Labor announced it would allow first home buyers to purchase homes with a 5 per cent deposit. It also pledged $10 billion to go towards building 100,000 new homes over eight years — exclusively available to first-time buyers — by way of grants to states and territories, and zero-interest loans or equity investments.

The Coalition's policy would see interest payments on mortgages taken out by first-time buyers on newly built homes be tax deductible for five years.

Economists have been quick to give scathing assessments of some of the latest policies, which they argue will drive up demand, and in turn, housing prices. Chris Richardson labelled the major parties' platforms a "dumpster fire of dumb stuff", while Saul Eslake called the Coalition's planned tax deduction "candidate for dumbest policy decision of the 21st century".

But housing experts say the policies are missing the crucial issue driving the housing shortage.

Multicultural policy is adrift in the election campaign, with the major parties refusing to commit to the changes needed to minimise mounting community tensions

Archive/non-paywall link.

Another election brings another round of promises from politicians trying to win votes, but how many did the last government keep? It’s likely more than you think.

Radio interview of Albanese: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-mornings/prime-minister-calls-pro-squatter-candidate-a-disgrace/105181870

News story that this is in relation to: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/purple-pingers-jordan-van-den-lamb-squatters-post-senate-elex/105150596

I don't see the issue with a party after midday. Yes, ANZAC day is a special day for remembering troops - in the morning. The afternoon is for celebration.

Two-up games, beers at the RSL, annual AFL Match with Essendon and Collingwood. Go ahead and have a dance party as well. What's the issue?

Yes, I'd have serious problems with it if they were holding it in the morning. But the party was scheduled for 6pm. Go nuts boys and girls, have your party.

Honestly, did anyone outside politicians actually have an issue with this?

I am genuinely sad that I keep being reminded of:

"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which"

From SBS News YouTube channel:

The Liberal Party has released a 'diss track' titled Leaving Labor, urging voters to reject Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party in the upcoming federal election.

Set against a heavy beat, an unnamed artist calls out the soaring costs of groceries, rent, and everyday essentials in the minute-long rap song.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton admitted he had not listened to the song before its release.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by saying Labor will not be releasing their own diss track.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/20839222

One of Australia’s largest conservation organisations has awarded the federal Coalition just one out of 100 for its environment and climate change policies – the lowest score it has given the Liberal and National parties in more than 20 years of compiling pre-election scorecards.

Labor scraped through with a pass – on 54% – while the Greens achieved 98%, according to the scorecard, which ranked the major parties and key independents on their policies for protecting nature, championing renewable energy, and rejecting nuclear and fossil fuels.

As a Greens voter, I am bemused they scored that high, must be a low bar, which is scary considering how low the two main parties ranked.

The rightwing advocacy group Advance has acknowledged it is paying for election materials attacking the Greens to be used by third-party groups during the election campaign.

The Advance spokesperson said: “Our campaign against the Greens won’t defeat teals because it was never meant to. We have been crystal clear for the past 18 months that our focus is on the Greens this election.”

Advance has also focused on the anti-renewables movement, appearing at “energy forums” across the country and events held by groups set up to oppose the rollout of offshore wind and solar energy.

What a bunch of truly shitty people :(

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and his boss, and Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock, were doing their job, calmly trying to calm everyone down. Acknowledging the great uncertainty, but trying not to add to it.

How did Dutton react? He thought: “You little beauty, here’s my chance to put the frighteners on. I’ll go for it.” So he stoked fears that a recession was imminent.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/20836481

Mallon warns some Australian neighbourhoods could become what he calls “climate ghettos”.

“There are certain areas where you will start to see a negative spiral,” he says.

One of the major obstacles preventing reform is that no-one is willing to admit there’s a problem, according to Mallon.

Shocked, I'm, shocked... Well, not that shocked.

He says because banks and insurance companies have exposure in these sub-prime climate markets, it’s not in their interests to raise the alarm.

Vote for the same people, get the same outcomes ?

We're on the eve of destruction....

"[A]fter the last three elections in which an incumbent Labor administration fought and lost. In every case, the election campaign focused primarily on economic competence, as assessed by perceived past performance. And in all of these, the media played a dominant role in convincing a significant slice of the electorate to believe the opposite of the truth."

An interesting look at Labor vs Lib economic management and election performance.

In short:

ABC NEWS Verify has found news site The Noticer promotes white supremacist ideologies and its headlines have been shared by federal election candidates and sitting parliamentarians.

Google said it has disabled its ads on some Noticer articles, citing its policies that prohibit advertising next to content that promotes "hate speech" and "hate groups".

Following news that Peter Dutton will live in Kirribilli House if elected, a furious Anthony Albanese said he had no idea there were entire houses available to him.