POLITICS

From aap.com.au: Claims that polygamist Muslims are exploiting the welfare system are inaccurate, as those in multiple relationships cannot simultaneously receive benefits from each partner.

From michaelwest.com.au: Recent polling indicates that female voters are increasingly supporting the Liberal-National coalition, with 37% backing them compared to 31% for the Labor government.

Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: Retired Defence Chief Angus Campbell has been appointed as Australia’s ambassador to Belgium, which also includes roles as the representative to NATO, the European Union, and Luxembourg.

Campbell will play a crucial role in ongoing free trade negotiations with the EU, succeeding Caroline Millar in this diplomatic position.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong emphasized Australia’s commitment to finalising a free trade agreement with the EU, highlighting the strong ties shared with Belgium and other institutions.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced that the Coalition plans to implement minimum jail sentences for acts of anti-Semitism, following a series of attacks against Jewish communities in Australia, the ABC reports.

Proposed measures include at least six years for Commonwealth terror offences and a new offence for threatening places of worship with penalties ranging from five to seven years.

Dutton also called for a national cabinet meeting to address the increasing incidents of anti-Semitism, criticising Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for not convening discussions on the matter.

Defence Minister Richard Marles affirmed that the AUKUS partnership, involving Australia, the US, and the UK, is progressing as planned, despite concerns about the US submarine industrial base, reports michaelwest.com.au.

Marles highlighted that AUKUS aligns with the strategic interests of all three nations, ensuring its support across political spectrums.

From www.perthnow.com.au: Labor Minister Clare O’Neil and Coalition frontbencher Barnaby Joyce have united in opposition to expanding the powers of the Australian Classification Board, which seeks to proactively reclassify content such as films and books every ten years.

The board aims to review works considered “archaic” based on ongoing complaints, including titles like “Crocodile Dundee” and works by Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Australia has granted nearly 1,000 temporary humanitarian visas to Palestinian and Israeli nationals fleeing the Israel-Hamas conflict since the program began in October 2024.

This visa provides access to social benefits and work rights but does not allow for permanent protection, which advocates argue is necessary due to ongoing protection needs.

Reported at www.pollbludger.net: Two recent polls indicate a slight improvement for Labor in the primary vote, with Freshwater Strategy showing Labor at 32% and YouGov at 32% as well, while both polls maintain a 51-49 lead for the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis.

Preselection battles are emerging within the Liberal party, particularly in the northern Sydney seat of Berowra, and Labor is starting to position candidates for various seats as the federal election approaches.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce a $2 billion pledge for production credits to support the development of a “green aluminium” sector, requiring smelters to utilize renewable energy.

The production credits will encourage smelters to produce aluminium sustainably before 2036, addressing concerns from the industry about its future viability.

Peter Dutton announced a new Coalition policy at a Brisbane rally, offering small businesses a tax deduction of up to $20,000 for work-related dining and entertainment expenses to help address the cost of living, reports the ABC.

The policy, which excludes alcohol and aims to streamline tax processes, has received support from hospitality and small business groups.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has pledged to strengthen the state’s hate speech laws following a rise in antisemitic incidents, including the vandalism of a prominent Jewish leader’s home.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to combating hatred in the community while announcing a significant police response to violent acts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for the initiative.

From The Conversation: Australia’s superannuation system has become overly complicated, leading many retirees to underspend their savings due to anxiety over their financial future.

A new report suggests that the government should offer a lifetime annuity to provide guaranteed income for retirees, thereby reducing stress and encouraging higher spending.

This shift could enhance retirement income and simplify financial decision-making, ensuring a more secure and enjoyable retirement for Australians.

Gisele Kapterian has been preselected by the New South Wales Liberal Party for the blue-ribbon Sydney seat of Bradfield, defeating prominent anti-Voice campaigner Warren Mundine, the ABC reports.

This outcome reflects a significant victory for the party’s moderate faction, as Kapterian’s candidacy is viewed as crucial to appealing to voters who shifted towards teal independents in the last election.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: Australia faces a strategic dilemma of relying on China for economic security while depending on the United States for military protection.

If the Trump administration continues to pursue American primacy, Australia must shift its focus towards its regional relationships for security, while also influencing US policies to accept a more balanced approach in the Indo-Pacific.

Reported at johnmenadue.com: Marcus Strom critiques the AUKUS agreement, arguing it deepens Australia’s military alignment with the US against China, undermines Australia’s independent defense policy, and places Australian citizens’ lives at risk.

He highlights the financial burdens associated with AUKUS, and the implications of shifting scientific cooperation towards military objectives.

Reported at www.theguardian.com: Labor, the Liberal Party, and Climate 200 are utilizing unbranded Facebook pages to launch negative political campaigns ahead of the upcoming Australian federal election.

These pages target specific demographics and electorates with ads attacking opponents, such as Labor’s criticism of Peter Dutton’s health spending and the Liberal Party’s scrutiny of independent MPs associated with Climate 200.

Experts predict this trend of negative campaigning will increase.

Reported at michaelwest.com.au: Australia’s economy is projected to grow by 2.1% in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which highlights the importance of implementing structural reforms to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Amid global economic uncertainties, including inflation risks linked to proposed policies from US President Donald Trump, the IMF emphasizes the need for Australia to enhance reforms in various sectors to prevent falling behind other economies, particularly the US.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that ambassador Kevin Rudd has made direct contact with US president-elect Donald Trump.

Rudd conveyed the Prime Minister’s good wishes and expressed anticipation for attending Trump’s upcoming inauguration.

Trump’s previous comments had suggested that Rudd’s tenure as ambassador could be short-lived due to critical tweets.

Reported at www.sbs.com.au: Sussan Ley’s office is investigating whether she failed to declare expenses paid by the Palestinian Authority during a trip to the West Bank in 2011, while other politicians from the trip, like Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou, made such declarations.

Her office stated that if the oversight is confirmed, it would be deemed an administrative error, emphasizing that Ley has openly discussed the trip in the past.

Reported at www.abc.net.au: Liberal Senate candidate Jacob Vadakkedathu faces a vote for disendorsement due to allegations of branch stacking, where he reportedly signed up allies to secure his pre-selection.

A meeting with party officials revealed evidence of these claims, leading to a petition for a new pre-selection vote, which has been set for February 1.