Paul Austin
@paulnaustin.bsky.social
đ€ 257
đ„ 175
đ 249
Media professional. Politics, economics, sport, culture, society, the lot.
[email protected]
âOur contemporary analogue to the steadfast selflessness of the Anzac generations is the whining selfishness of the ransack generations.â Peter Hartcher on the end of intergenerational bastardry.
#auspol
#Budget2026
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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The PMâs about to offer selfish Boomers like me a chance at redemption
The budget will be a threshold moment for Anthony Albanese as he stares down wealthy Baby Boomers and strikes a blow for generational equity. It will be his biggest political risk to date.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/the-pm-s-about-to-offer-selfish-boomers-like-me-a-chance-at-redemption-20260424-p5zqsv.html?utm_source=theage-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=politics&utm_content=subscriber+alldigital&utm_term=product_feature
4 days ago
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Theyâve had it so good for so long, but now⊠Itâs a bad time to be a baby boomer, writes Michelle Grattan
#auspol
#Budget
theconversation.com/grattan-on-f...
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Grattan on Friday: Politically, the baby boomersâ day is done
Intergenerational fairness is becoming a new focus for the Albanese government, but just how far it will go remains to be seen.
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-politically-the-baby-boomers-day-is-done-281138?utm_medium=article_native_share
5 days ago
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The NDIS reform package. The Grattan Institute verdict, by Sam Bennett
#auspol
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
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Labor steps up to NDIS reform plate, but can it deliver?
The real test will be whether this ambitious agenda can be delivered at pace and translate into enduring system change.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/labor-steps-up-to-ndis-reform-plate-but-can-it-deliver-20260422-p5zq7c?utm_source=afr-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=politics&utm_term=product_feature
7 days ago
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Democracy, Australian-style. By Ross Gittins, with a little help from the Grattan Institute.
#auspol
www.smh.com.au/business/the...
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Lovinâ democracy? Youâre probably doing all right, then
Those who arenât doing well in the economy are less likely to be happy with the way our democracy is treating them. Thatâs a problem for everyone.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/lovin-democracy-you-re-probably-doing-all-right-then-20260421-p5zps8.html?utm_source=smh-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=business&utm_content=subscriber+alldigital&utm_term=product_feature
7 days ago
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The state of Australiaâs democracy Important new @GrattanInst report
#auspol
grattan.edu.au/report/for-t...
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For the people: future-proofing Australia's democracy
Australians cannot take the future strength and resilience of our democracy for granted. These are more turbulent times not just for our economy or standard of living, but for liberal democracies them...
https://grattan.edu.au/report/for-the-people-future-proofing-australias-democracy/
16 days ago
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The Grattan Institute verdict on the fuel excise cut: May not be as terrible as some economic commentators suggest. But shouldnât become embedded in our policy response to the oil shock. And the long-term solution is to move to an electrified economy.
www.skynews.com.au/insights-and...
#auspol
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No Cookies | Sky News Australia
SkyNews.com.au â Australian News Headlines & World News Online from the best award winning journalists
https://www.skynews.com.au/insights-and-analysis/bandaid-on-a-bullet-hole-labors-fuel-excise-cut-is-a-timely-but-limited-stopgap-solution-to-a-much-bigger-problem/news-story/fd423be3d671c8ebd00518b4bf8286de
24 days ago
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Heritage report rejects Williamstown lifesaving club redevelopment âCouncil now has a great opportunity to get a better outcome â for the community and the clubâ
maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/news/heritag...
#springst
#HobsonsBay
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Heritage report rejects surf club redevelopment
Hobsons Bay council has confirmed that its heritage advisor has recommended the $16 million proposed redevelopment of the Williamstown Swimming and Surf Life Saving Club (WSLSC) not go ahead. In early...
https://maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/news/heritage-report-rejects-surf-club-redevelopment/
about 1 month ago
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Good idea
theconversation.com/share-prices...
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Share prices, sports results ⊠COâ levels? The case for reporting climate stats every day
Media rituals based on reporting numbers and trends help us talk about complex issues using simple measures of progress or decline.
https://theconversation.com/share-prices-sports-results-co-levels-the-case-for-reporting-climate-stats-every-day-278202?utm_medium=article_native_share
about 1 month ago
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Malinauskas on multiculturalism: a masterclass in messaging
#auspol
#SApol
#OneNation
#migrants
theconversation.com/view-from-th...
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View from The Hill: Albanese could learn from Malinauskasâ masterclass in messaging
With the rise of One Nation and growth of grievance politics, what Labor leaders choose to say to those alienated voters will be key
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-albanese-could-learn-from-malinauskas-masterclass-in-messaging-278790
about 1 month ago
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Seems itâs not easy being Green
#cricket
#media
#IPL
www.theage.com.au/sport/cricke...
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âWhy are you out to get me?â Greenâs dummy spit raises questions ahead of $4m IPL stint
Cameron Greenâs first media appearance since mid-December ended in a fiery exchange outside the WA dressing room during a Sheffield Shield match on Monday.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/why-are-you-out-to-get-me-green-s-dummy-spit-raises-questions-ahead-of-4m-ipl-stint-20260316-p5oawf.html
about 1 month ago
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The week Allegra Spender gazumped Jim Chalmers
#tax
#Budget2026
#auspol
www.afr.com/policy/tax-a...
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Someone else just wrote Jim Chalmersâ big tax reform plan
Allegra Spender lobbed a $29 billion grenade into the tax debate, arguing Australia is becoming a place where your âparentsâ balance sheet matters more than your own ambitionâ.
https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/someone-else-just-wrote-jim-chalmers-big-tax-reform-plan-20260312-p5o9tu?utm_source=afr-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=policy&utm_term=product_feature
about 2 months ago
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Donât panic By Tony Wood
grattan.edu.au/news/dont-pa...
#auspol
#Iran
#war
#oil
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Don't panic at the pump - Grattan Institute
Losing 20 per cent of oil supply affects prices. But the other 80 per cent is unaffected by the war.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/dont-panic-at-the-pump/
about 2 months ago
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âBeyond the Iran and Ukraine conflicts, there will almost certainly be another international gas price spike sooner or later. When that happens, we will be glad to have a super-profits tax.â Tony Wood from Grattan Institute in todayâs Weekend Australian
theaustralian.com.au/business/mininâŠ
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https://theaustralian.com.au/business/mininâŠ
about 2 months ago
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Donât worry, Trump is toast and America will bounce back. Phew.
www.afr.com/policy/forei...
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Donât worry, friends, Trump is toast and America will bounce back
Famed Democrat strategist James Carville says the rest of the world underestimates the ability of America to recover from Donald Trumpâs presidency as his power ebbs.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/don-t-worry-friends-trump-is-toast-and-america-will-bounce-back-20260301-p5o6i0
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Rhett Bartlett
about 2 months ago
From my vault: Without a shadow of a doubt, DENNIS COMETTI'S greatest one-liner, was after Tony Lockett kicked his 1300th goal, and they crossed to him at the other game.
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Nick Feik
about 2 months ago
Australian political parlance: âWe have been very clear aboutâŠâ = We are all over the place on this issue
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âA billion-dollar empire of harmâ How gambling took over Australia
#auspol
#PetaMurphy
theconversation.com/a-billion-do...
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âA billion-dollar empire of harmâ: how gambling took over Australia
At some point, Australia must accept that it is time to break the chokehold commercial gambling has on this country.
https://theconversation.com/a-billion-dollar-empire-of-harm-how-gambling-took-over-australia-272343?utm_medium=article_native_share
about 2 months ago
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My boss wrote a piece in support of migration â and migrants. Itâs good. Makes me proud.
#auspol
grattan.edu.au/news/migrant...
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Migrants are who we are - Grattan Institute
When political opportunists come for migrants, it is kids in schools across this country who bear the scars.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/migrants-are-who-we-are/
about 2 months ago
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âThe May budget needs to put more meat on the bones of how and when NDIS growth will be contained to between 5% and 6% â this is a reasonable target, but it wonât materialise without a more ambitious plan.â Grattan Institute disability policy expert Sam Bennett
#auspol
www.afr.com/companies/he...
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NDIS autism costs blow out to a record $10b annually
The number of older children and adults being diagnosed with autism is surging, costing the taxpayers billions more each year.
https://www.afr.com/companies/healthcare-and-fitness/ndis-autism-costs-blow-out-to-a-record-10b-annually-20260224-p5o54e?utm_source=afr-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=companies&utm_term=product_feature
2 months ago
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Steaks on a plane? No thanks.
www.afr.com/life-and-lux...
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Why you shouldnât order steak on a plane â and what to order instead
Every airline has a signature dish. The best reflect not just the carrier but the nation it flies from.
https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/travel/why-you-shouldn-t-order-steak-on-a-plane-and-what-to-order-instead-20251120-p5nh9f?utm_source=afr-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=life-and-luxury&utm_term=product_feature
2 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Grattan Institute
2 months ago
âSince the Economic Reform Roundtable last year, the consensus that came out of that was there is an intergenerational problem in taxation.' Listen to our expert, Brendan Coates, talk all things housing and taxation with Peter Martin on âThe Economy, Stupid':
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
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The Most Explosive Tax Debate in Australia Is Back - ABC listen
Australia does something a bit weird: if you make money selling a house or shares, you get taxed at half the rate youâd pay on your actual job. Nice if youâre the one pocketing the profit⊠not so grea...
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-economy-stupid/the-most-explosive-tax-debate-in-australia-is-back/106306992
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The Prime Minister seems to have a severe case of fast train fever. In this comprehensive report, the Grattan Institute shows why bullet trains are a very bad idea for Australia.
#auspol
#transport
grattan.edu.au/report/fast-...
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Fast train fever: Why renovated rail might work but bullet trains wonât - Grattan Institute
Australia should dump the decades-old dream of building an east-coast bullet train. Read our new Grattan Institute report, Fast Train Fever.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/fast-train-fever/
2 months ago
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Paul Austin
Grattan Institute
2 months ago
We need restraint, not a razor Our CEO, Aruna Sathanapally, in The Australian Financial Review on the 3 things the Treasurer should do in Budget 2026 â and the 1 thing he should not do.
#auspol
#TaxReform
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We need restraint, not a razor - Grattan Institute
3 things the Treasurer should do in Budget 2026 â and 1 thing he should not do.
https://buff.ly/o0gaJgG
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Election 2025: Where the money came from Clear, cut-through analysis by Kate Griffiths and Matt Bowes from Grattan Institute
#auspol
#parliament
#democracy
grattan.edu.au/news/electio...
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Election 2025: Where the money came from - Grattan Institute
New data underscore the need to improve the rules about money in politics.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/election-2025-where-the-money-came-from/
3 months ago
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Ah, no
www.afr.com/policy/econo...
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Should taxpayers fund $50,000-a-year private schools?
Parents and children deserve choice in education. But should high-fee institutions be subsidised, even if itâs only $4000 or $5000 a year for each student?
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/should-taxpayers-fund-50-000-a-year-private-schools-20260202-p5nytv
3 months ago
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The government has promised a $25b boost to hospital funding â but only hints at real reform Sharp analysis of todayâs National Cabinet deal, by @GrattanInst health policy guru @PeterBreadon
#auspol
#NDIS
theconversation.com/the-governme...
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The government has promised a $25 billion boost to hospital funding â but only hints at real reform
The deal struck between states and territories and the federal government follows a long-running standoff. Hereâs whatâs been agreed, and whatâs still missing.
https://theconversation.com/the-government-has-promised-a-25-billion-boost-to-hospital-funding-but-only-hints-at-real-reform-274617?utm_medium=article_native_share
3 months ago
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The quiet â and concerning â slide in school attendance  By The Educator, with a little bit of help from my colleagues at Grattan Institute Â
#auspol
#education
www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/the...
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The quiet slide in school attendance
England's response offers lessons Australia could adapt
https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/the-quiet-slide-in-school-attendance/288765
3 months ago
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âI'm old enough to remember when people said the grid will never hold up with 20% renewables in it â and the grid is still holding up now.â Â Grattan Institute energy expert Alison Reeve on a watershed week on Australiaâs long road to net zero. Â
#auspol
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power
Renewables became the dominant energy supply for an entire quarter in the final three months of last year, helping the grid skate through the early days of a scorching summer.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/for-the-first-time-renewable-energy-is-supplying-a-majority-of-our-power-20260116-p5nun6.html
3 months ago
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How to save the NDIS By former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry, with a little help from my colleagues at the Grattan Institute
www.theaustralian.com.au/health/carin...
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https://www.theaustralian.com.au/health/caring/the-ndis-has-become-a-luxury-liner-why-we-need-more-smaller-boats/news-story/27fbd0a7a8fb343ab27538b8ede0fd16
3 months ago
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Melbourne is better than Sydney. Exhibit 214:
www.theage.com.au/business/com...
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Kyle and Jackie O hit rock bottom in Melbourne
The provocative duo recorded their worst audience share in the market, ending the most recent survey period with 1000 fewer listeners than the same period in 2024.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/kyle-and-jackie-o-hit-rock-bottom-in-melbourne-20260120-p5nvcq.html
3 months ago
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Get off X. Itâs a cesspit.
#auspol
#Musk
#ChildAbuse
#porn
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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Time to get off X, prime minister. Itâs repulsive
Now would be a great time for the federal government and the opposition to review their use of the platform they condemn.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/time-to-get-off-x-prime-minister-it-s-repulsive-20260110-p5nt35.html
3 months ago
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There once was a Pommy cricketer called DuckettâŠ
4 months ago
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Tackling the school attendance crisis is a moral imperative for Australiaâs political class. An end-of-school-year call to arms by Grattan Institute education policy experts Amy Haywood and Jordana Hunter.
#auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/12...
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Australiaâs school attendance crisis needs urgent national action
School attendance has been sliding for more than a decade, with more than a million Australian students now missing significant classroom time. Governments have set ambitious targets to reverse the tr...
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/12/poor-school-attendance-is-the-problem-hiding-in-plain-sight/
4 months ago
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The Grattan Institute 2025 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister (our Top Six books of the year) is out â the honeymoon edition! Read all about it here:
#auspol
#books
#writing
grattan.edu.au/news/prime-m...
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Announcing Grattan Instituteâs 2025 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister - Grattan Institute
We are delighted to announce Grattan Institute's Prime Ministerâs Summer Reading List for 2025.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/prime-ministers-summer-reading-list-2025/
5 months ago
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The Saturday Paper: âLinda Reynolds looks forever like someone about to send her main back to the kitchen. She has been victimised by life. Everything is an injustice and all of it done to her. According to court documents, her middle name is Karen.â
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2025/11/22/l...
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On Linda Reynolds and Janet Albrechtsen
A little over a week ago, Linda Reynolds gave her first interview since winning her defamation case against Brittany Higgins. She gave it to Janet Albrechtsen, the right-wing columnist whose texts and...
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2025/11/22/linda-reynolds-and-janet-albrechtsen
5 months ago
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How to fix public hospital funding An important new Grattan Institute report that should be compulsory reading for the Prime Minister and the Premiers
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#health
grattan.edu.au/report/smart...
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Smarter spending: Getting better care for every hospital dollar
Australian governments waste $1.2 billion a year on avoidable spending in public hospitals which does nothing to improve patient care.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/smarter-spending-getting-better-care-for-every-hospital-dollar/
5 months ago
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Memo to the Libs and Nats: net zero is not a political plaything or a virtue-signalling culture war trope. Grattan Institute expert Alison Reeve injects some facts and evidence into Australiaâs energy and climate-change debate.
#auspol
#coal
Via The Age
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/yes-your-energy-bills-have-gone-up-turning-net-zero-into-a-culture-war-will-send-them-higher-20251116-p5nfpp.html
5 months ago
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Itâs a mirage of an energy and climate change policy The Liberalsâ plan wonât reduce power prices and it wonât reduce emissions substantially, writes Grattan Institute policy guru Tony Wood in the Financial Review
#auspol
#coal
#renewables
#NetZero
grattan.edu.au/news/a-mirag...
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A mirage of an energy and climate change policy - Grattan Institute
The Libsâ plan wonât reduce power prices and it wonât reduce emissions substantially.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/a-mirage-of-an-energy-and-climate-change-policy/
6 months ago
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Melbourne is a great city, but⊠Grattan Institute housing policy expert Joey Moloney puts the case for higher density across the suburbs, including Ivanhoe, Fairfield, and Newport
#auspol
#springst
#planning
grattan.edu.au/news/melbour...
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Melbourne needs lots of new homesâquickly - Grattan Institute
The planning system needs to change so the city can stay great.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/melbourne-needs-a-lot-of-new-homes-quickly/
6 months ago
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The longest city is short on homes Why Perth needs planning reforms, by Grattan Institute housing policy experts Joey Moloney and Ashleigh Chang in todayâs West Australian
grattan.edu.au/news/the-lon...
#auspol
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The longest city is short on homes - Grattan Institute
Perth needs planning reform.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/the-longest-city-short-on-homes/
6 months ago
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To fix the economy, fix housing. Brendan Coates, Joey Moloney, and Matthew Bowes summarise their blockbuster new Grattan Institute report on Australiaâs housing crisis.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#Insiders
Via Pearls and Irritations
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To fix the economy, fix housing
Australiaâs economy is in a post-pandemic slump. To dig us out, state and federal governments must tackle the chronic shortage of housing in our biggest cities.
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/to-fix-the-economy-fix-housing/
6 months ago
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Why Australia needs a housing policy revolution â and what it will mean for your suburb. Major new Grattan Institute report by Brendan Coates, Joey Moloney, and Matthew Bowes.
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#Planning
#Heritage
grattan.edu.au/report/more-...
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More homes, better cities: Letting more people live where they want
Three-storey townhouses and apartments should be permitted on all residential land in all capital cities as part of a concerted policy assault on Australiaâs housing crisis.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/more-homes-better-cities/
6 months ago
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Tony Abbott and the Ladybird view of history Jane Lydon runs the rule over Abbottâs Australia
theconversation.com/tony-abbotts...
#auspol
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Tony Abbottâs history of Australia wants us to be proud of men like him
Tony Abbott begins his book Australia: A History, by telling off professional historians â and laments the âcultural confusionâ of our present moment.
https://theconversation.com/tony-abbotts-history-of-australia-wants-us-to-be-proud-of-men-like-him-268294
6 months ago
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Treaty yeah
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
#auspol
#springst
#Australia
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The votes are counted and the quiet shattered as treaty arrives in Victoria
The first treaty with our First Peoples came after a long debate and even longer wait.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-votes-are-counted-and-the-quiet-shattered-as-treaty-arrives-in-victoria-20251030-p5n6nr.html?utm_content=picture_of_the_day&list_name=3C1D28D0-7E1E-4DC0-9DD3-A961CC5360DB&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=am-theage&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2025-10-31&mbnr=MzA3OTM2NTg&instance=2025-10-31-07-18-AEDT&jobid=31962669
6 months ago
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Nice
add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Beddy
6 months ago
one of the ironclad rules of Australian journalism is that any story about voting must be accompanied by a picture of people voting in swimwear
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âLess about saving swimmers and more about serving cocktailsâ How $14m of public money to convert an ageing bayside pool to a heated indoor learn-to-swim centre is being misused to build a glitzy private social club on Williamstownâs heritage beach
www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
#springst
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Tensions flare in seaside suburb over âBondi Icebergsâ proposal
Over seven years, the lifesaving club has gone through three rounds of redevelopment plans, and the neighbourhood is once again divided over the $14.5 million project.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/tensions-flare-in-seaside-suburb-over-bondi-icebergs-proposal-20251008-p5n0w1.html
7 months ago
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Hereâs some good news: Play your cards right, and your household energy bills could halve by 2050 New Grattan Institute report by Alison Reeve and Tony Wood
grattan.edu.au/report/bills...
#auspol
#ClimateEmergency
#NetZero
#coal
#renewables
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Bills down, emissions down: A practical path to net-zero electricity
Australian household energy bills are set to halve by 2050, leaving âpolicy roomâ for the federal government to cut emissions in the electricity sector without hurting households.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/bills-down-emissions-down-a-practical-path-to-net-zero-electricity/
7 months ago
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Australiaâs workforce challenge Thoughtful new Grattan Institute series on building our workforce of the future
#auspol
#ausecon
#jobs
#migration
#AI
grattan.edu.au/australias-w...
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Australiaâs workforce challenge - Grattan Institute
Grattan Instituteâs six-part series on building our workforce of the future.
https://grattan.edu.au/australias-workforce-challenge/
7 months ago
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Three more reasons to object to the proposed over-development of Williamstownâs historic life-saving club: 1. Taxpayersâ money being used for private facilities 2. The âMembers Onlyâ fence 3. A footprint that extends well beyond the clubâs current fence line
thewestsider.com.au/is-the-willy...
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Is the Willy Beach Lifesaving Club set to become Australiaâs most expensive?
Jason Bryce asks community to become engaged in the discussions over the new plans for the Williamstown lifesaving club.
https://thewestsider.com.au/is-the-willy-beach-lifesaving-club-set-to-become-australias-most-expensive/
7 months ago
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