Momentum builds to overhaul major housing handbrake
The reforms, which could be introduced to parliament as early as the August sitting, would enshrine the transport-oriented development zones and the Housing Delivery Authority, help address the housing crisis, and come after the government's audacious Rosehill Racecourse proposal was shot down by Australian Turf Club members.
Planning Minister Paul Scully and Liberal counterpart Scott Farlow have been meeting since the premier signalled in January he was open to bipartisan reform of the 46-year-old, 327-page EP&A act.
The act has been criticised by developers, governments and councils for being overly complex, allowing anti-development councils to undermine housing supply while creating a field day for consultants.
Senior Liberal sources privy to discussions said changes to the Complying Development Certificates process, allowing for low-impact development and code-based assessments, were under consideration. This would involve removing councils' ability to assess on subjective merit.
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CDCs provide low-impact projects that meet a specific set of criteria to have simultaneous planning and construction approval. Under code-based assessments, proposals are assessed against a prescriptive set of rules rather than on merit.
Other proposals under consideration included legislating the Housing Delivery Authority, the three-person committee to accelerate large-scale developments by bypassing councils, along with installing pro-housing objectives in the act, a move favoured by both sides.
Urban Taskforce chief executive Tom Forrest has publicly backed the idea, and independent upper house MP Mark Latham proposed these amendments during earlier reforms of the act in March. While shot down, both Farlow and Labor indicated they would be supportive of the move later on.
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The Advertiser
36 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
PM slams 'repulsive' Latham as Labor portrait remains
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Mark Latham for his "repulsive" views, but a picture of the former Labor leader will remain hanging in the federal caucus room despite domestic violence accusations. Mr Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse and degradation. The NSW state MP and one-time prime ministerial hopeful strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". The Labor caucus on Monday agreed that Mr Latham's official portrait in the federal party room would remain, but with a caption providing context. Weighing in for the first time since the allegations emerged, the prime minister said he never wanted Mr Latham to be his party's leader. "Mark Latham has views which I find repulsive across a range of areas," Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30. "He's someone who I regret being ever being elected leader of the Labor Party." Mr Albanese said his feelings were not in "retrospect" as he had been doing the numbers for Kim Beazley during the 2003 leadership challenge which Mr Latham narrowly won. "History has proven that judgment to be correct. Mark Latham since ... has gone further and further and further away from any values that represent mainstream Australia," he said. The words underneath the portrait will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Mr Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. The decision to add context to Mr Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra."But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Mr Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Mr Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. In 2024, the Federal Court ordered Mr Latham to pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
Tasmania election: Winter mulls Greens deal as hung parliament looms
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Tasmanians are no closer to knowing who will lead the state after Saturday's snap election led to a hung parliament, with neither major party able to form a majority government. The results two days on show Tasmania Labor is still on track for its worst ever electoral performance with the party currently sitting on under 26 per cent of the primary vote with the Liberals on 40 per cent and the Greens capturing 14 per cent of voters first choices. Labor's 2025 state election result is the party's worst electoral performance since 1903. Despite the result, Labor is likely to end up with the same number of MPs as it did in the 2024 election when it achieved 29 per cent of the primary, while the Liberals had 14 seats – short of the 18 to form majority. While Premier Jeremy Rockliff is claiming a mandate for the Liberal Party to continue in power, Labor leader Dean Winter may still work with the Greens and crossbenchers to form a minority government. Labor Leader Dean Winter with his wife Allison at Hobart Grand Chancellor tally room on election night. Picture: Caroline Tan As the election night results rolled into the Tasmanian tally room, it looked increasingly like Mr Winter's election gamble had backfired. What makes this election outcome different is unlike in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, the Labor leader has not refused to attempt to form government with the Greens and independent crossbench. Despite ruling out any formal deal with the Greens, Mr Winter says he has already reached out to a number of independents. The Greens have urged Labor to seek an arrangement with them to form government. It is understood the Labor leader has yet to contact Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. However for Labor to govern in any capacity, the Greens support in some form will be required. Mr Rockliff who all but declared victory on Saturday night is adamant that he is the one with a mandate to govern. 'I do have a mandate, given we've got the largest number of seats,' the Premier told reporters on Monday. 'For Dean Winter to govern, he'll need to do a deal with the Greens for which he does not have a mandate from the Tasmanian people.' Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff says he has the mandate to form a minority government. Picture: Caroline Tan The problem for the Liberals however is that with a likely 14 or possibly 15 seats, they are also well short of the 18 votes needed to command a workable majority on the floor of the 35-seat House of Assembly. Additionally, with the former Jacqui Lambie members all losing their seats, the House will be without conservative leaning independents, with three of the four independents elected opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium. The only crossbench member to support the project is former Labor leader David O Byrne, who said he could work with either side to form government. There could be an additional new member to the crossbench with Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Carlo di Falco a chance to win in Lyons, however a final result is not expected for another week. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers are opposed to the stadium, meaning one of Mr Rockliff's key commitments would only be delivered with Labor votes, regardless of who forms government. Tasmania Labor's path to power looks less certain but they can count on Greens support in whatever form that comes (Mr Winter says the support would only be accepted without any conditions attached) Labor leader Dean Winter's chances of forming government are more difficult. Picture: Caroline Tan With a likely 10 seats from Labor and five from the Greens, Mr Winter would then only have to negotiate with three independents, something Mr Winter was unwilling to do just one month ago. Saturday's election was held follow the passage of Labor leader's successful no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff's leadership with Mr Winter citing the botched roll out of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, the state's growing budget deficit and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project as examples of Mr Rockliff's failed leadership. Despite being in a position to put together a minority government as a result of the no confidence motion's passage, Mr Winter chose to decline the opportunity, leaving the state's Governor with no choice but to grant Mr Rockliff's wish to hold the state's second election in just 16 months. Instead of a clear result. Tasmanian voters have returned very similar numbers as the last parliament. This time Mr Winter may be less likely to pass the opportunity of government up, with the Labor leader calling a third election 'not an option.' Originally published as How Labor Party could still form government in Tasmania despite 'worst ever' election result
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Tassie in state of flux after snap election
Tasmanians are no closer to knowing who will lead the state after Saturday's snap election led to a hung parliament, with neither major party able to form a majority government. The results two days on show Tasmania Labor is still on track for its worst ever electoral performance with the party currently sitting on under 26 per cent of the primary vote with the Liberals on 40 per cent and the Greens capturing 14 per cent of voters first choices. Labor's 2025 state election result is the party's worst electoral performance since 1903. Despite the result, Labor is likely to end up with the same number of MPs as it did in the 2024 election when it achieved 29 per cent of the primary, while the Liberals had 14 seats – short of the 18 to form majority. While Premier Jeremy Rockliff is claiming a mandate for the Liberal Party to continue in power, Labor leader Dean Winter may still work with the Greens and crossbenchers to form a minority government. Labor Leader Dean Winter with his wife Allison at Hobart Grand Chancellor tally room on election night. Caroline Tan Credit: News Corp Australia As the election night results rolled into the Tasmanian tally room, it looked increasingly like Mr Winter's election gamble had backfired. What makes this election outcome different is unlike in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, the Labor leader has not refused to attempt to form government with the Greens and independent crossbench. Despite ruling out any formal deal with the Greens, Mr Winter says he has already reached out to a number of independents. The Greens have urged Labor to seek an arrangement with them to form government. It is understood the Labor leader has yet to contact Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. However for Labor to govern in any capacity, the Greens support in some form will be required. Mr Rockliff who all but declared victory on Saturday night is adamant that he is the one with a mandate to govern. 'I do have a mandate, given we've got the largest number of seats,' the Premier told reporters on Monday. 'For Dean Winter to govern, he'll need to do a deal with the Greens for which he does not have a mandate from the Tasmanian people.' Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff says he has the mandate to form a minority government. Caroline Tan Credit: News Corp Australia The problem for the Liberals however is that with a likely 14 or possibly 15 seats, they are also well short of the 18 votes needed to command a workable majority on the floor of the 35-seat House of Assembly. Additionally, with the former Jacqui Lambie members all losing their seats, the House will be without conservative leaning independents, with three of the four independents elected opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium. The only crossbench member to support the project is former Labor leader David O Byrne, who said he could work with either side to form government. There could be an additional new member to the crossbench with Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Carlo di Falco a chance to win in Lyons, however a final result is not expected for another week. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers are opposed to the stadium, meaning one of Mr Rockliff's key commitments would only be delivered with Labor votes, regardless of who forms government. Tasmania Labor's path to power looks less certain but they can count on Greens support in whatever form that comes (Mr Winter says the support would only be accepted without any conditions attached) Labor leader Dean Winter's chances of forming government are more difficult. Caroline Tan Credit: News Corp Australia With a likely 10 seats from Labor and five from the Greens, Mr Winter would then only have to negotiate with three independents, something Mr Winter was unwilling to do just one month ago. Saturday's election was held follow the passage of Labor leader's successful no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff's leadership with Mr Winter citing the botched roll out of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, the state's growing budget deficit and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project as examples of Mr Rockliff's failed leadership. Despite being in a position to put together a minority government as a result of the no confidence motion's passage, Mr Winter chose to decline the opportunity, leaving the state's Governor with no choice but to grant Mr Rockliff's wish to hold the state's second election in just 16 months. Instead of a clear result. Tasmanian voters have returned very similar numbers as the last parliament. This time Mr Winter may be less likely to pass the opportunity of government up, with the Labor leader calling a third election 'not an option.'
