POLITICS

Reported at nff.org.au: The National Farmers’ Federation’s priorities for the upcoming Federal Election emphasises the need for policy reforms to address taxation, biosecurity, infrastructure, and workforce issues in agriculture.

Key demands include the scrapping of the proposed super tax, maintaining the diesel fuel rebate, and investing $1 billion in freight supply chain improvements.

NFF also calls for immediate action on mental health initiatives and the implementation of a dedicated farm visa to tackle workforce shortages.

Reported at www.sbs.com.au: Australia is considering strong diplomatic actions against Russia following unconfirmed reports that Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins has been killed by Russian forces while being held as a prisoner of war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed grave concerns for Jenkins’ welfare and indicated that expulsion of the Russian ambassador could be an option.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed optimism for a impending ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as negotiations in Qatar progress.

Hamas indicated it is awaiting Israeli withdrawal maps, while a deal would involve the return of hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees.

Despite the hopeful signs, not all Israeli ministers support the agreement, leading to concerns of political fallout in Israel.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is ‘awaiting the facts’ surrounding the reported death of Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins, who has been in Russian captivity since last year after serving with Ukraine’s military, reports Reuters.

Australia has summoned the Russian ambassador and asked Russian authorities to confirm Mr Jenkins’ status.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Over 200 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are stranded in Kupang, Indonesia, hoping to reach Australia after paying people smugglers.

Many have been waiting for years without success, facing mental health challenges and a lack of freedom while residing in crowded conditions.

The Australian government’s stringent border protection measures and the ongoing asylum seeker crisis have led to increased frustration and uncertainty among those seeking refuge.

Reported at www.northwestweekly.com.au: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed calls for increases to the zonal tax offset, claiming it is susceptible to distortions and manipulations.

During a visit to Mount Isa, he criticized Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for lacking detailed proposals on tax reform, despite Dutton’s support for adjustments to assist rural and remote communities.

Reported at www.msn.com: Train commuters in Sydney are experiencing significant delays and cancellations due to ongoing industrial action and maintenance issues on the rail network.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has ruled out ending their strike until a satisfactory pay deal is reached with the government, which recently offered a 13 percent pay rise over four years.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: The Albanese Government’s National Climate Risk Assessment appears to be inadequately prepared, lacking a thorough understanding and communication of Australia’s climate threats.

Critics argue that the NCRA, which seems overly conservative and siloed in its approach, may be paused or neglected, potentially limiting effective climate policy amidst rising threats.

Reported at www.investmentmagazine.com.au: The federal Coalition is under pressure from its MPs to consider major reforms to Australia’s superannuation system, potentially lowering the superannuation guarantee (SG) rate from 12% to 9%.

While some independent studies suggest that a lower SG could be adequate, critics argue that such changes could undermine the system, which has broad public support.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: A 2024 study highlights increasing patterns of criminalization and repression of climate and environmental protests globally, with Australia being noted for its high percentage of such protests while also facing restrictive laws.

The report indicates that peaceful protest actions, perceived by authorities as disruptive, are increasingly met with punitive measures that undermine the rights of environmental defenders.

While Australia is committed to international covenants recognizing freedom of assembly, the trend of enacting laws against protest activities reflects a shift toward penalizing those advocating for more decisive climate action.

From the Minister: The Albanese Labor Government has launched Australia’s first National Autism Strategy and Action Plan, aimed at improving inclusion and support for Autistic Australians.

The Strategy, developed with input from Autistic individuals and various stakeholders, focuses on four key areas: social inclusion, economic inclusion, diagnosis and services, and health.

The First Action Plan is backed by $42.3 million in funding to implement practical steps over the next two years, including programs for peer support, employment opportunities, and awareness initiatives.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Australia is set to launch its first national autism strategy, a $42.3 million initiative aimed at improving the lives of autistic individuals and addressing societal misconceptions.

It includes 22 commitments focusing on social inclusion, diagnosis, and support services, with significant funding allocated for peer support programs and a prevalence study.

From www.themandarin.com.au: Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani emphasizes the need for Australian government agencies to improve their records management systems and training related to Freedom of Information (FOI) obligations.

A recent survey revealed that many agencies struggle with inadequate systems and training methods, often relying on informal approaches.

Enhancing these practices will elevate FOI as a core agency responsibility, fostering better access to government-held information for the Australian community.

Peter Dutton has pledged to require Australian councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26, Australia Day, as part of his campaign to revert recent rule changes that allowed flexibility in ceremony dates, the ABC reports.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refrained from commenting on this promise and emphasized his commitment to attending the national celebrations in Canberra.

The date remains controversial, with many Indigenous Australians observing it as a day of mourning due to its association with the arrival of the British First Fleet and subsequent discrimination.

From michaelwest.com.au: Australian government censorship is exposed regarding the official history of its operations in East Timor, particularly during and after the 1999 independence referendum.

DFAT sought to remove a chapter detailing the Indonesian military’s orchestration of violence, reflecting deceptive narratives propagated by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and the government.

Despite efforts to suppress the truth, leaked documents reveal that the government was fully aware of the military’s involvement in the atrocities committed against Timorese supporters of independence.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young urges the Labor government to fulfill its environmental promises, particularly a moratorium on koala habitat destruction and the implementation of comprehensive environmental protection laws.

She emphasizes that the climate crisis is a crucial issue for the upcoming 2025 federal election, despite other pressing topics like cost-of-living.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Australia is implementing its first national autism strategy and action plan, backed by a $42.3 million investment aimed at improving diagnosis, health services, and social inclusion for individuals with autism.

The strategy includes 22 commitments that focus on enhancing economic inclusion and addressing the specific disadvantages faced by women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals with autism.

From johnmenadue.com: With the upcoming presidential inauguration, the competition between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton intensifies over who can best manage U.S. politics under Donald Trump.

Their public posturing reveals a lack of depth, as both leaders attempt to project their influence amidst Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy rhetoric, which raises concerns about American military interventions.

Instead of engaging in a confrontational contest, the article suggests that both leaders should adopt a more cautious and strategic approach in dealings with the Trump administration.

The ABC reports that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $3 billion investment aimed at upgrading the NBN, promising to complete its rollout by 2030.

The plan includes enhancing fibre-to-the-node connections for 622,000 new homes, particularly benefiting regional areas, and aims to increase internet speeds to up to 1GB per second.

Australia’s bulk-billing rate has fallen to 20.7% at the start of 2025, down from 35.7% two years prior, with an average out-of-pocket cost of $43.38 for patients, marking a 4% increase year-on-year, reports michaelwest.com.au.

A survey by Cleanbill identified a total absence of bulk-billing clinics for new adult patients in Tasmania, which also reported the highest out-of-pocket expenses at $54.26.

Health Minister Mark Butler contested these figures, asserting the government’s record investment had improved bulk-billing rates.