Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.
Today’s national news includes Australians paying the price of Labor’s failed policies, Treasurer Jim Chalmers saying the cost of living relief in the budget will be substantial, Palestinian UN membership bid to build peace impetus, and South Australia mulls social media ban for kids.
Politics
Australians are paying the price for Labor’s failed policies
Australians are still “paying the price” for the Albanese government’s last two federal budgets, says Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume, Sky News has reported. “After two years of wrong priorities and failed policies of the Albanese Labor government, Australians are paying the price,” Ms Hume said. “We cannot afford to have the wrong budget brought down again.”
The cost of living relief in the budget will be substantial, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the cost of living relief in the upcoming budget “won’t be identical” to previous budgets but will be “substantial”, Sky News reported. The Treasurer will hand down the government’s budget in just a few days on Tuesday, May 14. “We have shown a willingness in the past to take the edge off energy bills and rent in previous budgets,” Mr Chalmers said. “In the year to March, electricity bills would have increased up almost 15 per cent if we hadn’t acted. Instead, they rose two per cent. That has shown our bona fides when it comes to easing these cost of living pressures where we can so that we are part of the solution to this inflation challenge rather than part of the problem.”
Palestinian UN membership bid to build peace impetus
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Saturday the country’s support for a Palestinian bid to become a full United Nations member was part of building momentum to secure peace in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Reuters has reported. Australia voted on Friday with the overwhelming majority of the U.N. General Assembly in backing the resolution that would effectively recognise a Palestinian state. It recommended the Security Council “reconsider the matter favourably”.
Regions
SA mulls social media ban for kids
South Australian children under the age of 14 could be banned from social media, under Australia-first legislation being considered by the state government, 9 News reported. Premier Peter Malinauskas said the potential legal changes are being examined due to mounting evidence around the effects of social media on children’s mental health and development. Major social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, require users to be at least 13 years old to sign up for accounts, however, the age limit is not enforced. “Like most parents, I am concerned about the impact social media is having on children in our community,” Malinauskas said.
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