Tag: news
-
Why ‘Welcome to Country’ Ceremonies Are Divisive in Australia
You’re an Australian. You work hard, pay your taxes, look out for your neighbours. Then one day, suddenly, you’re told this isn’t your country anymore. In fact, you’re on stolen land, you’re a coloniser, and it’s time you paid up.This is what the ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony actually means – it’s become a direct attack on…
-
Australia’s Interest Rate Cuts: Too Little, Too Late?
February 2025 modest interest rate reduction is welcome. However, for many Australians it is too little too late. And that’s because this government has allowed inflation to stay too high for too long. The USA started cutting interest rates five months ago. New Zealand and the UK cut interest rates six months ago. Canada and Europe…
-
LibNats to dump SRL in 2026
The Victorian Liberals and Nationals announced they will not complete the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) if elected in 2026 so they can deliver important infrastructure projects right across the state. Since its announcement in 2018, the SRL has never been subjected to a proper business case assessment or scrutinised by infrastructure authorities and has been…
-
Lest we forget!
On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The Germans called for an armistice…
-
Student Debt in Australia: The Hidden Crisis
Fun fact: I was 38 years young when I FINALLY paid off my student debt – 11 long years after graduation. As a holder of Advanced Diploma in Accounting I’ve entered second year of Bachelor of Business at RMIT – this resulted in a substantial cost saving compared to those who have completed a full…
-
Labor Government’s Housing Crisis: Victorians pay the price
Last week the Allan Labor Government made a series of announcements in an attempt to paper over their housing crisis after a decade of Labor governments. As they continue to strip away the rights of local communities to have a say in planning decisions in an apartment-centric focus on inner suburbs, services in middle and…
-
Labor’s SEC fails to deliver for Victorians
In 2023, the government committed an initial $1 billion to the SEC to help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power through renewable energy projects, in which the Victorian government would take a majority stake. Energy experts argued that “wouldn’t buy much” in a transition from fossil fuels expected to cost around $320 billion nationally. SEC Victoria Pty Ltd has two…
-
Understanding Kingston’s Council Dysfunction: A Community’s Struggle
Independence, transparency and integrity – serving our community’s best interest Meet fresh, competent and independent Kingston team: Top: Wandzia French, Brendan Lenarcic, Georgia Erevnidis, Louise BlackBottom : Jane Agirtan, Sarah O’Donnell, Caroline White We can all agree that Kingston desperately needs change. In an ideal word, councilors work together to make decisions in the best…
-
Labor’s New Tax Plan: A Threat to Homeownership in Victoria
Under the Andrews-Allan Labor Government, Victoria already has the highest property taxes in the nation, with 44 per cent of a new house and land package in greenfield development areas in Melbourne made up of government taxes, fees and charges according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia. Despite this, reports this week revealed Labor…
-
The Voice. One year on.
Why Australians voted to be equal. A year ago on Monday, 60% of Australians voted for all Australians to be equal. We did so in the face of a Yes campaign that had the overwhelming support of the media, big business, religious organisations, civil society, and elite opinion. Not to mention Yes had four times…
JANE AGIRTAN INDEPENDENT 