Good ideas strangled by red tape: Treasurer to crack down on bureaucracy
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has admitted left-leaning governments are strangling their own good intentions with bureaucracy, arguing it is time to deliver supply side solutions to problems ranging from housing to renewable energy.
In his first extended sit-down newspaper interview since May's federal election, Chalmers has demanded regulators overseeing everything from the banking sector to consumer law identify regulations that can be axed or simplified to reduce costs and increase the pace at which the economy can grow.
Chalmers revealed the recently released book Abundance, which argues progressives need to re-think their overly rules-based approach to making the change they want, had been a wake-up call for the left of politics.
The book, by American journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, was 'doing the rounds' of the ministry and senior MPs keen take on board the authors' insights which include trying to strip red tape from scientific research and housing construction.
Chalmers said the upcoming productivity roundtable would tap into the ideas outlined in Abundance.
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'I mean the fascinating thing I found about Abundance was basically, even if you have quite a progressive outlook, we've got to stop getting in our own way,' he said.
'We want good things to happen, we've got to stop strangling good things from happening. I think that's very, very compelling for us.
'It's confronting for us because it's a kind of a – the term 'wake-up call' gets used a bit too easily – but there's a sense of at what point do we start getting in our own way, preventing good things from happening because of an abundance of good intentions.'
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
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'We support action': PM backs in US strikes on Iran
The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians. The prime minister has backed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while also urging a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. In his first public comments since the US launched strikes on the facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz, Anthony Albanese said a larger war must be avoided. "The world has long agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday. "We don't want escalation and a full-scale war. We continue to call for dialogue and for diplomacy. "Australia called upon Iran to come to the table and abandon any nuclear weapons program. "Iran didn't come to the table, just as it has repeatedly failed to comply with its international obligations." The comments came after the prime minister convened a National Security Committee meeting in Canberra on Monday. Mr Albanese defended his decision to hold off on directly commenting on the US strikes until more than 24 hours after the American bombing mission. "We aren't a central player in this conflict, that's just a fact, and what we do is we run an orderly, stable government," he said. "This was unilateral action taken by the United States." Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Washington had not made any requests of Australia. But she would not say if the joint US intelligence surveillance base, Pine Gap, in the Northern Territory had played a role in the operation. Senator Wong also said the number of Australians who had registered for help to leave the region had jumped to about 2900 in Iran and 1300 in Israel. Acting opposition foreign spokesman Andrew Hastie said the coalition had wanted to see Iran come to the negotiating table and submit to a full inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We support those strikes, and now we want to see dialogue and diplomacy," he told ABC Radio. "We want to see a peaceful settlement from here, and I'm just not going to speculate on what steps might be taken next." Department of Foreign Affairs staff were evacuated from the embassy in Tehran last week and are helping Australian citizens and residents who make it through Iran's border with Azerbaijan. Senator Wong has previously said that while Australia has deployed Australian Defence Force personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, they aren't there for combat purposes. Iran's parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, where about a quarter of the world's oil transits through, prompting fears prices could push to $US100 a barrel or more. Despite questions over whether Australia should do more to support its major ally, former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said combat troops weren't the way forward. "There's no way we would put troops on the ground," he told AAP. "I don't think the government or the political establishment here are suggesting that we just follow whatever the US is going to do." Australia has previously provided some resources around shipping lanes, but during the recent outbreak of violence, the government has refused to entertain the possibility of military involvement. However, the American strikes have also been labelled as a "terrifying and catastrophic escalation" with the Greens warning further violence from Israel or the US would impact ordinary Iranian civilians.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Zelenskiy warns of new Russian operations in Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing new military operations in Europe as he indirectly expressed support for US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "We are seeing a further intellectual regression on the part of the Russian leadership and have evidence that it is preparing new military operations in Europe," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. The leader said he had been briefed on the current situation by the head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov. Zelenskiy said he intends to discuss the details of the Russian military operations with Kyiv's partners. "We will inform our partners about the facts uncovered by our intelligence services," he wrote. "We are preparing joint defence decisions, in particular with the United Kingdom and the European Union." The warning came as an overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv injured at least five civilians, sparked fires in residential areas and damaged an entrance to a metro station, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday. Metro stations are used as bomb shelters in Ukraine during Russian attacks. Earlier, three people were killed in a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military training area, the Ukrainian armed forces said. Another 11 people were injured in the attack, with further casualties prevented due to a timely warning by airspace surveillance, the Ukrainian army command said on Facebook on Sunday. The exact location of the military site was not disclosed. The Russian Defence Ministry detailed an attack on a Ukrainian military training ground in the southern Kherson region but said 70 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed by an Iskander ballistic missile. The information provided by the two sides could not be independently verified. It comes just a few weeks after at least 12 recruits were killed and dozens injured in a Russian attack on a military training area in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, according to official reports. The attack led to a reshuffle within the leadership of the Ukrainian command. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskiy also warned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as he indirectly expressed support for the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "There must be no proliferation of nuclear weapons in the modern world," Zelenskiy said in his regular video address. "It is important that there is American resolve on this, the resolve of President (Donald) Trump," he added. The Ukrainian president said Russia is using Iranian Shahed drones in the war in Ukraine. "Iran's decisions to support Russia have brought massive destruction and devastating human losses to our country, and to many others." At the same time, Zelenskiy called for a focus on diplomacy. "Diplomacy has to start working. Working everywhere: in the Middle East, in the Gulf region, and here in Europe - in Ukraine," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing new military operations in Europe as he indirectly expressed support for US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "We are seeing a further intellectual regression on the part of the Russian leadership and have evidence that it is preparing new military operations in Europe," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. The leader said he had been briefed on the current situation by the head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov. Zelenskiy said he intends to discuss the details of the Russian military operations with Kyiv's partners. "We will inform our partners about the facts uncovered by our intelligence services," he wrote. "We are preparing joint defence decisions, in particular with the United Kingdom and the European Union." The warning came as an overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv injured at least five civilians, sparked fires in residential areas and damaged an entrance to a metro station, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday. Metro stations are used as bomb shelters in Ukraine during Russian attacks. Earlier, three people were killed in a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military training area, the Ukrainian armed forces said. Another 11 people were injured in the attack, with further casualties prevented due to a timely warning by airspace surveillance, the Ukrainian army command said on Facebook on Sunday. The exact location of the military site was not disclosed. The Russian Defence Ministry detailed an attack on a Ukrainian military training ground in the southern Kherson region but said 70 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed by an Iskander ballistic missile. The information provided by the two sides could not be independently verified. It comes just a few weeks after at least 12 recruits were killed and dozens injured in a Russian attack on a military training area in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, according to official reports. The attack led to a reshuffle within the leadership of the Ukrainian command. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskiy also warned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as he indirectly expressed support for the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "There must be no proliferation of nuclear weapons in the modern world," Zelenskiy said in his regular video address. "It is important that there is American resolve on this, the resolve of President (Donald) Trump," he added. The Ukrainian president said Russia is using Iranian Shahed drones in the war in Ukraine. "Iran's decisions to support Russia have brought massive destruction and devastating human losses to our country, and to many others." At the same time, Zelenskiy called for a focus on diplomacy. "Diplomacy has to start working. Working everywhere: in the Middle East, in the Gulf region, and here in Europe - in Ukraine," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing new military operations in Europe as he indirectly expressed support for US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "We are seeing a further intellectual regression on the part of the Russian leadership and have evidence that it is preparing new military operations in Europe," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. The leader said he had been briefed on the current situation by the head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov. Zelenskiy said he intends to discuss the details of the Russian military operations with Kyiv's partners. "We will inform our partners about the facts uncovered by our intelligence services," he wrote. "We are preparing joint defence decisions, in particular with the United Kingdom and the European Union." The warning came as an overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv injured at least five civilians, sparked fires in residential areas and damaged an entrance to a metro station, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday. Metro stations are used as bomb shelters in Ukraine during Russian attacks. Earlier, three people were killed in a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military training area, the Ukrainian armed forces said. Another 11 people were injured in the attack, with further casualties prevented due to a timely warning by airspace surveillance, the Ukrainian army command said on Facebook on Sunday. The exact location of the military site was not disclosed. The Russian Defence Ministry detailed an attack on a Ukrainian military training ground in the southern Kherson region but said 70 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed by an Iskander ballistic missile. The information provided by the two sides could not be independently verified. It comes just a few weeks after at least 12 recruits were killed and dozens injured in a Russian attack on a military training area in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, according to official reports. The attack led to a reshuffle within the leadership of the Ukrainian command. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskiy also warned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as he indirectly expressed support for the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "There must be no proliferation of nuclear weapons in the modern world," Zelenskiy said in his regular video address. "It is important that there is American resolve on this, the resolve of President (Donald) Trump," he added. The Ukrainian president said Russia is using Iranian Shahed drones in the war in Ukraine. "Iran's decisions to support Russia have brought massive destruction and devastating human losses to our country, and to many others." At the same time, Zelenskiy called for a focus on diplomacy. "Diplomacy has to start working. Working everywhere: in the Middle East, in the Gulf region, and here in Europe - in Ukraine," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia is preparing new military operations in Europe as he indirectly expressed support for US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "We are seeing a further intellectual regression on the part of the Russian leadership and have evidence that it is preparing new military operations in Europe," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. The leader said he had been briefed on the current situation by the head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov. Zelenskiy said he intends to discuss the details of the Russian military operations with Kyiv's partners. "We will inform our partners about the facts uncovered by our intelligence services," he wrote. "We are preparing joint defence decisions, in particular with the United Kingdom and the European Union." The warning came as an overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv injured at least five civilians, sparked fires in residential areas and damaged an entrance to a metro station, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday. Metro stations are used as bomb shelters in Ukraine during Russian attacks. Earlier, three people were killed in a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military training area, the Ukrainian armed forces said. Another 11 people were injured in the attack, with further casualties prevented due to a timely warning by airspace surveillance, the Ukrainian army command said on Facebook on Sunday. The exact location of the military site was not disclosed. The Russian Defence Ministry detailed an attack on a Ukrainian military training ground in the southern Kherson region but said 70 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed by an Iskander ballistic missile. The information provided by the two sides could not be independently verified. It comes just a few weeks after at least 12 recruits were killed and dozens injured in a Russian attack on a military training area in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, according to official reports. The attack led to a reshuffle within the leadership of the Ukrainian command. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskiy also warned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as he indirectly expressed support for the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. "There must be no proliferation of nuclear weapons in the modern world," Zelenskiy said in his regular video address. "It is important that there is American resolve on this, the resolve of President (Donald) Trump," he added. The Ukrainian president said Russia is using Iranian Shahed drones in the war in Ukraine. "Iran's decisions to support Russia have brought massive destruction and devastating human losses to our country, and to many others." At the same time, Zelenskiy called for a focus on diplomacy. "Diplomacy has to start working. Working everywhere: in the Middle East, in the Gulf region, and here in Europe - in Ukraine," he said.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
How Trump obliterated the best-laid plans of world's most powerful military alliance
London: NATO wanted this week's summit to be relatively boring. A controversy-free meeting, a bland communique, and a polished photo op to show unity. What it's getting instead is a flashpoint – one lit by the United States itself. Just days before 32 NATO leaders descend on the Dutch capital, the world's most powerful military alliance is watching its agenda be torched by a fresh theatre of war: Iran. And not just Israeli warplanes this time, but American ones, too. In a stunning military escalation, US forces joined Israel in bombing Iran 's most fortified nuclear sites, including the Fordow enrichment facility buried deep under a mountainside. GBU-57 'bunker-busting' bombs – some of the heaviest non-nuclear ordnance in the American arsenal – were used to punch through rock and concrete. Other strikes hit Natanz and Isfahan. Trump's message was blunt: 'Obliterated.' And just like that, the fragile choreography of what might have been NATO's most consequential summit in its 76-year history – carefully designed to hide its internal fractures – has been blown off course. The summit was never supposed to be about Iran. Or even Ukraine, for that matter. Loading To keep US President Donald Trump happy – and at the table – NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stripped the agenda down to its bare bones. Gone was any serious discussion on Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been downgraded to dinner guest, rather than council participant. The alliance's evolving strategy on Russia? Hidden in a drawer. Instead, the headline act was supposed to be a carefully pre-cooked pledge from European allies: more defence spending, more kit, more readiness. Trump demands 5 per cent of GDP. Rutte's trying to sell a compromise – 3.5 per cent for core defence, another 1.5 per cent for 'infrastructure' and cybersecurity.
