| The unofficial federal election campaign has started this week with both major parties traversing the country to sell their budget messages. While the government is focusing on their Future Made in Australia Fund, including investment in renewable energy, the opposition is talking about cuts to Australia’s migration intake and consideration for nuclear energy. Both have outlined their election platforms, and they couldn’t be further apart. We’ll dive into the week’s big stories below, but first, here’s a quick look at what made headlines: 1. Government says tribunal to blame for decision to release former detainee who murdered Brisbane man. 2. ADF rescues stranded Australians from New Caledonia after protests linked to proposed changes to voting laws. 3. Voters rate third Albanese budget poorly in post-budget opinion polls. 4. Australian Industry Group says unions’ wage push would cost $7bn a year. 5. Huge landslide strikes remote village in Papua New Guinea, with 100 people feared dead. 6. NDIS rorts by organised crime worse than feared, says NDIS watchdog. 7. BBC slammed for hiring Nick Kyrgios as Wimbledon commentator. Politics Selling the Budget – how’s it going? Federal politicians of all political persuasions have been traversing the country this week trying to sell their respective budget messages. The Prime Minister is out there spruiking the government’s signature election policy, the Future Made in Australia Fund, as well as the $300 electricity rebate for all Australian households and $6 billion to address the national housing crisis. He has spent time in Westmead, Gosford and Western Sydney in NSW, as well as traveling to Queensland and Victoria. A number of his Cabinet colleagues descended on Western Australia to promote the government’s investment in critical mineral mining and renewable energy projects through the Future Made in Australia Fund. Meanwhile opposition leader Peter Dutton and his shadow cabinet have been talking up their policy to reduce Australia’s annual migration intake and how this will ease the housing crisis that we’re currently experiencing. However, they’ve come under fire for inconsistent messaging around the details, with the opposition leader and shadow treasurer accused of referencing differing figures. They insist this isn’t policy on the run, however there isn’t a media release or policy document available outlining the details. Like several ministers, the opposition leader also spent time in WA this week, as well as Victoria and his home state of Queensland. Interestingly though, he didn’t host the annual post-budget LNP event in Queensland this year. Neither major party received the post-budget bounce in the polls they would’ve been hoping for. While one major poll showed 40 percent of people believe the government’s budget will increase the chance of an interest rate rise, other polls show popularity remains unchanged. Overall, the government leads the opposition 52 to 48 on a two-party preferred basis across most polls. Parliament resumes on Monday, and we expect to see the budget messaging continue. Whether the federal election is held in November this year or May 2025, it is clear the unofficial election campaign has begun. PM walks fine line on ICC ruling On Monday, Prosecutor Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court (ICC) filed applications for warrants of arrest for three Hamas leaders, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. It ignited a global political storm, with Western leaders almost immediately decrying the Prosecutor’s decision and coming to the defence of Israel. US President Joe Biden rejected the ICC’s application, stating “There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas”. Here in Australia, where Prime Minister Albanese has been balancing Australia’s foreign interests with domestic political concerns around support for Israel, the response was muted and far slower. The PM and his senior ministers initially declined to comment entirely, explaining that to do so would be inappropriate given it is a matter before the courts. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (led by Foreign Minister Penny Wong) eventually issued a statement in support of the ICC, saying it was “a matter for the Court in the independent exercise of its functions.” Leader of the opposition Peter Dutton, who has come out strongly against the ICC’s decision, is leading criticism of the PM’s refusal to take a position. Dutton said a future Coalition government would cut ties with the ICC over the issue. Pressed on whether Australia would enforce the arrest warrants if they were issued, and arrest the Israeli leader should he enter Australia, the PM would not be drawn on “hypotheticals”. Managing competing views in his party room and weighing the political implications of coming out strongly in support of Netanyahu is a tricky balancing act for sure. But the implications for his leadership, and the nation’s foreign interests, in not joining with our closest strategic partners to defend a democratic ally should have tipped the scales in favour of speaking up this week. Government powers ahead with battery plan The PM was in Brisbane this week to announce the government’s National Battery Strategy, another Future Made in Australia pillar. While providing assurances this was not a protectionist policy, and that the government is hoping to ‘facilitate’ private investment in battery production, the PM and Industry Minister Ed Husic announced the Commonwealth will tip in more than half a billion dollars in financial incentives for the production of batteries in Australia. The investment is aimed squarely at trying to reclaim some share of the industry currently dominated by China, with the strategy saying more than 75 per cent of global supply of batteries comes from one country (it does not name China). The strategy provides no detail on how the government plans to deliver the scheme – with the government now set to embark on ‘industry consultation’ to design the scheme before funds are released from next year. Queensland Labor split over migration policy During his budget-in-reply last week, federal opposition leader Peter Dutton outlined his plan to reduce Australia’s annual migration intake in an effort to ease pressure on the housing market. In an interesting turn of events, Queensland Premier Steven Miles this week announced his support for Peter Dutton’s plan for a 25 per cent cut to permanent migration and for net overseas migration to fall to about 160,000 new arrivals. Miles highlighted that the housing sector needed time to catch up with the post-pandemic influx to Queensland. A new poll showed 57 per cent of people surveyed believed reducing immigration would make housing more affordable, so it is no surprise that just five months out from a state election, the Premier would be supporting policies that the majority of people agree with. New statutory body for 2032 Olympic Games Legislation passed parliament this week to establish the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority. This independent statutory body will have responsibility for the rollout of upgrading venues and establishing the Olympic Games coordination plan, as well as a transportation plan. While ultimately supporting the legislation, the opposition did try, unsuccessfully, to amend the Bill to include another review, which is one of their election commitments. Delivery of the Games has been shrouded in controversy, especially over infrastructure. In March, the Premier scrapped the recommendations of the independent review, led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, and pressed ahead with redeveloping the Gabba to host the Games. The independent review had recommended a new $3.4 billion, 55,000 seat stadium be built at Victoria Park. The government must be hoping that establishing an independent statutory authority will take out some of the political attack around the coordination of the Games. However, we don’t believe this will work. Billions of dollars of taxpayer money is being used to fund the Games, and Queenslanders will want to make sure they are getting value for money. That is ultimately the responsibility of the government of the day. New rental laws Yesterday, the Queensland parliament passed the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 to strengthen the rights of renters. While the legislation contains a raft of reforms, most notably it bans all forms of rent bidding and ties rental increases to the property, meaning property owners will only be able to increase rents once per year on their property. Almost two million renters in Queensland will receive increased rights regarding property inspections, the option to pay their rent through a fee-free process and changes to the bond refund process. While the government says the reforms are about making renting fairer, safer and easier, some critics have pointed out that prohibiting increases will just inflate the rent cost from the beginning of the lease. Global Funeral held for Iranian President after helicopter crash Just four days after he was killed in a helicopter crash, a funeral was held overnight for Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian was also killed in the crash, along with several other officials. Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has taken over as acting President before an election is held on June 28. While the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning following the death of the President, reports suggest there was little mourning taking place on the streets, with some locals even releasing fireworks when the news broke. Authorities have warned Iranians from taking part in anything other than public demonstrations of mourning for the former President. Raisi was a brutal leader and a powerful figure in Iran’s authoritarian Islamic government. Some Iranians have hoped his death may spark renewal amongst the government’s senior leaders, others fear a worse and even more violent leader may succeed him. International observers predict Iran’s international policies won’t drastically shift once a new President is elected, with the Iranian political establishment largely unified in its views on foreign relations and engagement. UK Prime Minister calls snap election British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called an early election for July 4, six months before it was due in late January. In what made for terrible optics for the start of a campaign, Sunak made the announcement standing outside 10 Downing Street in pouring rain, his suit soaked through as he battled through his pre-prepared speech. It might signal the sorry fortunes to come for the Conservatives, as they head to the polls trailing Labour by around 20 points in various polls. Tory leader Keir Starmer released an energetic video on his social channels to mark the start of the campaign, spruiking a “changed” Labour Party that would deliver for working-class Brits. If the Tories succeed at the July poll, it will be the first time they have won a general election since 2005. At the following election in 2010, Labour leader Gordon Brown lost to David Cameron. Sunak is the fifth Prime Minister to have served since then. Sport and Pop Culture NFL player sparks outrage Sporting stars causing controversy isn’t unusual, however this week Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker sparked international outrage over a graduation address at Benedictine College. In his speech, he praised women who choose to be homemakers and mothers, and criticised abortion, LGBT Pride, and made controversial comments about legislation in Congress. Butker stated, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you”. He then went on to suggest that the majority of the women in the audience were more excited about marriage and motherhood than their careers. These comments have led to a wide range of reactions, with some labelling his speech sexist and antisemitic. Almost 160,000 people have signed a petition calling for him to be fired from the Kansas City Chiefs. However, others have supported him, including the Kansas City bishop and prominent Catholics. Also, it should be noted for context that Benedictine College is a Catholic University and Butker is a devout Catholic. NFL coming down under??? Sticking with NFL news, Australia has been shortlisted to host an NFL game between the LA Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025/26 season. NFL officials are set to visit potential venues in coming months and The MCG has made the list. Eagles star Jordan Mailata once played in the NRL for the Bulldogs and later the Rabbitohs, before making the switch to the NFL and finding success as an offensive tackle with Philly. Mailata joined the league through the International Player Pathway Program and is widely admired for his strength and endurance. He credits playing in the NRL for these skills. The NFL will play eight games overseas each season in a bid to increase global support and investment in the game, similar to what the NRL did earlier this year when they took two regular season games to Las Vegas. As NFL superfans, we are crossing our fingers the game becomes a reality and we will definitely be there to cheer on Philadelphia (fun fact: Philadelphia Eagles were Taylor Swift’s team before she started dating Travis). South Australian Powerball winner claims prize Since we’re bringing you this week’s newsletter, we can confirm we did not win the record $150 million Powerball last night – although the lucky Adelaide man who did collect the massive prize admitted he too turned up to work today. Australia’s biggest ever lottery winner, who said he bought the ticket “as I was filling up the car the other day”, plans to buy a house and do some travel, but says he will continue working. About half of Australia’s adult population had bought a ticket for last night’s draw, with The Lott confirming this morning the peak of sales was last night at 6.19pm, when more than 9,173 tickets were sold in a single minute. There’s always next time! ————————– We enjoy keeping you up-to-date with the important issues and encourage you to please reach out if there is any particular topic you’d like us to cover. |