Guardian AU
Labor’s draft party platform more assertive on China and omits mandatory jail term stance
Labor's draft 2026 party platform quietly drops the party's longstanding opposition to mandatory minimum sentences, reflecting the Albanese government's willingness to back such measures while in office. The document also sharpens its tone on China, signaling a more assertive foreign policy posture as Labor seeks to define its vision for a long-term hold on government. The platform, designed as strategic "scaffolding" for future terms, marks a notable ideological shift on both fronts.
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‘Not a fix’: the three questionable ideas politicians are pitching to solve Australia’s fuel crisis
Australia's fuel crisis has prompted politicians to float three solutions — excise cuts, coal-to-liquid fuel conversion, and expanded ethanol use — but energy experts are pushing back hard on all three. Critics argue these measures either offer only short-term price relief or double down on fossil fuel dependence rather than addressing structural vulnerabilities. The consensus among specialists is clear: reducing reliance on fossil fuels altogether is the only durable fix.
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Breaking: Fair Work Commission abolishes junior pay rates for young adults
The Fair Work Commission has scrapped junior pay rates for young adult workers in the retail, fast food, and pharmacy sectors, requiring employers to pay these workers at full adult rates. The ruling draws a clear line between young adults and minors, with reduced rates remaining in place only for the latter. The decision marks a significant shift in wage policy for industries that have long relied on discounted youth labor costs.
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Australian politics live: MP celebrates end to ‘rip off at the checkout’ as RBA moves to end credit card surcharges by October
The Reserve Bank of Australia is set to ban credit card surcharges by October, a move hailed by at least one MP as ending a long-standing "rip off at the checkout" for consumers. The reform targets the additional fees retailers routinely pass on to customers for card payments. The announcement comes amid a busy day in Australian politics, with the Prime Minister also addressing public reaction to the death of Dezi Freeman.
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Israel's ambassador defends new death penalty for Palestinians
Israel's ambassador Hillel Newman took to the National Press Club to mount a defense of the country's controversial new death penalty legislation targeting Palestinians, framing it within the broader context of Israel's ongoing conflicts. Newman also used the platform to justify Israel's military campaign in southern Lebanon and its war with Iran. The address signals Israel's intent to stand firm on its most contentious policies despite mounting international scrutiny.
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