Kylea Tink says major parties ‘running scared’
Mostafa Rachwani
Independent MP Kylea Tink has declared that the major parties are “running scared” from independents as they attempts to push through donation reforms.
In a statement, the North Sydney MP condemned the proposed donation and electoral spending caps as a “cynical attempt at collusion to protect a waning political duopoly”.
A reported bid by the major parties to rush donation reforms through parliament before Christmas should be seen as a cynical attempt at collusion to protect a waning political duopoly. Quite simply – this is the “legacy political brands” running scared and trying to do everything they can to stop a political evolution.
What the major parties don’t seem to understand is that after decades of being taken for granted this evolution in Australian politics is being led by grassroot community campaigns, which will not cower as major parties try to stop or outspend them. This evolution is happening whether the major parties like it or not.
She goes on to say the reforms would create an “uneven playing field” and that they will make it harder for independents to “campaign fairly and effectively at future elections”.
Australians deserve better than the major parties doing a deal over electoral reform that protects their own interests. This reform will not stop the rot when it comes to the public’s perception of the major parties and the trend of voters looking for positive alternatives to support.
Key events
Utility sector leading Australian shares higher at noon
The local share market is on track for its second day of gains, AAP reports, with every sector except health care in the green at lunchtime.
At noon the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 41 points, or 0.5%, to 8,265.0, while the broader All Ordinaries had gained 40.3 points, or 0.48%, to 8,520.2. For the week the ASX200 was on track to finish down 30 points, or 0.4%, after a standout 2.2% gain the previous week following Donald Trump’s victory.
The ASX’s utilities sector was the biggest gainer at lunchtime, up 2.6%, as AGL rose 3.1% and APA Group climbed 3.5%. The big four banks were all higher, with ANZ up by 1.3%, Westpac adding 1.1%, CBA advancing 0.7% and NAB up 0.3%.
CSL was weighing down the health care sector as the blood products giant dropped 2.4%. In addition, Healius had plunged 15.6% to a six-month low of $1.3425 as managing director Paul Anderson told the pathology company’s annual general meeting that cuts in the 2024/25 federal budget would mean pathology providers would be forced to introduce co-payments or close collection centres.
The Australian dollar was buying 64.55 US cents, from 64.62 US cents at Thursday’s ASX close.
Jim Chalmers on political ‘alienation’ and the US election result
Paul Karp
Last night the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, gave some unscripted remarks to the Australian Workers Union in Perth, with some interesting take-aways about Labor’s cost of living focus – particularly after Donald Trump’s election.
Chalmers said that “economic undercurrents in our society [have] fed a sense of alienation amongst our people” warning that “when people feel a lack of trust in the political system that’s not on them, that’s on us”.
That’s on us to fix. If there’s a loss of trust in our society, in our politics, in our democracy, that’s for us to fix …
We’re asked about this in media all the time, about the American election, and to be really blunt about it, the truth is we didn’t need an election on the other side of the world to tell us to focus on the main game which is the cost of living. We didn’t need an election on the other side of the world to tell us to focus on what really matters to real people, real workers in real communities like those which we represent.
We didn’t need an election on the other side of the world to tell us we don’t have time as a governing party to stuff around on second tier issues. We have to stay focused on what really matters and we are. That’s why the cost of living is our major focus as a government.
Chalmers also focused on the risks of the Coalition to government spending and cost of living measures which Labor enacted in its first term:
They won’t tell us where the $315bn in cuts will come from and what it means for investment in industry, investment in housing, what it means for Medicare, what it means for veterans that Matt Keogh represents so ably in our team, they won’t come clean on what that means. They won’t tell us what it means for workers when they wind back the progress that we’ve made in the last two or three years working closely together. They won’t tell us what it will mean for the tax cuts that they don’t believe in.
Fire bans in place for parts of south-west Queensland this weekend
There is also an elevated fire risk in south-west Queensland this weekend, with the state’s fire department issuing a number of fire bans for Paroo, Bulloo and Quilpie near the NSW border.
The ban will be in place for residents in these areas from for all of Saturday and Sunday, the department said.
Under a local fire ban all open fires are prohibited and all permits to light fire which have been issued in the designated areas have been suspended for the duration of the ban.
Increased fire risk for parts of NSW this weekend
The NSW Rural Fire Service is warning of elevated fire dangers across broad parts of the state this weekend, with increased temperatures and winds.
In a post to X, it said the north western and upper central west plains had an extreme fire danger forecast on Sunday.
Thunderstorms with dry lightning – and little to no rain – are forecast in the west tomorrow, it said.
Moderate and minor flooding affecting Queensland catchments
In more weather news, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a moderate flood warning for the Bremer River and a minor flood warning for Warrill Creek, amid widespread wet weather.
It said minor flooding is easing along the Bremer River between Rosewood and Five Mile Bridge, but a minor flood peak is approaching the Walloon area – expected to peak near 6.3m.
Minor flooding is also easing on Warrill Creek at Amberley, it said. The creek is currently at 4.2m and falling, expected to go below the minor flood level this afternoon.
The bureau said heavy showers and storms last night produced up to 37mm across the Bremer and Warrill catchments:
Further showers and storms are forecast across the weekend, however the threat of very heavy rainfall has lessened ahead of the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms possible through central Western Australia
Earlier, we flagged that severe thunderstorms were possible throughout parts of NSW and Queensland today.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also flagged potentially severe storms throughout Western Australia today, affecting parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne, the Goldfields and Eucla.
Three rescued from house fire in NSW
Three people were rescued from a fire in the New South Wales Hunter Valley this morning, which left a home destroyed.
Fire and Rescue NSW said the fire broke out just after 9am in a single-story residence at Aberdare in Cessnock. More than 30 firefighters and 10 trucks responded, and found the house fully engulfed with fire on arrival.
Crews were forced to withdraw to a safer position after the roof collapsed but have since got the fire under control and are continuing to extinguish hotspots.
Operations are continuing and crews will rotate throughout the morning, FRNSW said, with investigations to determine the cause of the fire ongoing.
Police budget blowout referred to corruption watchdog
A bungled lease for a new Queensland police station with an unfunded $116m price tag has been referred to the state’s corruption watchdog, AAP reports.
Queensland Police signed the 15-year lease to set up a new station at Stones Corner, in Brisbane’s inner-south, with an option to extend it for a total of $240m. However, the contract was signed before money was allocated for the major project.
Police commissioner Steve Gollschewski has made the decision to refer the matter to the Crime and Corruption Commission due to the “circumstances” and is awaiting a response:
We have a system under our act that requires us to report anything where there’s a reasonable suspicion of misconduct or other corrupt activity. We take a very deliberate stance on that, and making sure that we are completely transparent as an organisation, and that we are holding ourselves to the highest possible standards.
The commissioner would not be drawn on whether he believed any corruption was involved in the lease, saying police would “wait to see what the investigation finds, and then we’ll be very happy to talk about what the outcome of the investigation is”.
P-plater charged for allegedly driving more than 40km/h above speed limit
Tasmanian police have fined a P-plater for allegedly travelling more than 40km/h above the speed limit.
Western highway patrol members intercepted the 17-year-old driver yesterday afternoon, who was allegedly detected travelling at 141km/h in the 100km/h zone on the Bass Highway at Sisters Hills.
He was issued with an on the spot fine of $858.50, as well as six demerit points, and has lost his licence for at least six months. Police said in a statement:
Speeding is one of the fatal five factors contributing to the state’s road toll, and places drivers, passengers and all other road users at risk of serious injury due to the increased likelihood of causing a crash.
Clive Palmer reacts to government’s proposed electoral reform
Billionaire businessman and UAP leader Clive Palmer has released a statement responding to the government’s proposed electoral reform legislation – which includes donation and electoral spending caps.
In the statement posted to X, Palmer argued that Labor and the Liberals are “joined at the hip to manipulate the system” and the new legislation is “designed to rig elections.”
It will also hinder the independents, the regular Australians, from standing for parliament, which is what the constitution was designed for … As an Australian citizen, I will challenge these unconstitutional acts which will suppress freedom.
It is interesting that I am over 70 years of age and Albanese and the Labor government still fear me. It is not me they should fear, it is ideas. Labor and the Liberals working together on this issue is a disgrace. The only hope for Australian people is if the high court looks at the constitution and the implied rights of freedom of speech.
Palmer argued that Anthony Albanese “doesn’t want competition” and that “this is an act of desperation.”
Mostafa Rachwani
Man stabbed following alleged road rage incident in NSW
NSW police are appealing for information after a man was stabbed at Kariong last night, after an alleged road rage incident.
Emergency services were called to a home at James Russell Drive, Kariong at about 7.50pm yesterday, after reports of an assault. Officers attached to Brisbane water police district attended and established a crime scene at the location.
Police were told a 42-year-old man was assaulted by two men after a road rage incident at Milyerra Road, Kariong. During the altercation, one of the men allegedly produced a knife and stabbed the man in the abdomen before driving away.
The injured man managed to drive in his car to a nearby home on James Russell Drive, with the residents administering first aid until emergency services arrived. The man was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to Gosford hospital in a critical condition.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for information to identify a vehicle seen in the area at the time of the incident. Anyone with information or dashcam vision is urged to contact Brisbane water police or Crime Stoppers.
Kylea Tink says major parties ‘running scared’
Mostafa Rachwani
Independent MP Kylea Tink has declared that the major parties are “running scared” from independents as they attempts to push through donation reforms.
In a statement, the North Sydney MP condemned the proposed donation and electoral spending caps as a “cynical attempt at collusion to protect a waning political duopoly”.
A reported bid by the major parties to rush donation reforms through parliament before Christmas should be seen as a cynical attempt at collusion to protect a waning political duopoly. Quite simply – this is the “legacy political brands” running scared and trying to do everything they can to stop a political evolution.
What the major parties don’t seem to understand is that after decades of being taken for granted this evolution in Australian politics is being led by grassroot community campaigns, which will not cower as major parties try to stop or outspend them. This evolution is happening whether the major parties like it or not.
She goes on to say the reforms would create an “uneven playing field” and that they will make it harder for independents to “campaign fairly and effectively at future elections”.
Australians deserve better than the major parties doing a deal over electoral reform that protects their own interests. This reform will not stop the rot when it comes to the public’s perception of the major parties and the trend of voters looking for positive alternatives to support.
Tammy Tyrrell says election reform no ‘fair fight’
Tammy Tyrrell, independent senator for Tasmania, has released a statement on the government’s proposed electoral reform. She argued that election reform would “never be a fair fight when it’s done by Labor and the Liberals.”
Caps on donations don’t address money funnelled to parties through fundraiser dinners and membership fees.
Australians want more real people in politics. People who know what it’s like to get their hands dirty in a spud paddock or trying to pay the bills while living paycheck to paycheck. Anything that stops people like me from putting their hand up and actually getting a fair run at election time isn’t the way to move forward.
While membership fees are not counted towards the donation cap, it is a bit different when it comes to gifts. For example, a corporation could give up to $20k to each branch of the ALP, but it can’t give $30k to one branch just because the gift comes in the form of buying tickets to dinners.
Oxfam welcomes Australian backing of UN resolution recognising Palestinian sovereignty
Oxfam Australia has welcomed the government’s backing of a UN resolution to recognise the “permanent sovereignty” of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In a statement, Oxfam said that, by supporting this resolution, Australia has made a significant statement in support of Palestinians’ fundamental rights. Its chief executive, Lyn Morgain, said:
We welcome news that the Australian government backs the UN resolution on Palestinian sovereignty, after abstaining on the vote for 13 years. Civilians continue to pay the price for the failure of their leaders to resolve a conflict that has led to the longest occupation in modern history.
Morgain said that Australia must go further and “use its influence to advocate for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege of Gaza”.
Conditions on the ground are deteriorating rapidly and it is nearly impossible for humanitarian operations to resume amidst relentless bombings and blockades.
Benita Kolovos
Amy from Disrupt Wars got into a bit of a back and forth with host Tom Elliott on 3AW, saying:
We’ve managed to cancel an act of greed by Myer and your concern for the children was unfounded because they were never the target.
Elliot said “it was not unfounded” and “the police didn’t think it was unfounded”. Amy replied:
The police never spoke to me, Tom. If the police were so concerned they would have contacted the actual organiser but they didn’t.
Benita Kolovos
Circling back to Amy from Disrupt Wars, who has been speaking with 3AW about the now-cancelled “Crash the Christmas Windows” action that had been planned outside the launch of Myer’s Christmas window display on Sunday.
You can read more on this earlier in the blog, here. Amy has told the program:
We’re very pleased with the outcome that Myer has decided to cancel their consumerist party and we are more than happy for the children to enjoy the windows, they were never the target in the first place.
She said the “big lavish spectacle” and “push for consumerism and capitalism in a time of genocide” was not appropriate:
It has nothing to do with Christianity. It’s capitalism.
Pocock questions rush on electoral reform legislation
Independent senator David Pocock has been speaking with ABC TV about the government’s proposed electoral reform legislation. He said:
It’s pretty revealing that the major parties want to ram through electoral reform – which is really important, it is important we go through the detail – in two weeks when we have had has housing legislation, cost of living measures, scams legislation held up in the Senate. Why are they so quick to move when it’s in their interest? When they are going to get an extra $20m per party at election time and entrench incumbency, which is a real concern for me as a community independent.
He argued that while there are spending caps per electorate, there is “also what seems to be up to $19m that the major parties can spend on advertising across the country.”
My concern is that elections should be a contest of ideas. We should have a range of candidates actually fighting on the issues for their community and, from what I’ve seen, and I think from the tone and sort of the timing of this, this is really about entrenching the major parties, entrenching the duopoly at a time when Australia is wanting more competition.
Pocock said that, as he understands, the changes wouldn’t come into play until after the next election – “So what is the rush?”
If there is so much detail in it, let’s take the time, it is not coming in the next election. What we’re seeing is the major parties terrified of a minority government.
Pro-Palestine protest outside Myer Christmas window in Melbourne cancelled
Benita Kolovos
A pro-Palestine protest outside the Bourke Street Myer Christmas window display has been cancelled, an organiser has told 3AW Melbourne.
Amy, who is part of Disrupt Wars, had planned a “Crash the Christmas Windows” action outside the launch of the display on Sunday. But she told 3AW in light of Myer’s decision to cancel their window reveal event their disruption would not go ahead.
She said children were never the target of the event. Instead, the intention was to raise awareness of the number of children killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict.
