Former military lawyer David McBride has lost his appeal against the severity of his sentence for sharing classified documents with journalists.

Putting aside the Coalition, let's focus on the new government: the one that has won an exceptionally large number of seats and which is probably already doing stuff that's affecting us voters.

Queensland parliament is expected to pass the second tranche of "adult crime, adult time" laws this week, which will see a further 20 offences added to the bill.

The Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, commonly referred to as the 'Big Build' scandal, commenced its first public hearing on September 24, 2026, at Melbourne's Magistrates Court. The hearing, held in a modest courtroom with minimal media presence, marked the formal beginning of what many political observers believe could signal the end of nearly 25 years of Labor Party dominance in Victoria. The commission was established to investigate allegations of widespread criminal infiltration into the government's $150 billion Big Build infrastructure program, including claims of $15 billion in waste due to criminal activity. Former Premier Jacinta Allan, who refused to call the commission during her tenure, has already lost her position as a result of the scandal, while current Premier Ben Carroll, who initiated the commission as his first act in office, faces significant political challenges ahead of the November state election. The opening session featured Counsel Assisting Chris Young presenting evidence of human impacts, including an Indigenous-owned business allegedly threatened with violence and banned from worksites, workers dismissed for union membership, and a woman fired for reporting a workplace incident involving a recently released prisoner. The commission also examined ministerial briefing notes from June 2023 that detailed 'intimidatory tactics' by union officials and 'potential criminal elements' at worksites, which Allan reportedly did not acknowledge. While the commission aims to focus on legislative frameworks that may have enabled corruption rather than targeting unions, the political fallout for the Labor government is already evident. The commission's work will likely intensify as it examines union leaders, politicians, and public servants in upcoming hearings, with the November 28 state election looming as a critical political deadline. The hearing demonstrated the commission's seriousness through its formal reading of the letters patent establishing the inquiry, with Commissioner Chris Kourakis emphasizing the 'breadth and depth and importance' of the investigation. Despite claims that the commission will not be influenced by the upcoming election, political analysts suggest the opposite is likely to occur, with the scandal potentially overshadowing Labor's campaign efforts.

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Alt: a bald man is sitting at a desk and giving an "inverted commas" sign which in this context of "climate solutions" means no solution at all. #auspol #climate #climatesolutions #albo #laborgovernment #ausgov #greensky #climatecrisis #climatecrisisclub #cop29

The article discusses the unintended consequences of Australia's recent tax reforms under the Labor government, highlighting how small and medium businesses are now facing increased compliance costs and complexity. Treasurer Jim Chalmers had previously pledged streamlined regulation as a 'quick win' to simplify the federal tax system following the Economic Reform Roundtable in August 2025. However, the May 2026 budget's investment taxation concessions have created new challenges for businesses, with many struggling to navigate the more intricate tax landscape. The piece critiques the shift from aiming for lower taxes to managing the fallout of a more complex system, suggesting that the policy changes are inadvertently creating barriers rather than fostering economic growth. Industry groups and business leaders are calling for clearer guidelines and simplified processes to mitigate the impact on operations. This development adds to ongoing concerns about regulatory burdens affecting Australia's competitive edge in global markets.

The Albanese Labor government is dealing with significant criticism following its latest federal budget, which was promoted as focusing on intergenerational equity and housing affordability. However, it has faced a sharp backlash over broken promises, particularly changes to capital gains tax and trusts. Critics, including young entrepreneurs and female business founders, argue these measures will hinder wealth building for those without property deposits and make it harder for women to access capital and grow businesses. Social media memes have amplified the discontent, with Albanese digitally inserted into small business scenarios mocking the tax hikes. The government underestimated the ferocity of the reaction despite anticipating some pushback. Comparisons have been drawn to unpopular budgets from the Keating and Abbott eras due to breaches of trust. NSW Premier Chris Minns added to the pressure by highlighting high income tax burdens on working families, prompting a defensive response from Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Meanwhile, One Nation is capitalising on the discontent, with rising poll numbers and its recent byelection win in Farrer energising the party. Pauline Hanson is expanding operations, releasing policies like a new gas royalty scheme, and positioning the party as a disruptive force. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has had a relatively smooth post-budget period with his inflation-indexed tax plan, but One Nation's surge poses challenges for both major parties. Upcoming state elections in Victoria and NSW will be key tests for whether One Nation's momentum continues. The article highlights the volatile political landscape, with Labor's trust issues providing an opening for minor parties. (Word count: 278)

Labor pretend reform is failing Australians. Real change is possible—but only if we stop accepting political theatre as genuine progress.

Dave Kellaway responds to the revolt by Labour MPs and others to the Labour government keeping the Tories’ hated two child benefit cap.