Back

Day 22 cont

“Traditionally, #Queensland candidates, whether federal or state, promise to take the fight to #Canberra. They project themselves as defiantly parochial, unashamedly maroon, with a vested interest in the north. More recently, however, #power has shifted from the #regions to the #urban south-east, which is more likely to welcome new #arrivals from other states than Queensland country towns. Amid all this growth, the lines of #responsibility have blurred between federal, state and even local government. Rather than fighting Canberra, the parties – including the Greens, who thrive on street-level combat – have taken to #fighting each other.

At the last election, the #Greens picked up three seats in Greater #Brisbane, riding the winds of change. The #TealMovement was unsuccessful in its first federal foray into Queensland, in the seat of Groom, although Suzie Holt enjoyed a healthy flow of preferences and is running again.

For now, the closest thing Queensland has to #independents are Bob Katter and Gerard Rennick, but the south-east is becoming used to newcomers.”

#AusPol / #Liberal / #LNP / #Nationals / #planning / #GrowthCorridor / #facilities / #transport / #basics <https://archive.md/7GbkF> / <https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/nowhere-is-growing-like-this-corner-of-queensland-it-s-changing-the-political-game-20250415-p5lrzn.html> (paywall)

Day 22 cont ️

“‘Nobody’s going to walk with her’: can #JacintaNampijinpaPrice work with #Indigenous organisations if she becomes minister?”

Read the article yourself to grasp the support / lack of support for Price by Australian Indigenous leaders. Also read about the lack of reporting of protests at the Price press conference last Sunday.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #IndigenousAustralia / #senator <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/20/nobodys-going-to-walk-with-her-can-jacinta-nampijinpa-price-work-with-indigenous-organisations-if-she-becomes-minister>

Day 22 cont

“Advocates wonder why the new commitments have targeted a small number of first home buyers over the larger number of lower-income people living in #RentalStress. And industry experts warn the situation has become so dire, they are only seeing #DINKS (dual income, no kids) or people with #inheritance make it on to the #PropertyLadder.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Labor / #Liberal / #Nationals / #HousingEmergency / #Housing / #renting <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/19/housing-affordability-income-stress-saving-deposit-labor-coalition-policy-federal-election>

Day 22 cont

“Traditionally safe seats are #flipping around the country, as voters put their hopes and dreams in independent and non-major party candidates.

But it takes more than just hopes and dreams to create a seismic political #shift that flies in the face of decades of voting history.

So what does it take for a #challenger to pose a real threat to a #SafeSeat?”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Labor / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Teals / #Greens <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-20/safe-seat-disruptors-changing-political-landscape/105191762>

Day 22 cont

“#CostOfLiving is the most important issue for Vote Compass respondents regardless of age, education, birth, sex, and voting intention, but particularly among those under 40”

“Keeping day-to-day living #costs down was the most important issue for electors identified by respondents of a Roy Morgan survey of 14,713 voters in the September quarter of 2024 who were asked to identify their top three issues”

“The second-most important issue for respondents differs by voting intention, with Liberal-Coalition voters concerned with #immigration and the #economy and Labor voters concerned with #ClimateChange.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Greens / #Labor / #independents <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-20/federal-election-2025-most-important-issue-vote-compass/105178788>

Day 22 cont

This radio interview was in 2002, 23 years ago!

“As the interviewer, you see the switchboard at your radio station lighting up. Lots of your listeners want to talk to the prime minister. You take some callers, and one of them is named Phyllis.”

“Phyllis: I won't be as aggressive as to shake my fist at you, but I'll certainly shake my finger at you when you say that someone who owns their home has no problem, they're sitting on a nice little nest egg.

We're on a #pension and we would like to #sell our home, go into a #unit or a #townhouse or something.

But we can't do that because if we do, we're going to spend the whole amount just on a townhouse or a unit and we'll have nothing left over if we need to do anything to it. So we're stuck.

PM: Look Phyllis, what I said was that not everybody was sitting on a #NestEgg. I said people had not complained about the #value of their house going up.

Cont …

Day 22 cont

Cont:

You: Phyllis is the first one, I guess.

Phyllis: I've broken the mould.
PM: Well, you're not ... you're not actually #complaining. What you're really saying is the value of [your] house hasn't gone up enough.

Phyllis: No, no, no. I disagree. I think it is ridiculous that the #inflation of house prices ... what about our #grandchildren?
PM: Well look, that is a valid point and I've acknowledged that.

I'm not saying there aren't problems for people buying for the first time, but you have to look at it in terms of both #existing #HomeOwners and #future home owners and what we have to try and do, and you quite rightly identify in relation to your grandchildren, is to find ways of mitigating the #cost of getting into your first home.

But we can't, and shouldn't do that at the cost of reducing the wealth effect and the wealth value of people who have existing properties, there's nothing to be gained by that. We have to find some other ways of #ameliorating the cost of buying your first home.

Phyllis: I think some commonsense has to be thrown into the arena just the same. You know, it's ridiculous. I mean, *you're not seeing value in the $500,000 you're spending on some broken down old dump* and…

PM: No, well...
Phyllis: That's where we are at the moment.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Labor / #HousingCrisis <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-20/when-housing-turned-toxic-captured-in-talkback-chat-with-pm/105155458> / Original transcript <https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-20920>

Day 22

“At the time, the International #Monetary #Fund (#IMF) had just released a staff report on Australia's economy which contained this graph of Australian house prices. It shows how #PropertyPrice #inflation had really accelerated in the early 2000s (in real terms, once inflation had been taken into account), which explains why people were so worried.

The index of real property prices in major #Australian #cities jumped by 46 per cent between 2000 and 2003. (Source: International Monetary Fund, Australia, Staff Report for the 2003 Article IV Consultation, September 3, 2003.) In its report, the IMF noted that investor demand was contributing to the property price increases. It said that was understandable, because the expected returns on housing were far outstripping returns on other assets in Australia in the early 2000s.”

"Consequently, by the end of 2002, investor housing accounted for 30 per cent of the stock of housing loans, compared to 18 per cent a decade ago,"

Australians are being played for mugs by the *Investor Class.*

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Labor / #HousingCrisis <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-20/when-housing-turned-toxic-captured-in-talkback-chat-with-pm/105155458> / Original transcript <https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-20920>

Day 22 cont

“Nearly half of all #renters sit in the bottom 40% of income levels, compared with just one-fifth of first home buyers.

“If you’re in the bottom two #quintiles of income, you’re probably not really going to have enough #income to be servicing a #mortgage, whichever way you go,” Phillips says.

“There’s not a lot that we’ve seen in the election #campaign to really help those people, and they’re the people who really are #struggling.”

That leaves nearly half the renting population, or four million #Australians, beyond the reach of homebuyer help even before the new #policies arrive.”

If you don’t own or cannot afford a home, Australian politicians are not interested in you.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Labor / #Nationals <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/20/who-actually-benefits-from-the-coalition-and-labors-housing-policies>

Day 22 cont

“The #Coalition (#LNP, #Liberal, #Nationals) is refusing to say if it will introduce any #policies to cut #Australia’s #greenhouse #gas #emissions in the next decade as it pledges to #unwind most #ClimateMeasures introduced under #Labor.

#PeterDutton’s position on the #ClimateCrisis came under scrutiny last week after he gave contradictory answers on whether he accepted mainstream climate science. Asked during a leaders’ debate on the #ABCAustralia whether #ExtremeWeather events were worsening, the opposition leader said: “I don’t know because I’m not a #scientist”.”

Say IT AS IT IS.

The #LNP under the leadership of the #PeterDutton has no policies. Policy changes are random.

#AusPol / #ClimateEmergency <https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/20/bordering-on-incredible-coalition-under-fire-for-planning-to-scrap-labor-climate-policies-and-offering-none-of-its-own>

Day 22 cont

“Opposition #Leader #PeterDutton says former #HomeAffairs Department secretary #MikePezzullo , who was sensationally sacked from the public service in 2023 for #misconduct and later stripped of his Order of Australia honour, “should have a role to play in the future of this country” if the #Coalition wins the election.”

They say this is Leadership.

#AusPol / #Liberal / #LNP / #Coalition <https://archive.md/5k7Qm> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-says-sacked-home-affairs-boss-pezzullo-should-have-a-role-to-play-in-nation-s-future-20250420-p5lsz7.html> (paywall)

Day 23

“Blocking the #GamblingAdReforms is the fourth known example of Albanese’s willingness to #overrule senior ministers such as #EnvironmentMinister Tanya Plibersek, #AttorneyGeneral Mark Dreyfus and assistant minister Andrew Leigh when they were tackling #controversial and #sensitive #policies.

The #PrimeMinister can always use the authority of his position to make the final call on all matters of policy. This masthead has already revealed that #Albanese has come over the top of Plibersek on #EnvironmentalProtection laws, Dreyfus on mandatory jail terms for hate crimes and antisemitism, and Leigh on sex and gender census questions.”

I’m going to be re-elected.

#AusPol / #Labor / #PM / #Leadership <https://archive.md/PfMXe> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-used-captain-s-call-to-avoid-messy-brawl-over-gambling-ads-20250420-p5lsyi.html>

Day 23 cont

“The #shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, has been tasked with explaining more detail on what the #Coalition is announcing on #crime this morning.

Speaking to ABC RN Breakfast, she’s boiled the announcement to establish a national sex offenders disclosure scheme, and a commitment to bolster border resources as a crackdown on “drugs and thugs”.”

#AusPol / #immigration / #borders / #Australia / #slogans / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/21/coalition-sex-offender-register-peter-dutton-labor-early-voting-election-easter-monday-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-68056d898f08195611b6bc07#block-68056d898f08195611b6bc07>

Day 23 cont

“I have no wish to help #promote Russia’s #propaganda messages and I would suggest that that is not in #Australia’s national interest either.” — PM

#Labor responding to #LNP, #Liberal & #Nationals on Indonesia.

#AusPol / #slogans / #policies <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/21/coalition-sex-offender-register-peter-dutton-labor-early-voting-election-easter-monday-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-6805848d8f08195611b6bc62#block-6805848d8f08195611b6bc62>

Day 23 cont ️

“#Gambling ads are everywhere – even during the #footy. It’s not normal, and it’s not OK. I’ve written the bill to ban them. It’s ready. The major parties stalled. In a #balanced #parliament, we can make it law. #Independence works.” — MP/Candidate #Goldstein, Daniels.

#AusPol / #Advertising / #AnthonyAlbanese / #Labor / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/21/coalition-sex-offender-register-peter-dutton-labor-early-voting-election-easter-monday-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-680597fc8f08195611b6bcbc#block-680597fc8f08195611b6bcbc>

Day 23 cont

“#Russian warnings to #Australia that “you have no cards” to stop Russian #military activity in the #IndoPacific have been mocked by #AnthonyAlbanese, who has dismissed an incendiary letter from an #ambassador as #authoritarian “#propaganda”.

The fact and his merry mob entertain the charade over Indonesia makes you wonder are they putting Country before job?

#AusPol / #Labor / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Coalition / #slogans <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/21/propaganda-albanese-mocks-russias-you-have-no-cards-warning-to-australia>

Day 23 cont

“Australia’s biggest industrial #climate polluter – #Chevron’s #Gorgon gas export plant in #WesternAustralia – received the equivalent of millions of dollars in #CarbonCredits from the federal #government last year, despite increasing its emissions.”

#AusPol / #Labor / #ClimateEmergency / #AnthonyAlbanese <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/21/australias-biggest-industrial-polluter-receives-millions-in-carbon-credits-despite-rising-emissions>

Day 23 cont

“#Australia’s next #FederalElection will take place on Saturday 3 May.

Parliament was dissolved on Friday 28 March, leaving the government in caretaker mode.

#Voting is #compulsory.”

#AusPol <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/21/when-australia-election-date-2025-aec-early-voting-centres-postal-vote-overseas>

Day 24

“Australia’s 226 federal #MPs own 459 #properties across the #country – an average of two per person – and more than half are property investors as the country prepares to go to the poll in a campaign that will focus on the growing #inequity in the #PropertyMarket.”

The point of the system is to punish those who don’t exploit it.

#AusPol / #Labor / #Liberal / #LNP / #Nationals / #HousingCrisis <https://archive.md/RK0SE> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/interactive-see-how-many-properties-your-mp-owns-and-their-other-financial-interests-20241226-p5l0q4.html> (paywall)

Day 24 cont

“Just $16.5m of #Labor’s promised $1bn mental health package – or 1.65% – is due to be spent in the next financial year, according to official policy costings that reveal some new care centres might not open until 2029.

Anthony Albanese this month unveiled a major suite of policies to make it easier for the public – in particular young Australians – to access free mental health treatment.
…
The bulk of the #funding – roughly $878m – is #NotAllocated until the 2027-28 and 2028-29 financial years, as the services are progressively built and upgraded.”

The fine print.

#AusPol / #MentalHealth / #LaborParty / #Medicare / #access / #PatrickMcGorry <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/22/just-16-million-labor-mental-health-package-spent-next-financial-year>

Day 24 cont

“Allegra Spender has denounced as “false, misleading, and offensive” a pamphlet targeting her that is being distributed anonymously in the #Sydney seat of Wentworth and which the Australian #Electoral #Commission is investigating.

On Monday the #AEC said it had received complaints about “the #distribution of an unauthorised #pamphlet opposing the member for Wentworth which is in breach” of electoral laws which require material to be authorised with the name and address of its source.”

A pretty clumsy move, highlighting motive and at considerable cost. Motive, means, opportunity.

Keep in mind foreign interference briefing by ASIO head earlier in the year.

#AusPol / #Wentworth / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition / #Independent / #Labor / #AllegraSpender (Ind) / #NickWard (Grn) / #JamesSternhell (1Nat) / #SavannaPeake (Lab) / #RoanneKnox (Lib) <https://archive.md/pmJKW> / <https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/aec-launches-probe-after-wentworth-flooded-with-anti-spender-pamphlets-20250421-p5lt7w> / <https://www.abc.net.au/dat/news/elections/federal/2025/guide/went.htm>

Day 24 cont

“But speaking of gambling, #gambling is a behaviour where #people don’t think of the #consequences. And what this (#Labor) #government has done is gambled the #taxpayers’ money of Australia”

…

“We understand that the other side has a good heart, that they want to make #medicines cheaper. But to recklessly, recklessly cut the profits of small business owners, the #pharmacies working extremely hard, some of them have told me they’ve gone down to 30-40%. That gambling-like behaviour is simply not on.” — #ScottYung

Piss off Scotty, leave our Pharma alone.

#AusPol / #Medicare / #pharmaceuticals / #PBS / #Liberal / #Bennalong / #LNP / #Nationals / #CCP / #LiberalPartyChineseYouthCouncil / #JohnHoward / #XiongmingXie <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/22/australia-election-2025-live-pm-leads-tributes-to-pope-francis-pre-poll-voting-begins-ntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-6806e3898f089c7bf64d93f3#block-6806e3898f089c7bf64d93f3>

Day 25

“#TradeUnions, #conservationists, #FirstNations groups, #church congregations and #community organisations have launched a coordinated campaign against opposition leader #PeterDutton’s plan for #NuclearReactors across Australia.

The #Coalition has pledged, if elected, to build seven nuclear reactors to replace retiring or retired coal sites naming #Tarong and #Callide in Queensland, #Liddell and #MountPiper in New South Wales, #PortAugusta in South Australia, #LoyYang in Victoria, and #Muja in Western Australia.”

The location of Nuclear power plants is not optimised for safe operation. The Loy Yang location was originally chosen due to coal deposits not geological stability. This area is prone to geological faulting.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nuclear / #NuclearPower <https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/23/peter-dutton-coalition-nuclear-reactors-plan-risks-waste>

Day 25 cont

“#Greens election corflutes have been #defaced with #swastikas and #Islamophobic slurs in what the party says is the “tip of the iceberg” of the #racism and #hate it is facing during the campaign.

The #NSW Greens senator, Mehreen Faruqi, and the Greens’ candidate in the inner-west Sydney seat of #Grayndler, Hannah Thomas, have had swastikas drawn on election posters in #Erskineville and #Stanmore respectively.”

#AusPol / #propagand / #elections / #extremism / #FarRight <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/22/australia-election-2025-live-pm-leads-tributes-to-pope-francis-pre-poll-voting-begins-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-68073b208f08195611b6c854#block-68073b208f08195611b6c854>

Day 25 cont

“For at least 20 years, #YoungPeople have been moving away from formal #politics – such as #joining a political #party or a #volunteering organisation – and towards “#IssueBased” politics, says Prof #PhilippaCollin from #WesternSydneyUniversity. Collin researches the role of the #internet in the #PoliticalLives of young people.

“It’s pretty common that it has been interpreted as young people not being interested or involved in #CivicEngagement or political #participation,” she says.”

#AusPol
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/22/moral-panic-about-new-media-influence-on-young-voters-underplays-their-interest-in-politics-creators-say>.

Day 25 cont

“The #opposition leader, #PeterDutton, has refused to specify where an additional $21bn in pledged #defence spending would be #allocated, nor where the #money would come from, committing only to releasing the Coalition’s #costings before the 3 May election.”

A reminder the #LNP #Liberal #Nationals have released no policies. This is a “Hail Mary” shot and they bought out -Andy

#AusPol / #Coalition / #AndrewHastie <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/23/dutton-refuses-to-specify-what-coalitions-21bn-of-pledged-defence-spending-would-be-used-on>

Day 25 cont ️

“The #Labor MP #JeromeLaxale has expressed his “disappointment” in the #Albanese government’s #failure to restrict #gambling #ads and called on the party to “honour the legacy” of the late #PetaMurphy if re-elected.

Laxale, a left-faction MP who is trying to hold on to the ultra-marginal New South Wales seat of #Bennelong, said he was “sick of seeing betting odds linked to live sport” and told #voters in his #electorate there was “a strong #reform package coming”.

The Albanese government has not taken changes to #gambling #regulation to this election and has faced sustained criticism from #PublicHealth experts and political pressure for shelving plans to restrict gambling ads, in the face of opposition from #sporting codes and #broadcasters.”

#AusPol <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/22/labor-mp-jerome-laxale-albanese-gambling-ads>

Day 26

“Over five decades, here’s how voters have shifted away from the major parties”

#AusPol / #Labor / #LNP / #Nationals / #Liberal / #Coalition / #Greens / #Independent <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-24/election-data-rise-independents-major-party-drift/105144918>

Day 25 cont

“#Nationals MP accused of ‘fobbing off’ #Gippsland constituents concerned by Dutton’s nuclear plan :
#DarrenChester had called for ‘conversation’ around #PeterDutton’s #nuclear policy, but several constituents say their attempts to raise concerns have been ignored”

A reminder the Liberals and Nationals have no nuclear policy. This includes storage of waste, contamination and natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, fires of cyclones.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Nationals / #Liberal / #NuclearWaste <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/23/nationals-mp-darren-chester-gippsland-australia-federal-election-2025-nuclear-policy>

Day 26 cont

“Sydney residents shaken awake by early morning #earthquake in #NSW Hunter Valley: Preliminary information indicates the 4.6-magnitude #quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km”

“The quake struck at 2.55am on Wednesday near #Singleton in the New South Wales #HunterValley, about 200km north of #Sydney, Geoscience Australia #seismologists said.

…

The quake’s #epicentre was about 36km from #Liddell, where the #Coalition has proposed to build a #NuclearPower plant.”

A reminder the LNP and #PeterDutton have no policy for nuclear accidents.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Nationals / #Liberal / #NuclearEnergy / #uranium / energy <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/23/sydney-residents-shaken-awake-by-early-morning-earthquake-near-nsw-hunter-valley>

Day 26 cont

“#PeterDutton is avoiding visiting any of the seven sites for his proposed #NuclearReactors , #AnthonyAlbanese and the #Labor party claim, arguing the issue has become “radioactive” for the #Coalition.

The #Liberal leader says he is still committed to #NuclearPower, even as he concedes it may not be “politically popular”.

#AusPol / #nuclear / #NuclearPolicy / #LNP / #Nationals / #NuclearWaste <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/24/exclusion-zones-is-peter-duttons-campaign-avoiding-proposed-nuclear-power-sites>

Day 26 cont

“#Indonesia’s ambassador met with senior #Australian #diplomats on Tuesday as the nation was thrust into an election campaign debate about a potential #Russian military presence in the region – and on the same day #AnthonyAlbanese accused #PeterDutton of damaging the bilateral relationship.

Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia, Dr #SiswoPramono, met with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (#DFAT) deputy secretary, #MichelleChan, who leads its south-east Asian policy division. One diplomatic source said Indonesia requested the meeting.

The meeting has been described by multiple sources as part of a regular series of engagements between #Pramono and #Chan, who is also responsible for managing the department’s diplomatic relationship with Indonesia.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/24/indonesian-ambassador-met-senior-australian-diplomats-on-same-day-albanese-accused-dutton-of-damaging-relationship>

Day 26 cont

“#Coalition pledges to remove #EVTaxbreak two days after #Dutton ruled out scrapping it – as it happened”

A reminder the LNP has no #EnergyPolicy it’s changed on the go.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #energy <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/23/australia-election-2025-live-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-defence-spending-labor-coalition-debate-cost-of-living-ntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-68089b5a8f08881f19d8b028#block-68089b5a8f08881f19d8b028>

Day 26 cont

“#PeterDutton has committed to redoing security checks for thousands of Palestinians from Gaza granted visitor visas in Australia as he doubled down on introducing questions on #antisemitism in #CitizenshipTests. In a press conference in Perth on Wednesday, Dutton said Palestinians on #VisitorVisas would be subject to further scrutiny, echoing the #Coalition’s previous claims – #WithoutEvidence – that they are a national security risk”

VS

“The #ASIO chief, #MikeBurgess, has previously said #Palestinians with visas had “gone through the #process” and “part of the process is, where criteria are hit, they’re referred to my organisation and ASIO does its thing”.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal #National <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/23/peter-dutton-reaffirms-support-for-antisemitism-citizenship-test-question-and-re-vetting-gazan-visas>

Day 26 cont

“Opposition Leader #PeterDutton’s “Australian #gas for Australians” scheme (‘cost impost as a “charge” or “incentive” for producers to flood the east coast market with cheaper gas ‘) risks violating the #Constitution and provoking an expensive #HighCourt battle with #FossilFuel giants as prominent legal experts warn the #CoalitionPolicy appears to be a discriminatory tax regime.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #National / #Energy <https://archive.md/wxwWm> / <https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/looks-and-smells-like-a-tax-dutton-s-gas-plan-flagged-as-unconstitutional-20250416-p5ls5w.html> (paywall)

Day 26 cont

“The top reasons #voters are hesitant on #Albanese or #Dutton – and it’s worse in #MarginalSeats: An exclusive survey for this masthead, conducted by research firm #ResolveStrategic, reveals the top concerns voters have when considering either of the #MajorParties on May 3.”

#AusPol / #Labor / #LNP / #Liberals / #National / #greens / #Independents <https://archive.md/rNBDk> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-top-reasons-voters-are-hesitant-on-albanese-or-dutton-and-it-s-worse-in-marginal-seats-20250418-p5lst0.html> (paywall)

Day 26 cont

“#Kooyong MP #MoniqueRyan had just remarked that the national broadcaster’s annual budget was “about as much as we spend on keeping 100 refugees on #Nauru and #PNG” when a man’s voice suddenly bellowed from the back of the room.

“We’re just here to ask about immigration and crime,” he said.

…

A meeting of Kooyong candidates led to a heated confrontation between agitators and other attendees.
In a room at the #KewLibrary filled with #CivicMinded locals waiting to hear from the Kooyong candidates about the state of the media, the arrival of the three unexpected men disrupted the calm.

Leading them was a bald man with a #goatee, wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the logo of the “#AustralianWorkersAlliance” – a self-described nationalist organisation whose mission includes the “preservation of #WesternCulture and identity”. One of the other men wore a leather jacket and filmed the room with his #phone – a dead giveaway that the goal was to capture a viral “gotcha” moment. The third man, dressed in a grey hoodie and sneakers, loitered nearby with his hands in his pockets as back-up.”

The old LNP, Advance create scene, capture distribute trick.

#AusPol / #Independent / #Kooyong / #FarRight / #extremism / #Advance / #SandraBourke / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals <https://archive.md/V3knV> / <https://www.theage.au/politics/federal/victoria-s-hot-seats-live-updates-federal-election-2025-continues-muslim-lobby-group-rolls-out-attack-ads-against-labor-20250421-p5lt3t.html> (paywall)

Day 26 cont ️

“Nationals leader #DavidLittleproud says one of his “proudest” moments of his #leadership has been to oppose #TheVoice to # parliament.

Speaking to the #NationalPressClub, Littleproud says it wasn’t a decision that was made quickly by his party room.

Within our party room, in a #respectful way we undertook a #committee within our party room to listen [to the] yes and no case, to understand what the machinery would look like, what it would mean for us who represent some of the most #disadvantaged #Indigenous #Australians in remote areas.
Littleproud says the voice would have repeated “mistakes of the past” and was not the way to empower local communities.”

A reminder Littleproud has no tertiary #education, a rarity in leadership teams in #Labor, #LNP, #Greens and #Independents.

#AusPol / #racism <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/24/australia-election-2025-live-labor-coalition-teal-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-policy-cost-of-living-voting-spender-pamphletntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-6809ab7d8f08e65b05d1de6e#block-6809ab7d8f08e65b05d1de6e>

Day 26 cont

“#PeterDutton has pledged to cut almost two-thirds of Canberra’s federal #PublicServants if elected, in a move #AnthonyAlbanese has criticised as “outrageous”.

In a testy press conference in #Tasmania on Thursday morning, the opposition leader batted away questions about not visiting a single proposed #NuclearPower station site, as well as confusion over shifting positions on #migration targets, tax breaks for #ElectricVehicles and #Coalition support for recognising #WestJerusalem as #Israel’s capital.”
…
“The numbers don’t even stack up, you can’t cut 41,000 public servants from Canberra without touching defence, intelligence and frontline services, and still run the country effectively – it simply isn’t possible,”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Policy <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/24/anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-aps-public-service-cuts-canberra>

Day 26 cont

“Around 50,000 people turned away from #FoodBanks each month, as charities struggle to keep up with demand, a new report from #OzHarvest has found.

The survey of frontline #charities reveals 77% have witnessed a surge in people seeking #food in the past year, with an estimated 50,000 people unable to be supported every month by responding charities as services simply cannot keep up.”

#AusPol / #politics / #Election / #issues <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/24/australia-election-2025-live-labor-coalition-teal-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-policy-cost-of-living-voting-spender-pamphletntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-68095a858f08082b6071c7e6#block-68095a858f08082b6071c7e6>

Day 26 cont

“Prime Minister #AnthonyAlbanese has defended the #Labor candidate running against Peter Dutton as an “extraordinary Australian” after it emerged she tweeted faked images of the opposition leader wearing a #Nazi uniform.”

Leadership.

#AusPol / #AliFrance / #Dickson / #Labor / #PM <https://archive.md/lQ01i> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-defends-labor-candidate-who-posted-dutton-nazi-meme-20250424-p5ltzq.html> (cont)

Day 26 cont

“Thirty years ago, the average #buyer looked more like the #MedianIncome earner. But over time we’ve seen that shift [to] #households that are in the top two income quintiles, so top 40 per cent of income earners, and shift from being #SingleIncome earning households to #DualIncome households,”

#AusPol / #housing / #HousingCrisis / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Labor <https://archive.md/kbscP> / <https://www.theage.com.au/property/news/how-much-you-can-afford-to-spend-on-a-house-20250423-p5ltn1.html>

Day 26 cont

The LNP has a candidate problem.

“#Coalition frontbencher #JasonWood was warned there were “serious integrity concerns” about a #Liberal donor and #MigrationAgent whom he tried to appoint to a government advisory group, two years before he denied knowing any adverse information about the man.

Migration agent #JackTa was exposed in a 2022 investigation by this masthead and #60Minutes for being suspected of repeatedly gaming the #visa system to help more than a dozen #DrugOffenders remain in #Australia – concerns that were substantiated when his registration was cancelled months later.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Nationals / #Crime / #ToughOnCrime / #HomeAffairs / #Leadership <https://archive.md/qjnUF> / <https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-frontbencher-shocked-by-allegations-against-a-migration-agent-but-he-had-been-warned-20250417-p5lsia.html>

Day 25 cont

The LNP has a candidate problem.

“Since I started covering #Bruce in #Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, voters and Labor insiders have raised questions with me about the #Liberal Party’s promotion of its candidate #ZahidSafi as a successful “small businessman”. So I decided to take a look for myself and headed for Merribrook Boulevard in Clyde.”

Update Safi has been found, “We found Safi!” #CharlotteGrieve <https://archive.md/lyfPg>

#AusPol / #LNP / #Coalition / #Nationals / #quality / #candidates <https://archive.md/XtLTQ> / <https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/fake-reviews-a-bewildered-family-following-the-threads-of-a-candidate-s-business-empire-20250422-p5lthj.html> (paywall)

Day 27

“For the first time, #GenZ and #Millennials outnumber #Boomers as the biggest voting bloc. I can’t speak for everyone, but the general mood on the ground is bleak.

Younger generations in particular are, rightfully, increasingly #disillusioned with the two-party system, which serves a dwindling minority of #morbidly wealthy players rather than the general public.

We’re tired of the mudslinging, scare campaigns, confected culture wars and other transparent political theatrics that incite division while distracting the public and media from legitimate critical issues. We don’t need games. We need bold, urgent, sweeping economic and social reforms. There’s frankly no time for anything else.

Last year was officially the hottest on record globally, exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. #Multinational #FossilFuel #corporations continue to pillage our #resources and coerce our elected officials while paying next to #NoTax.” — #GraceTame

#AusPol / #OpEd / #Elections <https://archive.md/G2Txz> / <https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2025/04/26/young-people-must-fight-democracy> (paywall)

Day 27 cont
“Here's where your political #leaders have been campaigning so far”

Where are they missing?

“Neither of the leaders has set foot in an #Indigenous community. That is despite the #PM's(#Labor) victory speech from 2022 opening with a commitment to the #Uluru #Statement from the Heart.” (NB: Labor was the Party to hold, “The Voice” referendum.)

“Mr #Dutton (#LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / ##Coalition) has been noticeably absent from sites where #NuclearReactors would be built under his proposed #power plan, and he has deflected #questions from #journalists about when he might visit.”

#AusPol / #elections / #missing <https://abc.net.au/news/2025-04-24/where-political-leaders-have-been-so-far-albanese-dutton/105196814>

Day 27 cont

“#PeterDutton said there was “a lot of anger in the #suburbs,” with many families unable to put #food on the table.

“That’s the reality of life for many Australians under #AnthonyAlbanese, and I think there are many Australians in outer #metropolitan areas who feel that this prime minister hasn’t been honest, he’s out of his depth, that he has prioritised the interests of #Greens voters in inner city, #Sydney and #Melbourne, many of whom are quite #affluent.”

The opposition leader said Albanese had abandoned people in regions and in the outer suburbs.

“We see families who are doing it hard, they’re not going to vote for Labor this time, and they may have been Labor voters all their lives.”

#AusPol / #HousingCrisis / #food / #basics <https://archive.md/l3itm > / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-election-2025-live-updates-albanese-dutton-resume-campaign-after-hecklers-disrupt-welcome-to-country-at-anzac-day-services-20250425-p5lucj.html?post=p58jxq#p58jxq> (paywall)

Day 27 cont

A lesson on how to determine political #facts from Politicians on #housing during elections. Opposition Housing Minister Sukkar (#Liberal), Housing Minister O’Neil (#Labor) being fact checked by #ABC730 report Journalist, #SarahFerguson.

#AusPol / #FactCheck <https://youtube.com/shorts/8K3Ax0c0tXI

Day 27 cont

“Labor’s Murray Watt has accused the #Greens of deliberately #misleading #voters in the tightly-contested #Queensland seat of #Griffith by distributing flyers in Liberal party blue that describe #MaxChandlerMather as an “independent voice”.

The flyers, seen by Guardian Australia, are light blue and read: “If you want a strong independent voice, preference Max Chandler-Mather above Labor”.

Nowhere do they mention that Chandler-Mather is the Greens candidate, though the flyers are authorised by the party’s Queensland state director, #KittyCarra.”

#AusPol / #TheGreens / #corflute <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/26/greens-accused-of-misleading-voters-griffith-max-chandler-mather-flyer-ntwnfb>

Day 27 cont ️ Colours

“#PeterDutton (#LNP, #Liberal, #Coalition, #Nationals) says he wants welcome to country ceremonies respected even as he reaffirms his push to unite #Australians under “one flag”.

made the comments after disruptions at #AnzacDay services and the sudden cancellation of a welcome to country ceremony at a major #NRL match in #Melbourne.

The #MelbourneStorm is facing criticism after it informed #Wurundjeri elder #AuntyJoyMurphyWandin she was no longer needed to perform the welcome to country ceremony at the club’s annual #AnzacDay clash at #AAMI Park against South Sydney on Friday night.”

Across the street at the #MCG the welcome ceremony was performed for the #AFL ANZAC clash with Essendon verses Collingwood.

#AusPol / #politics / #TheVoice / #Melbourne <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/26/peter-dutton-urges-respect-for-welcome-to-country-but-reaffirms-stance-on-using-one-flag-ntwnfb>

Day 28

“#PeterDutton moves to close out his speech, telling his supporters *not to listen to* “what you have been told by the #ABC, in the #Guardian and the other #HateMedia… #Forget about that.

#Listen to what you hear on the doors. Listen to what people say on the pre-polling. Know in your hearts that we are a better future for our country. Know we stand up for the values that are important more than ever for families and small businesses. If we stay true to our values and have a strength of leadership, if we have the ability to be truthful with the Australian public, to stand up and to fight for what we believe in, to deliver our vision, to make Australians better off with our petrol cut, with our $1,200 back, to make sure they can buy a home, that is so important to us.”

Having no policies, having failed to make any headway, listen to my propaganda instead.

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #propaganda / #slogans <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/27/australia-election-2025-live-updates-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-debate-labor-liberal-cost-of-living-medicare-telehealth-nsw-vic-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-680d82678f08082b6071e9ef#block-680d82678f08082b6071e9ef>

Day 28 cont ️

“The only regular meeting of Australia’s #SaltbushClub takes place most Thursday evenings at a golf #club in #FiveDock, in #Sydney’s inner west. The group’s founding members – a collection of the country’s most prominent and avid global heating deniers – include #GinaRinehart, the former Queensland premier #CampbellNewman, former Business Council of Australia head #HughMorgan, and #Coalition MP #ColinBoyce.

At Five Dock, the crowd is mostly #old and mostly #white. They sometimes host contrarian speakers. But about six years ago, this gathering of #ClimateSceptics decided to stop talking publicly about the climate.”

#AusPol / #ClimateEmergency / #weather / #LNP / #Liberal <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/27/australia-election-2025-live-updates-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-debate-labor-liberal-cost-of-living-medicare-telehealth-nsw-vic-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-680d7acf8f0848f8750649eb#block-680d7acf8f0848f8750649eb>

Day 28 cont

“Look past all the flip-flopping, all the reversals, all the contradictions and you see a very clear pattern: a risky and expensive #NuclearPolicy that he doesn’t want to talk about and he certainly doesn’t want to #visit any of the #sites. A defence policy that is little more than a media release and handouts that disappear after just 12 months.

These are #policies with huge price tags but the last thing #PeterDutton ever wanted to talk about is where he’s going to get the money from. You won’t be surprised that I don’t share his reluctance. He’s going to get it by ripping into health, education and childcare.” — #AnthonyAlbanese

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition / #propaganda <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/27/australia-election-2025-live-updates-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-debate-labor-liberal-cost-of-living-medicare-telehealth-nsw-vic-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-680d8f648f0848f875064a3e#block-680d8f648f0848f875064a3e>

Day 28 cont

“When she (#BridgetMcKenzie) was asked directly by host David Speers whether the #Coalition had any #policies to reduce the emissions responsible for #GlobalHeating, McKenzie appeared to laugh before moving on to talk about the Coalition’s #Nuclear proposal.

This appears to be the first time a Coalition MP has been asked this question directly during the campaign.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition / #ClimateEmergency / #EmissionsReduction / #emissions <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/27/australia-election-2025-live-updates-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-debate-labor-liberal-cost-of-living-medicare-telehealth-nsw-vic-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-680d85d68f08082b6071e9fb#block-680d85d68f08082b6071e9fb>

Day 28 cont

“#Coalition transport spokeswoman #BridgetMcKenzie has left the door open to working with the states on a road user charge, saying #TaxBreaks for drivers of #ElectricCars are being #subsidised by the #FuelExcise paid by commuters who can afford only petrol-fuelled vehicles.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #ClimateEmergency / #climate / <https://archive.md/vFtBG> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/commuters-subsidising-tax-breaks-for-wealthy-kooyong-ev-drivers-mckenzie-20250427-p5luir.html> (paywall)

Day 29

“Opposition Leader #PeterDutton failed to declare for two years his #interest in a #FamilyTrust that operated lucrative #ChildcareBusinesses when he was a #CabinetMinister, a #FourCorners #investigation has found.

Documents obtained by Four Corners and ABC Investigations show that while Mr Dutton's register of interests disclosed his wife #Kirilly's interests in childcare operations at the time, he did not declare between 2014 and 2016 that he was a beneficiary of the #RHTFamilyTrust that owned the businesses, as required by parliamentary rules.

The investigation also analysed more than 20 years of property records tied up in complicated and opaque trust structures and found that the Dutton family, with Peter Dutton's father #BruceDutton, made almost $15 million in profit from #buying and #selling private childcare #businesses as well as dozens of #residential #property deals.”

Remember the quote about not listening to the ABC? The Family Trust issue is a measure of #character according to Judge #MargaretWhite.

#AusPol / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Coalition / #corruption / #LNPCrimeGang / #TrueColours <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/peter-dutton-failed-to-disclose-interest-in-family-trust/105217880> / <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-25/true-colours/105218118>

Day 29

“Where do the major parties stand on #ClimateChange? Turns out they're worlds apart”

#AusPol / #Liberals / #LNP / #Coalition / #Nationals / #Labor / #Greens / #Indoendents / #ClimateEmergency <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/major-parties-climate-change-policies/105201656>

Day 29

“It’s the election billed as the battle between #Boomers and #Zoomers. By most estimates, it’s the first time #GenZ s and #Millennials outnumber their parents and grandparents as a voting bloc.

The parties have attempted to tailor their #SocialMedia pitches accordingly on issues that disproportionately affect #YoungPeople: the cost of living, HECS debts and housing. A tide of social media #memes, AI ads and several diss tracks have been met with varying levels of enthusiasm from their target audience.”

#AusPol / #Policies / #LNP / #Liberal / #Labor / #Greens / #Coalition / #Independents <https://archive.md/kx6gL> / <https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/not-so-pitch-perfect-young-voice-concerns-and-it-s-not-just-the-cost-of-living-20250421-p5lt4n.html> (paywall)

Day 29

“A dispute over signage between a #Labor staffer volunteering for #Wills MP #PeterKhalil and a #MuslimVotesMatter volunteer at a pre-polling station in #Brunswick led to police being called and the activist being questioned by officers.

The dispute, along with an argument between minor party #volunteers, prompted the #Australian Electoral Commission on Saturday to note “#physical and #verbal #violence” at the pre-poll booth and to warn #candidates and their teams to treat each other with #respect.”

#AusPol / #Labor / #Victoria / #AEC <https://archive.md/kWwLU> / <https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/victoria-s-hot-seats-live-updates-cost-of-living-in-focus-in-final-week-of-campaigning-20250425-p5lu8k.html?post=p58kh2#p58kh2>

Day 29

“[Singha’s comments] (#VivekSingha, #Liberal) were inappropriate and shouldn’t have been made. He has apologised for them. I won’t take a lecture from the prime minister who has a relationship with the Greens,” he (#PeterDutton) said.

“[Albanese] is preferencing a Green No.2. This is an antisemitic, Jew-hating party.”

#AusPol / #LNP / #Nationals / #Coalition / <https://archive.md/oB5sE> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-election-2025-live-updates-anthony-albanese-v-peter-dutton-leaders-debate-reaction-20250427-p5lul8.html?post=p58kgp#p58kgp> (paywall)