while the Coalition has increased to 42% according to a new Resolve Strategic poll.

The poll, conducted before the recent leadership change from John Pesutto to Brad Battin, shows Battin leading Jacinta Allan as preferred premier by 37-27.

Two state by-elections are approaching for the seats of Prahran and Werribee.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: The WA government plans to negotiate the reversal of the freight rail network’s privatisation, which occurred in 2000, to address concerns raised by farmers about transportation issues affecting grain delivery.

The freight rail had been left dormant since 2014, leading to increased reliance on trucks for transport, which has deteriorated regional roads.

Reported at www.9news.com.au: Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced that the federal government will not introduce any new taxes in this year’s federal budget, focusing instead on providing relief for the cost of living.

He emphasised ongoing changes already announced regarding superannuation tax concessions for high-balance individuals.

Opposition has proposed tax deductions for businesses under $10 million in turnover.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: Recent polling in Australia shows the Coalition leading the federal elections, with the latest Resolve Strategic poll indicating a 52-48 split on a two-party preferred basis.

Labor’s primary vote stands at 27%, while the Coalition at 38%, with Peter Dutton overtaking Anthony Albanese in preferred prime minister rankings.

Essential Research highlights a slight improvement for Labor, showing a 30% primary vote but still trailing the Coalition, which is at 37%.

Three Federal polls give Coalition the edge

Reported at johnmenadue.com: The current housing crisis in Australia is a result of decades of transforming homes into investment assets, destabilising both major political parties.

A proposed solution involves reimagining public housing as essential infrastructure for all citizens and leveraging Centrelink’s voluntary work program to promote community engagement and support for public housing initiatives.

By lifting age restrictions and supporting voluntary work as a mutual obligation for income support, the authors argue this approach can revitalize public housing and foster greater civic participation.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Queensland’s new LNP Treasurer David Janetzki announced a significant fiscal downturn, revealing that the state’s budget will shift from a projected $887 million surplus to a deficit exceeding $9 billion for the 2026-27 financial year.

The fiscal update highlights a $400 million decline in coal royalty revenue due to falling prices and reduced export volumes, marking the end of the coal royalty “windfall” era.

The Treasurer will today publish the Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review.