Politics latest: Labor's super tax plans most 'destructive tax proposals ever'; PM rejects Hegseth's call to boost defence spending
The government has quietly changed controversial liquidity rules for aged care providers after outcry over reforms that peak bodies warned would risk the financial viability of organisations that would have to put aside millions of dollars in cash reserves.
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ABC News
25 minutes ago
- ABC News
Dean Winter hopeful he will become Tasmanian premier, despite stalled negotiations with the Greens
Labor leader Dean Winter is still hopeful his bid to become Tasmania's premier will be successful, despite the Greens saying they cannot support a Labor government "at this stage" due to a lack of policy compromises. A motion of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff's government, and confidence in a Labor minority government, will be moved when state parliament resumes on Tuesday, August 19. Labor won 10 seats at last month's state election, meaning it needs the support of the five Greens MPs and three other crossbenchers to be successful. Mr Winter said conversations with the crossbench MPs had been "mostly really positive", including at a meeting on Tuesday, that he claimed the Greens chose not to attend. "They had accepted to come along to the meeting and then decided instead of participating they would go out and make a media statement instead," he said. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said on Tuesday that Labor's lack of compromise on policy positions meant she could not support Mr Winter becoming premier "at this stage", following a second meeting in two days with the Labor leader. Mr Winter defended his bargaining position, arguing this term of state parliament needed to work differently if it was to last the full four years after three consecutive early elections. "If it's about horse trading at the start where we're giving away policy and we're asking them to compromise as well then it's not going to last very long," he said. "This is much more serious than one or two policies early, it has to be about a lasting parliament. Mr Winter has indicated he is open to discussing policy compromise once Labor has formed government — including on measures to protect the environment, which he said was "really important to me". He committed to a "policy framework" that would see ideas from all members of parliament considered in detail. Mr Winter also said all ideas to improve the state's budget position would be considered as part of the party's budget roundtable process, including ideas to generate additional revenue by increasing current taxes or imposing new ones. But he has refused to agree to the Greens' demand that he provide concessions up front. "I'd like to sit down and discuss where we can find common ground and there are areas around housing, around budget repair, around integrity where we can work together," Mr Winter said. "But what Rosalie has effectively said, she's issued an ultimatum, unless we do X, Y and Z then it's a no, and I don't think issuing ultimatums is the way to work together and no-one else on the crossbench has done the ultimatum approach either. "The conversations have been really positive with the independents and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, that's the kind of engagement I want to have. A Greens spokesperson said the decision to not attend Tuesday's meeting with Labor and crossbench MPs was also agreed to by Mr Winter. "It was jointly acknowledged that the conversation between Labor and the Greens had not progressed far enough," the spokesperson said. "It's hardly good faith for Mr Winter to claim otherwise. "The Greens' door is still open. We hope Labor comes back to the table to negotiate tangible outcomes for the people of Tasmania."
ABC News
25 minutes ago
- ABC News
'Sharp rise' in kids in custody in NSW, data shows 60 per cent of children in youth detention are Indigenous
The number of children in NSW detention has risen by more than 30 per cent and the number of Indigenous children in custody is "really problematic", a government agency warns. The assessment from NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) executive director Jackie Fitzgerald comes just months after the state government strengthened bail laws for minors. According to data from BOSCAR, the state now houses 234 children in detention centres across NSW. In the past two years data showed the number of juveniles in state detention has risen by 34 per cent, Ms Fitzgerald told the ABC. "Aboriginal children make up 60 per cent of the youth detention population now. That's a considerable increase, its amongst the highest number we've ever seen. "And we can see that the increase is really considerable — 36 per cent over the past two years for Aboriginal young people." Three out of four children on remand in the state are being held in custody after being denied bail, according to BOSCAR. Ms Fitzgerald said the system for juveniles had now become "a space for young people waiting for court as opposed to a sanction for an offence". "Were moving in the wrong direction absolutely for that, and quite considerably off track to meet that [closing the gap] target now," she said. Redfern Legal Centre chief executive officer Camilla Pandolfini said new bail laws introduced in NSW last year, and renewed this year, have made it harder for children to remain in the community while facing criminal charges. "I'm shocked, it's a shocking statistic," she said. "All of us should be concerned. Especially when the Australian government and the NSW government have committed to closing the gap. The NSW government extended strict bail laws for young offenders accused of repeat car thefts and home invasions in March this year. At the time, it claimed the change was "crucial to reduce youth crime and minimise young people's long-term contact with the justice system". The changes restricted bail for minors between 14 and 18 if they are charged with car theft or break and enter if they were already on bail for similar offences at the time. It was originally introduced in April 2024, in conjunction with a $26 million community safety package for youth outreach programs. "We can see this law is working and that's why we've extended it — to make sure we break the cycle of youth offending and strengthen community safety," Attorney General Michael Daley said at the time.
News.com.au
25 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Surf's up for Surfection founder with circa $23m sale
Surfection founder Chris Athas has been in the line-up waiting to sell his Mosman home but at last after almost a year on-and-off the market he is out of the calm and caught a buyer. The keen surfer and northside businessman has sold his Golden Mile designer home at the upper end of its $22m-$24m guide. The north-facing home in Hopetoun Ave listed last year with $28m expectations, then switched agencies and had $6m carved off its asking price before returning in April to local agent Michael Coombs, director of Atlas Lower North. In April the luxury Burton Katon Halliday home was advertised with a $22m-$24m guide and while Coombs wouldn't be drawn on a sales figure word on the street is that it did trade at the top end of that guide. Chris and his wife Amanda bought the address in 2001 for $3.965m before engaging the renowned architects to create a world-class home suitable for a family of six and regular entertaining. The home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a four-car garage and is just 250m from Chinaman's Beach. Earlier this month it was revealed a house next to Chinaman's Beach, in McLean Cres, sold quietly for $43m. Coombs said a couple of buyers were interested in 1B Hopetoun Ave with its northerly harbour views, pool, wine cellar and lift and it sold to a north shore family. 'I think Spring is going to be busy this year,' he said. 'We have eight or ten properties launching and there are buyers out there.' The surfing retail chain Surfection started in Mosman in 1985 but Chris also has hospitality business interests in Manly. He and Amanda are downsizing.
