Oz Politics Writ Large
From the Australia Institute: The Government’s proposed electoral reforms have faced delays in the Senate due to identified flaws and loopholes, prompting calls for greater transparency and proper consultation with the public.
Advocates argue for implementing truth-in-political-advertising laws and stricter regulations on political contributions to restore trust in Australian democracy.
Reported at www.sbs.com.au: Liberal senator Dave Sharma supports banning Pro-Palestinian protests in city centers, calling them acts of intimidation.
He argues that the protests disrupt daily life and businesses.
The senator’s comments have sparked debate over the right to protest and freedom of speech.
Reported at uk.news.yahoo.com: Five members of the Bali Nine drug-smuggling ring in Indonesia have returned to Australia after nearly 20 years following the commutation of their life sentences.
The men expressed gratitude towards Indonesia’s president and Australia’s foreign ministers, with plans to reintegrate into society with Australian government support.
Challenges include health issues after prolonged incarceration, and the emotional complexities of leaving behind personal relationships formed in Indonesia.
Reported at asic.gov.au: ASIC is taking legal action against HSBC Australia for allegedly failing to adequately protect customers from scams.
The lawsuit accuses HSBC of not taking appropriate measures to prevent fraudulent activities, which could have resulted in significant financial losses for customers.
Reported at www.abc.net.au: A faction of Victorian Liberal MPs is pushing for the reinstatement of former MP Moira Deeming into the party room after her successful challenge against party leader John Pesutto in the Federal Court.
Mr Pesutto has made it clear that he does not endorse the move.
Reported at www.rossgittins.com: Oligopolists, particularly AGL, Origin Energy, and EnergyAustralia, have been significantly increasing power and gas prices, with retail profit margins reaching up to 36%. Consumers are being overcharged.
The National Electricity Market, has allowed these players to dominate and exploit the market, leading to widespread inflation and discontent among voters.
Reported at abc.net.au: Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor warns that any changes to the current Reserve Bank board members could be perceived as an attempt to influence the bank’s independent decision-making ahead of the federal election.
The two boards will determine interest rates and manage the bank’s affairs.
It was reported at abc.net.au that a worsening Federal budget position in Australia is largely attributed by the Treasurer to an additional $1.8 billion in payments to veterans due to a backlog in claims from the previous government.
‘Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor told Sky News he expected to see “four massive consecutive deficits” when the update was delivered on Wednesday.’
Reported at www.abc.net.au: A study has revealed that Australian police arrest climate and environmental activists at a rate over three times the global average, with more than 20% of all protests in Australia leading to arrests.
This rate surpasses that of countries like the UK, Norway, and the US, signaling a significant crackdown on such protests in Australia.
Reported by SBS News: Kevin Andrews, a former Liberal minister and conservative stalwart, passed away at the age of 69 after a year-long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of service in various cabinet roles and a significant impact on Australian politics.
Tributes flowed from across the political spectrum, with many remembering him as a “man of conviction” and a dedicated advocate for conservative causes.
Reported by The Guardian: The Australian Energy Council has raised concerns about the Coalition’s nuclear energy plan, stating it poses significant risks to the stability of the national grid due to assumptions of slower renewable energy investment.
Critics argue that the modeling behind the plan is flawed and that the projected costs and timelines for nuclear development are uncertain, especially given the challenges faced by other countries in constructing nuclear facilities.
See also: ‘Not a hope in hell’ nuclear power can replace Australian coal-fired power by 2040, inquiry hears
Reported at www.sbs.com.au: The timing of the 2025 Australian federal election must occur between March and May 2025, with key factors influencing the date being economic conditions and a potential early budget announcement.
The latest possible election date is set for 17 May 2025, but the government may prefer a later date to address cost of living concerns and interest rates before voters head to the polls.
The Coalition has “presented a plan” to reduce energy costs and increase reliability by incorporating nuclear power into the nation’s energy mix.
They argue that this balanced approach, including renewables and nuclear, is 44% cheaper than the Labor government’s renewables-only strategy, citing independent economic analysis.
See press conference video and full transcript on Youtube
Antony Green discusses the possibility of Australia holding its first federal election in February, which has never occurred before, and the implications this would have on the upcoming Western Australian state election scheduled for March 8, 2025.
It outlines the complexities of election dates, including the need for agreements between state leaders, and the potential impact on voters if elections were to coincide.
Reported at SBS News: Labor’s response to an inquiry on ADHD has been criticized as insufficient and inadequate by advocates and parents, who are pushing for more comprehensive action to address the needs of individuals with ADHD.
The lack of a clear commitment to funding, research, and support services for those with ADHD has sparked frustration and concern within the community.
From the ABC: The Australian government is proposing a new tax on social media companies like Meta to fund news media, following significant job losses in journalism blamed on Meta’s not paying for news content.
Critics argue that the government has delayed action, leading to these job cuts, and emphasize the need for timely negotiations with the tech giants.
From the ABC: The Australian government is finalizing IT and security arrangements for the reopening of its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, after staff were evacuated due to Russia’s invasion in 2022.
No specific timeline for the embassy’s reopening has been provided, as officials continue to assess safety measures.
Reported at theguardian.com: Queensland has enacted new laws allowing children as young as 10 to face life sentences for serious crimes, implementing a controversial “adult crime, adult time” policy despite criticism regarding its impact on the already overcrowded youth justice system.
The legislation, designates 13 offenses as “adult crimes,” and has raised concerns about its alignment with human rights standards and its disproportionate effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
From the ABC: Australia has supported a UN resolution calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, alongside backing for the UN relief agency UNRWA, despite criticism from the US and Israel.
The opposition claims that it undermines Israel and could encourage anti-Semitism in Australia.
Reported by Reuters: Western Australia has granted Woodside Energy environmental clearance to extend its North West Shelf LNG project until 2070, concluding a six-year approval process.
The decision has faced opposition from environmental groups due to concerns over significant carbon emissions and potential harm to the environment and cultural heritage.
See also reports from the ABC and Daily Cargo News