Labor steps up to NDIS reform plate, but can it deliver? The real test will be whether this ambitious agenda can be delivered at pace and translate into enduring system change.

The NDIS reform package.

The Grattan Institute verdict, by Sam Bennett

#auspol

www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Lovin’ democracy? You’re probably doing all right, then Those who aren’t doing well in the economy are less likely to be happy with the way our democracy is treating them. That’s a problem for everyone.

Democracy, Australian-style.

By Ross Gittins, with a little help from the Grattan Institute.

#auspol

www.smh.com.au/business/the...

For the people: future-proofing Australia's democracy Australians cannot take the future strength and resilience of our democracy for granted. These are more turbulent times not just for our economy or standard of living, but for liberal democracies them...

The state of Australia’s democracy

Important new @GrattanInst report

#auspol

grattan.edu.au/report/for-t...

The Grattan Institute verdict on the fuel excise cut:

May not be as terrible as some economic commentators suggest.

But shouldn’t become embedded in our policy response to the oil shock.

And the long-term solution is to move to an electrified economy.

www.skynews.com.au/insights-and...

#auspol

Heritage report rejects surf club redevelopment Hobsons Bay council has confirmed that its heritage advisor has recommended the $16 million proposed redevelopment of the Williamstown Swimming and Surf Life Saving Club (WSLSC) not go ahead. In early...

Heritage report rejects Williamstown lifesaving club redevelopment

“Council now has a great opportunity to get a better outcome – for the community and the club”

maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/news/heritag...

#springst #HobsonsBay

Share prices, sports results … CO₂ levels? The case for reporting climate stats every day Media rituals based on reporting numbers and trends help us talk about complex issues using simple measures of progress or decline.

Good idea

theconversation.com/share-prices...

View from The Hill: Albanese could learn from Malinauskas’ masterclass in messaging With the rise of One Nation and growth of grievance politics, what Labor leaders choose to say to those alienated voters will be key

Malinauskas on multiculturalism: a masterclass in messaging

#auspol #SApol #OneNation #migrants

theconversation.com/view-from-th...

‘Why are you out to get me?’ Green’s dummy spit raises questions ahead of $4m IPL stint Cameron Green’s first media appearance since mid-December ended in a fiery exchange outside the WA dressing room during a Sheffield Shield match on Monday.

Seems it’s not easy being Green

#cricket #media #IPL

www.theage.com.au/sport/cricke...

Someone else just wrote Jim Chalmers’ big tax reform plan Allegra Spender lobbed a $29 billion grenade into the tax debate, arguing Australia is becoming a place where your “parents’ balance sheet matters more than your own ambition”.

The week Allegra Spender gazumped Jim Chalmers

#tax #Budget2026 #auspol

www.afr.com/policy/tax-a...

Don't panic at the pump - Grattan Institute Losing 20 per cent of oil supply affects prices. But the other 80 per cent is unaffected by the war.

Don’t panic

By Tony Wood

grattan.edu.au/news/dont-pa...

#auspol #Iran #war #oil

‘Beyond the Iran and Ukraine conflicts, there will almost certainly be another international gas price spike sooner or later. When that happens, we will be glad to have a super-profits tax.’

Tony Wood from Grattan Institute in today’s Weekend Australian

theaustralian.com.au/business/minin…

Don’t worry, friends, Trump is toast and America will bounce back Famed Democrat strategist James Carville says the rest of the world underestimates the ability of America to recover from Donald Trump’s presidency as his power ebbs.

Don’t worry, Trump is toast and America will bounce back.

Phew.

www.afr.com/policy/forei...

From my vault:
Without a shadow of a doubt, DENNIS COMETTI'S greatest one-liner, was after Tony Lockett kicked his 1300th goal, and they crossed to him at the other game.

Australian political parlance:
“We have been very clear about…” =
We are all over the place on this issue

‘A billion-dollar empire of harm’: how gambling took over Australia At some point, Australia must accept that it is time to break the chokehold commercial gambling has on this country.

‘A billion-dollar empire of harm’

How gambling took over Australia

#auspol #PetaMurphy

theconversation.com/a-billion-do...

Migrants are who we are - Grattan Institute When political opportunists come for migrants, it is kids in schools across this country who bear the scars.

My boss wrote a piece in support of migration – and migrants.

It’s good. Makes me proud.

#auspol

grattan.edu.au/news/migrant...

NDIS autism costs blow out to a record $10b annually The number of older children and adults being diagnosed with autism is surging, costing the taxpayers billions more each year.

‘The May budget needs to put more meat on the bones of how and when NDIS growth will be contained to between 5% and 6% – this is a reasonable target, but it won’t materialise without a more ambitious plan.’

Grattan Institute disability policy expert Sam Bennett

#auspol

www.afr.com/companies/he...

Why you shouldn’t order steak on a plane – and what to order instead Every airline has a signature dish. The best reflect not just the carrier but the nation it flies from.

Steaks on a plane?

No thanks.

www.afr.com/life-and-lux...

The Most Explosive Tax Debate in Australia Is Back - ABC listen Australia does something a bit weird: if you make money selling a house or shares, you get taxed at half the rate you’d pay on your actual job. Nice if you’re the one pocketing the profit… not so grea...

‘Since the Economic Reform Roundtable last year, the consensus that came out of that was there is an intergenerational problem in taxation.'

Listen to our expert, Brendan Coates, talk all things housing and taxation with Peter Martin on ‘The Economy, Stupid': www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Fast train fever: Why renovated rail might work but bullet trains won’t - Grattan Institute Australia should dump the decades-old dream of building an east-coast bullet train. Read our new Grattan Institute report, Fast Train Fever.

The Prime Minister seems to have a severe case of fast train fever.

In this comprehensive report, the Grattan Institute shows why bullet trains are a very bad idea for Australia.

#auspol #transport

grattan.edu.au/report/fast-...

We need restraint, not a razor - Grattan Institute 3 things the Treasurer should do in Budget 2026 — and 1 thing he should not do.

We need restraint, not a razor

Our CEO, Aruna Sathanapally, in The Australian Financial Review on the 3 things the Treasurer should do in Budget 2026 — and the 1 thing he should not do.

#auspol #TaxReform

Election 2025: Where the money came from - Grattan Institute New data underscore the need to improve the rules about money in politics.

Election 2025: Where the money came from

Clear, cut-through analysis by Kate Griffiths and Matt Bowes from Grattan Institute

#auspol #parliament #democracy

grattan.edu.au/news/electio...

Should taxpayers fund $50,000-a-year private schools? Parents and children deserve choice in education. But should high-fee institutions be subsidised, even if it’s only $4000 or $5000 a year for each student?

Ah, no

www.afr.com/policy/econo...

The government has promised a $25 billion boost to hospital funding – but only hints at real reform The deal struck between states and territories and the federal government follows a long-running standoff. Here’s what’s been agreed, and what’s still missing.

The government has promised a $25b boost to hospital funding – but only hints at real reform

Sharp analysis of today’s National Cabinet deal, by @GrattanInst health policy guru @PeterBreadon

#auspol #NDIS

theconversation.com/the-governme...

The quiet slide in school attendance England's response offers lessons Australia could adapt

The quiet – and concerning – slide in school attendance
 
By The Educator, with a little bit of help from my colleagues at Grattan Institute
 
#auspol #education

www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/the...

For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power Renewables became the dominant energy supply for an entire quarter in the final three months of last year, helping the grid skate through the early days of a scorching summer.

“I'm old enough to remember when people said the grid will never hold up with 20% renewables in it – and the grid is still holding up now.”
 
Grattan Institute energy expert Alison Reeve on a watershed week on Australia’s long road to net zero.
 
#auspol

www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...

How to save the NDIS

By former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry, with a little help from my colleagues at the Grattan Institute

www.theaustralian.com.au/health/carin...

Kyle and Jackie O hit rock bottom in Melbourne The provocative duo recorded their worst audience share in the market, ending the most recent survey period with 1000 fewer listeners than the same period in 2024.

Melbourne is better than Sydney. Exhibit 214:

www.theage.com.au/business/com...

Time to get off X, prime minister. It’s repulsive Now would be a great time for the federal government and the opposition to review their use of the platform they condemn.

Get off X. It’s a cesspit.

#auspol #Musk #ChildAbuse #porn

www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...

There once was a Pommy cricketer called Duckett…