Anthony Albanese defends Dorinda Cox defection despite past Labor criticism
The Prime Minister has assured colleagues that former Greens Senator, Dorinda Cox, will toe the party line now that she's officially a Labor member.
Senator Cox had been an outspoken critic of the government's record on climate, before her shock decision to defect. Here's national affairs correspondent Jane Norman.
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Sky News AU
24 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
'Grossly unfair': Coalition digs in against super tax as Albanese government and Greens to pass legislation
Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien has confirmed the Coalition will oppose Labor's tax on superannuation balances above $3 million 'every step of the way'. Mr O'Brien officially confirmed the opposition's position on the 'grossly unfair' policy following potential negotiations on key aspects of the legislation. He told Sky News on Thursday that the Coalition had completed its internal processes and was now united in its decision to reject the legislation outright. 'We will definitely, as a Coalition, oppose this unfair super tax of Labor's every step of the way,' Mr O'Brien said. 'This is grossly unfair and it flies in the face of everything we believe in as a Coalition.' The Albanese government plans to double the tax rate on superannuation earnings for balances above $3 million, from 15 to 30 per cent. The proposal controversially includes unrealised capital gains and will not been indexed – two aspects the opposition previously said it may be willing to negotiate. Mr O'Brien has argued the government's decision to tax unrealised gains was unprecedented and dangerous. 'To think that a person can make a theoretical profit—no money has hit the bank account—and they get taxed every single year, that's not fair,' he said. 'Labor's super tax, it's super big, it's super bad. It flies in the face of what we believe as a Coalition. 'We believe in lower, simpler, fairer taxes. And Labor's tax on superannuation is none of those things.' He also warned that the refusal to index the threshold would expand the tax's reach over time, affecting millions of middle-income workers, such as teachers and nurses. AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina conducted modelling that showed the average 22-year-old will be hit by the tax by the time they retire. CPA Australia's Superannuation Lead, Richard Webb, called on policymakers to ensure the policy will be indexed to inflation. 'Bracket creep is already having a silent eroding effect on personal finances,' Mr Webb said in a statement. 'Allowing this further erosion of superannuation savings is contrary to the fundamental principles of our tax system.' There has also been criticism about the fact politicians under the defined benefit pension scheme will not have to pay the tax until after they retire. Sky News also revealed recently that state officials on the old pension schemes are not expected to be taxed at all due to constitutional protections. Labor has argued the tax is a necessary reform to ensure the superannuation system is used for its intended purpose—funding retirements. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said the measure is modest, fiscally responsible, and affects only a small proportion of high-balance accounts. The policy appears set to pass the senate with support from the Greens, who have pledged in-principle backing and are negotiating final details. Greens treasury spokesman Nick McKim has called for the threshold to be lowered to $2 million and indexed.
ABC News
29 minutes ago
- ABC News
Pets will no longer be considered property in family law disputes
When a relationship ends, you're sometimes faced with dividing possessions from the house down to the toaster. And traditionally, if you had to go to court to work it out, your pets would be included on that list of property, too. Eve Smith, a collaborative international family lawyer and pet custody expert, says in the eyes of the law, animals have long been "considered the same as a dining table and chairs, or car, or boat". "It really came down to whose name the dog or cat was in: who bought the animal?" That will no longer be the case across Australia from June 10, when the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 comes into effect. It provides a new framework for determining ownership of the family pet in property settlements. "Now it's not only whose name the animal is in, but other factors are taken into account such as who walks the dog, feeds it, takes it to the vet, pays for medical expenses," says Ms Smith. "And would the animal be better off with that party?" The amendment also includes a significant change for victim-survivors of family violence, says Monique Dam. She's the CEO of Lucy's Project, a national charity that aims to improve the safety of people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence. "[The court will have to consider] whether a person has used family violence against the other person, inflicted cruelty or abuse towards the companion animal, and whether a person or child of the marriage is attached to the companion animal," says Ms Dam. She says because perpetrators often harm or threaten to harm animals "to control the woman and children who love them", women may end up at risk while trying to protect their pets. "Women make the difficult decision to live out of their cars with their children and animals, or delay leaving a violent partner [because they don't want to abandon the pet]. "It is a really positive shift that courts will now need to consider family violence and cruelty towards a companion animal when making decisions about who should own the animal." Katy Barnett is a law professor at Melbourne University and hopes the changes will mean a "best interest for all approach", where the welfare of parties, any children, and the pet are all considered. "Animals are sentient beings. And often people have a particular emotional attachment. "You can't divide an animal up." Disputes about pets in family law are commonly about dogs, explains Ms Smith, and sometimes arrangements might involve the pet passing between two homes. She says the law changes means these arrangements will be analysed more closely. "It might be great for the children, but it might be too demanding on the pet who might actually need some downtime at home with one parent," she says as an example. Would the law change have made an impact in a breakup you've been through? Share with us: lifestyle@ The court will also look at who can best take care of the animal. "You need someone to be active with it, someone who will walk it, and feed it, that the pet isn't left at home all day," Ms Smith says. Veterinary behaviour specialist Kersti Seksel says finances should also be considered. "Like kids, pets come with illnesses that have to be paid for. And we don't have Medicare for pets." Accommodation is another factor. "If you're in a rental you may not be able to take a pet, or if you live in a 10-storey block of flats, is that suitable for the animal?" Laws aside, sometimes knowing what is best for the animal requires trial and error between the parties, Dr Seksel says. Especially if "sharing custody". So, where possible, if the situation is safe to do so, she recommends they "assess how the pet is coping, and be flexible in the arrangement".
Sky News AU
39 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Coalition vows to oppose Labor's ‘grossly unfair' super tax
Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O'Brien officially announces the Coalition will oppose the Albanese government's proposed tax on superannuation balances over $3 million. 'What I can confirm with you today … we will definitely oppose this unfair super tax of Labor's every step of the way,' Mr O'Brien said. 'This is grossly unfair and flies in the face of everything we believe as a Coalition.'
