Labor's draft national platform will soften its opposition to mandatory jail sentences, recognizing they don't reduce crime. It also commits to cracking down on online gambling inducements, pressuring the government to toughen reforms.
Labor's updated national platform, to be debated at its July conference, softens its stance on mandatory jail sentences, pushes for stronger curbs on gambling inducements, retains Aukus support, and rewrites its Israel/Palestine position to reflect Palestinian state recognition and opposition to illegal settlements.
Australian creatives are seeking assurances that the government will not weaken copyright laws in exchange for significant AI data centre investment. A proposal reportedly includes AI companies mining creative content for training models, with a fund for artists as compensation. Critics call it a 'dirty deal'.
The Albanese government approved regulatory changes allowing NSW to receive carbon credit funding for protecting native forests, enabling the creation of a 176,000-hectare koala national park near Coffs Harbour. The move, an election commitment, is praised by some conservationists but criticized by others and industry for relying on contentious carbon offsets.
Senator David Pocock has urged the Australian government to prevent tech giants from using Australian content to train AI models, as cabinet debates copyright rule changes. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called for a moratorium on new data centers until regulations are established.
Senator David Pocock urges the Australian government to prevent tech giants from using Australian content to train AI models, as cabinet debates copyright rule changes. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young calls for a moratorium on new datacentres.
Senator David Pocock and Industry Minister Tim Ayres clashed over whistleblower claims that the Australian government is considering plans to allow AI companies to train on copyright material. Ayres accused Pocock of 'reckless speculation,' while Pocock stated the minister did not deny the claims.
The Greens will support the Albanese government's negative gearing and capital gains tax changes. In return, Labor's overhaul of the national disability insurance scheme will be delayed and tweaked. This deal allows Labor to pass its budget centerpiece before parliament rises.
The Greens will support the Albanese government’s negative gearing and capital gains tax changes in exchange for delaying and tweaking the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) overhaul. The deal allows Labor to pass its budget centerpiece before parliament rises.
Pauline Hanson and Donald Trump share populist tactics, targeting similar issues like immigration and media. While Hanson is rising in polls ahead of Australian elections, Trump's approval is declining. Their approaches to immigration and trade differ, and 'Trumpism' has previously been rejected in Australian elections.
A Melbourne woman in her 30s, identified as Jane, lost $646,035 to a romance scammer she met on Hinge. Despite new anti-scam laws planned for 2027, her bank and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) denied her a refund, citing current regulations.
Activist group Lock the Gate analysis reveals coal companies may receive an extra $6.2bn in taxpayer refunds for diesel if half of proposed mine developments are approved. This comes as the Australian government faces pressure to cap a fuel tax credit scheme benefiting multinational miners.
Australia's parliament enters a 'settlement season' before its winter break, with the Labor government pushing contentious tax changes and facing opposition to NDIS reforms. Deals with the Greens and Coalition are complicated by party fury, leading to potential legislative roadblocks.
Pauline Hanson addresses her new MP's comments on immigration and Indigenous flags. The Albanese government offers concessions on capital gains tax changes. Iran plans maritime fees in the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine drones strike Moscow, and Lionel Messi's family requests "humanity" amid health reports.
Australia's Albanese government is navigating policy challenges in tax reforms, NDIS reform, and migration. Changes to tax laws aim to appease small businesses, while NDIS reforms seek to control costs amid concerns for vulnerable individuals. Migration levels remain high, posing economic and political dilemmas.
Australia's Albanese government is navigating policy challenges in tax reforms, NDIS cost control, and migration. Recent tax concessions aim to ease backlash, while NDIS reforms face state reluctance and emotional appeals. Migration levels remain high, posing political and economic dilemmas.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced expanded capital gains tax (CGT) exemptions for small businesses, including startups and testamentary trusts. The government increased the turnover threshold to $10 million, making the exemption "substantially broader and significantly more generous" in response to industry criticism.
A Labor-led human rights committee has found proposed changes to Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to be 'retrogressive' and lacking alignment with an independent review. The changes, which could remove over 200,000 participants, raise human rights concerns regarding access to disability support.
The Albanese government's proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to cut spending and reduce participant numbers have drawn heavy criticism from advocates and people with disabilities during a Senate inquiry. Shadow NDIS minister Melissa McIntosh also discussed concerns about the legislation.
Former foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans has called the Aukus defence agreement a "ludicrous delusion" and one of Australia's worst foreign policy decisions. He argues a future US administration would only assist Australia if its own assets were threatened, not for an "existential attack".
State and territory disability ministers are sounding the alarm over the Albanese government's proposed NDIS overhaul, warning they cannot provide 'like-for-like services' for over 200,000 participants expected to be moved off the scheme by 2031. They express concerns about a lack of consultation and the risk of unmet needs and cost-shifting to state systems.
State disability ministers have accused the Albanese government of pushing NDIS reforms that contradict previous agreements and risk the safety of people with disability. They warn the pace of change, focused on expenditure constraint, may lead to fragmented service delivery and inappropriate care, urging genuine consultation and co-governance.
State disability ministers accuse the Albanese government of pushing NDIS reforms that disregard previous agreements and risk the safety of people with disability. They warn the pace of change, focused on expenditure constraint, could lead to fragmented service delivery and inappropriate care.
Australian state and territory disability ministers are alarmed by proposed NDIS reforms, warning they cannot provide equivalent services for over 200,000 participants expected to be moved off the scheme by 2031. They cite a lack of consultation and risk of unmet needs and cost-shifting to state systems.
