Latest news with #LaborGovernment
ABC News
2 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Millions in unclaimed deceased estates transferred to Queensland government as beneficiaries unable to be found
Millions of dollars in deceased estates have gone to the Queensland government in recent years after authorities were unable to find a beneficiary to inherit the money. Between 2020 and 2024, the Public Trustee transferred $2.95 million from ten estates to Queensland Treasury, with the funds put into consolidated revenue. Most of the funds came from a single estate worth $2 million that was given to the state government in 2021. The Queensland Public Trustee's office said funds could be transferred to the state when potential beneficiaries had died before the owner of the deceased estate. It can also happen when a beneficiary is identifiable but cannot be tracked down. When this occurs, the Public Trustee holds onto the funds for six years to allow potential claimants to come forward or be located. Public Trustee Samay Zhouand said his organisation did the "utmost within its powers" to find beneficiaries of deceased estates before transferring them to treasury. "Should a beneficiary emerge in the future, those funds remain available without time limit to those beneficiaries to claim," he said. The Succession Act in Queensland dictates who inherits what, including in circumstances when a person has not left a will. This is known as dying in intestate, with the deceased's estate distributed to next of kin in line with the Act. But it cannot go to relatives who are more remote than first cousins. The former Labor government began a review of the Succession Act in 2023, but did not finish it before leaving office. A spokesperson for the new Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she had requested a comprehensive briefing of the review. The former government outlined a range of possible changes in a discussion paper. This included essentially banning adult children from contesting their parents' will if the estate is worth less than $250,000, as well as changing the definition of a spouse. Angela Cornford-Scott, who is chair of the Queensland Law Society's succession law committee, said the process of creating a straightforward will was not difficult or overly expensive. "If the people make a will and they don't have family members, they can at least direct their entitlements to friends or to charities where that money could actually do some good," she said. Ms Cornford-Scott pointed out if someone died without a will and did not have a spouse or children their estate could go to their parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, or cousins. She said in her career she had dealt with four or five cases where genealogists had to be engaged to identify the family tree. "Although four or five might not sound like a lot over a 25 year career, you remember them because they are so difficult and so unnecessarily complex and expensive," she said. Ms Cornford-Scott also said the Succession Act should be modernised, noting "things have changed dramatically" since it was created in 1981.
The Guardian
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Anthony Albanese shrugs off Dorinda Cox's sharp criticism of Labor before party switch
Anthony Albanese has brushed off Dorinda Cox's recent strong criticism of the Labor government – of which she is now a member – claiming the senator made the shock party switch because the Greens had 'lost their way' and could not effect social change. Despite Cox's claims in recent weeks that Labor was 'held ransom' by coal and gas companies and had 'spectacularly failed' by approving the North West Shelf gas project, Albanese welcomed the former Green to the government party room. Cox has also criticised Labor for having 'dropped [Indigenous] people like a hot potato'. But Albanese said that Cox had, 'over a period of time, come to the view that the Greens political party are not capable of achieving the change that she wants to see in public life'. 'That's not surprising, given that the Greens have lost their way,' the prime minister said. At a press conference in Perth, Albanese downplayed comparisons between Cox and Fatima Payman, the former Labor senator who was strongly criticised by government members for quitting the party to sit on the crossbench. Cox's defection from the Greens to Labor stunned her former colleagues on Monday. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email She gave the new Greens leader, Larissa Waters, just 90 minutes notice of her move. It came just weeks after Cox was unsuccessful in winning a leadership position in the Greens' caucus ballot, but it's understood there had been quiet discussions between Cox and Labor members for many months. Waters told the ABC that there was 'no animosity' towards Cox. She and Cox had a 'very calm and measured conversation about it. And I did genuinely wish her all the best.' But Waters also noted Labor's approval of the North West Shelf project, which Cox and other Greens had spoken strongly against. 'What with Labor having decided just this last week to approve an absolute carbon bomb off the coast of WA, which would not only have massive climate impacts but which would have huge impacts on ancient rock art, those values are not consistent with Greens values. We have opposed that. But Senator Cox has made her decision that party is the better fit for her,' Waters said. 'It's disappointing for us to lose a Greens senator. But Dorinda has said her values lie there, and you need to be true to yourself, don't you?' Waters denied the Greens had any issue with Indigenous representatives, with Cox's switch coming after Lidia Thorpe's defection to the crossbench in 2023. Cox had campaigned strongly for the Indigenous voice referendum, while Thorpe quit the party in part over the Greens' backing of the referendum. Cox, a Western Australian senator and Yamatji Noongar woman, was the Greens spokesperson for resources, trade, tourism, First Nations and northern Australia issues. She has been a strong voice on issues related to the justice system, fossil fuels and environmental damage, domestic violence, Closing the Gap, and calling for a federal truth and justice commission in the wake of the voice referendum. She had released several press statements scathing of Labor's record on fossil fuel and First Nations issues in recent months, including a statement on 12 May claiming the government was 'being held for ransom' by coal and gas companies, and is 'not committed to transitioning towards renewables'. Cox last week put her name to a Greens joint statement – alongside Waters, Sarah Hanson-Young and Peter Whish-Wilson – claiming that 'the new environment minister has spectacularly failed his first test in the job, after approving the climate-wrecking North West Shelf dirty gas extension to 2070'. Cox declined to comment on the gas project at her press conference with Albanese on Monday. Asked about Cox's prior comments, Albanese on Tuesday shrugged off the criticisms. 'Dorinda Cox understands that being a member of the Labor party means that she will support positions that are made by the Labor party,' he said. 'If you're serious about social change in Australia, the Labor party is where you should be.' The Nine newspapers reported last year that at least 20 staff had left Cox's office since she entered the Senate, with some levelling workplace complaints. At the time, Cox said she took responsibility for 'any shortcomings' in her office and apologised for any distress that may have caused, but said there has been 'significant missing context' in the reports of bullying allegations within her office. Albanese said on Monday that Labor had 'examined everything that had been considered in the past' and it was felt that the 'issues were dealt with appropriately'. On Tuesday, Albanese re-stated that the issues had been 'dealt with' by parliamentary workplace processes. Asked about Payman, who several Labor members suggested should hand back her seat to the government after switching to the crossbench, Albanese said Cox would come up for election at the next poll. 'Fatima Payman, of course, could have put herself before the people of Western Australia on May 3. She chose not to. Dorinda Cox's term is up at the end of this term, and she will have to – if she is pre-selected through ALP processes – put herself forward for election then,' he said.
West Australian
a day ago
- Business
- West Australian
Editorial: Australia is woefully under-prepared and can't afford to ignore defence warnings
It's a conversation that Anthony Albanese doesn't want to have. But the chorus of voices calling for a re-think of Australia's defence strategy is growing louder. Last week, it was respected defence think tank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, which warned that Australia was woefully under-prepared to respond to a military threat in the near term. There's big spending in the pipeline, but the frigates and nuclear-powered submarines we've ordered won't be delivered until well into next decade. Until then, ASPI warns, we simply don't have the capacity to defend ourselves, even as authoritarian powers within our region grow steadily more aggressive and the threat of foreign interference and cyberwarfare grows. ASPI's calls for urgent acquisition of air and missile defence systems, long-range strike munitions and autonomous systems to fill the void was easily parried by the Prime Minister, who questioned the outfit's independence. But it won't be so easy to ignore calls by our most important military and strategic ally to dramatically ramp up spending. At a meeting with Defence Minister Richard Marles in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Australia to increase its military spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, or just over $100 billion a year — and to do so 'as soon as possible'. That would be a significant increase on current defence spending, which sits at about 2 per cent of GDP. The Labor Government has plans to gradually increase that to 2.33 per cent by 2033-34, and Mr Albanese said there were no plans to alter from that course. 'What you should do in defence is decide what you need, your capability, and then provide for it. That's what my Government's doing. Investing in our capability and investing in our relationships,' he said. The call from our top ally to take on more responsibility for our own defence comes as experts raise concerns that China is advancing potential plans to invade Taiwan. ASPI analyst Malcolm Davis rates the odds of invasion of the island by China at 50 per cent. If that comes to pass, Australia will face some serious decisions. The loss of Taiwan would have serious global implications, setting back democracy in Asia significantly and compromising crucial trades routes through to north Asia. No doubt Mr Albanese would prefer to spend money on initiatives such as debt relief for university students and housing. But the cost of being unprepared to respond to a real threat, should one come to pass, could be far greater. As would any lessening of support from the US. That said, spending for spending's sake is not good policy. Any increase in spending must be in support of a coherent plan. As the global security situation continues to deteriorate, it's a conversation Australia is going to have to entertain. And as Mr Albanese prepares to come face to face with US President Donald Trump for the first time at G7 in Canada later this month, it's not one he will have the luxury of ignoring.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Experts sound the alarm about the huge threat to Australia - and why Albanese needs to do something before it's too late
Australia must urgently boost its defence funding otherwise it risks being stranded in 'no-man's-land' with a 'paper IDF', a prominent thinktank has warned. A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute praised the Labor government's commitment to long-term defence projects, such as the AUKUS submarine deal, but warned it was not doing nearly enough in the immediate future. 'That slow pace risks leaving the ADF ill-prepared for current threats and unable to keep pace with future challenges, creating a "no-man's-land" of preparedness,' the report's author, former Home Affairs deputy secretary, Marc Ablong wrote. 'The timelines for major acquisitions, especially the nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, extend well into the next decade and beyond. 'While those future capabilities are strategically important, they offer little immediate enhancement, thus creating a "paper ADF" that lacks readiness for near-term conflict scenarios.' The report, published on Thursday, argued that the March budget was an 'opportunity lost' to increase defence spending. Mr Ablong called for 'defence funding to be increased to reflect the reality of the threats facing Australia'. 'While the Australian Government claims to have made a "generational investment in Australia's Defence", that investment has been put off for another generation,' he wrote. He pointed out that the majority of the billions promised by Labor would not arrive until after 2029. 'While consistency can often be a virtue, it reveals a business-as-usual approach to a world now in crisis and conflict,' Mr Ablong added. 'The rhetoric recognising the threats isn't translating into action to deal with the threats, meaning the government continues to deprioritise the readiness and sustainability of the current force-in-being, with the largest spending increases on capability sustainment tied to the F-35 Lightning force ($190 million) and Collins-class submarines ($235 million).' Mr Ablong further warned that Australia risked falling behind other major players, such as China, in the Indo-Pacific. 'Australia risks a brittle and hollowed defence force, diminished industrial sovereignty, and compromised national security in a volatile Indo-Pacific region,' he added. The criticisms were rejected by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who slammed the 'predictable' report, claiming ASPI was 'run by people who've been in a position to make a difference in the past as part of former governments'. 'I think they need to have a look at themselves as well and the way that they conduct themselves in debates,' Albanese said on Thursday morning. 'We've had a Defence Strategic Review. We've got considerable additional investment going into defence – $10 billion.' There is growing tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bec Judd demands Victoria's Labor government be 'sacked' and calls for state election to be 'brought forward' as she unleashed spray over Northland machete attack
Bec Judd has weighed in on Melbourne's crime wave with a scathing new Instagram post slamming Victoria's Labor government. The AFL WAG reacted with fury after learning that the ringleaders behind a horrifying machete attack in Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne 's north this weekend were on bail. Alongside a news article with the headline 'Accused ringleaders of Northland machete brawl were on bail shared to Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Bec commented, 'Are we surprised. FFS.' The 42-year-old also shared an interaction with one of her social media followers who asked: 'How do we sack the Victoria state government?' The famously outspoken fashion designer replied: 'It's pretty simple guys – STOP VOTING FOR THEM. 'We have a State Election next year (can we bring it forward?) where every Victorian has the opportunity to show them the door'. The mother-of-four, who is married to former Carlton and West Coast superstar Chris Judd, lives in Brighton in Melbourne's bayside suburbs in $7.4million mansion. It comes after two teenagers were charged after a violent brawl broke out between rival gang members armed with machetes and forced a shopping centre into lockdown. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged, while another male, 20, was rushed to hospital following the brawl on Sunday at about 2.30pm at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne 's north. The teenagers were charged with affray, intentionally causing injury, possessing a controlled weapon and using a controlled weapon and have been remanded to appear in a children's court at a later date. The charges come as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan held a snap press conference on Monday to announce a machete ban will be expedited. The ban was initially set to be enforced on September 1, however Allan revealed a ban on the sale of machetes would be enforced from Wednesday. 'Those knives are dangerous weapons,' she said. 'They have no place on our streets anywhere and that is why I will introduce as many laws to get these dangerous knives off the streets, which is why I'm announcing today that, effective immediately, we will be bringing in place a ban on the sale of machetes here in Victoria, and this ban will be in place from midday on Wednesday.' The 42-year-old also shared an interaction with one of her social media followers who asked: 'How do we sack the Victoria state government?' The famously outspoken fashion designer replied: 'It's pretty simple guys – STOP VOTING FOR THEM. 'We have a State Election next year (can we bring it forward?) where every Victorian has the opportunity to show them the door' Victoria is the first state in Australia to introduce the ban. Superintendent Kelly Lawson confirmed the attack was not random, saying rival gangs had arranged a meeting at the shopping centre's food court before the fight broke out. 'It is said to have been an act of retaliation,' she said. Police believe about 10 people were involved. 'It was a chaotic scene,' Supt Lawson added. 'It's really frightening for members of the public to go through this.' The centre was locked down during the incident as dozens of police officers responded and shoppers shared updates on social media. The man taken to hospital is in a stable condition. Two other males have since self-presented to hospital with injuries. Supt Lawson said it would not take long to identify all the gang members involved. One shopper said that saw a wounded young man with a 'big machete still in his stomach'. Bec has been immensely vocal on political issues in her home town of Melbourne in recent years. In March, she scolded former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews who she says could've saved lives if he fixed Melbourne 's crime scourge while in power. Judd called Andrews 'the Dictator' in a social media post to her 750,000-plus Instagram followers after current premier Jacinta Allan announced the government would implement harsher bail laws. 'Gee, this aged well,' Judd posted on Instagram with an accompanying image of a 2022 story in which she warned Melbourne has a crime crisis. 'Imagine the lives that could've been saved. Imagine the terror experienced by so many Victorians that could've been stopped if the Dictator had acted when I called this out. 'Today Jacinta Allan has announced the toughest bail laws in the country. Yes it is too late for so many but it is a start. And mark my words, if the government stuffs this up again, I will continue to let everyone know about it. 'I am a mum and proud Victorian who just wants my beloved Melbourne to go back to being the best city in the world where everybody feels safe to live their lives peacefully.' Judd, a successful businesswoman, TV presenter and top tier social media influencer, also proclaimed 'power to the people'. Her Instagram post was in response to harsh new bail laws which will see children and adults suspected of serious crimes including home invasion and carjackings kept behind bars. Premier Allan announced a raft of changes after it became apparent crime was rampant in the city especially amongst youth offenders who are repeatedly set free from remand almost immediately after being charged with a serious crime. She also posted fresh cries for help after two suspects allegedly armed with machetes were recorded entering properties at Black Rock and Kew. 'The size of the machete. 5am this morning. @jacintaallanmp Victorians are DESPERATE for you to do something about this,' Judd wrote. In a second post Judd raised the incident at Kew in Melbourne's east. 'And this one also this morning in Kew,' Judd wrote. 'Victoria is under attack and our leaders are doing nothing.' Victoria's youth crime epidemic hit 23,810 incidents in 2023-2024 - the highest it has been since 2009 and a jump of almost 17 percent on the previous 12 months. And many of the home invasions, aggravated burglaries, car thefts, assaults, brawls and knife attacks which happen daily occur in Melbourne. Among recent incidents were five teens including a 13-year-old boy who were arrested and charged after an alleged carjacking and multiple burglaries in Melbourne's east on February 11. Police spotted a Range Rover Discovery which had allegedly been stolen from Elwood three days earlier. The teens allegedly stole cigarettes from a service station and then ditched the Range Rover about 11.15pm before carjacking a Ford Focus after using a knife to threaten the driver. The boys were all charged with aggravated carjacking, aggravated burglary, theft and aggravated burglary. Forensic psychologist Tim Watson-Munro told the Daily Mail Australia he wanted tougher bail laws in Victoria which are currently 'just a joke'. 'Zooming down the Monash doing 150km/h and they're arrested, bailed and back before court the next day for the same offending,' Dr Watson-Munro said. 'Police arrest them and the offenders laugh at them, they say 'we'll be back out tomorrow'; it's an arrogance, it's lack of respect. 'People are very worried about aggravated burglaries, parents worry about their own children out at all hours where they can get bashed and stabbed, these crimes even happen in broad daylight.' Bec has not only been a flag-bearer for fighting Victoria's spiralling crime crisis and weak bail laws but has in recent months mingled with prominent right wing politicians The rampant crime in Melbourne, once regarded as Australia's most liveable city, has taken over news broadcasts are now filled with reports of carjackings, fire bombings and random knife attacks. But in a sad twist, these horror stories are buried deep within the nightly news broadcasts - a side piece in a city that has become accustomed to rampant, mindless violence. In the background, angry Melburnians hit social media to vent about the state's crime wave. Bec has not only been a flag-bearer for fighting Victoria's spiralling crime crisis and weak bail laws but has in recent months mingled with prominent right wing politicians. In February, she was seen at the LIV Golf tournament in Adelaide, partying with the Victorian deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth. Also on hand for the fun was Groth's wife Brittany and influencer Jessie Roberts.
