Guardian AU
Australia sues 3M for record-breaking sum over Pfas ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foam
Australia has filed its largest-ever legal claim against 3M, seeking more than $2 billion in damages over PFAS contamination caused by firefighting foam used at defence bases. The so-called "forever chemicals" have drawn global scrutiny for their persistence in the environment and links to serious health risks. The lawsuit signals an increasingly aggressive posture from governments worldwide in holding manufacturers accountable for legacy chemical contamination.
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Sydney Morning Herald
First ship in government’s long-awaited ‘strategic fleet’ revealed
Australia has named the first vessel in its long-awaited strategic fleet, a initiative designed to shore up the nation's maritime resilience. The announcement comes as the number of large Australian-flagged ships has collapsed from a peak of over 100 to just nine, exposing critical supply chain vulnerabilities. The strategic fleet aims to ensure the country can move essential goods during crises without relying on foreign-controlled vessels.
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Australia politics live: Labor introduces tax changes bill amid intense pressure to carve out start-ups; ATO complaints more than double
Labor is pushing forward with contested tax legislation while facing mounting pressure from the startup sector to secure exemptions from the proposed changes. The move comes as a separate report from the Tax Office ombudsman reveals complaints have more than doubled in the past year, with hardship-related grievances seeing a sharp rise. Adding to the government's crowded agenda, Labor is also weighing mandatory reimbursement rules that would require banks, telcos and digital platforms to automatically compensate scam victims for losses up to $3,000.
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Modelling shows 90% of young Australians will be better off under Labor’s tax reforms
Labor's proposed tax reforms — including a $1,000 automatic deduction, a $250 working Australians tax offset, and changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing — will leave 90% of Australians under 45 better off, according to Treasury modelling. The package targets wealth-building mechanisms that critics argue have long favored older, asset-owning Australians at the expense of younger workers. The government moved to introduce the legislation to parliament this week as it pushes for swift passage of the reforms.
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Australia politics live: Labor spruiks plan for automatic $3,000 compensation payment to scam victims
Australia's Labor government is proposing automatic $3,000 compensation payments to victims of smaller scams, placing the financial burden on banks, telcos, and digital platforms. The policy aims to streamline dispute resolution by freeing up resources to tackle larger, more complex fraud cases. If enacted, the move would mark a significant shift in accountability, forcing industry players to take greater responsibility for protecting customers from scams.
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