Why Chalmers's Budget Will Rein in the Property Free-for-All
The Albanese government’s upcoming budget will curb negative gearing and overhaul the 50 percent capital gains tax (CGT) discount. The reforms target the tax advantages that disproportionately benefit high‑income earners, with the Parliamentary Budget Office noting 80 percent of CGT benefits flow to the top 10 percent of salary earners. By limiting negative‑gearing deductions to new residential construction, the plan seeks to boost housing supply and ease the affordability squeeze on younger Australians. The changes arrive amid rising property prices, declining rental stock and growing public pressure for a fairer tax system.
Chalmers Reveals Gas Tax Revenue Is up in Federal Budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced that the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) on offshore gas projects will generate about $1.5 billion AUD (≈$990 million USD) this year, higher than forecast. The upcoming federal budget will earmark roughly $2 billion AUD (≈$1.3 billion USD) for housing‑related infrastructure,...
Top-Earning Australians Make Money Very Differently From Typical Workers
The Australian government is set to amend capital gains tax, negative gearing and family‑trust rules in next week’s budget. Analysis shows the nation’s highest earners—those with over AUD 1 million (≈ US $660 k) in total income—derive a large share of earnings from capital gains,...
John Polson Was Headed for Jail. One Phone Call Changed His Life Forever
John Polson, once a teenage delinquent, turned a phone call to talent agent Robyn Gardiner into his entry into acting, eventually founding Tropfest in 1993. The grassroots short‑film festival grew into one of the world’s largest platforms, launching careers of Australian...
If You Are Not Convinced by Sardines, This Is the Dish to Try
A simple Sardine and Shallot Pasta turns pantry‑staple sardines into a family‑friendly dinner in about 35 minutes. The recipe softens the fish’s strong flavor with slow‑cooked shallots, lemon juice, and a splash of vinegar, then finishes with toasted pine nuts...
The Warning From This City to Other Towns on the Cusp of Closing Down Coal
The Northern Power Station in Port Augusta shut on May 9, 2016, eliminating 440 jobs and stripping the town of a major revenue stream. Promised renewable projects—including a $650 million (≈$430 million USD) solar‑thermal plant—failed to materialize, leaving a gap in employment and investment. Researchers...
Migration to Be Linked to Housing Availability Under Coalition Plan
The opposition Coalition plans to tie overseas migration limits to the amount of housing available, effectively reducing net migration numbers. Modeling shows a 400,000‑home shortfall since the last election, while overseas migrants accounted for roughly three‑quarters of the 400,000 population...
Portrait of Iluwanti Ken by Richard Lewer Wins $100,000 Archibald Prize
Melbourne‑based artist Richard Lewer has captured the $100,000 Archibald Prize with his portrait of Pitjantjatjara elder and ngangkari Iluwanti Ken. Lewer spent a week on Country in the scorching 47 °C APY Lands, immersing himself in Ken’s community before completing the life‑size...
Israeli Money Launderer Found Guilty in Sydney Investment Scam Trial
An Australian jury found Israeli national Shabtay Yaacoby guilty of laundering more than $10 million stolen by investment scammers through his licensed digital‑currency exchange, Blue Star Exchange. The 13‑week trial revealed that 39 victims, including one who lost $4 million of superannuation,...
Live: Israel Strikes Beirut for First Time Since Hezbollah Ceasefire, Iran Weighs up a Peace Deal
Israel launched its first strike on Beirut in weeks, killing senior Hezbollah Radwan commander Malek Ballout and at least 11 civilians in the city’s southern suburbs. The attack follows a month‑long cease‑fire that left Lebanon’s health system crippled, with three hospitals...
What if We Used Taxes or Superannuation to Control Inflation, Not Interest Rates?
Australian policymakers are debating whether fiscal tools—tax adjustments or superannuation levies—could complement the Reserve Bank’s interest‑rate strategy to curb inflation. Historical evidence shows a 10% income‑tax surcharge in 1951 curbed 23.9% inflation but sparked a recession, highlighting trade‑offs. Economists propose...
Is Richard Dawkins Right About AI?
Renowned biologist Richard Dawkins sparked controversy by claiming Claude, an Anthropic LLM, is conscious, prompting rebuttals from AI experts who stress mimicry over genuine experience. The article shifts focus from the consciousness debate to the commercial reality: large‑language models are...
Five Things You Can Do to Save Money Now that Interest Rates Have Gone Up
Australia’s central bank lifted the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.35% as inflation stalled at 4.6%, aiming to curb spending. The hike will likely push mortgage repayments higher while offering savers modestly better deposit rates. Consumers are urged...
Australia Is Experiencing HRT Menopause Patch Shortages. Here's Why
Australian women are facing chronic shortages of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) transdermal patches, prompting many to split patches, travel interstate, or skip treatment. The scarcity stems from a limited number of approved brands, global raw‑material constraints, and recent discontinuations that...
Live: Iran Warns It Has 'Not Even Started' In Hormuz Stand-Off
Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on X that the United States and its allies have only begun to feel Iran’s response in the escalating Hormuz stand‑off. The warning follows a series of incidents, including fires on commercial vessels...
ABC Staff Accept Enterprise Agreement After Pay Dispute Strike
ABC staff voted overwhelmingly to accept a new enterprise agreement, ending a 24‑hour strike that was the broadcaster’s first in two decades. More than 90% of participants backed a 10.5% pay rise over three years, with back‑pay to October 2025,...
Mercury Would 'Be Alive': Shark Victim's Family Welcomes New Drone Plan
The family of Sydney shark‑attack victim Mercury Psillakis has welcomed a new community‑led drone surveillance program that trains local surfers to operate aerial monitors. By winter’s end, 125 surfers are expected to be certified pilots, supported by an additional 60...
'Soundtrack to Australia': ARIA Reveals Six 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
ARIA announced six inductees for its 2026 Hall of Fame during a standalone ceremony marking the awards' 40th anniversary. The honorees—Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End and Vika & Linda—represent a cross‑section of Indigenous, pop, rock and vocal talent...
A 17-Year-Old Go-Betweens Song Inspired Robert Forster's Debut Novel
Robert Forster, the 68‑year‑old co‑founder of The Go‑Betweens, has transformed his 2009 song “Songwriters on the Run” into his first novel, also titled *Songwriters on the Run*. The book follows fictional musicians Mick and Drew as they are arrested, imprisoned,...
What This Truck Full of Fibreglass Sheets Tells Us About Building Price Pressures
Australian long‑haul trucker Sean Mulvaney’s diesel bill jumped to $2,553.75 AUD (≈$1,685 USD) for a Melbourne‑Sydney run, reflecting a near‑doubling of fuel costs in weeks. Woody’s Transport, his employer, saw monthly diesel spend surge from $140,000 AUD (≈$92,400 USD) to $250,000 AUD (≈$165,000 USD). With diesel...
One Year Into His Second Term as PM, Albanese Says US 'Playing a Different Role'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda has forced Australia to rethink its traditional reliance on the United States. He cites punitive tariffs and the surprise launch of a war against Iran as evidence that...
Shift in the Middle East Has Implications for Countries Like Australia
The United Arab Emirates announced it will leave OPEC, marking a dramatic break with its Gulf neighbours and underscoring a new strategic direction. UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash warned that Gulf policies toward Iran have failed and called for a...
'No Way to Treat Close Partners': Trump Hikes Tariffs on EU Cars to 25%
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will raise tariffs on European Union cars and trucks from the current 15 % to 25 % starting next week, citing alleged non‑compliance with the 2025 US‑EU trade deal. The move is intended to...
Global Sumud Flotilla Carrying Australians Intercepted on Its Way to Gaza by IDF
Israeli Defense Forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete, boarding and disabling more than 20 of the 50 vessels. Six Australians among a crew of 14 from Italy were detained, while the organization reported 21 boats...
'None of It Strikes Me as Nefarious': Judge Queries ACCC Case Against Woolies
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is suing Woolworths over alleged misleading "Prices Dropped" promotions on more than 260 items, claiming shoppers were led to believe they were saving when prices were actually higher. In Federal Court, Justice Michael O’Bryan...
Counterterrorism Intelligence's Share of Funding in 'Significant' Decline
Australia’s intelligence budget grew 31% to roughly $9.4 billion USD over the past five years, yet the share allocated to counter‑terrorism has dropped sharply from 2020 to 2025. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion highlighted that the national counter‑terrorism...
Rebel Wilson Accused of Dumping Her Mobile to Avoid Handing over Key Texts
Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson is on trial for defamation after lead actress Charlotte MacInnes sued her over alleged false social‑media posts and a fabricated takedown website. During cross‑examination, Wilson’s lawyer was challenged when a prosecutor suggested she had deliberately discarded her...
In Signing Jarome Luai, Papua New Guinea's Power Has Become Real
Australian halfback Jarome Luai has signed a three‑year, record‑breaking contract with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Chiefs, the future NRL expansion franchise slated to debut in 2028. The deal, reportedly the richest per‑season in rugby league history, underscores the $600 million...
Refinery Upgrades Could Ease Threat of Future Fuel Supply Blockages
The Australian government is poised to address fuel‑supply vulnerabilities exposed by the Middle East oil crisis through the upcoming federal budget. Officials are weighing a jump in mandatory fuel stock‑holding from 30 to 60 days, a move that could cost...
AI Will Be 'the Biggest Challenge of All' For Workplaces if It's Not Controlled
A new report by the John Curtin Research Centre, backed by the SDA union, warns that unchecked AI could become Australia’s biggest workplace challenge, amplifying surveillance, unsafe workloads and job insecurity. It draws parallels to the early, unregulated spread of...
Taylor Makes $800m Pitch to Double Australia's Minimum Fuel Reserves
Opposition leader Angus Taylor will unveil an $800 million (≈$530 million USD) Australian Fuel Security Facility aimed at doubling the nation’s minimum fuel‑stock holding to a 60‑day supply by 2030. The plan would add at least 1 billion litres of on‑shore storage for petrol, diesel...
Maccas Wins Battle to Set up in 'World's Coolest Street'
McDonald’s Australia secured a VCAT ruling that overturns Darebin Council’s rejection of a 24/7 restaurant on High Street, Northcote – a lane dubbed the world’s coolest street by Time Out. The tribunal said it cannot block a fast‑food chain based...
Taylor Avoids Backing ASIO Amid Questions on ISIS-Linked Families
Opposition leader Angus Taylor warned the Australian government to block the return of families linked to former ISIS fighters, after four women and nine children were moved from a Syrian refugee camp toward Australia. He criticized the lack of comprehensive...
Norway Follows Australia with Under-16s Social Media Ban Legislation
Norway will table a bill by year‑end that bans anyone under 16 from using social‑media platforms, echoing Australia’s pioneering December restriction. The proposal places the onus on technology firms to verify users’ ages, though it does not name specific apps....
Five per Cent Home Deposit Scheme Fuelling Price Hike, Report Suggests
The Australian government’s First Home Guarantee, expanded in October 2025 to allow 5% deposits with a loan guarantee, has accelerated price growth for homes under the scheme’s price caps. Cotality data shows eligible properties rose 6.7% in the first six...
Australia Ready for AUKUS Subs as China Threat Looms, US Commander Says
U.S. Indo‑Pacific commander Admiral Samuel Paparo told Congress that the United States is short on amphibious ships, surface destroyers and attack submarines, urging a rapid boost in naval production to counter China’s growing aggression. He praised the upgraded HMAS Stirling base...
Iran's Meme Factory Is Using 'the Weapons of Their Enemy' To Embarrass Trump
Iranian media outfit Explosive Media is deploying AI‑generated, Lego‑style videos to mock President Donald Trump and frame Iran as the underdog in the ongoing conflict. The short, English‑language clips—dubbed "slopaganda"—are shared widely on TikTok, Instagram and X, amassing millions of...
Vanuatu Takes Swipe at Australia Amid Reports of China Security Deal
Vanuatu’s prime minister Jotham Napat publicly rejected claims that a forthcoming Namele Agreement with China is a security pact, labeling the reports “grossly misguided.” The denial comes as Australia worries the draft could contain security clauses that would jeopardize the...
Boyd Says Other AFL Players Are Struggling 'Under the Surface' After Hollands Episode
Tom Boyd, a former number‑one AFL draft pick who retired at 23 due to his own mental‑health struggles, says Elijah Hollands' recent hospitalisation highlights a widespread, hidden crisis among players. He argues the conversation should focus on systemic mental‑health support...
States and Territories Left in the Dark on NDIS Savings
Australia’s federal government is set to unveil a new package of NDIS reforms aimed at slowing the scheme’s cost growth from about 9.5% to 5‑6% per year, a move projected to save roughly $4 billion AUD ($2.6 bn USD) annually over the...
Government Pours $30m Into Counter-Drone Technology in Wake of Iran War
The Australian government has allocated about $30 million AUD (≈$20 million USD) to two domestic firms—Sypaq and AIM Defence—to fast‑track counter‑drone solutions. Sypaq will develop the Corvo Strike armed drone that can hunt larger UAVs, while AIM Defence will advance the Fractl high‑power...
China Suddenly Grants New Beef Licences to Australia
China’s customs authority approved eight new Australian beef facilities – six cold‑storage centres and two abattoirs, including Thomas Foods International’s Murray Bridge plant – and upgraded licences for 13 existing exporters to ship chilled beef. The changes effectively add 15...
Producer on Rebel Wilson Film Branded 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell', Court Hears
Australian actress Rebel Wilson is accused of commissioning a crisis‑communications firm to launch a website that labeled producer Amanda Ghost as the “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell.” The site, along with an Instagram post, formed the basis of a defamation lawsuit filed...
Woolworths's 'Prices Dropped' Promotion Broke Guidelines, Court Hears
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken Woolworths to federal court, alleging the supermarket breached its own "Prices Dropped" guardrails on 266 products. The watchdog says Woolworths temporarily raised prices—e.g., an Oreo Family Pack jumped to A$5 (≈US$3.30)...
'We Are Not Leaving': What Israel's Occupation Could Mean for Lebanon's Future
Israel’s military has formalized a 560‑sq‑km buffer zone – dubbed the “Yellow Line” – deep into southern Lebanon, covering about 5.5% of the country’s territory. The IDF has already razed homes in 39 villages, describing them as terrorist outposts, while...
Live: US Says It's 'on the Brink' Of Deal with Iran, but Uncertainty over Peace Talks Remains
The White House announced it is "on the brink" of a deal with Iran as a US negotiating team prepares to travel to Pakistan for a potential summit, despite Tehran’s hesitation. The two‑week US‑Iran cease‑fire expires Wednesday night with President...
Donald Trump Might Have Annoyed the only Ally Who Can Help Clear Sea Mines
The Strait of Hormuz remains shrouded in uncertainty as Iran repeatedly closes the waterway amid a broader US‑Iran standoff. President Donald Trump claimed the United States had removed or was removing all sea mines, a statement unverified by allies and...
Skip the Takeaway. This Halloumi Wrap Is Quicker and Healthy Too
Lina Jebeile’s halloumi wrap combines grilled halloumi glazed with honey and pomegranate molasses, crisp fattoush vegetables, and a tangy sumac‑yogurt sauce. The recipe requires only a 10‑minute prep and a 5‑minute grill, making it a fast, low‑carb option for lunch...
Rebel Wilson's The Deb Is a Delight Despite the Ongoing Legal Drama
Rebel Wilson’s long‑awaited directorial debut, the musical comedy *The Deb*, finally opens in Australian cinemas after a protracted legal dispute with the film’s producers. The movie follows a city‑slick private‑school girl and her country‑cousin as they clash over the meaning of...
Hotel Owner Looks to Sue Australia for $11m over Unpaid Refugee Bills
A Papua New Guinea hotel, Lodge 10, has filed a civil suit seeking roughly $7 million USD in unpaid accommodation fees for refugees formerly detained on Manus Island. The hotel says payments from the Australian government ceased in 2021 when offshore processing...