politics

The federal government has halted plans for the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, amid concerns the project could cost more than $45 billion to complete. Source link

The federal health minister and health groups are raising concerns about a secret appearance of cigarette giant Philip Morris at a parliamentary inquiry examining black market tobacco. Source link

A one-off tax break for working Australians remains a live option for cost-of-living relief as Labor finalises plans for next week’s federal budget.  Source link

Assistant Minister for Customs Julian Hill says he’s “astounded” that tobacco giant Philip Morris International was allowed to give evidence to a federal parliamentary inquiry in private. Follow live.  Source link

A teenager with multiple disabilities stranded for days in Vanuatu’s capital city after a deadly 2024 earthquake is taking the Australian government to the federal court for disability discrimination.  Source link

The government is still finalising the details of its budget, but several sources say three tax policies that featured in Labor’s 2019 election campaign will be revived and rethought.  Source link

A popular tax discount meaning people leasing electric vehicles did not have to pay Fringe Benefits Tax will be wound back — although in the long term, more EV owners will be able to pay a reduced tax rate. Source link

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously committed to delivering universal child care, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers has highlighted concerns about the cost.  Source link

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Japanese counterpart Takaichi Sanae agreed to bolster cooperation on energy, defence and critical minerals, while warning against economic coercion. Source link

Councillors in a Victorian shire battling coastal erosion say fossil fuel giants should help pay for damage caused by climate-related environmental disasters.  Source link