The 2035 election campaign is in full swing now that Anthony Albanese has called it for 3 May. Neither Labor nor the Coalition have taken on the key challenges of today. Australia faces an ongoing cost of living crisis and a deepening disillusionment with the major political parties, within the context of ab underperforming economy and the social dislocation that this is causing. Climate has been silenced for this election, despite most of Australia being deeply concerned about it. Continue reading Home Government Neither Coalition nor Labor offer much to answer Australia’s main concerns in 2025→
Peter Dutton’s own budget alternatives released last night (27 February 22025) was marked by one overwhelming fact. There was almost nothing in it. H does not want to announce what would happen if his party became the government. This is ominous. Continue reading Peter Dutton’s budget speech was marked by dishonest evasion→
The federal budget has been delivered and whatever the election campaigners might insist, it hasn’t delivered much. Business as usual is the best term to use. There are a few small give ways. After all, this is a pre-election budget. Maybe just enough to blunt Peter Dutton’ ambition to be Prime Minister. But overall, it will leave most voters underwhelmed.
A big deal will be made of the income tax cut for those that are on the lowest income. The 73-cent giveaway amounts to less than the cost of a cup of coffee per week. At least its more than the 23 cents for the unemployed and 28 cents to age pensioners. Less than half a cup of coffee per week.
Image From Nicholas Eagar/Newswire: Aussies earning over $18,000 t get a tiny tax cut
Wealthy property investors will get a handout of $176 billion. There is nothing for renters, no increase of investment in affordable housing. So where is the promise of action to increase the stock of affordable housing?
Single and couples will be able to buy a share of a home, providing they can afford to pay 60 percent of the debt. They can buy out the government share over time. A small $800 million over the next four years has been added to the $6.3 billion already committed. Far too little to make a dent on the existing housing affordability crisis. So what about the promise of meaningful action increase? It has been forgotten. There is nothing for struggling renters.
What about the over cost of living then? Not much to see here either. There are a few titbits like a 20 percent discount on student debt, and the inclusion of dental car for kids on Medicare. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) does get a modest $25 million over the next five years. The cost of a script will reduce from $31.60 to $25. Just over a cup of coffee for each.
There is a $250 million for the protection of 30 million hectares of bushland, an increase of 8 million hectares. What the money will be used for is not yet known. There are a few more minor environment related giveaways.
Photo from Gaye Gerard/Newswire: Critics say tax cut makes little difference
Dealing with climate change and sustainable development have been ignored, and a new round of $65 billion in handouts will be given to fossil fuel companies.
There is a freeze on increasing the beer tax for two years. A $1,9 billion injection into the Whyalla Steelworks will save the company from collapse, and up to $2 to help aluminium melters to switch to renewable energy by 2036 is merely a taste of what is needed.
Although it is said that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) gets an extra $175.4 million, this is devoted to providing more jobs in the organisation, and not to disabled people that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). They get nothing. In fact, funding for NDIS had been cut. The new funding will concentrate on increasing policing of recipients.
Past promises had been about dealing with the overall continuing cost of living crisis.
Ukraine received some attention. A $17 million commitment went to prolong a war that’s nearly over, and which will contribute nothing to the outcome.
The big-ticket gaps, besides the failure to really take on the cost of living and housing crisis, and climate, is the failure to create a significant shift in in the redistribution of national income downwards. Once again, the big end of town is the winner.
As the United Sates leads its closest allies, including Australia, into a new era of denial of freedom of speech, we should be very worried, support its victims, and make our own stand for justice. One of the covers is the misuse of the accusation of antisemitism to target critics of Israeli policy and the state’s committing genocide against the Palestinians. One case denial of the freedom of speech is that involving Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil because he spoke out for his people. Mahmoud, a legal US resident, was arrested last weekend, and now faces deportation. Khallil has not faced any charges or court proceedings. Is this sort of action against those who speak out the intended shape of the future? Natasha Lennard tells this story (The Intercept 10 March 2025).
Despite the absence of an official election date, campaign activities are currently underway. The West Australia Ballot is over Labor lost 18 percent of the primary vote, but the Liberals failed to convert this to change their position as a non-event. The federal election will now be in May. The Albanese government has run out of time to do otherwise. Continue reading Dissatisfaction with the state of Australia will characterise the coming federal election→
Anthony Albanese is right to stand up against the imposition of a 25 percent tariff on Australian exports to the United States. This is not the act of a friend. It will hit the Australian economy, although luckily, Australia is not highly reliant on exports to that country. But it will still hurt the steel and aluminium exports, will the increase in the price of these metals will add to the domestic costs of what is left of Australian manufacturing, This, in turn, will flow through the whole economy. Continue reading Washington’s imposition of tariffs on Australia must be fought against→
As electioneering for the looming federal election gathers pace, the political hacks continue to pretend that this is normal times and business as usual. A good indicator of this is the focus on two-party preferences as the litmus test for their predictions. Either they can’t seem to see the changing political landscape or wish to bury the truth. Continue reading The coming federal election will not end growing dissatisfaction with the major parties→
The interview was first published in the L’Independente on 8 February 2025. Since his release from imprisonment, Julian Assange, the Australian founder of WikiLeaks, journalist, and editor, has maintained a low profile but continues to be a significant figure. There is great interest in his progress and future plans. In this interview, brother Gabriel talks about Julian’s immediate priorities and gives a glimpse on what might be coming next. Julian’s ordeal has not defeated him. His immediate focus is on healing, re-aquatinting himself with life outside prison, and strengthening bonds with his family. Julian will be back when he is ready.
Critics of the Ukraine peace talks between Russia and the United States in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) deny a critical reality. Russia has won the war. The refusal to acknowledge this reality is behind the insistence that the talking should be about working out the terms for Russia’s surrender, and that troops be stationed in Ukraine to ensure that Russia behaves the way in which the West wants Russia to behave. Continue reading Ukraine peace talks are a recognition of Russia’s victory on the battlefield→
Official site of the May Day Committee (Malbourne)
