Angus Taylor says the Coalition will only support the Albanese government's NDIS overhaul bill if it first removes the "widow tax" loophole from investment property tax changes.
Angus Taylor states the Coalition will only back the Albanese government's NDIS overhaul if the 'widow tax' investment property loophole is removed first.
Morning briefing covering an FBI probe into Chinese espionage via a fake Brisbane consultancy, Sally McManus's departure from the ACTU, Logie award winners, and global news updates.
The Australian Labor government faces internal cabinet divisions over immigration policy as rising political pressure from One Nation and the Coalition tests the party's historical ambivalence toward migration.
Former KPMG partners Kim Lawry and Eileen Hoggett testified at an inquiry into leaked client information, citing memory lapses. Corporate clients criticized KPMG for slow communication, and lawmakers urged sector reform.
The Albanese government's proposed NDIS overhaul, aimed at curbing the $52bn program's growth by tightening eligibility and introducing independent assessments, faces criticism from cross-benchers who warn it will enable indiscriminate cuts to individual disability support budgets.
Melissa Donnelly, national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, has been elected as the next head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, succeeding Sally McManus.
As the spring parliamentary session begins, the Albanese government signals openness to amendments on gambling inducements, facing pressure from the Coalition and Greens to strengthen wagering reforms.
The Australian government is open to amending wagering legislation regarding gambling inducements amid parliamentary negotiations, though it remains hesitant to alter proposed TV and online advertising rules.
Energy minister Chris Bowen announced that the federal government will use commonwealth legislation to override state opposition and mandate that new AI datacentres run on renewable energy while banning gas-fuelled facilities.
The National Foreign Trade Council has condemned Australia's expanded News Bargaining Incentive, which now includes LinkedIn. The US trade body warned of a deteriorating investment climate, while local experts argue the plan lacks ambition and fails to address AI-driven content.
The Albanese government, nearing the midpoint of its second term, presents with strong political vitals amid global instability. A health check reveals a commanding majority, stable posture, and improved fiscal regime, but also notes concerns such as divisive populism, internal factional issues (notably with Ed Husic), and the need for continued engagement on key policies like Medicare and economic justice.
Donald Trump's administration imposed new 12.5% tariffs on Australian exports, citing a failure to combat forced labor, a claim the Albanese government disputes. Australia's trade minister called for immediate removal, stating the tariffs are unjustified and inconsistent with their free-trade agreement.
The Albanese government's approval of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project extension in Western Australia faces a federal court challenge from conservation groups, testing Australia's environment law and international climate obligations.
The Albanese government plans new national rules for AI in government decision-making, consumer protection, workplace safety, and privacy, led by Attorney General Michelle Rowland. It also aims to legislate a digital duty of care and regulate energy-intensive data centres, with concerns raised by the opposition.
Australia is replacing paper arrival cards with a digital declaration system for international travellers at airports and seaports. The Albanese government announced the move after a successful trial, aiming to streamline the arrivals process, enhance national security, and boost the economy.
Australia is replacing paper arrival cards with a digital passenger declaration system across all airports and seaports. The move, part of a $56.1m investment, aims to streamline the arrivals process, enhance national security, and boost the economy.
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.
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.
