Although federal parliament didn’t sit in Canberra this week, it was another busy week in politics. As always, we take you behind the announcements and explain how key policy announcements impact everyday Australians. We also highlight developments in international affairs and finish with some interesting sport/pop culture moments.
But first, what made headlines this week?
- Australia won the Cricket World Cup for a record-extending sixth time, defeating India in a low-scoring final. Travis Head played a crucial role with his 137 runs.
- Former Labor MP Craig Thomson pleaded guilty to COVID-19 grant fraud.
- Nikita Tszyu won the Australian title in a dramatic fight against Dylan Biggs, continuing his family’s unbeaten streak in Australia.
- Advocates highlighted the issue of domestic violence following the deaths of four women in separate incidents in South Australia.
- Eastern Australian states faced week-long storms, with forecasts of more severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
- Photographs highlighted Australia’s severe rental crisis.
- Almost 50 new spider species were discovered in Australia.
- There were calls for the reintroduction of masks as Australia entered its eighth wave of COVID-19.
Politics
Wages warning from Bullock
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock sparked backlash this week after suggesting people visiting dentists and hairdressers were contributing to Australia’s stubbornly high inflation rate.
They were among a list of services (including dining out and recreational activities) for which prices had increased sharply off the back of strong demand.
The comments were met by a hostile response from the public, with some suggesting both haircuts and dentist visits were essential to remaining presentable and therefore employable.
Of more interest to Treasurer Chalmers and the government were the governor’s comments about a rising ‘homegrown’ inflation challenge, in contrast to the government’s claim for 18 months that inflation in Australia was an unavoidable response to global economic pressures and events.
She also issued a pointed warning about rising wages, saying the current acceleration in wages growth was not sustainable without a corresponding rise in productivity.
The government last week proudly declared wages had grown at their fastest rate since the introduction of the Wage Price Index, and their fastest rate since 2009.
Treasurer Chalmers has long had Australia’s lagging productivity growth in his sights and earlier this month issued a statement of expectations to the Productivity Commission, the first in the commission’s history. It directed the commissioner to focus on climate change and technological and digital transformation.
2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy:
This week, the Australian Government released the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and said it was part of the government’s initiative to become a world leader in cyber security by 2030.
Key elements of the strategy include:
1. Six ‘cyber shields’ to provide layered defence against cyber threats, emphasizing the protection of Australian citizens and businesses. These shields are:
- Strong businesses and citizens
- Safe technology
- World-class threat sharing and blocking
- Protected critical infrastructure
- Sovereign capabilities
- Resilient region and global leadership
2. Whole-of-Nation Approach: The strategy shifts the focus of cyber security from a purely technical issue to a whole-of-nation endeavour. It aims to provide better support to civilians and the industry, addressing issues vital to Australian communities and businesses.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: A key aspect of the strategy is the engagement and collaboration between the government and the private sector to tackle cyber problems. This approach leverages stronger public-private partnerships for enhanced national cyber resilience.
4. Action Plan for Implementation: The 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Action Plan supplements the strategy. This action plan outlines key initiatives to be undertaken in the next two years, focusing on strengthening the nation’s cyber security foundations. It aims to address critical gaps in Australia’s cyber defences and build strong collaborations across industry and government.
In essence, the Australian Government’s strategy is not just about implementing technological solutions but also involves a significant shift in approach, aiming to integrate cyber security into the fabric of national governance and public life. By doing so, it seeks to protect and empower businesses, citizens, and the broader community against evolving cyber threats.
The government has dedicated approximately $587 million to fund the strategy and the investment is intended to protect national infrastructure, individuals, and businesses from cyber-attacks, and to fund cyber awareness programs and the development of better-protected infrastructure.
Rowland addresses National Press Club
In her National Press Club speech, the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP focused on online safety and particularly the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content.
Rowland highlighted that popular online platforms would face new guidelines to eliminate harmful AI-generated content, including revenge porn and deepfakes. She reiterated the government’s plans to review the Online Safety Act and update the Basic Online Safety Expectations determination, which is used by the eSafety Commissioner to safeguard Australian internet users from abusive and harmful online content.
The Minister emphasized the critical importance of prioritising children’s best interests in the design and deployment of online services. The review will consider whether Australia should adopt regulatory approaches used internationally, like the UK’s duty of care approach.
Furthermore, platforms will be required to publish regular transparency reports detailing their actions to keep users safe. This measure is part of Australia’s approach to setting clear expectations and ensuring transparency in the industry’s actions to protect online users, especially children.
Overall, Rowland’s speech focused on enhancing online safety measures, especially concerning the protection of children from emerging threats posed by AI-generated content.
She did touch on the mis/disinformation bill and announced that changes would be made to the definition of harmful content and the scope of the bill based on the feedback they received from stakeholders during the consultation process. Rowland reaffirmed that legislation would be introduced next year.
Government makes more concessions on IR changes
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke this week made a deal with the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) to exclude service contractors from the government’s proposed industrial relations changes.
The employer group had been vocally opposed to the Closing Loopholes bill, saying that it ‘threatened to wreck the national economy and jobs’, but they signed off on Burke’s proposed changes when he promised a service contractor exemption.
Minister Burke, however, was claiming the move was less of a concession on the government’s behalf and more so a move to make the bill’s intentions clear. He maintained service contractors were never the target of the bill, but rather labour hire contractors (the difference being, according to the government, that service contractors provide more than just labour).
Large employer groups the Minerals Council of Australia and the Business Council of Australia remain opposed to the bill and reacted furiously to AREEA’s endorsement of the changes.
Global
Defence and Foreign Ministers meet their counterparts in India
Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were in India this week for the second India–Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
The talks covered defence, security, renewable energy and technology, along with deepening trade and investment ties.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said in his opening remarks that, for both Australia and India, China was both the biggest trading partner and biggest security anxiety.
Around the talks, Marles did manage to squeeze in a quick (2000km-round trip) visit to Ahmedabad on Sunday to watch the Cricket World Cup final between Australia and India, a thrilling match the visitors managed to steal from the home favourites.
From India, he travelled on to the United Arab Emirates, marking the first visit to the region by an Australian Defence Minister in five years and the first visit by the Deputy Prime Minister.
Open AI CEO is fired, and hired again
Exactly a week ago, the Board of Open AI (the company that developed ChatGPT) announced founder and CEO Sam Altman would be leaving the company, sparking an immediate uproar from the tech startup’s 750 workers.
Co-founder Greg Brockman quit in protest, and was snapped up by Microsoft in an instant, who went on to offer every Open AI employee a job with matched salaries.
It was an extraordinary debacle for the Open AI Board, which faced calls from the company’s employees to resign and reinstate Altman.
By Wednesday, Altman announced he and Brockman were returning to Open AI with a new-look Board including Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and former US treasury secretary Larry Summers.
Microsoft, Open AI’s biggest investor, welcomed Altman’s return and the changes to the Board, saying it was “a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance”.
Many have drawn comparisons to Apple’s famous ousting of founder Steve Jobs in 1985, following disagreements with the Apple Board.
Altman rejoins Open AI at a critical time for the artificial intelligence research company, with the global community increasingly anxious about the regulation of the burgeoning technology.
War in Gaza
While the war in Gaza continues, a temporary ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces has been established in the Gaza Strip. This ceasefire, which marks the first break in 48 days of intense conflict, involves the exchange of a number of Israeli women and children held hostage by Hamas. Additionally, aid is being delivered to Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis.
The temporary pause in fighting is set to last for four days and under the terms of the deal, Hamas has agreed to release 50 women and children (from a total of about 240 it took hostage after its unprecedented attack on Israel’s south). In return, the Israeli government will release over 150 Palestinians they have in detention.
The ceasefire is seen as a major diplomatic breakthrough and the first sign of respite after seven weeks of relentless fighting. Qatar, the US and Egypt have been instrumental in securing the temporary ceasefire and some parties have indicated that the ceasefire could continue longer if both sides cooperate.
Importantly, hundreds of trucks carrying much need humanitarian aid and fuel will be able to enter Gaza during the ceasefire.
Pop culture/Sport
Concert tragedy
Devastatingly, two lives were lost at music concerts this week.
Amidst a severe heatwave, a 23-year-old fan died at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this week. Following the incident, Taylor Swift postponed her second concert in Rio de Janeiro. The news of the fan’s death has deeply affected the singer, as well as sparked discussions and debates among fans about who might be responsible for the tragedy.
On the other side of the world, and back home in Australia, a woman in her 70s died after falling over seating at Robbie Williams Sydney concert. She was initially taken to hospital in a critical condition suffering from head injuries, but she tragically died in hospital. During his Melbourne concert, Williams dedicated his hit song ‘Angels’ to the woman and acknowledged his deep sorrow over the incident.
Super Bowl rematch
This week NFL fans were treated to a Super Bowl rematch when the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs. This time, the Eagles came out on top with a 21-17 win over the Kansas City.
After giving up 38 points to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Philadelphia’s defensive line was out for revenge, and they didn’t give up a single point in the second half during Monday night’s game.
With two minutes left on the clock, the Chiefs had a chance to win the game, but came up empty after Marquez Valdez-Scantling dropped a sure touchdown pass from Mahomes. Philadelphia’s defence then sealed the win by forcing consecutive incompletions from Mahomes, who threw for 177 yards on the night.
Currently, the NFL is the perfect cross-over of sport and pop culture. With Taylor Swift dating Chiefs tight-end Tavis Kelce and Travis’ brother Jason Kelce playing for the Eagles, this game attracted a record number of viewers. There were numerous stories out of the game – ranging from Taylor’s love of the Eagles to Jason Kelce’s wife snubbing Taylor – the game seems to be the least reported part of the evening.
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