Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is prioritising housing and cost of living as he prepares for the upcoming election. With new legislation passed, he aims to address the challenges facing Australians, including rising housing costs and inflation.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shifted into election mode, aiming to regain voter trust that his government can address high living costs, particularly housing, after passing a flurry of legislation.
The 31 laws enacted during a midnight session on Thursday—including a world-first social media ban for children—have led to speculation that Albanese may call a national election before February. His centre-left Labor government, which assumed power in 2022, faces a tough race against the conservative Liberal-National coalition in an election that must take place by May 17.
Albanese’s public approval has dropped in opinion polls as households face the strain of soaring housing, energy, and food costs amid global inflation.
"We know that we have more work to do on cost of living, but we're making progress," Albanese said at a press conference on Friday. "We understand the pressure that people are under as a result of the global inflation surge." He added that the message to parents from the social media ban is: "We've got your back."
While Australian governments typically avoid election campaigns during the summer holiday from December to Jan. 26, Albanese has instructed lawmakers to begin soft campaigning.
His political standing is considered "perilous" after two years of high inflation and rising interest rates, which have increased mortgage costs, according to Mark Kenny, director of the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University. The central bank’s governor said on Thursday that core inflation is too high to allow for rate cuts in the near future, ruling out relief for borrowers at its next policy meeting in December.
"The government has been under extreme political pressure over the cost of living and the election will see no let-up on that," Kenny remarked. "However, Anthony Albanese ends the parliamentary year with several key wins on important pieces of legislation – most notably on social and affordable housing."
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
Indonesian police have arrested three Australian men in connection with a deadly shooting at a villa in Bali, which claimed the life of a fourth Australian and left another seriously injured, according to Bali police chief Daniel Adityajaya on Wednesday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to counter the "damaging" notion that democratic systems are failing, especially during a time of widespread global instability.
China's Foreign Ministry is pushing for a "more mature, stable and fruitful" partnership with Australia. While seeking stronger ties, Beijing offered no details on reports of PM Anthony Albanese visiting this summer.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 26th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a nearly $900 billion defence plan for 2026, keeping spending flat but shifting firepower toward cutting-edge missiles and drones in a bid to counter China and modernise America’s military edge.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
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