POLITICS

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Marginal seats, particularly the Victorian seat of Wannon, pose significant challenges for both major parties as independent candidates like Alex Dyson gain traction.

As the upcoming election approaches, independent candidates could play a crucial role in determining the next government’s composition, with polls indicating the possibility of a hung parliament.

Dyson, supported by Climate 200, has raised substantial funds and aims to capitalise on voter dissatisfaction with the major parties.

Reported at www.thenewdaily.com.au: Parliament resumes for what could be the final session before the federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton sharpening their campaigning strategies.

Recent polls show the Coalition and Labor in a tight race, with the potential for a hung parliament, emphasizing the significance of cost-of-living issues for voters.

Additionally, Parliament will debate new hate crime protections and introduce legislation to guarantee childcare subsidies for families if Labor is re-elected.

Reported at theconversation.com: The Australian Electoral Commission has relaunched its “Stop and Consider” campaign to combat the spread of misinformation, particularly as the 2025 federal election approaches and political messaging increasingly incorporates AI-generated content and deepfakes.

Despite the campaign’s credible outreach and message, experts warn that it may struggle to effectively address the sophisticated tactics used in digital manipulation and misinformation.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Robert Keldoulis and his company, Keldoulis Investments Pty Ltd, topped the list of Australia’s largest political donors by contributing $1.1 million to Climate 200 in the 2023-24 financial year.

Keldoulis, who was also the largest individual donor to Climate 200 the previous year, significantly outpaced other notable donors, including billionaire Anthony Pratt, who donated $1 million to Labor.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s latest figures come amidst ongoing attempts by the Albanese government to reform electoral funding and limit the influence of major contributions in politics.

The government has announced a $6 million investment in Housing for Change, an organisation which provides transitional housing for people escaping domestic violence.

Reference was made to the broader $1.2 billion investment in crisis and transitional housing.

The Treasurer also commented on recent natural disasters in Queensland, requiring government aid and support, US tariffs and antisemitic attacks in Australia.

Link to full transcript here.

From aph.gov.au: An outline of the updated remuneration of Commonwealth departmental secretaries, effective from July 2024, detailing specific pay levels across various departments.

The Remuneration Tribunal has restructured the classification and terms of employment for secretaries, addressing previous disparities in their remuneration.

From reuters.com: Australia’s government has exempted YouTube from a ban on social media access for minors under 16, citing its educational value, despite concerns from experts about the platform’s harmful content and addictive nature.

Critics argue that the exemption undermines efforts to protect young users, as YouTube’s algorithm can promote extremist and misogynistic material.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Parliament resumes in Australia for crucial legislative sessions ahead of the federal election, with key items on the agenda including production tax credits, hate speech laws, electoral reforms, superannuation tax changes, and a nature positive bill.

Support from the crossbench is necessary for the government to pass its legislation and shape its messaging for the upcoming election campaign.

Several significant bills remain unresolved from the previous sessions, creating uncertainty surrounding their future and potential impact on Labor’s platform.

See: Parliament Sitting Calendar

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Peter Dutton, Australia’s Opposition Leader, has been focusing on his “anti-woke” agenda to appeal to disenfranchised young male voters, expressing concerns over their job prospects and feelings of being overlooked in the workplace.

Current polling shows a distinct gender divide, with younger men more inclined to support Dutton, while women lean left, indicating complex dynamics as the election approaches.

The CopperString project envisages an 840km electricity transmission line connecting Mount Isa to the national electricity market, which is vital for tapping into renewable energy resources and supporting critical minerals extraction in Queensland, reports michaelwest.com.au.

Federal MP Bob Katter argues the project’s importance for local mining operations and the regional economy, with energy costs being crucial for mining viability.

Despite the lack of progress over 15 years, Katter insists that the project remains a vital factor for industrial survival and development in the region.

From michaelwest.com.au: The Australian Submarine Agency faces criticism for allegedly ignoring security obligations related to high-level nuclear waste from planned AUKUS submarines.

Journalist Rex Patrick details a legal battle to access a report on suitable sites for waste storage, which he claims was improperly managed outside the required Cabinet documentation system.

He argues that the government’s lack of transparency regarding nuclear waste storage locations poses a serious concern for public safety and accountability.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Since the Northern Territory’s new public drinking law took effect in November, 120 individuals have been fined a total exceeding $23,000 for breaches, with three arrests reported.

Local business owners express concern over the law’s effectiveness, noting continued anti-social behaviour and requesting increased police presence.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has significantly contributed to a 65% increase in spending on community services over the past five years, reaching approximately $94.6 billion for the financial year ending June 30.

The report highlights that the NDIS and specialist disability support services accounted for $46.7 billion, while aged care, child protection services, and youth justice services made up the remaining expenditures.

As Australia’s population ages, demand for government services is expected to rise, revealing challenges in access to formal care and service coordination for those needing support.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: The Victorian Labor government is investing over $400 million in road projects in the Werribee electorate ahead of a critical by-election, reflecting the area’s growth and residents’ concerns about local infrastructure.

While Labor remains the favourite to hold the seat previously secured by Tim Pallas, polls indicate a significant swing against them, raising doubts about their prospects.

Voter dissatisfaction, particularly regarding infrastructure and cost of living issues, has prompted local sentiments for change, making Werribee a vital indicator for the future of the Labor government.

From www.pollbludger.net: The upcoming Western Australian election campaign begins this week, with significant attention on two Victorian by-elections.

Additionally, preselection activities and candidate announcements continue to shape the political landscape in various states.

Recent polling reveals distinct voting patterns among young Australians, showing greater support for Labor among women than men, while an election prediction model suggests a tight federal race between Labor and the Coalition.

From michaelwest.com.au: Advance Australia, a hard-right lobby group, has amassed a $14 million war chest to target the Greens and Teal independents in the upcoming federal election.

Only a small portion of this funding is disclosed, with the majority classified as “dark money”.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: An independent candidate supported by the Muslim Vote is poised to preference Labor last in the upcoming federal election, raising concerns for safe Labor seats in Western Sydney.

The Muslim Vote aims to challenge Labor’s traditional support by mobilizing grassroots efforts, citing feelings of abandonment and unmet expectations among their constituents.

Candidates Ziad Basyouny in Watson and Ahmed Ouf in Blaxland are leveraging community discontent over Labor’s handling of the Gaza situation and broader issues, indicating a significant shift in voting dynamics due to past grievances.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Michael West examines a $600 million discrepancy in Sportsbet’s reported income to the ATO compared to ASIC over a five-year span.

Sportsbet promotes safe gambling while feeding into the culture of problem gambling, encouraging consumers to perceive financial losses as entertainment.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Concerns about rising crime and safety dominate discussions among voters in Prahran ahead of the upcoming by-election, triggered by the resignation of former Greens MP Sam Hibbins.

The Liberal Party, the Greens, and independent candidate Tony Lupton are major contenders, with safety and cost of living issues resonating deeply with local residents.

Victorians have reported increased violent incidents and a sense of disenfranchisement from politicians, leading to a shift in voter sentiments as early voting opens for the by-election scheduled for February 8.

Reported at www.sbs.com.au: Opposition leader Peter Dutton has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for not taking stronger action against rising antisemitism in Australia, citing recent attacks including vandalism and verbal abuse targeting young Jewish women in Sydney.

Dutton highlighted concerns over online radicalisation, urging major tech companies to protect young users from propaganda.