The SRL may be the future but now's needs come first
Dictatorial powers exercised by the state government on planning approvals, referred to as the 'Development Facilitation Program' reveal symptoms of the government's extreme budgetary stress from long-term structural deficits (' The suburbs set to be transformed by minister's sweeping powers ', 1/7). Planning, land development and construction translate into revenue from a range of land taxes and related revenue sources, designed to stimulate an economy that continues to perform sub-optimally.
According to the 2025-26 state budget papers, revenue from land tax is forecast to be $6.4 billion in 2025-26, then grow by an average of 5.7 per cent a year over the forward estimates. This growth rate reflects expectations of high construction levels and property sales.
Yet in a globalised economy, revenue from a cycle of construction, property sales and high migration levels does not take advantage of the globalised market place and is self limiting. Sectors such as technology innovation and commercialisation of inventions with international application deliver far greater opportunities for economic growth but do not appear on the horizon of a government that prefers repetition of a self-limiting economy with a focus on manual labour.
Liz Burton, Camberwell
Lack of openness
When the federal IBAC was established in the early days of the first Albanese government it was a breath of fresh air after years of prevarication by the Morrison government. Unfortunately the lack of openness and transparency in its processes has been a great disappointment. The recent findings of corrupt behaviour by a senior public servant in appointing a close relative's friend to a high-profile job (' Senior public servant promoted sister's fiance, forged signature ', 1/7) without naming any of the parties involved is such an example.
Peter Randles, Pascoe Vale South
Blinded to the costs
VCAT's decision on an illuminated housing estate sign is to be applauded (' VCAT's dim view on lights at night ', 1/7) with more cases surely to emerge with the full-scale adoption of LED lights by councils. This trend disregards the effect of LED lights on health, not only of humans but also wildlife which rely on darkness to navigate via the night sky. This is not to say that lighting is not necessary at night. Other colours such as the yellow we used to have is preferable to the glare of bright white/blue light from LEDs which contain an imperceptible flicker effect.
Much has already been noted scientifically about the effects of our overuse of digital devices upon sleep deprivation and its association with poor health. Now, with the proliferation of LED lights in homes, by retailers, car headlights, street lighting, AFL advertising around the ground and live performances, it is time for authorities to look beyond economics and look to the unintended consequences of new technologies before they are launched on the market. Many of us find oncoming headlights blinding nowadays, even when on low-beam. It would not surprise me if this led to an increase in certain car crashes.
Anne Carroll, Brighton East
An unhappy outcome
The latest pay request by teachers (' State teachers seek 35% pay rise ', 1/7) will no doubt be followed by a strike and then a confusing pay scale update giving teachers a below inflation pay rise of about 2 per cent or 3 per cent as has generally been the pattern since 1982 when I started teaching. The only teaching number at risk of going above 35 per cent is the number of teachers that leave before five years in the classroom. Teaching has been, and can be again, a wonderful career but there is much to be done to return the average classroom to 25 happy, enthusiastic students with one teacher that walks in with a smile.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill
What's super for?
Re: ' He proposed it 34 years ago. On Tuesday, Paul Keating's plan comes to fruition ' (The Age, 1/7), the government needs to define just what the purpose of superannuation legislation is. Is it to provide a taxpayer-subsidised investment scheme or inheritance scheme for the wealthy, or to lift ordinary people off the pension and provide them a reasonable income in retirement without recourse to the government pension. I believe it is, or should be, the latter.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia recommendation for a comfortable life in retirement is around $52,000 for singles and $73,000 for couples with the super balance required for that level of income $595,000 for singles and $690,000 for couples. The current individual transfer cap for a tax-free retirement pension, at nearly $2 million (indexed) is very generous. With even conservative investment returns of 5 per cent this would provide an income of $100,000 per annum without diminishing the principal. This amount doubles for couples to $200,000 per annum. If the aim is to move people off the government pension then the transfer cap is the maximum that any person or couple could possibly need for this purpose and super balances should not exceed this amount.
Ken Weaver, East Brighton
Israel's wins
In the recent brief war between Israel and Iran, Israel, having recognised the existential threat posed to it by Iran's public race towards nuclear weapons and rapidly expanding ballistic missile arsenal, destroyed Iran's air defences and killed almost the entire upper echelon of Iran's military, IRGC and nuclear scientists, whose purpose is the total demise of Israel. It also destroyed Iran's air force, its defences against air attack, more than half of its missiles and missile launchers, elements of its nuclear weaponisation program, and many of the regime's institutions of oppression.
Then the US inflicted major damage on the rest of Iran's nuclear weapons facilities, once Israel made Iran's skies safe for it. Israel intercepted at least 90 per cent of the hundreds of missiles and all but one of the roughly 1000 drones Iran fired at Israel. While Israel suffered some damage and deaths from Iran's attacks on civilians, it was far less than Israel had feared. So to suggest, as Amin Saikal does, (Opinion, 1/7) that the war demonstrated Israeli miscalculation and Iranian strength simply defies belief and ignores fact.
Stephen Lazar, Elwood
Trump's achievements
Has there been a US president who has achieved what Donald Trump has achieved in just six months? He reduced the flow of illegal immigrants from thousands a day to a trickle. Eliminated billions of dollars of government rorts and waste. Despite the experts predicting that tariffs would create massive inflation and recession, the S&P 500 has just hit a record high and inflation has dropped to the lowest level since Trump was president previously.
His work was vital in the peace deal between nuclear powers Pakistan and India, with Pakistan nominating him for a Nobel peace prize. His administration brokered peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo after a three-year war, and conflict that dates back 30 years.
His administration negotiated the release of the last US hostage held by Hamas and facilitated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in coming days. He ordered the bombing of Iran's nuclear weapons sites, and Iran is set to resume peace talks. He convinced NATO to dramatically increase defence spending. But Trump's critics will no doubt find a way to criticise these achievements.
Robert Box, Chelsea
Crisis in Gaza
In our lives we have seen few situations as awful as Gaza. Israel's blockade of adequate food, water and medical supplies for several months has led to infants and children becoming severely malnourished. Desperate people seeking limited food from the only provider, which is controlled by Israel, come under lethal fire. The images cause us to recoil in horror as we observe the suffering of the hungry and frightened children, and the anguish of their parents. No history, no previous grievous acts, justifies the continuation of this abhorrent war and blockade.
Andrew & Marie Trembath, Blackburn
In your hands
Sorry, but there is only one reason parliament is dominated by one sector – we voted for them (' We are a diverse nation. Enough stale, pale males ', 1/7). There were plenty of very capable young women who stood in the last election but didn't get the votes. If you looked beyond the party and voted for the best candidate, our parliament would be very different and a lot more effective. Don't blame the pale, stale, male outcome, change the way you vote.
Stuart Perry, Longford
Quotas work
Timor-Leste's 2006 electoral law mandates that political parties include at least one woman for every three of their candidates. Thus women hold 35.38 per cent of parliamentary seats, one of the highest percentages in the Asia-Pacific region. If this young democracy can make quotas work successfully, the Liberal Party can too.
Elizabeth Douglas, Melbourne
AND ANOTHER THING
Trump
So Trump is outraged over being called TACO (Trump always chickens out). Does that mean that he is a TAPAS (Trump a president above sanction)?
Kevan Porter, Alphington
Gender in politics
I'm always amused when people oppose quotas on the grounds of 'merit.' If the incumbents are the best merit has to offer, then heaven help us all.
Sally Gatenby, Richmond
Sussan Ley's experience in aerial sheep mustering may help her keep Canberra's dinosaurs rounded up, and shuffling along.
Barbara Chapman, South Yarra
AFL
What I find strange about the AFL footy is when the teams are not winning or doing well everyone blames the coach: 'Off with his head'. I thought there were others involved in the game?
Nola Cormick, Albert Park
Supporters should boycott all Saturday AFL games until the games are back on free to air.
Peter Gustavsen, Brighton
Loading
Furthermore
Congratulations to the ACT government for leading the way by being the first Australian jurisdiction to raise the age for criminal responsibility to 14 years. Now other states need to do the same and provide the extra funding to keep our children at home safe.
Margaret Pekin, Thornbury
Re: ' A thorny issue: How sea urchins could offer a perverse climate hope ' (29/7), I recently returned from Greece, with an expensive trip to the doctor to remove seven sea urchin spines from my wrist. As a regular bay open water swimmer, I encourage action to ensure they don't take over our beautiful environment.
Kerry O'Shea, Hampton
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Remote retailers warn businesses could 'collapse' when federal Centrepay crackdown takes effect
Several Northern Territory retailers say their businesses will not survive if they are banned from using a controversial Centrelink payment system, ahead of a federal crackdown expected to take effect in coming weeks. Centrepay is a system used by more than half-a-million Australians that allows people to pay for goods and services through deductions from their social security payments. It was introduced as a way of paying essential bills like rent and power, but has expanded over time to be used in shops selling clothes, whitegoods, phones and speakers. Under changes to be rolled out by the federal government, retailers selling those "household items" are now set to be booted from the scheme, along with funeral companies and some food providers. The reforms follow a series of controversies, including two NT clothing stores being ordered to stop using the service over concerns they were putting their mostly Aboriginal customers at financial risk by signing them up to debts they did not fully understand and could not afford. The Albanese government announced sweeping changes to the service in December last year, with former minister Bill Shorten saying Centrepay had been "misfiring" and "not working as intended". "Some services being provided through Centrepay were really not appropriate for the vulnerable people on the government's systems," he said at the time. The reforms are expected to only apply to new businesses at first, with existing Centrepay-enabled businesses in categories slated for removal to be given more time to phase out their use. In Katherine, there are five clothing stores using Centrepay, which financial counsellors have previously described as a "high concentration" for a town of its size. Three of them have said their businesses will go broke without access to the scheme. Urban Rampage, a chain with stores across remote northern Australia, told a tribunal last year an Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) order to stop using Centrepay would cause its business to "collapse" and its staff to be terminated. Makalu Fashion, another Centrepay-enabled clothing retailer, has been trading on Katherine's main street for about two years. "I don't think my business can survive if Services Australia completely stops Centrepay," owner Dinesh Lamichhane said. Mr Lamichhane said while he agreed with stricter regulations, he did not want to see Centrepay taken away altogether. "There should be tighter rules," he said. "I do not hesitate to say this system really encourages the businesses to misuse the money of the Aboriginal customers." But he said Centrepay was also "really important" to his customers as a budgeting tool. "[The] majority of customers, they have the habit of not saving the money in their pocket," he said. "That's why if Centrepay exists, it is really helpful for them to buy their necessities, especially their clothing items and footwear." Mr Lamichhane said he believed retail businesses should only be able to draw down a maximum of $50 a fortnight from Centrelink, and customers should only be able to enter into a Centrepay agreement with a single retailer so they did not end up with multiple deductions. "I think Services Australia can easily do that," he said. The reforms have been cautiously welcomed by financial counsellors. Kimberley-based Bush Money Mob counsellor Allan Gray said he had no sympathy for retailers that were financially dependent on Centrepay. He said many stores were charging "massive prices to remote Aboriginal people who are living below the poverty line". "I have literally seen hundreds of remote Aboriginal people ripped off by abuse of Centrepay by greedy businesses," he said. However, Mr Gray said he was concerned shops would turn to other forms of credit, like Afterpay or direct debit systems, which could still see financially vulnerable customers ending up with big debts. He said while recent tightening of laws that govern buy-now-pay-later services meant advocates had a better chance of protecting customers, they had not removed the risk. "It feels a bit like Whac-A-Mole," he said. "I have no doubt that if someone is greedy and they're determined … [they will] find a new way to take the limited income from remote Aboriginal people, but we now have far more tools at our disposal." Vennessa Poelina, a community advocate and Nyikina traditional owner from Broome, said she had seen many remote Aboriginal people get into trouble with Centrepay debts to clothing retailers. She said shopkeepers had an obligation not to abuse the trust of Aboriginal customers from remote communities who often "don't know how to question" the payment options presented to them. "The [shopkeeper] will go 'oh look, we can take money out of your account, you don't have to pay the whole $80!," she said. "That's how I think people started to get hooked into that system of Centrepay." Mr Shorten said in December the changes to Centrepay would be "fully introduced" by July 1 this year. But Services Australia has since confirmed the plan has been delayed, with more details on the changes to be revealed "in the coming weeks". A spokesperson for the Urban Rampage chain of clothing stores said the "ongoing delay" was creating a regulatory limbo for its business. The company is challenging an ASIC order to stop using Centrepay at the Administrative Review Tribunal, in a move that could prove futile if the changes go ahead as planned. The spokesperson confirmed Urban Rampage was offering customers other payment options in the meantime, including Afterpay and direct debits.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Two-year delay for VNI West sparks fresh doubts over Australia's renewable energy ambitions
Australia's shaky transition to clean energy has suffered a major blow, with the roughly $4 billion VNI West electricity interconnector project now delayed by two years – moving the delivery date from 2028 to late 2030. The postponement raises serious concerns over whether the Albanese government can meet its renewable energy targets, including a plan to double the grid's renewable share to 82 per cent by the end of the decade. The pressure is mounting as major coal plants like Victoria's Yallourn station are still on track to close in 2028, leaving a potential gap in supply. Stretching 240 kilometres across Victoria and New South Wales, the VNI West project is facing stiff resistance from landowners and farmers who have become increasingly vocal about the proposed route slicing through regional communities. Back in May, VicGrid – the agency overseeing the project on Victoria's end – told The Australian that delays for both VNI West and the Western Renewables Link were in part due to the challenge of earning 'social licence' among affected communities. The new timeline deepens concerns around the state's broader transition strategy, especially given the critical role of transmission in delivering new solar and wind generation from renewable energy zones in western Victoria and along the Murray River. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) says the delay reflects 'revised planning, design and construction assumptions' and allows for a more inclusive process with landowners. 'The new construction completion target allows more time for detailed environmental, geotechnical and cultural assessments, along with more meaningful landholder engagement on access and easement arrangements,' said Claire Cass from AEMO's Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) unit. 'We know this updated timeline may be frustrating, but we're committed to working with landholders respectfully and providing the support they need to consider what is best for them, their properties and farming or business operations.' The state government insists the delay won't impact reliability in the short term. 'AEMO has indicated the revised project timeline will not impact the reliability of Victoria's electricity network,' a government spokeswoman said. AEMO is expected to factor in the revised deadline in its upcoming Electricity Statement of Opportunities report due in August. The delay comes on the back of AEMO's recent warning in May, when it flagged a blowout in the cost of delivering $20 billion worth of transmission projects. These soaring costs – partly fuelled by skill shortages and growing resistance from rural communities – could add to household power bills. Overhead transmission line costs have spiked by as much as 55 per cent, while substation costs have surged up to 35 per cent, based on updated estimates from AEMO's 2024 modelling. The new 2030 timeline also aligns with the release of TCV's easement and access package for VNI West, set to be delivered directly to landowners along the proposed route. 'For the first time, landholders will receive detailed information about the project benefit payments they can receive, indicative property-specific impact compensation and field survey access terms,' Ms Cass said. TCV stressed that reviewing the documents or engaging with liaison officers did not mean landowners were endorsing the project. 'The approach simply provides landholders with more say on how the project may affect them and their properties, so that compensation accurately reflects the impact,' Ms Cass said. Meanwhile, AusNet – developer of the 190km Western Renewables Link – last week announced a new 'Near Neighbour' payment scheme, offering up to $40,000 to households within a kilometre of the planned infrastructure, in an attempt to ease opposition. 'The Near Neighbour Benefit Program was a recognition that neighbours have similar experiences to those landholders directly hosting infrastructure on their land,' AusNet said. Despite these financial sweeteners, frustration continues to grow among Victorian farmers, many of whom say they're bearing the brunt of the state's renewables push. They accuse the Allan government of ignoring their concerns and putting food security at risk in its haste to overhaul the power grid. Both the VNI West and Western Renewables Link projects were originally due online in 2028, a timeline that aligned with the planned closure of several legacy coal plants. Now, officials and energy experts are sounding the alarm over the growing gap between ambition and delivery, as Victoria targets 65 per cent renewables by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035. The state's transition blueprint includes 5.2 million solar panels, nearly 1,000 wind turbines, and transmission corridors covering 7 per cent of Victoria's landmass, all under intense scrutiny as delays and discontent mount.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Trump-Netanyahu talks to focus on Gaza Strip ceasefire
US President Donald Trump says he will discuss the situations in the Gaza Strip and Iran when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, adding that he hopes to achieve a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave soon. Trump plans to meet Netanyahu on Monday and told reporters during a visit to Florida that he would be "very firm" with him on the need for a speedy Gaza Strip ceasefire while noting that Netanyahu wants one as well. A senior Israeli official, Ron Dermer, has been in Washington DC this week holding talks ahead of the meeting. He was due to meet on Tuesday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, an Israeli official said. Trump and Netanyahu worked together on a military operation against Iran's nuclear sites in June that culminated with US B-2 bombing raids. Trump said he is hopeful that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved next week between Israel and Iran-aligned Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. "We hope it's going to happen. And we're looking forward to it happening sometime next week," he told reporters as he departed the White House for a day trip to Florida. "We want to get the hostages out." Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-October 7 military assault has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the Gaza Strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. US President Donald Trump says he will discuss the situations in the Gaza Strip and Iran when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, adding that he hopes to achieve a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave soon. Trump plans to meet Netanyahu on Monday and told reporters during a visit to Florida that he would be "very firm" with him on the need for a speedy Gaza Strip ceasefire while noting that Netanyahu wants one as well. A senior Israeli official, Ron Dermer, has been in Washington DC this week holding talks ahead of the meeting. He was due to meet on Tuesday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, an Israeli official said. Trump and Netanyahu worked together on a military operation against Iran's nuclear sites in June that culminated with US B-2 bombing raids. Trump said he is hopeful that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved next week between Israel and Iran-aligned Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. "We hope it's going to happen. And we're looking forward to it happening sometime next week," he told reporters as he departed the White House for a day trip to Florida. "We want to get the hostages out." Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-October 7 military assault has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the Gaza Strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. US President Donald Trump says he will discuss the situations in the Gaza Strip and Iran when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, adding that he hopes to achieve a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave soon. Trump plans to meet Netanyahu on Monday and told reporters during a visit to Florida that he would be "very firm" with him on the need for a speedy Gaza Strip ceasefire while noting that Netanyahu wants one as well. A senior Israeli official, Ron Dermer, has been in Washington DC this week holding talks ahead of the meeting. He was due to meet on Tuesday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, an Israeli official said. Trump and Netanyahu worked together on a military operation against Iran's nuclear sites in June that culminated with US B-2 bombing raids. Trump said he is hopeful that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved next week between Israel and Iran-aligned Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. "We hope it's going to happen. And we're looking forward to it happening sometime next week," he told reporters as he departed the White House for a day trip to Florida. "We want to get the hostages out." Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-October 7 military assault has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the Gaza Strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations. US President Donald Trump says he will discuss the situations in the Gaza Strip and Iran when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, adding that he hopes to achieve a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave soon. Trump plans to meet Netanyahu on Monday and told reporters during a visit to Florida that he would be "very firm" with him on the need for a speedy Gaza Strip ceasefire while noting that Netanyahu wants one as well. A senior Israeli official, Ron Dermer, has been in Washington DC this week holding talks ahead of the meeting. He was due to meet on Tuesday with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, an Israeli official said. Trump and Netanyahu worked together on a military operation against Iran's nuclear sites in June that culminated with US B-2 bombing raids. Trump said he is hopeful that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved next week between Israel and Iran-aligned Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. "We hope it's going to happen. And we're looking forward to it happening sometime next week," he told reporters as he departed the White House for a day trip to Florida. "We want to get the hostages out." Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms. The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza's health ministry says Israel's post-October 7 military assault has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians. The assault has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced the Gaza Strip's entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.
