The Makarrata Commission, promised by the Labor government, appears to be stalled. While it’s unclear whether it’s been completely abandoned or just put on hold, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously allocated nearly $6 million for its establishment, part of a broader $27 million commitment. However, recent developments at the Garma Festival suggest a different story. Following the failed Voice to Parliament referendum, which cost Albanese significant political capital and emboldened Peter Dutton’s divisive rhetoric, it seems the Prime Minister is cautious about repeating past mistakes, particularly with a federal election on the horizon.
Australia’s terror threat level has been raised from “possible” to “probable,” sparking debate about the intentions behind this move. Is it meant to heighten public vigilance, or is it a political ploy to deflect attention or justify increased funding for the Australian Federal Police and ASIO? Historically, terror alerts have been used for political purposes, with previous governments often deploying them during times of political trouble. The recent uptick in global unrest, including the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine and far-right extremist activities in England, might have contributed to this decision. However, it’s unclear whether the public should be genuinely concerned or if this is another instance of fear being used as a political tool.
Interest rates remain on hold as the economy struggles with supply and demand issues, preventing inflation from declining as swiftly as desired. Economists are divided on the best course of action: some advocate for raising interest rates to curb inflation, while others suggest lowering them to stimulate a sluggish economy. The precise level of interest rates is less important than ensuring they are appropriately calibrated to address various economic factors, including inflation, employment, and the consumer price index. This balance can create challenges for the government, as seen in the lead-up to the 2022 election when rising interest rates plagued the Morrison government.
The government is reportedly considering only a cap on gambling advertising rather than a total ban, despite a cross-party parliamentary committee’s strong recommendation for a phased-in ban over three years. The prevalence of gambling ads on free-to-air television is troubling, as gambling poses significant harm to certain segments of the community, damaging families and society at large. Drawing parallels to the successful ban on tobacco advertising, which did not lead to the collapse of mainstream sport as predicted, a total ban on gambling ads seems necessary. However, the strong ties between the gambling industry and political parties, coupled with the government’s reliance on gambling revenue, present significant obstacles to implementing such a ban.
The defamation case initiated by Senator Linda Reynolds against Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz is now underway. Reynolds claims her reputation was damaged by social media posts criticising her handling of rape allegations in her ministerial office. Ignoring Reynolds’ own controversial – and possibly defamatory – remarks about Higgins, this case seems to echo the lessons from previous high-profile defamation cases involving Ben Roberts-Smith and Bruce Lehrmann. Just because someone feels defamed doesn’t necessarily mean they were, and while everyone has the right to seek legal recourse, this case appears to be driven by spite and malice, wasting the court’s time and legal resources.
Albanese's Makarrata tightrope, the week in Canberra and defaming Linda Reynolds