via World news | The Guardian — Anne Twomey says $6m for Marrickville golf club given under ‘farcical scheme’, which Labor has defended as within rules Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast A leading constitutional expert has labelled an Albanese government decision to award a $6m grant to a golf club in the prime minister’s electorate as “grey corruption” and called the scheme under which it was given a “farce”. Anne Twomey, a University of Sydney professor emerita, submitted the scathing assessment to

The article outlines the deteriorating political and economic landscape in Australia under the Albanese Government. It highlights declining public confidence, with the government struggling to address key issues such as housing affordability, economic stagnation, and rising debt. The Budget's housing tax changes, coupled with the Reserve Bank's interest rate hikes, have exacerbated financial pressures on homeowners. Meanwhile, the government faces criticism for its handling of social issues like anti-Semitism, the Bondi massacre, and immigration policy. The piece also notes the government's inability to provide clear leadership amid a productivity crisis and the impact of AI advancements. Despite these challenges, the unemployment rate remains stable, but the article warns of potential instability if economic conditions worsen. The editorial questions whether the Albanese Government is nearing a critical point where its policies could trigger broader political and social unrest.

By LIAM DURKIN   FORMER Member for Morwell, Russell Northe has spoken publicly for the first time since he was handed a 21-month prison sentence. The disgraced MP, who battled depression and gambling addiction, addressed the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee last week. Mr Northe sat alongside former NRL player Luke Bateman as those with lived experience from gambling harm. Mr Northe was jailed in 2023 after pleading guilty to two charges of misconduct while in public office. He was charged after using taxpayer cash for administration purposes to fuel his gambling addiction. Mr Northe falsely claimed $175,813.40 in public expenses, which he used on gambling services. It is estimated he accrued gambling debts of around $400,000. The senate hearing ran as pressure mounts on the Albanese government to introduce tougher gambling reforms. The senate has been in gridlock over the proposed changes, amid fears consumers are being saturated with gambling ads. Inducements by gambling companies are also at the crux of the debate. Mr Northe said he was frequently targeted by inducements during his addiction. “From my own experience, what happened to me quite regularly was I would open and close accounts on a regular basis, that was a cry to help for me, closing an account (trying to get out) during that period where I was stopped gambling and I had closed an account, I would be targeted, contacted by the gambling company to reopen an account again, with inducements and incentives, so that was certainly the tactic that was used in my experience,” he explained. “I’ve seen my file notes on accounts where it says explicitly this customer has closed their account, let’s offer them some bonus bets, inducements to reopen an account.” The Coalition (who Mr Northe served from 2006 until leaving the Nationals in 2017), Greens and senate crossbenchers are all calling for sweeping changes to the country’s gambling reforms. Calls to ban inducements came after strong allegations from Mr Bateman that betting companies offered drugs and even prostitutes in order to keep people on the punt. Mr Northe cited the Murphy Report (You wins some, you lose more, published in 2023) during his testimony last week. “On recommendation 16 of the Murphy Report, it says to ban inducements without delay,” he said. “Here we are, 1132 days down the track and it’s still happening. “What carnage has been caused in that time?” The bill proposes advertising restrictions on gambling ads to three per hour between 6am and 8.30pm, on radio during school pick-up and drop-off times, as well as logo bans on professional sporting uniforms or in stadiums. Communications Minister Anika Wells will attempt to negotiate with the Coalition and Greens this week. Her predecessor Michelle Rowland had previously proposed a limit of two gambling ads per hour. Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson slammed the bill. “The bill ignores gambling inducements which are causing immeasurable harm to some Australians,” she said. “There is mounting evidence legislative action is required to combat predatory inducements which target high risk or vulnerable gamblers. “The government’s bill, on its face, permits up to three gambling ads per hour during children’s television which is untenable. “For live sport streamed online, Labor’s proposal would allow gambling ads to appear during any break in play, even after a goal is scored, which is currently prohibited. The five-minute gambling ad blackout which applies before and after live sport, between 5am and 8.30pm, has also been removed.” Mr Northe has been largely unseen in the Latrobe Valley since he left politics four years ago. Podium: Former Member for Morwell, Russell Northe fronts last week’s senate inquiry. A Latrobe Valley court heard Mr Northe was working as a manager at Coles in Cowes in 2023. Mr Northe served as the Member for Morwell from 2006 until retiring before the 2022 state election. It was reported he owed local businesses and people in the Latrobe Valley community more than $400,000 in 2018. He had paid back more than $250,000 of the $675,000 owed, the Herald Sun reported. He served with the Nationals from 2006 until taking indefinite leave in 2017 to deal with depression. Mr Northe quit the Nationals that same year. Somewhat ironically given the Gippsland New Energy Conference begins next week, Mr Northe had a brief stint as the state’s Minister for Energy and Resources in 2014. Away from politics, he was a champion local footballer, described by many as the one of the best players to ever play in the Gippsland League. He apparently handled the wet ball better than anyone. His battles with gambling addiction were well-documented. The issue was thrust further into the spotlight after this year’s Victorian state budget, when it was announced the then Allan-government reached an agreement with The Lottery Corporation on a 40-year extension of the Victorian public lottery licence. The existing 10-year agreement with The Lottery Corporation was set to expire on June 30, 2028. As part of the extension, The Lottery Corporation will pay the government $1.145 billion upfront. The extension was awarded following a period of exclusive, bilateral negotiations between the government and The Lottery Corporation, although many voters simply viewed it as a way for a cash-strapped government to ensure some income was reaching its coffers. The power of betting agencies was demonstrated during COVID, when virtually every sport bar horse racing was banned. Racing Victoria pocketed $16.6 million in COVID “emergency funding” from the government in the first year of the pandemic. Online betting rose by nearly 25 per cent when the pandemic first hit. If you or someone you know needs help, phone: Gambler’s Help: 1800 858 858 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636  

The federal government has green lighted the extension of Woodside's Karratha Gas Plant — this is what you need to know.

This week’s Federal budget brought the total funding allocated to men’s health and women’s health by the Albanese Government to nearly $1.4 billion since 2022.

The blue light of the smartphone screen was the only thing illuminating the Prime Minister’s face in the back of the armoured car. It was April 14, 2026.

Extraordinary new analysis by The Australia Institute reveals that if the Albanese government had introduced a 25% gas export tax after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it would have raised more than 63 billion dollars. The post Free childcare. Free university. The simple, sensible policy which would have raised $63.8 billion in under four years. appeared first on The Australia Institute.

This week’s Federal budget brought the total funding allocated to men’s health and women’s health by the Albanese Government to nearly $1.4 billion since 2022.

The Albanese government has finally responded to the 2023 'You Win Some, You Lose More' report into online gambling harms, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. The report, commissioned in September 2022 and presented in June 2023, called for urgent and comprehensive reforms to gambling advertising. The government's delayed response, more than 1,000 days after the report, has been described by some Labor MPs as 'deeply disrespectful' and 'devastating', especially given Murphy’s dying wish for swift action. While much of the political and media focus was on the 2026 federal budget, the government quietly moved to implement changes recommended in the Murphy report. Critics argue that the timeline highlights a long-standing reluctance within the government to address gambling harms. The reforms focus primarily on stricter controls on gambling advertising and online betting, aiming to reduce the impact of gambling on vulnerable Australians. The move has been welcomed by some advocates but remains a point of contention among others who feel the delay reflects a lack of prioritisation for public health and consumer protection in the gambling sector.

The Albanese government has finally responded to the 2023 'You Win Some, You Lose More' report into online gambling harms, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. The report, commissioned in September 2022 and presented in June 2023, called for urgent and comprehensive reforms to gambling advertising. The government's delayed response, more than 1,000 days after the report, has been described by some Labor MPs as 'deeply disrespectful' and 'devastating', especially given Murphy’s dying wish for swift action. While much of the political and media focus was on the 2026 federal budget, the government quietly moved to implement changes recommended in the Murphy report. Critics argue that the timeline highlights a long-standing reluctance within the government to address gambling harms. The reforms focus primarily on stricter controls on gambling advertising and online betting, aiming to reduce the impact of gambling on vulnerable Australians. The move has been welcomed by some advocates but remains a point of contention among others who feel the delay reflects a lack of prioritisation for public health and consumer protection in the gambling sector.

While the Albanese Government has made some progress in rebuilding APS capability, it hasn't restored the degree of independence it promised.

By AIDAN KNIGHT A NEW federal initiative is set to power up Gippsland’s clean energy future, and bring more women into the trades driving it. As the Latrobe Valley nears its inevitable phasing out of coal power, the federal government has placed a further emphasis on it’s goals of increasing female participation in male-dominated trades, in the shape of the ‘Powering Her Pathway’ initiative. With only 16 per cent of the energy sector currently women (and six per cent of energy apprentices), and 40,000 new workers required in the next 10 years, the government sees this as more of an opportunity than a problem. Following his visit to the Hazelwood battery site last month, Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles gave a presser at TAFE Gippsland, Morwell, in collaboration with Engie. These three partners are working together to provide the localised initative taking place across multiple Gippsland locations, including Morwell, Loy Yang, Yallourn and Hazelwood. “Strong partnerships are at the heard of this work,” the Minister said. “By bringing together industry, education and community organisations, we’re building momentum for lasting change across sectors that are critical to Australia’s clean energy future. “By investing in inclusive training and workplace practices, the Albanese government is working to open doors to skilled careers and help build a future workforce that reflects the diversity of local communities, including here in Gippsland.” When asked by the Express why such an initiative had not been introduced earlier in Labor’s term, earlier that day at the Hazelwood Battery site, Mr Giles said the timing reflected the government’s renewed focus on clean energy job creation. Then TAFE Gippsland Chief Executive Laura Macpherson elaborated on the institutions perspective after the Minister’s address, stating “Gippsland is already home to some amazingly talented tradeswomen working in clean energy, and this project is a way of providing this opportunity to others who may need some assistance getting there.” “TAFE Gippsland is dedicated to leading the way in clean energy training during this period of major transition in the energy sector and we are pleased to be able to provide this opportunity to train and nurture women in what is a traditionally male workforce.” According to the Clean Energy Council, women’s participation in renewables has grown only marginally over the past decade, despite several state and federal diversity programs. The Minister’s speech was followed by a panel discussion between program partners exploring the experiences, challenges, and opportunities for women in the clean energy sector. Those speaking were: Amber Leyshan, Engineering and Boilermaking Apprentice at TAFE Gippsland, her interest sparked by managing a trade department at Bunnings; Dr Arana Sandry from RMIT University, bringing a research perspective onto women in trades and how to encourage them into the field; Laura Letteron from Engie, and; Siobhan Kinman, qualified electrician currently working for the SEC at the Hazelwood battery site, and trained at TAFE Gippsland. Dr Sandry revealed that women’s low participation is not usually due to lack of interest, but persistent workplace barriers including unconscious bias and challenging work environments. This prompted a comment from Ms Kinman, who said the problem was so deep even she had perceived herself as having an unconscious bias to an extent, and that “you can’t be what you can’t see”. To her, the message was clear. “Do it. Absolutely do it. Give it a go. Try again, even if you fail. Seek help, seek advice. Just get out there.” Ms Leyshan, a young apprentice, brought a fresh perspective that resonated with the audience. “One of my tradesmen told me something I’ll never forget,” she shared. “He said, ‘We’ve all started where you are. We grew up with dads in sheds, learning these skills. You’re just at the beginning of your journey.” That completely changed how I saw myself in the industry.” This highlights some of the imposter syndrome Ms Kinman spoke on, telling the crowd she had to spend significant time (when she received her role) reminding herself she earnt her place, beating 500 candidates by her own merit. Such is the aura of hostility in male-dominated fields, that tradeswomen like Ms Kinman and Ms Sandry felt they would be resented for not being afforded the luxury many boys grew up in, in that “shed-time throwing a hammer around”. Ms Kinman had such a positive experience in her electrical apprenticeship that she is now undergoing a second, in instrumentation. Both women quit their retail jobs to undertake their training, completely flipping the script as they left traditionally female-dominated fields, for ones almost entirely comprised of men. “Having this confidence has helped outside of work as I feel more confident in myself to try new things and meet and network with new people,” Ms Leyshan said of the bold move. “I’d love to see more women in non-traditional roles – trying to challenge themselves and put themselves out there into more career pathways that maybe they haven’t considered before or maybe that they’ve been scared to try before.” The project will see almost $1 million invested, as part of the wider $60 million allocated to the federal government’s Building Women’s Careers program to break down barriers in the clean energy sector. While the initiative has been welcomed as a step toward equality, some in the region say structural barriers and limited job security in the clean energy sector remain major obstacles. Whether Powering Her Pathway can significantly shift the gender balance remains to be seen, but for women like Siobhan and Amber, it marks an overdue opportunity to claim their place in Gippsland’s energy future.  

Australian universities could lose funding under new antisemitism crackdown plan July 25, 2025 – 9:57 AM Australia’s federal government is

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