Labor's home battery subsidy low hanging-fruit in energy transition
The Albanese government has promised that the subsidy, combined with solar panels, could slash over $2000 from annual energy bills. It's a compelling pitch for households feeling the pinch from relentless power hikes. But Labor would be wise to heed the lessons of the past.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
40 minutes ago
- The Age
Albanese seeks call with Netanyahu amid Sydney, Melbourne protests
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is continuing to pursue a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as at least 90,000 people marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge calling for an end to the war in Gaza and pressure builds within Labor for recognition of Palestinian statehood. Albanese said on Monday he would use any phone call with Netanyahu to advocate for a two-state solution. Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite had earlier confirmed that the call was being pursued, as Labor politicians backed the peaceful protest organised by the Palestine Action Group, with at least three members of the federal caucus in attendance. Backbenchers Ed Husic, Alison Byrnes and Tony Sheldon marched with protesters on Sunday, putting further pressure on Albanese to recognise Palestine. At a press conference on Monday, Albanese said he would continue to advocate for peace with Netanyahu. Loading 'I have said to prime minister Netanyahu before, as I've said publicly for a long period of time that I'm a supporter of a two-state solution, and that there can't be peace and security in the Middle East, without there being an advance on that two-state solution,' Albanese said. The government has repeatedly said that recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of timing. Allies in France, Canada and the United Kingdom have all laid the groundwork to recognise the state at the next United Nations General Assembly in September. Albanese ruled out any further sanctions against Israeli figures, following those already placed on ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in June for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Speaking about the Harbour Bridge protest, Albanese said he was not surprised so many felt moved to march after seeing images of 'people being deprived of food and water and essential services' in Gaza.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Stupid games': Government keeps cost secret after Japan wins lucrative warships deal
The total estimated cost of the Albanese government's plan for Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build 11 new warships for the Australian navy is being kept secret, with some experts calculating the price could be as much as $20 billion. The government announced on Tuesday that the Japanese firm had defeated German rival TKMS in a decision that has been widely applauded by the defence community. Overcoming concerns about a lack of export experience, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries won favour with its ultra-modern Mogami frigate, which was found to be a more advanced warship than German firm TKMS's Meko A-200 vessel. Japanese officials have also said the United States backed its proposal as a way to boost collaboration among key Indo-Pacific partners. TKMS sought to capitalise on the fact that it has sold ships to navies around the world, while modern Japan has no experience exporting warships, but this argument failed to overcome the perceived advantages of the Mogami. Under the general purpose frigate program, Australia will acquire 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates to replace the ageing Anzac-class frigates, which are regarded as the workhorse vessels of the Australian navy and are being gradually retired. Recent navy projects have been riddled with cost blow-outs and delays, leading to the government's announcement last year that it would slash the number of Hunter-class frigates and offshore patrol vessels it planned to purchase in favour of ships with more firepower. An audit office report released in June blasted Defence Department's handling of maintenance for the navy's landing helicopter docks, finding they were beset by defects and failing to meet their availability targets. The government's estimate that the AUKUS submarine program will cost up to $368 billion has fuelled critics' calls for Australia to seek a cheaper option for its future submarine fleet.
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Labor's bailouts for globally competitive smelters a contradiction
The economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s liberalised and opened up Australia's highly protected economy, which had long sheltered behind high tariff walls. The result was three decades of prosperity broken only by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past three years, living standards have fallen amid the nation's steep productivity decline. Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable needs to focus on a meaningful tax, workplace, and regulatory agenda to fix Australia's economic malaise by boosting investment in productive and globally competitive businesses. However, what is now gathering pace is Labor's revival of industry policy. Counter-productively, this marks a return to old 'Fortress Australia' days of government intervention cossetting select industries at the expense of the nation's overall international competitiveness.
