Labor vows to slash red tape to turbocharge housing
Breaking ground on delivering 1.2 million homes starts by untangling the maze of bureaucratic approvals, the federal government says.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has signalled a second-term Labor administration will move quickly to boost construction.
"We've just been elected with a really clear mandate to improve our housing system in this country," she told reporters on Saturday.
"We've got big reforms to implement, and not a day to waste in getting on with them."
The minister vowed to simplify local, state and federal planning regulations by leading a council of planning ministers.
"If we are going to address the housing needs of Australians, it is going to require the three levels of government to work together in new ways," she said.
She will work with the building sector to implement innovative technologies to move past time consuming and costly methods of construction.
Her comments come after an interview with ABC on Friday where she said "builders face a ridiculous thicket of red tape that is preventing them building the homes we need."
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the cost of building a home had skyrocketed by 40 per cent over the past five years while construction times had ballooned by 80 per cent over the past decade.
"It is critical that we remove the red tape that is hampering our capacity to build homes," she said.
Ms Wawn was hopeful the ambitious goal of 1.2 million homes coming onto the market would be achieved, but said the group's projections showed there could be a slight drop-off.
She argued that along with the focus on reducing red tape, there was an urgent need to apprenticeships and fast-tracking migration for skilled people.
"For the first time, the federal government is leaning in and trying to ensure that there is a focused attention on housing," she said.
But opposition housing spokesman Andrew Bragg said the government's plans were a "joke" and described Labor as "red tape champions."
"Labor's signature housing policy, the Housing Australia Future Fund has built zero new homes in three years," Senator Bragg said.
"Approvals are way down under their watch and their 1.2 million new home target is a dead duck."
The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development warned Australia on Tuesday to boost housing supply and address falling affordability.
The OECD said easing zoning restrictions would strengthen competition and productivity, as well as raise housing investment to "reverse the long-standing decline in housing affordability".
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Workers' retirement nest eggs set for super boost
Australian workers can look forward to a bigger nest egg, with an increase to the superannuation guarantee to add tens of thousands of dollars to the average super account. From July 1, employers' minimum required contribution to employees' superannuation accounts will rise from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent. It's the latest and last in a series of incremental increases from nine per cent over more than a decade since they were legislated by the Rudd-Gillard Labor government in 2012. With the latest bump, a 30-year-old earning $60,000 would have an extra $20,000 in super by retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia. It will add about $300 each year to the superannuation of a worker on a $60,000 salary, or $500 for someone on a $100,000 salary. "The system foundations are cemented for young, working people to have a comfortable retirement," ASFA chief executive Mary Delahunty said. "It's a moment all Australians should be proud of." The association says the cost of a comfortable retirement increased 1.6 per cent in the past year, while the cost of a modest retirement rose 1.7 per cent. A "comfortable" retirement includes top-level health insurance, a reasonable car and leisure activities. The cost of either outcome was increasing slower than Australia's current 2.4 per cent headline inflation but retiree budgets remained under pressure from rising food, energy and health costs. Couples on average need $73,900 annually for a comfortable retirement, while most singles needed $52,300 per year, ASFA says. For a modest retirement covering the basics, couples needed $48,200 each year, singles $33,400, or for renting couples, $64,250, and $46,660 each year for singles who rent. The figures underlined the importance of increasing Australia's housing stock, Ms Delahunty said. "They also illustrate how super can be the difference between hardship and stability later in life, especially for renters." For some workers, the extra contribution will come from their existing pay package, according to CPA Australia's superannuation lead Richard Webb. "It's a good idea to check with your employer to see how they view the changes and what it means for you," he said. Workers on contracts with a total remuneration package could see a slight drop in their take-home pay, while those on award or enterprise agreements would likely receive the contribution on-top of their current pay. When compulsory superannuation was introduced in 1992 - in part to reduce government spending on the Age Pension - only one in 10 Australian retirees listed super as a source of income. Nine in 10 people between 30 and 50 now have super. Government spending on the Age Pension is projected to fall from 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2020 to two per cent by 2062/63, despite a doubling of the over-65 population and a trebling of over-85s over the same period. However the super guarantee increase wouldn't help those who missed out on paid work for extended periods, Super Consumer Australia chief executive Xavier O'Halloran said. "(For) people who have caring responsibilities or who have been locked out of the unaffordable housing market ... increasing SG further won't address those inequalities," he told AAP. Mr O'Halloran said there was more that could be done to support people struggling in retirement, when a significant portion of their autumnal years' savings were made. "Right now, there are no minimum standards for retirement products like there are for MySuper," he said. "There is also no performance testing of retirement products, so super funds can still sell poor products." Australian workers can look forward to a bigger nest egg, with an increase to the superannuation guarantee to add tens of thousands of dollars to the average super account. From July 1, employers' minimum required contribution to employees' superannuation accounts will rise from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent. It's the latest and last in a series of incremental increases from nine per cent over more than a decade since they were legislated by the Rudd-Gillard Labor government in 2012. With the latest bump, a 30-year-old earning $60,000 would have an extra $20,000 in super by retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia. It will add about $300 each year to the superannuation of a worker on a $60,000 salary, or $500 for someone on a $100,000 salary. "The system foundations are cemented for young, working people to have a comfortable retirement," ASFA chief executive Mary Delahunty said. "It's a moment all Australians should be proud of." The association says the cost of a comfortable retirement increased 1.6 per cent in the past year, while the cost of a modest retirement rose 1.7 per cent. A "comfortable" retirement includes top-level health insurance, a reasonable car and leisure activities. The cost of either outcome was increasing slower than Australia's current 2.4 per cent headline inflation but retiree budgets remained under pressure from rising food, energy and health costs. Couples on average need $73,900 annually for a comfortable retirement, while most singles needed $52,300 per year, ASFA says. For a modest retirement covering the basics, couples needed $48,200 each year, singles $33,400, or for renting couples, $64,250, and $46,660 each year for singles who rent. The figures underlined the importance of increasing Australia's housing stock, Ms Delahunty said. "They also illustrate how super can be the difference between hardship and stability later in life, especially for renters." For some workers, the extra contribution will come from their existing pay package, according to CPA Australia's superannuation lead Richard Webb. "It's a good idea to check with your employer to see how they view the changes and what it means for you," he said. Workers on contracts with a total remuneration package could see a slight drop in their take-home pay, while those on award or enterprise agreements would likely receive the contribution on-top of their current pay. When compulsory superannuation was introduced in 1992 - in part to reduce government spending on the Age Pension - only one in 10 Australian retirees listed super as a source of income. Nine in 10 people between 30 and 50 now have super. Government spending on the Age Pension is projected to fall from 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2020 to two per cent by 2062/63, despite a doubling of the over-65 population and a trebling of over-85s over the same period. However the super guarantee increase wouldn't help those who missed out on paid work for extended periods, Super Consumer Australia chief executive Xavier O'Halloran said. "(For) people who have caring responsibilities or who have been locked out of the unaffordable housing market ... increasing SG further won't address those inequalities," he told AAP. Mr O'Halloran said there was more that could be done to support people struggling in retirement, when a significant portion of their autumnal years' savings were made. "Right now, there are no minimum standards for retirement products like there are for MySuper," he said. "There is also no performance testing of retirement products, so super funds can still sell poor products." Australian workers can look forward to a bigger nest egg, with an increase to the superannuation guarantee to add tens of thousands of dollars to the average super account. From July 1, employers' minimum required contribution to employees' superannuation accounts will rise from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent. It's the latest and last in a series of incremental increases from nine per cent over more than a decade since they were legislated by the Rudd-Gillard Labor government in 2012. With the latest bump, a 30-year-old earning $60,000 would have an extra $20,000 in super by retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia. It will add about $300 each year to the superannuation of a worker on a $60,000 salary, or $500 for someone on a $100,000 salary. "The system foundations are cemented for young, working people to have a comfortable retirement," ASFA chief executive Mary Delahunty said. "It's a moment all Australians should be proud of." The association says the cost of a comfortable retirement increased 1.6 per cent in the past year, while the cost of a modest retirement rose 1.7 per cent. A "comfortable" retirement includes top-level health insurance, a reasonable car and leisure activities. The cost of either outcome was increasing slower than Australia's current 2.4 per cent headline inflation but retiree budgets remained under pressure from rising food, energy and health costs. Couples on average need $73,900 annually for a comfortable retirement, while most singles needed $52,300 per year, ASFA says. For a modest retirement covering the basics, couples needed $48,200 each year, singles $33,400, or for renting couples, $64,250, and $46,660 each year for singles who rent. The figures underlined the importance of increasing Australia's housing stock, Ms Delahunty said. "They also illustrate how super can be the difference between hardship and stability later in life, especially for renters." For some workers, the extra contribution will come from their existing pay package, according to CPA Australia's superannuation lead Richard Webb. "It's a good idea to check with your employer to see how they view the changes and what it means for you," he said. Workers on contracts with a total remuneration package could see a slight drop in their take-home pay, while those on award or enterprise agreements would likely receive the contribution on-top of their current pay. When compulsory superannuation was introduced in 1992 - in part to reduce government spending on the Age Pension - only one in 10 Australian retirees listed super as a source of income. Nine in 10 people between 30 and 50 now have super. Government spending on the Age Pension is projected to fall from 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2020 to two per cent by 2062/63, despite a doubling of the over-65 population and a trebling of over-85s over the same period. However the super guarantee increase wouldn't help those who missed out on paid work for extended periods, Super Consumer Australia chief executive Xavier O'Halloran said. "(For) people who have caring responsibilities or who have been locked out of the unaffordable housing market ... increasing SG further won't address those inequalities," he told AAP. Mr O'Halloran said there was more that could be done to support people struggling in retirement, when a significant portion of their autumnal years' savings were made. "Right now, there are no minimum standards for retirement products like there are for MySuper," he said. "There is also no performance testing of retirement products, so super funds can still sell poor products." Australian workers can look forward to a bigger nest egg, with an increase to the superannuation guarantee to add tens of thousands of dollars to the average super account. From July 1, employers' minimum required contribution to employees' superannuation accounts will rise from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent. It's the latest and last in a series of incremental increases from nine per cent over more than a decade since they were legislated by the Rudd-Gillard Labor government in 2012. With the latest bump, a 30-year-old earning $60,000 would have an extra $20,000 in super by retirement, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia. It will add about $300 each year to the superannuation of a worker on a $60,000 salary, or $500 for someone on a $100,000 salary. "The system foundations are cemented for young, working people to have a comfortable retirement," ASFA chief executive Mary Delahunty said. "It's a moment all Australians should be proud of." The association says the cost of a comfortable retirement increased 1.6 per cent in the past year, while the cost of a modest retirement rose 1.7 per cent. A "comfortable" retirement includes top-level health insurance, a reasonable car and leisure activities. The cost of either outcome was increasing slower than Australia's current 2.4 per cent headline inflation but retiree budgets remained under pressure from rising food, energy and health costs. Couples on average need $73,900 annually for a comfortable retirement, while most singles needed $52,300 per year, ASFA says. For a modest retirement covering the basics, couples needed $48,200 each year, singles $33,400, or for renting couples, $64,250, and $46,660 each year for singles who rent. The figures underlined the importance of increasing Australia's housing stock, Ms Delahunty said. "They also illustrate how super can be the difference between hardship and stability later in life, especially for renters." For some workers, the extra contribution will come from their existing pay package, according to CPA Australia's superannuation lead Richard Webb. "It's a good idea to check with your employer to see how they view the changes and what it means for you," he said. Workers on contracts with a total remuneration package could see a slight drop in their take-home pay, while those on award or enterprise agreements would likely receive the contribution on-top of their current pay. When compulsory superannuation was introduced in 1992 - in part to reduce government spending on the Age Pension - only one in 10 Australian retirees listed super as a source of income. Nine in 10 people between 30 and 50 now have super. Government spending on the Age Pension is projected to fall from 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2020 to two per cent by 2062/63, despite a doubling of the over-65 population and a trebling of over-85s over the same period. However the super guarantee increase wouldn't help those who missed out on paid work for extended periods, Super Consumer Australia chief executive Xavier O'Halloran said. "(For) people who have caring responsibilities or who have been locked out of the unaffordable housing market ... increasing SG further won't address those inequalities," he told AAP. Mr O'Halloran said there was more that could be done to support people struggling in retirement, when a significant portion of their autumnal years' savings were made. "Right now, there are no minimum standards for retirement products like there are for MySuper," he said. "There is also no performance testing of retirement products, so super funds can still sell poor products."
The Advertiser
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Trump says possible Harvard deal 'good for the country'
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"If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country," Trump wrote. He made the statement shortly after a federal judge in Boston issued an injunction blocking the US Department of Homeland Security from immediately revoking Harvard's ability to enrol international students. That injunction prevents the US Department of Homeland Security from revoking Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program without first going through a months-long administrative process, which it now plans to do. Harvard had no immediate comment on Trump's post, but in a statement it welcomed US District Judge Allison Burroughs' order, adding it "will continue to defend its rights—and the rights of its students and scholars." Massachusetts-based Harvard has filed two lawsuits seeking to unfreeze around $2.5 billion in funding and to prevent the administration from blocking the ability of international students to attend the university. Harvard alleges that Trump has been retaliating against it, violating its free speech rights under the US Constitution's First Amendment, because it refused to accede to the administration's demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. Burroughs is expected to rule in the coming days on Harvard's related request that she continue blocking implementation of a proclamation Trump signed barring foreign nationals from entering the US to study at the university. International students comprise about a quarter of its student body. US President Donald Trump appears to be softening in his campaign against Harvard, saying his administration could soon announce a 'deal' with the country's oldest and richest university. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump raised the prospect of a truce with the Ivy League school, which has sued after his administration terminated billions of dollars in grants awarded to Harvard and moved to bar the school from admitting international students. The Republican president's administration has said its actions against Harvard are justified based on a litany of allegations, including that the institution was not doing enough to combat anti-semitic harassment on campus. Trump said his administration is addressing "improprieties" at Harvard. He said individuals at Harvard "have acted extremely appropriately during negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right." "If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country," Trump wrote. He made the statement shortly after a federal judge in Boston issued an injunction blocking the US Department of Homeland Security from immediately revoking Harvard's ability to enrol international students. That injunction prevents the US Department of Homeland Security from revoking Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program without first going through a months-long administrative process, which it now plans to do. Harvard had no immediate comment on Trump's post, but in a statement it welcomed US District Judge Allison Burroughs' order, adding it "will continue to defend its rights—and the rights of its students and scholars." Massachusetts-based Harvard has filed two lawsuits seeking to unfreeze around $2.5 billion in funding and to prevent the administration from blocking the ability of international students to attend the university. Harvard alleges that Trump has been retaliating against it, violating its free speech rights under the US Constitution's First Amendment, because it refused to accede to the administration's demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. Burroughs is expected to rule in the coming days on Harvard's related request that she continue blocking implementation of a proclamation Trump signed barring foreign nationals from entering the US to study at the university. International students comprise about a quarter of its student body. US President Donald Trump appears to be softening in his campaign against Harvard, saying his administration could soon announce a 'deal' with the country's oldest and richest university. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump raised the prospect of a truce with the Ivy League school, which has sued after his administration terminated billions of dollars in grants awarded to Harvard and moved to bar the school from admitting international students. The Republican president's administration has said its actions against Harvard are justified based on a litany of allegations, including that the institution was not doing enough to combat anti-semitic harassment on campus. Trump said his administration is addressing "improprieties" at Harvard. He said individuals at Harvard "have acted extremely appropriately during negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right." "If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country," Trump wrote. He made the statement shortly after a federal judge in Boston issued an injunction blocking the US Department of Homeland Security from immediately revoking Harvard's ability to enrol international students. That injunction prevents the US Department of Homeland Security from revoking Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program without first going through a months-long administrative process, which it now plans to do. Harvard had no immediate comment on Trump's post, but in a statement it welcomed US District Judge Allison Burroughs' order, adding it "will continue to defend its rights—and the rights of its students and scholars." Massachusetts-based Harvard has filed two lawsuits seeking to unfreeze around $2.5 billion in funding and to prevent the administration from blocking the ability of international students to attend the university. Harvard alleges that Trump has been retaliating against it, violating its free speech rights under the US Constitution's First Amendment, because it refused to accede to the administration's demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. Burroughs is expected to rule in the coming days on Harvard's related request that she continue blocking implementation of a proclamation Trump signed barring foreign nationals from entering the US to study at the university. International students comprise about a quarter of its student body. US President Donald Trump appears to be softening in his campaign against Harvard, saying his administration could soon announce a 'deal' with the country's oldest and richest university. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump raised the prospect of a truce with the Ivy League school, which has sued after his administration terminated billions of dollars in grants awarded to Harvard and moved to bar the school from admitting international students. The Republican president's administration has said its actions against Harvard are justified based on a litany of allegations, including that the institution was not doing enough to combat anti-semitic harassment on campus. Trump said his administration is addressing "improprieties" at Harvard. He said individuals at Harvard "have acted extremely appropriately during negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right." "If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country," Trump wrote. He made the statement shortly after a federal judge in Boston issued an injunction blocking the US Department of Homeland Security from immediately revoking Harvard's ability to enrol international students. That injunction prevents the US Department of Homeland Security from revoking Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program without first going through a months-long administrative process, which it now plans to do. Harvard had no immediate comment on Trump's post, but in a statement it welcomed US District Judge Allison Burroughs' order, adding it "will continue to defend its rights—and the rights of its students and scholars." Massachusetts-based Harvard has filed two lawsuits seeking to unfreeze around $2.5 billion in funding and to prevent the administration from blocking the ability of international students to attend the university. Harvard alleges that Trump has been retaliating against it, violating its free speech rights under the US Constitution's First Amendment, because it refused to accede to the administration's demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. Burroughs is expected to rule in the coming days on Harvard's related request that she continue blocking implementation of a proclamation Trump signed barring foreign nationals from entering the US to study at the university. International students comprise about a quarter of its student body.
Sky News AU
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ADF aircraft ready to evacuate Australians from Middle East
Thousands of Australians remain trapped in the conflict between Israel and Iran. The embassy in Tehran is now closed, limiting consular assistance. Defence aircraft are now being deployed to the region, but the government says it's getting harder to help those caught in the middle.
