Labor quietly lowers English proficiency requirements for visas, lowering minimum mark for first time in a decade
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Sky News AU
35 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Albanese quashes speculation over new taxes despite Chalmers' open-ended comments, fueling Coalition criticism
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved swiftly to shut down speculation about looming tax reform, just a day after Treasurer Jim Chalmers left the door open to ideas ahead of the government's economic roundtables. The apparent contradiction has provided fresh ammunition for the Coalition, which has accused Labor of internal confusion and backtracking on key promises. Treasury spokesman Ted O'Brien didn't hold back, declaring the pair were 'clearly at odds', when speaking on Thursday. 'Labor promised no new taxes,' Mr O'Brien said. 'They may have won the election, but to be clear Labor has no mandate to hike taxes. Australians aren't mugs. They see a Prime Minister and Treasurer clearly at odds.' Mr Albanese, speaking from Melbourne on Thursday, appeared to put the matter to rest. 'The only tax policy that we're implementing is the one that we took to the election,' he said, referring to the already-legislated income tax cuts that formed part of Labor's campaign. 'I've said what our tax policy is, it's very clear what it is; it's very clear what it isn't, as well,' he added. The Prime Minister acknowledged that ideas would continue to surface during the upcoming economic forums but insisted that government policy would remain unchanged unless formally adopted by the Cabinet. 'There'll be a range of ideas floated. Governments make government policy and the only tax policy that we're implementing is the one that we took to the election and indeed the one that the Coalition voted against on the floor of the parliament.' Despite the strong rhetoric, the situation has echoes of the stage 3 tax cut saga, in which Mr Albanese insisted there would be no changes, right up until significant alterations were unveiled. This week, Dr Chalmers was asked whether concessions like negative gearing and capital gains tax might be reviewed as part of the roundtables. But the Prime Minister stopped short of ruling them out entirely. 'I'm not going to get in the habit of knocking off ideas before we get in the room.' Mr O'Brien seized on that, accusing the Treasurer of 'running his own show on tax'. Adding to the pressure, Treasury documents released on Thursday noted that 'some of the largest tax concessions tend to disproportionately benefit higher income earners', a statement likely to fuel further debate in coming weeks. Still, both Mr Albanese and Dr Chalmers' offices later said, 'our position hasn't changed,' when asked whether negative gearing was on the table.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia news LIVE: Netanyahu intends to take full control of Gaza; Albanese to consider Palestine recognition without Trump's approval
Latest posts Latest posts 6.49am Suspect who 'ambushed' two Pennsylvania state troopers in shooting is dead, official says A suspect who ambushed and shot two Pennsylvania state troopers has died and the troopers were hospitalised, officials said. The attack took place in the rural area near Thompson, Pennsylvania shortly after 11am on Thursday (local time), state police Colonel Christopher Paris told reporters after he and Governor Josh Shapiro met with one of the wounded officers in a hospital. Both troopers were said to be in stable condition. Paris said the two troopers, whose full names were not immediately released, 'were dispatched to check the welfare of an individual. And there was additional information about shots being fired'. 'We will have more information about the specifics of how that call came in. But upon their arrival, they were immediately fired upon and ambushed. They are very lucky to be alive,' he said. One trooper applied a tourniquet to another and a third trooper was able to help rescue them, Paris said. Pennsylvania US Senator Dave McCormick said in a social media post that he was monitoring the developing situation and expressed empathy for the troopers who were shot. AP 6.43am Albanese shies away from major tax overhaul By Shane Wright The federal Treasury has conceded Australia's current company tax system is contributing to the nation's poor productivity performance and hurting workers' wages, while warning young people will increasingly shoulder the pain of propping up the budget. But hopes of a major overhaul of the tax system emerging from Labor's economic summit have been dampened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. 'The only tax policy that we're implementing, is the one that we took to the election, and indeed the one that the Coalition voted against on the floor of the parliament, which is – we're reducing income taxes,' Albanese said on Thursday. The remarks undermine calls for major tax reform, such as business groups' push for company tax cuts, the Productivity Commission's suggestion of a groundbreaking cashflow tax to spur innovation and independent MP Kate Chaney's plan for a broader GST to be offset with cash handouts. What's making news today By Daniel Lo Surdo Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning. Here's what is making news today: Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel intends to take military control of all of Gaza and create a secure zone around the narrow territory, shunning global calls for a ceasefire amid mounting casualties from the war. It comes as Israel's security cabinet meets to discuss plans to intensify its military operation to wipe out Hamas and transfer control of Gaza, with Netanyahu saying the goal would be to hand over government to Arab states, though set no timeframe for this to occur. Australia is considering recognising a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, following recognition plans from France, the UK and Canada, and doing so without the approval of US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brushed off suggestions that he was required to align with the US on Palestinian statehood, saying he led a 'sovereign government' that would make decisions in the national interest. The Australian sharemarket is set to fall on Friday, following a slide on Wall Street after Trump's latest tariffs took effect on dozens of countries. Trump announced that he would nominate Council of Economic Advisers chairman Stephen Miran to serve as Federal Reserve governor, filling the position vacated by Adriana Kugler's surprise resignation last week. The nomination is subject to approval by the Senate.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Australia news LIVE: Netanyahu intends to take full control of Gaza; Albanese to consider Palestine recognition without Trump's approval
Latest posts Latest posts 6.49am Suspect who 'ambushed' two Pennsylvania state troopers in shooting is dead, official says A suspect who ambushed and shot two Pennsylvania state troopers has died and the troopers were hospitalised, officials said. The attack took place in the rural area near Thompson, Pennsylvania shortly after 11am on Thursday (local time), state police Colonel Christopher Paris told reporters after he and Governor Josh Shapiro met with one of the wounded officers in a hospital. Both troopers were said to be in stable condition. Paris said the two troopers, whose full names were not immediately released, 'were dispatched to check the welfare of an individual. And there was additional information about shots being fired'. 'We will have more information about the specifics of how that call came in. But upon their arrival, they were immediately fired upon and ambushed. They are very lucky to be alive,' he said. One trooper applied a tourniquet to another and a third trooper was able to help rescue them, Paris said. Pennsylvania US Senator Dave McCormick said in a social media post that he was monitoring the developing situation and expressed empathy for the troopers who were shot. AP 6.43am Albanese shies away from major tax overhaul By Shane Wright The federal Treasury has conceded Australia's current company tax system is contributing to the nation's poor productivity performance and hurting workers' wages, while warning young people will increasingly shoulder the pain of propping up the budget. But hopes of a major overhaul of the tax system emerging from Labor's economic summit have been dampened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. 'The only tax policy that we're implementing, is the one that we took to the election, and indeed the one that the Coalition voted against on the floor of the parliament, which is – we're reducing income taxes,' Albanese said on Thursday. The remarks undermine calls for major tax reform, such as business groups' push for company tax cuts, the Productivity Commission's suggestion of a groundbreaking cashflow tax to spur innovation and independent MP Kate Chaney's plan for a broader GST to be offset with cash handouts. What's making news today By Daniel Lo Surdo Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning. Here's what is making news today: Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel intends to take military control of all of Gaza and create a secure zone around the narrow territory, shunning global calls for a ceasefire amid mounting casualties from the war. It comes as Israel's security cabinet meets to discuss plans to intensify its military operation to wipe out Hamas and transfer control of Gaza, with Netanyahu saying the goal would be to hand over government to Arab states, though set no timeframe for this to occur. Australia is considering recognising a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, following recognition plans from France, the UK and Canada, and doing so without the approval of US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brushed off suggestions that he was required to align with the US on Palestinian statehood, saying he led a 'sovereign government' that would make decisions in the national interest. The Australian sharemarket is set to fall on Friday, following a slide on Wall Street after Trump's latest tariffs took effect on dozens of countries. Trump announced that he would nominate Council of Economic Advisers chairman Stephen Miran to serve as Federal Reserve governor, filling the position vacated by Adriana Kugler's surprise resignation last week. The nomination is subject to approval by the Senate.
