Australian Politics

The election campaign must prioritise climate policy to ensure the next government drives the transition to a clean economy in a world upended by Donald Trump.

Greens leader Adam Bandt claims the federal election offers “an opportunity for real change”, saying his party would use the balance of power in the next parliament to help deliver serious policy reforms.

In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Bandt outlined the party’s election priorities and said the poll represents:

A once-in-a-generation chance to create a country where everyone has a right to the basics – food, health, and a home. A safe climate and a healthy environment. An economy which puts people before the profits of the obscenely wealthy and the excessively profitable.

The Greens broke new ground at the last federal election, snatching three new lower house seats and winning the balance of power in the Senate. The gains suggested the Greens were moving beyond their roots as a party of protest, and becoming a true policy force.

But the Greens broadly failed to make the most of its greater political presence this term. In the next parliament, it should focus on building political capital and picking its battles more wisely.

Tensions have risen in the United States Senate, with one senator calling the decision to impose tariffs on Australia "insulting", saying it undermined national security and damaged relationships.

"The idea that we are going to whack friend and foe alike — and particularly friends — with this level [of tariffs] is both insulting the Australians, undermines our national security, and frankly makes us not a good partner going forward.

"The lack of trust from friends and allies based upon this ridiculous policy that goes into full effect at midnight tonight is extraordinary.

(not sure where best to post this since it's Australian.. foreign politics?)

The organisation may be enabling the Greens Party they profess to oppose.

The federal opposition has today unveiled a bold suite of education reforms aimed at strengthening Australia’s national identity and cultural unity, including a proposed reclassification of Bidjigal warrior Pemulwuy as the country’s first domestic terrorist.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the changes will help ensure young Australians learn the “full story” of colonisation, particularly the parts that reframe organised Aboriginal resistance as a threat to law and order.

“Pemulwuy led violent raids, destroyed crops, and disrupted peaceful British settlement,” said Dutton.

“In today’s terms, that makes him a terrorist.”

( https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/pemulwuy )

"You're condemning young people like me to a life of climate disasters — of course we have poor mental health issues!" cried protester Alexa Stuart, a 21-year-old from climate action group Rising Tide mid-way through Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's press conference today.

"When will you listen to young people?"

Albanese was announcing a $1 billion dollar increase to mental health access and support, including $500 million for Youth Specialist Care Centres. The funding announcement follows Opposition leader Peter Dutton's own pledge of $400 million towards mental health during his budget reply speech.

"Mr Albanese, you say you care about young people — and yet since getting elected your government has approved 33 new coal and gas projects!" Stuart yelled as she was hauled away by security.

The Australia Institute's Coal Mine Tracker says the federal government has approved 10 new coal mines since it was elected in May 2022 and there are another 22 proposals for new or expanded coal mines awaiting approval.

Two-thirds of young Australians believe climate concerns are having a negative impact on youth mental health, while over three in four young people are concerned about climate change, according to a survey conducted by YouGov sampling 1,000 Australian citizens aged 16-25 in 2023.

A re-elected Labor government would invest $1 billion into mental health services across Australia, in what the nation’s peak mental health body has labelled a "landmark investment."

The commitment includes $225 million to deliver 21 new Medicare Mental Health Centres and upgrade 10 centres across the country, many of those in regional centres.

There would also be $200 million to expand Headspace services, $500 million for Youth Specialist Care Centres and $90 million to train 1,200 new mental health professionals.

The first Australian response to Trump was denial, then (unsuccessful) bargaining. Now there’s anger and depression as the tariffs sink in. Eventually must come acceptance.

I wouldn't usually post a tele article, but this one's pretty funny.

The Prime Minister is physically okay but mentally shaken after falling off a stage at an event in Cessnock, only to see Barnaby Joyce taking a phone call on the ground below.

Albanese, who was giving a speech on ‘Same Job Same Pay’ laws, said the episode had taken him by surprise. “One minute I’m walking backwards off a stage after giving a speech, the next thing you know I’m face to face with the member for New England, who’s prone on the ground yelling ‘dead fucking cunt’ into his phone with his feet up on a planter box. It was quite terrifying actually,” Albanese explained.

Context:

• ABC News: VIDEO: Anthony Albanese trips and falls off stage
• ABC News: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Barnaby Joyce must explain himself, after Nationals MP was filmed lying on Canberra footpath

Archive/non-paywall link.

Any opinions on the chances of Legalise Cannabis to gain a seat this election? They came very close to beating One Nation to a QLD senate seat in 2022.

Public servant Peter Dutton has announced an exception to his new rules demanding all public servants work from offices in Canberra, the exception of course being himself.

Context: ABC News: Albanese says PM should live in Canberra as Dutton opts for Kirribilli [in Sydney]

See also: The Betoota Advocate: Dutton tells voters he will show strong leadership in Canberra by working from home in Sydney

Treasury was projecting a decade of deficits in then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s budget before the last federal election in 2022. So why don’t I remember the people who profess to be so worried now, expressing much concern then? Surely not because debt and deficits only matter when you’ve got a Labor government?

[Everyone disliked that.]

In short:

MP Andrew Gee's Facebook account has been caught impersonating a voter heaping praise on the politician but posted by "Andrew Gee MP".

A spokesperson said the comment was made without Mr Gee's knowledge by a new member of his campaign team

What's next:

The staff member is being provided with "care and support" after the incident.