O'Brien plans tax review, stands by nuclear power
A defiant O'Brien, who is now deputy leader, also stood by his previous support for nuclear energy.
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
‘Logical': Big call on social media ban
The opposition is calling on Labor to include YouTube in its world-leading social media ban for under 16s. The videostreaming giant was initially set to be exempt, with the Albanese government arguing it could be educational. But the online watchdog has since advised YouTube should be included. Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh said on Sunday she agreed. 'Once again, we're going back to government policies and failures when it comes to protecting Australian children,' she told the ABC's Insiders program. 'The government decided to put forward legislation after a lot of pushing from the Coalition and advocacy groups. 'But there is an exemption for YouTube – why? Why is it?' The Albanese government is facing calls to include YouTube in its social media ban for under 16s. Aaron Francis / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, last month warned kids were using YouTube more than any other social media platform. She said it was also causing the most harm to kids online. 'It's almost ubiquitous that kids are on social media,' she said at the time, also speaking to the ABC. 'By far the most prevalent social media site they're on is YouTube. 'And when we asked where they were experiencing harm and the kinds of harms they were experiencing, the most prevalent place where young Australians experienced harm was on YouTube – almost 37 per cent. 'This ranges from misogynistic content to hateful material, to violent fighting videos, online challenges, disordered eating, suicidal ideation.' Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh says it is 'logical' to include YouTube in Labor's social media ban. NewsWire / Damian Shaw Credit: News Corp Australia In her remarks on Sunday, Ms McIntosh called on the Albanese government to heed Ms Inman Grant's advice and include YouTube in the ban. 'It's a logical thing to do,' she said. 'What makes it complex is when there's some platforms that are out and then there's some that are in. 'If that's going to be the case, it needs to be clear to Australian families why that's the case. 'Because once again, it's our Australian kids that we need to be protecting first and foremost.' The social media ban is set to come into force in December. While other countries have mulled similar actions, Australia is the first to make the leap, receiving both praise and criticism. Last month, the brains tasked with finding a way to enforce the ban said it was possible but that there was no 'silver bullet'. The project's chief suggested successive validation, or a series of tests designed to firm up a user's age, could be the best bet.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
US tariffs 'second fiddle' to overseas student caps
Australia's limits on international students could be a bigger issue than US tariffs, an expert has warned. President Donald Trump's tariffs have become arguably the biggest economic story of the year, with most Australian goods being hit with a 10 per cent levy while 50 per cent tariffs are imposed on steel and aluminium sent to the US. But the direct impact of the measures on Australia is relatively small as most exports tend to go to China, Japan and Korea, according to University of Sydney economics lecturer Luke Hartigan. The bigger issue may be one Australia has already inflicted on itself. "It's important to look at the larger scheme of things," Dr Hartigan told AAP. "The tariff exemption is important, but if we wanted to shoot ourselves in the foot, we would reduce the number of international students." "What's happening with our tariffs with the US is second fiddle." International student education was worth $51 billion for the Australian economy in 2023/24, but both political parties have vowed to slash numbers, with Labor already revealing a 270,000 cap from 2025 after more than 445,000 commenced study the year before. Dr Hartigan said international students were important for soft power. "They get to see Australian culture, they get to learn about Australia and they go back and speak favourably about Australia, so it's a very positive thing," he said. But most Australian political commentary has taken on the tariff issue, especially as Mr Trump is set to lift his tariff pause on July 9. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the government will continue negotiating for exemptions while keeping the national interest in mind, and dismissed Trump-style isolationist policies. However, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan has said the government has "waved the white flag" and called out Mr Albanese for failing to meet Mr Trump face-to-face. "There are countries dealing and talking to the new US president, but not ours ... it is embarrassing," Mr Hogan said. Australia could feel some indirect effects when the pause lifts, Dr Hartigan said. Tariffs on China could cause issues for Australia and uncertainty around the levies could play out in the stock market.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Cruising French Polynesia on a cargo cruise
In my mind's eye, French Polynesia is as close to Paradise as you can get. The area consists of more than 100 individual islands across five archipelagos in the south-central Pacific Ocean, so it makes sense that one of the best ways to explore them is on a cruise ship. There are many different cruise lines that offer great itineraries — but if you are up for something a little different — why not try a cargo cruise? Tahitian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has just announced an offer of 20 per cent off its cruises to the Austal Islands in 2025 and 2026 when booked by August 11, 2025. The discount is available on 13-day roundtrip voyages on board their Aranui 5 ship departing Papeete November 1, 2025, and February 14, March 28, September 12 and October 24, 2026. The voyages visit all five inhabited Austral Islands in the south of French Polynesia — Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, Raivavae, and Rapa Iti — with calls at Raiatea and Bora Bora in the Society Islands on the return leg. At present, Aranui offers the only way to visit all five islands as Rapa Iti is only accessible by sea and Aranui 5 is the only local cruise ship permitted to call there. Aranui Cruises Australian representative Laurent Wong said the south of French Polynesia was a new cruise destination for Australians to explore. 'Like the Society Islands of yesteryear, the Austral Islands boast soaring mountains, pristine beaches, hidden caves, intense blue lagoons, unique local produce and picturesque villages, plus a colourful history including a link to the Bounty mutineers. It's an exciting new corner of the Pacific to discover,' Laurent said. Business out the front and party at the back The mullet haircut analogy comes to mind when I see the Aranui 5. The front deck is the workspace with a couple of cranes to lift goods on and off the ship — and rear offer all the comforts of a cruise ship. It can accommodate approximately 230 passengers in 103 cabins across eight guest decks — and it has a restaurant, conference rooms, lounges, a library, a boutique, a swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and bars including a panoramic Sky bar. Aranui's Austal Islands cruises in 2025 and 2026 are priced from $7006 and includes more than $2000 worth of shore excursions such as hikes, visits to archaeological sites and local feasts, a weekly laundry service, three meals per day and complimentary French wine with onboard lunches and dinners. The offer is subject to availability, the discount is valid on new bookings made before August 11, 2025, across all levels of accommodation (except the dormitory), on voyage 19, 2025, and voyages 3, 6, 18 and 21, 2026. The promotion is exclusive to Australian and New Zealand residents, only available for new bookings with new passengers' names and is not combinable with any other discount. It cannot be refunded or changed to another substitute departure sailing date. For more information visit www.
