ACT joins gun buyback, six jurisdictions still out
Canberra is the second jurisdiction to sign the national firearms buyback. The Commonwealth pays 75 per cent, and six others have not joined.
Politics
Henderson defence precinct site locked in for WA
The Commonwealth and WA governments have selected the site for the Henderson Defence Precinct. The $12 billion committed is a down payment on a build the government's own advice puts near $25 billion.
Platforms must do news deals or pay 2.5pc levy
Parliament has passed the News Bargaining Incentive: the biggest platforms sign at least eight news deals, or pay 2.5 per cent of Australian ad revenue.
NDIS overhaul clears parliament on widow tax deal
The bill finally passed both houses on Wednesday. The Coalition's price was an accelerated fix to the negative gearing widow tax.
Backpacker visas slow under new processing direction
Tony Burke has confirmed working holiday visas are processed more slowly, after a July direction putting onshore applicants first. The Nationals object.
Gun buyback pays $1,000 for a revolver from November
Phase one opens on 2 November with rates fixed by category. New South Wales is the only state taking part and the Commonwealth is splitting the bill.
Senate committee backs NDIS bill for passage
The Community Affairs committee tabled one recommendation: pass the bill. The Greens and David Pocock dissented. The Senate sits from Monday.
Coalition ties migration cap to homes completed
Andrew Bragg put the Coalition's migration number at about 180,000. Angus Taylor called it a personal view. ABS has completions near 175,000 a year.
Battery rebate passes 500,000 installations
The Cheaper Home Batteries program has reached 507,000 homes since July 2025. Its budget has gone from $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion in that time.
David McBride released on parole after 27 months
The former army lawyer whose leaked documents became the ABC's Afghan Files left Canberra's jail on Thursday, the first day he was eligible for release.
South Australia calls a royal commission into AI
Peter Malinauskas will appoint three commissioners to examine artificial intelligence, reporting by 1 July 2027. The terms of reference do not exist yet.
Labor seeks a gambling deal as inducements bite
The government wants a Senate deal on its gambling advertising bill this fortnight. Betting inducements, not ad caps, are now the item on the table.
