Josh Butler
@joshbutler.bsky.social
Political reporter & COS, Guardian Australia - Canberra. I am once again asking for you to send memes & tips. https://www.theguardian.com/profile/josh-butler
Coalition demanding amendments to Labor govt's gambling bill - saying they want action on inducements and ad frequency Govt's bill appears nearly friendless in the Senate, with Greens, crossbench and now Coalition (+ Labor members) voicing major concerns
Despite QLD & NT rejecting the federal government’s plans to mandate AI datacentres use renewable power, Labor will forge on with plans for energy & water usage rules Govt also examining whether it can set price protections to shield people from power bill spikes www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Queensland and NT reject Labor’s push to ensure that power-hungry AI datacentres use renewable energy
Federal-state stoush comes as rating agency warns that electricity bills could skyrocket
theguardian.com
Pauline Hanson has updated her parliamentary register of interests for her European trip - disclosing that Gina Rinehart paid for the flights www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Creative industries are happy after Albanese's AI speech backed copyright protections, not carveouts for big tech ARIA CEO: "should be a very strong message to the AI companies, pick up the phone and start licencing… We’d like get on with it" www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘Not up for grabs’: Albanese establishes AI office and vows to protect Australian creatives from copyright ‘theft’
PM lays out plan for datacentre development and rejects prospect tech companies will be given free use of Australian data
theguardian.com
Albanese's major speech on AI tomorrow will describe the technological change as on par with the renewable energy transition, but is not expected to outline long-awaited copyright reforms to protect creative industries - with discussions still in train www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Albanese to compare pivotal moment in AI to renewable energy transition as he outlines approach
Labor sources say the PM will discuss safety concerns in speech this week but will not provide an update on copyright reforms to protect artists
theguardian.com
Liberal MPs joining with Greens, crossbench to demand more Govt action on gambling reforms - which have been branded a “capitulation” and “half-arsed” by opponents www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Labor’s gambling ad legislation a ‘capitulation’ to industry lobby, Liberal MP says
Coalition, Greens and crossbenchers all say the planned reforms are too weak and the proposals are ‘half-arsed’
theguardian.com
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation withdrew more than $800,000 of election spending claims after AEC inquiries www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation withdrew more than $800,000 of election spending claims after AEC inquiries
The Australian Electoral Commission is examining if party breached laws in its $6m public funding claim after the last election, documents show
theguardian.com
Are we now pretending that homes are a short turnaround purchase for first home owners?
Liberal frontbencher calls for party ‘rebrand’ after drop in polls, prompting ridicule from Labor
Liberal frontbencher calls for party ‘rebrand’ after drop in polls, prompting ridicule from Labor
Melissa McIntosh’s comment comes after Angus Taylor’s claim Morrison government ‘breached trust’ * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has said the party might need a “rebrand” to win back voters who continue to desert the opposition, with the Coalition hitting a new historic polling low. Her comments came after the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, claimed the Morrison government – of which he was a senior minister – had “breached trust” with the electorate during the Covid pandemic by supporting “big government”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Parliament has been getting frosty as winter closes in – but Labor may make one more gamble before the break
Parliament has been getting frosty as winter closes in – but Labor may make one more gamble before the break
As Labor pushes on with reforms, the Coalition must decide whether to join in the parliamentary deal-making * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast It’s the last week of parliament before the winter break, and not a minute too soon; tensions have been running a little high lately. The lower house speaker, Milton Dick, has been yeeting MPs mere moments into question time and accused Angus Taylor of “demeaning” the parliament by calling Anthony Albanese a liar; Andrew Hastie claimed One Nation “has declared war on me, so they shall have war”; Labor has been goading the Coalition and its media “cheer squad” for opposing the budget; the Greens hate Labor’s NDIS bill; and people in the Coalition seem to be mad at everyone, including themselves. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Barnaby Joyce and now senator Sean Bell have struggled to explain One Nation's housing policy to force non-residents to divest their property Bell was cut off mid-interview on 2GB, the host calling it a "trainwreck" when he couldn't explain the policy www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Barnaby Joyce backflips on One Nation policy: ‘Not going to be kicking permanent residents out of their house’
Sky News host Andrew Bolt says MP ‘had no idea what Pauline Hanson’s policy was’ after politician said permanent residents could have homes ‘repossessed’
theguardian.com
The Greens have raised concerns about Jim Chalmers having sweeping discretionary powers to change tax rules. Chalmers says its a "beatup", but Labor needs the Greens to get CGT and negative gearing changes through the Senate www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Albanese calls Taylor ‘Temu Abbott’ as bitter fight rages over budget tax changes
Greens support needed to pass proposed changes but party concerned it will give government sweeping discretionary powers
theguardian.com
🚨NACC commissioner Paul Brereton has resigned, the anti-corruption commission has announced www.nacc.gov.au/news-and-med...
Labor MPs expect Govt WILL give concessions on capital gains tax to startups some are wary scare campaigns may “get out of hand” without clearer explanation "If an unintended consequence has caused a headache, let’s fix it" w/ @krishani-dhanji.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Labor MPs expect eventual concessions for startups after backlash to CGT changes
Several MPs tell Guardian Australia they are keen to see tweaks, and some are engaging directly with treasurer’s office
theguardian.com
Australia’s peak community and housing groups have urged federal parliament to quickly pass Labor’s changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, saying the reforms would improve fairness for renters and young homebuyers www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
MPs urged to ignore fearmongering and pass Labor’s ‘long overdue’ negative gearing and CGT changes
Exclusive: Any attempt to use the budget measures as an excuse to raise rent is opportunistic profiteering, housing advocates say
theguardian.com
Albanese’s department among those blocking 80% of FoI requests, scathing report finds Report finds culture of ‘resistance and delay’ in the Australian parliament with more than 60% of requests having longer response times than mandated 30-day deadline www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Albanese’s department among those blocking 80% of FoI requests, scathing report finds
Report finds culture of ‘resistance and delay’ in the Australian parliament with more than 60% of requests having longer response times than mandated 30-day deadline
theguardian.com
Tech founders use AI-generated images to poke fun at Anthony Albanese in protest against tax changes
Tech founders use AI-generated images to poke fun at Anthony Albanese in protest against tax changes
‘He’s having a great time with his new 47% equity,’ one entrepreneur jokes, warning that some startups may leave Australia behind * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Tech entrepreneurs have mocked the government’s capital gains tax changes by posting AI-generated photos of Anthony Albanese as their “new founder” and warning that increased taxes could push people away from working for new businesses or send startups overseas. Startups and entrepreneurs may yet receive a carve-out in the federal government’s planned changes to the CGT discount, with the prime minister saying he wanted to support innovation and the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, revealing that consultation was continuing with the sector. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
BUDGET 2026: - confirmed: negative gearing and CGT discounts slashed - $250 "tax offset" for workers - budget forecasts inflation to rise to 5% by midyear Follow along live here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Federal budget 2026 live updates: Jim Chalmers delivers Australia budget announcement and speech – latest news
Treasurer expected to announce changes to the capital gains tax discount when he delivers the 2026 federal budget later tonight. Follow the latest updates
theguardian.com
Chalmers says economic pressures are “driving them to consider” rightwing populist parties - the budget has an eye on the rise of One Nation Albanese admits home ownership struggles will "get worse, not better" unless govt takes major action in the budget www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Jim Chalmers says budget to address economic anxieties ‘driving’ Australians to One Nation
Farrer byelection win casts shadow over 2026 federal budget as government signals it’s alive to populist rightwing threat
theguardian.com
shadow treasurer Tim Wilson today says he would “never, ever, ever” support a coalition government with One Nation, walking back previous comments that left the door open to such an arrangement. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Never, ever’: Tim Wilson walks back comments on potential One Nation rightwing alliance
Liberal frontbencher says he has ‘no interest’ in forming a coalition with Pauline Hanson’s party – a day after suggesting he might be open to it
theguardian.com
Sussan Ley statement after One Nation wins her former seat of Farrer: "I urge Liberal leadership to accept this result with humility" "[Angus Taylor] said Liberal Party needed to “change or die”... the result demonstrates that statement to be far truer today than it ever was"
royal commission report, key points: - some parts remain confidential - no "urgent" changes, PM says - some states too "leisurely" on gun law reforms - RC won't publicly discuss Bondi shooters' motives - focus on whether ASIO terror warnings were heeded www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Antisemitism royal commission interim report: key takeaways explained
Inquiry to focus on government and police responses to warnings from intelligence agencies with no public comments on alleged Bondi terror attack shooters’ motivations
theguardian.com
the interim report of the Bondi royal commission has been released - 14 recommendations, 6 kept to a confidential report Calls to prioritise efforts on gun buyback, and consider whether PM and cabinet "should participate in a counter-terrorism exercise" www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Gina Rinehart has gifted Pauline Hanson a new private plane, worth more than $1.5m, as a group of her associates donate another $2 million to One Nation www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Pauline Hanson boasts about ‘sexy’ new private plane gifted by Gina Rinehart and $2m in donations
One Nation leader targets the Guardian in post, with video featuring novelty cheques and the unveiling of the new Cirrus G7 plane
theguardian.com
Ben Roberts-Smith has been granted bail under strict conditions while he awaits a possible trial on five counts of war crime murder. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Ben Roberts-Smith granted bail after being charged with five counts of war crime murder
Former SAS soldier to be released from Silverwater prison ahead of possible trial on charges relating to alleged killing of civilians in Afghanistan
theguardian.com
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has urged Israel to stop attacks on Lebanon and again called for Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire He also tells me Australia’s Wedgetail military aircraft would stay in the Middle East at least 4 more weeks www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Anthony Albanese urges Israel to stop Lebanon attacks that intensified during Middle East ceasefire
PM tells Guardian Australia Hezbollah should cease reprisals and confirms Australia’s military surveillance aircraft will remain in region
theguardian.com
PM Albanese has extended Australia's deployment of a Wedgetail military plane and ADF staff Asked if Israel’s escalating strikes on Lebanon were a threat to the ceasefire and reopening the strait of Hormuz, he would only say: “we want to see a ceasefire” www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
new: PM Albanese will give an "address to the nation" tonight at 7pm across TV and radio. It'll be on fuel, and is said to be about encouraging Australians to help save fuel for areas that need it www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Australia politics live: Anthony Albanese to address nation tonight to outline Australia’s response to Middle East crisis; Chalmers announces support package for businesses
Follow live
theguardian.com
despite Australia's under-16s social media ban, eSafety's survey of parents found 31.3% of children still had social media after the ban (down from 49.7% before) Of those with social media before Dec 10, 70% were still on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/med...
breaking: PM Albanese announces a HALVING of the fuel excise for 3 months - cutting petrol prices by 26 cents a litre Also encouraging people to take public transport where possible, to conserve fuel for those who need it
