Download IPFS Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s six-day visit to China, covering Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, marked a significant improvement in Australia–China relations after several years of tension. While the visit delivered strong economic outcomes, critics argue the Labor government’s trade-first focus risks overlooking important strategic and security concerns. On 15[Read More…]

Download IPFS Former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has sharply criticised Australia’s environmental laws, warning that decades of inaction have left the country vulnerable to economic and environmental decline. In a National Press Club address on 16 July 2025, Henry argued that urgent reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation[Read More…]

Download IPFS Environmental reform could significantly reduce government expenditure while boosting economic productivity, according to former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry. His recent comments, shared on X and during a National Press Club address, suggest that streamlining Australia’s environmental protection laws—particularly the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act—could unlock economic[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent six-day visit to China has drawn effusive praise from Chinese state media, which lauded his “rational approach” to bilateral relations. The visit, marked by meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, signals a warming of ties between Canberra and Beijing.[Read More…]

Download IPFS Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s Minister for Social Services since June 2022, faces significant challenges managing the nation’s multibillion-dollar social services system amid rising political polarisation and ongoing economic pressures. This article explores the complexities of her role and the broader implications for Australia’s welfare system. The Department of Social[Read More…]

Download IPFS Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s new Minister for Social Services, faces a daunting challenge in managing the nation’s multibillion-dollar social services system, as warned by her own department, amid rising political polarization and global uncertainties. This article explores the complexities she encounters in her new role and the broader implications[Read More…]

Download IPFS Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to reviewing the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) during his Beijing visit, aiming to strengthen economic ties with Australia’s largest trading partner while facing criticism that the approach may compromise national interests. The move raises concerns about balancing trade gains with security[Read More…]

Download IPFS New data suggests teenage vaping rates in Australia are dropping, with Health Minister Mark Butler attributing the decline to strict regulations, though critics argue the Labor government’s policies have fueled a dangerous black market. The shift raises questions about enforcement and the long-term impact on youth health. Recent[Read More…]

Download IPFS Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing renewed pressure to take a firmer stance against China over the detention of Australian writer Yang Hengjun, amid criticism that his recent diplomatic visit to Beijing placed trade ahead of human rights. Yang, a pro-democracy blogger and former Chinese diplomat, has been[Read More…]

Download IPFS Sweeping reforms to Australia’s environmental laws could significantly reduce government spending and boost economic productivity, according to Ken Henry, chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation (ACBF). He argues that overhauling the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is essential to resolve inefficiencies that are holding[Read More…]