NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians Review recommends better use of NDIS data to identify repeat rorters and a requirement for providers to register with the government * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Organised crime gangs are using the national disability insurance scheme to launder money, earn income and hide assets, law enforcement officials have warned parliament, seriously undermining probity in the $50bn program. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has told a review into NDIS integrity that criminals are paying cash kickbacks to participants and their families, and sometimes resorting to intimidation and threats of physical violence towards vulnerable people to rip off taxpayers. Continue reading...

NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians

States on edge about NDIS cuts as Chalmers flags they will be ‘easily the most important’ part of budget savings Government sources in multiple states say they are worried about the breadth of the changes and possible costs * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The states are increasingly on edge about Labor’s efforts to cut NDIS spending in next month’s budget, with officials asking the health minister, Mark Butler, to explain planned savings before a major speech this week. It comes as the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, flagged on Monday morning that cuts to the NDIS will be “easily the most important part of the savings package that we will present on budget night”. Continue reading...

States on edge about NDIS cuts as Chalmers flags they will be ‘easily the most important’ part of budget savings

Liberals can rule again if they take a simple lesson from their defeat – but Taylor’s Trumpian plan strays from the light | Tom McIlroy Taylor painted a grim picture of migration that fits more with his tenuous political position than the state of the country * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast When copies of the Liberal party’s review into Peter Dutton’s election defeat started being passed around in Canberra earlier this year, journalists could hardly believe what they were reading. Page after page detailed where the Coalition had gone badly wrong, in often blunt and headline-worthy language. It was not surprising Dutton and Liberal elders tried to keep the document secret. Continue reading...

Liberals can rule again if they take a simple lesson from their defeat – but Taylor’s Trumpian plan strays from the light | Tom McIlroy

Weasel words won’t do. In the Trump era, Australians need a PM to speak more clearly and more often | Tom McIlroy To the frustration of some in his own party, Anthony Albanese is cautious by nature, and often follows the lead of others when it comes to sensitive topics * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Admiral David Johnston knows how to deliver a difficult message. Australia’s chief of defence invited journalists to the sprawling Russell complex in Canberra this week, ahead of the imminent release of the new national defence strategy. Continue reading...

Weasel words won’t do. In the Trump era, Australians need a PM to speak more clearly and more often | Tom McIlroy

Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with US for offensive operations, defence boss says Information on drones and other threats being shared but defence chief confirms crew taking ‘active steps’ to only contribute to defensive actions * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australian personnel operating a state-of-the-art surveillance plane are filtering information gleaned from the Middle East war to ensure intelligence is not shared with the United States for offensive purposes, the defence force chief says. As the federal government extended the deployment of the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft on Thursday, the chief of Defence, Admiral David Johnston, said the crew were taking active steps to only contribute to defensive operations. Continue reading...

Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with US for offensive operations, defence boss says

Will Albanese find fuel security in Singapore? - podcast Political editor Tom McIlroy tells Reged Ahmad about Anthony Albanese’s upcoming dash to Singapore – Australia’s biggest fuel supplier – and how it might aid the government in keeping petrol prices un...

The ceasefire looks increasingly shaky, as Aus PM heads to Singapore for talks on securing fuel with our biggest supplier. @tommcilroy.bsky.social speaks to us about what deal Albanese might be able to bring back. #FullStory @australia.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Taxing times for Albanese and Taylor alike as even Hastie thinks miners could pay more Reforming tax is becoming a credibility test for all – but the Liberal leader doesn’t seem keen while Labor sends mixed signals ahead of the budget * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Mining lobby representatives walked the halls of parliament house this week, handing out toy dump trucks with a fake Medicare card superglued to the tray. The tiny green card included the slogan: “Every Australian benefits from Australian mining.” Continue reading...

Taxing times for Albanese and Taylor alike as even Hastie thinks miners could pay more

Australia says it won’t raise drug prices after Trump’s 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported into US Health minister Mark Butler says federal government is ‘not negotiating’ when it comes to removing price protections on common medications Australia will not cave in to pressure from pharmaceutical giants and the Trump Administration by removing consumer price protections on common medications, the health minister, Mark Butler says. President Donald Trump imposed a new 100% tariff on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the US overnight Australian time, trying to force manufacturers to agree to drug pricing deals or commit to making their products domestically. Continue reading...

Australia says it won’t raise drug prices after Trump’s 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported into US

Distancing himself from Trump and a badly waged war in Iran might be the smartest move Albanese can make The US president thumbs his nose at concerns about the most serious energy crisis in global history. But Australia, like other countries, is paying a high price * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Gently, about 10 days ago, Anthony Albanese tried to send Donald Trump a message about the escalating war in Iran. In a Hobart radio interview, the prime minister said the US had achieved its original justifications and should bring hostilities in the Middle East to an end. Continue reading...

Distancing himself from Trump and a badly waged war in Iran might be the smartest move Albanese can make

Can Australia avoid the worst of the oil shock? - podcast Business editor Jonathan Barrett and political editor Tom McIlroy join Reged Ahmad to discuss the scale of the economic pain to come and whether the government will recognise this moment as an opportu...

We're all watching petrol prices rise...Jonathan Barrett and @tommcilroy.bsky.social speak to #FullStory about what could happen if the war on Iran continues and whether the Aus gov't will bring in bold reform to counter the effects. @australia.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Von der Leyen urges US and Iran to resolve Hormuz crisis, warning distance offers no protection to Australia Speaking after signing trade agreement in Canberra, the European Commission president warns ‘situation is critical’ for global energy supply * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The US and Iran must come to the negotiating table to immediately end the de facto closure of the strait of Hormuz and stop hostilities in the Middle East, the head of the European Commission says. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said Iran’s efforts to block the strategic waterway via attacks on unarmed commercial vessels and critical infrastructure “must be condemned”. Continue reading...

Von der Leyen urges US and Iran to resolve Hormuz crisis, warning distance offers no protection to Australia

‘Energy investors are like butterflies’: IAE warns Albanese against more taxes on gas export profits Treasury modelling 25% levy on gas exports, changes to the PRRT and corporate tax tweaks but Fatih Birol says sudden changes could disincentivise investment The head of the International Energy Agency has warned the Albanese government against sudden changes to corporate taxes, suggesting a proposed 25% export levy on windfall gas profits would spook investors. It was revealed last week that Anthony Albanese’s department has asked Treasury to model the effects of placing a flat 25% tax on gas exports, and to model possible changes to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) and corporate income tax. Continue reading...

‘Energy investors are like butterflies’: IAE warns Albanese against more taxes on gas export profits

Iran war energy crisis equal to 70s twin oil shocks and fallout from Ukraine war, says IEA chief Fatih Birol says effect on energy markets of Iran bombings and closure of Hormuz strait not initially understood by world leaders * Middle East crisis live – latest updates The global energy crisis caused by the war in Iran is equivalent to the combined force of the twin oil shocks of the 1970s and the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the head of the International Energy Agency has warned. Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, said the growing fallout could be seriously compounded through interuptions to the “vital arteries of the global economy”, including petrochemicals, fertilisers, sulfur and helium. Continue reading...

Iran war energy crisis equal to 70s twin oil shocks and fallout from Ukraine war, says IEA chief

Superannuation should be used for aged care, not inherited by next generation, aged care CEO says Labor should urge Australians to rethink purpose of super, Tracey Burton says, so country’s $4tn in superannuation could help plug funding shortfalls * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Labor should more actively encourage wealthier Australians to spend more of their superannuation on their own care, an industry leader says, to help free up capacity in the struggling system to protect elderly people without means. Tracey Burton, the chief executive of Uniting NSW and ACT, will tell an industry event next week that some wealthier people believe they are entitled to fully publicly funded aged care – even while they maintain large superannuation balances with the intention of leaving the money to their next generation. Continue reading...

Superannuation should be used for aged care, not inherited by next generation, aged care CEO says

Trump has made it clear Australia is a friend in name only. For Albanese, the pressure at home is rising | Tom McIlroy Three weeks into the US-Israeli war of choice in Iran, Labor is warning of financial pain. But the economic cost isn’t the only risk here * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A group of public service chiefs gathered on Thursday night for a quiet dinner in Canberra to send off Australia’s new ambassador to the US. There was lightning and heavy rain outside the upmarket Pan-Asian restaurant Chairman and Yip, but inside the private dining room the mood was cheerful. Continue reading...

Trump has made it clear Australia is a friend in name only. For Albanese, the pressure at home is rising | Tom McIlroy

Australia’s major fuel suppliers being investigated over alleged price-gouging amid Iran war Anthony Albanese also announces new national fuel supply taskforce and urges motorists ‘only take what you need’ * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australia’s competition watchdog is investigating major fuel suppliers including Ampol, BP, Mobile and Viva energy for alleged anti-competitive conduct amid growing shortages sparked by the Iran war. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission boss Gina Cass-Gottlieb said on Thursday morning she was investigating reports about diesel availability to independent wholesalers and distributors in regional and rural Australia. Continue reading...

Australia’s major fuel suppliers being investigated over alleged price-gouging amid Iran war

No recession but inflation hike and increased cost-of-living pressure on the way, Jim Chalmers says Economists predict RBA will raise interest rates this week and in May – days before treasurer unveils budget * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Households can expect significant additional cost-of-living pressures because of the war in the Middle East, with Jim Chalmers confirming that the government expects inflation to rise beyond 4.5% in Australia. But the treasurer said he did not expect the economy to fall into recession because of the war sparked by US and Israeli bombings in Iran. Continue reading...

No recession but inflation hike and increased cost-of-living pressure on the way, Jim Chalmers says

Three more Iranian women’s football squad members return home after being granted asylum in Australia Four squad members to remain in Australia on specially granted protection visas Three more members of the Iranian women’s football squad have left Australia, leaving behind teammates who sought asylum after playing in the Women’s Asian Cup. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said on Sunday the three team members had decided to join the rest of the squad and make the journey back to Iran. Continue reading...

Three more Iranian women’s football squad members return home after being granted asylum in Australia

The Nationals have stared down One Nation’s hot mess of grievance and ideology before. Can they do it again? | Tom McIlroy Beating Pauline Hanson was the late Ron Boswell’s defining victory. His protege, Matt Canavan, now faces the next great battle against her

The Nationals have stared down One Nation’s hot mess of grievance and ideology before. Can they do it again?

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... @australia.theguardian.com

Canavan might help the Nationals hold off One Nation – but the Coalition’s fight against Labor just got much harder The new Nationals leader’s position on social issues and the environment put him at odds with much of the country When Barnaby Joyce was flirting with defecting to One Nation last year, his close friend and Nationals colleague Matt Canavan didn’t mince his words. Canavan – Joyce’s onetime chief-of-staff and fellow traveller on the populist right – called out Pauline Hanson’s party as a bit player and slammed Joyce for claiming he was the architect of the Coalition’s move to abandon net zero by 2050. Continue reading...

Canavan might help the Nationals hold off One Nation – but the Coalition’s fight against Labor just got much harder

Australia to send aircraft and air-to-air missiles to Gulf to ‘protect and defend’ civilians, PM says Anthony Albanese announces surveillance aircraft, air-to-air missiles and supporting personnel will be deployed to the UAE after a request from their president Australia will deploy a surveillance aircraft and supporting ADF personnel to the Middle East for at least a month, as well as provide air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates, in what Anthony Albanese said was an effort to help protect Australians in the region under threat from Iranian attack. But the prime minister has maintained Australia is not taking offensive action against Iran or deploying troops on the ground in the offensive by the United States and Israel. Continue reading...

Australia to send aircraft and air-to-air missiles to Gulf to ‘protect and defend’ civilians, PM says

Australia would be signed up to Iran war ‘by deception and stealth’ if military support sent, Shoebridge says Greens senator sounds warning as Labor expected to announce possible defence measures to protect Gulf countries within days * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Greens say sending military support to Gulf countries would only serve Donald Trump’s interests in the growing Iran war, as international law experts warn assistance would mean Australia was legally part of the conflict. Cabinet’s national security committee met on Monday to consider requests for Australia to provide help to countries feeling the brunt of Tehran’s missile attack, sparked by bombings ordered by the US president and Israel. Continue reading...

Australia would be signed up to Iran war ‘by deception and stealth’ if military support sent, Shoebridge says

One Nation candidate contesting Sussan Ley’s seat likened Julia Gillard to ‘non-productive old cow’ Pauline Hanson says ‘get over it’ and fully backs David Farley, her party’s candidate in Farrer byelection

One Nation candidate contesting Sussan Ley’s seat likened Julia Gillard to ‘non-productive old cow’
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Mark Carney has a prescription for middle powers in uncertain times – but Australia isn’t heeding the call | Tom McIlroy Labor has long defended the rules-based order, but Iran and Aukus show a stubborn refusal to move away from the US

Mark Carney has a prescription for middle powers in uncertain times – but Australia isn’t heeding the call
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Canadian PM Mark Carney offers to team up with Australia as ‘strategic cousins’ to push back against dominant superpowers Visiting PM tells Australia’s parliament ‘middle power’ countries must work together on defence, trade and AI Canada and Australia will be stronger negotiating together with superpowers including Donald Trump’s America, acting as “strategic cousins” rather than competitors, prime minister Mark Carney has told federal parliament. In a major address in Canberra on the last full day of his visit to Australia, Carney called for enhanced cooperation on critical minerals, defence and trade and announced Australia would join the G7 critical minerals alliance, the largest grouping of democratic countries with major reserves in the world. Continue reading...

Canadian PM Mark Carney offers to team up with Australia as ‘strategic cousins’ to push back against dominant superpowers

As Albanese celebrates 30 years in parliament, what would the leftwing warrior of 1996 think of today’s PM? He was once a ‘scrappy’ young firebrand and is now the longest-serving member in the Labor caucus. But Anthony Albanese’s journey to the top was not always a sure thing

Terrific @tommcilroy.bsky.social piece. Do read.

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As Albanese celebrates 30 years in parliament, what would the leftwing warrior of 1996 think of today’s PM? He was once a ‘scrappy’ young firebrand and is now the longest-serving member in the Labor caucus. But Anthony Albanese’s journey to the top was not always a sure thing * A future made in Australia: Anthony Albanese’s 30 years in parliament – in pictures * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast It’s a point of pride for Anthony Albanese that his supporters drank Marrickville’s Portugal Madeira Club dry on election night 1996. Albanese’s arrival in parliament, 30 years ago on Monday, coincided with John Howard’s victory and the end of the Hawke-Keating era. Pauline Hanson was another notable 1996 rookie MP. Continue reading...

As Albanese celebrates 30 years in parliament, what would the leftwing warrior of 1996 think of today’s PM?

All about choice? Liberals move childcare battlelines to vouchers for nannies and grandparents Some experts worry the policy move could threaten Australian standards and equity, raise childcare costs and encourage fraud * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Angus Taylor’s Liberal party is considering vouchers for nannies and grandparents as part of an overhaul of childcare in Australia, a policy experts warn could threaten equity and care standards, as the Coalition sets up a clear contest with Labor ahead of the next election. Matt O’Sullivan, shadow assistant minister for “choice in childcare and early learning”, has opened the door to government-funded vouchers for nannies, au pairs or grandparents, while the party also considers a broader family tax policy that could look at income splitting, tax and superannuation incentives for families. Continue reading...

All about choice? Liberals move childcare battlelines to vouchers for nannies and grandparents

If only Albanese had the courage to start a new push for an Australian republic | Tom McIlroy Amid the former Prince Andrew’s disgrace a republican PM leading a progressive government should go out and make the case, fighting to bring the country with him

By the time a future Australian prime minister leads the transition to the future Australian republic, argues @tommcilroy.bsky.social, “Just what standing the royal family have left by then is anyone’s guess.” www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Blaring sirens on smartphones to warn Australians of major disasters under emergency alerts overhaul Alerts to be sent for bushfires, floods, biosecurity threats and other events which put lives at risk * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australians will soon receive intrusive alerts on their smartphones to warn of impending emergencies as governments overhaul warning systems for natural disasters and other serious events. The new $132m AusAlert system will be rolled out through a series of trials from June, replacing state-based text messaging systems which often struggle because of demand in major emergencies. Continue reading...

Blaring sirens on smartphones to warn Australians of major disasters under emergency alerts overhaul