Australia news live: Pocock buys billboards to pressure Chalmers on gas export tax; survey reveals national gloom | Australia news
Pocock buys billboards to pressure Chalmers over gas export tax
Tom McIlroy
Charities and social service groups say Labor should use the proceeds from a clampdown on tax concessions for property investors and a crackdown on gas export profits to fund welfare increases and build homes.
Ahead of next month’s federal budget, the Albanian government is under pressure to roll back negative gearing rules, cut 50% capital gains tax for real estate investments and tax more profits from commodity exports, which have surged due to the global energy shock.
ACT independent senator David Pocock bought billboards Jim ChalmersQueensland voters have called for a 25% tax on gas exports through changes to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) scheme.
The gas tax plan, backed by the Greens, think tank the Australia Institute and key Labor unions, could provide up to $17 billion for the budget.
The Australian Council of Social Service (Acoss) and a coalition of 50 charities and campaigning organizations said money from the proposed package of changes could help the most vulnerable and fund sustainable public investment in housing, renewable energy and disaster resilience.
Acoss chief, Cassandra Goldie, Calling on the government to be brave, he said:
The lowest-income people skip meals, delay medical care, and ration their energy just to get by.
Front-line services are operating at capacity, facing increasing demand and increasingly complex needs. Current policy settings do not meet the needs of our societies; It is clear that significant and sustainable public investments are required.
Groups such as Foodbank Australia, Jesuit Social Services and National Shelter have signed the petition.
important events
Tom McIlroy
Life satisfaction in Australia is lower than during Covid-19: survey
The effects of the global energy crisis, rising oil prices and the war in Iran have contributed to falling average life satisfaction in Australia, according to new research from the Australian National University.
A survey of more than 3,600 adults found that average life satisfaction dropped to 6.22 on a scale of 0 to 10; This is the lowest level on record and is below levels reached during Covid-19 lockdowns.
While nearly 35% of Australians say they find their current income difficult or very difficult, the majority have undertaken at least one significant financial coping action in the past year.
“In March 2026, Australia is a country under serious pressure,” said researcher Prof. Nicholas Biddle in question.
Unlike lockdown periods, this decline is not a sharp shock from a higher base: life satisfaction was already low, making the current situation the culmination of a sustained deterioration rather than a sudden decline.
Welcome
Catie McLeod
Good morning, I hope you had a nice weekend. I will tell you the news this morning.
First, a new survey has been released revealing that life satisfaction in Australia is lower than it was during the pandemic.
And ACT independent senator David Pocock Bought billboards in Sayman Jim ChalmersQueensland voters have called for a 25% tax on gas exports through changes to the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) scheme.
Let’s get started.
