Federal poll aggregates: Newspoll and Freshwater Strategy (open thread)

Two pollsters break down their recent federal polling by state, and in Newspoll’s case much else besides.

We can expect a lull in polling this week ahead of the budget, followed by an avalanche next week in its wake – which, according to Simon Benson of The Australian, is “expected” to follow upon an announcement by the Prime Minister next weekend of an election for either May 3 or May 10. In the absence of new federal voting intention results, two pollsters have produced detailed breakdowns of their recent polling aggregated from the start of the year, one being the especially extensive quarterly Newspoll aggregation in The Australian, the other encompassing results for the four largest states from Freshwater Strategy in the Financial Review.

Newspoll has two-party results of 50-50 from New South Wales, unchanged from the previous quarterly aggregate, suggesting a Coalition swing of around 1.5% compared with the 2022 election result; 51-49 to Labor in Victoria, compared with 50-50 last quarter, a swing of around 4%; 57-43 to the Coalition in Queensland, a substantial move from the 53-47 result last quarter, a Coalition swing of around 3%; 54-46 to Labor in Western Australia, unchanged on last quarter for a swing of around 1%; and 50-50 in South Australia, after Labor led 53-47 last quarter, suggesting a Coalition swing of 4%. This combines results of three polls from a national sample of 3757, ranging from 271 for South Australia to 1149 for New South Wales. Also featured is an array of demographic detail that you can access by sifting through the BludgerTrack poll data feature, together with reams of further polling detail since the 2022 election.

Only primary votes were provided from Freshwater Strategy, but the results imply a Coalition lead of around 52-48 in New South Wales, a Labor lead of around 51-49 in Victoria, a Coalition lead of 54-46 in Queensland and a Labor lead of 56-44 in Western Australia. This combines three monthly poll results from a national sample of 3152, ranging from 318 for Western Australia to 947 for New South Wales.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

456 comments on “Federal poll aggregates: Newspoll and Freshwater Strategy (open thread)”

Comments Page 1 of 10
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  1. Carney has officially gone to the GG and called a snap election. Canadians will go to the polls on 28 April. Carney, currently seatless in the parliament, will run in the Ottawa riding of Nepean.

    The timing of the snap poll, of course, is partly motivated by Carney wanting to strike while the iron’s hot, not run the country outside of parliament for too long, and still come across as a genuine fresh change in leadership and not stick around long enough to appear to be just a new coat of paint for an old government.

    However, the primary motivation is likely to avoid a No Confidence motion in the House of Commons, when it resumes. While such a motion, if successful, would have necessitated an election anyway, calling a snap poll ahead of any such vote at least allows the PM to be in control of it and it doesn’t look as much like he was forced into it by the Opposition.

    I still think it will be a Conservative win but a much more modest one than that which was projected late 2024 and the Liberal Party will have enough saved furniture to still be the main opposition party. However, that could change after 5 weeks (in either direction.)

  3. Back to the comments about Lyons in the last thread. Bec White was heading towards a loss a few months back, with the national polls narrowing she may squeak across the line. I reckon a few hundred votes either way.

    I’ll read that Australian article later where the Lib candidate says she doenst know whybshe joined the party. My sense us she’s playing a local game, the state Libs are so bad. She does have a bigger billboard presence along the highway. Bec White is using corflutes, which looks pretty lame. Money might be an issue as she ran a state election campaign only last year and probably emptied the coffers.

  5. Starting to see articles like this one offering advice to people travelling to the US in the wake of the numerous reports of travellers, including US citizens being detained or denied entry to America. Just incredible.

    What rights do I have?
    That depends on your immigration status. U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry to the country. Lawful permanent residents cannot be deported or have their green cards revoked without a hearing before an immigration judge.

    Foreign nationals and visa holders must be admitted by Customs and Border Protection officials, who determine admissibility and can deny entry on their judgment.

    What precautions should I take before traveling?
    Zafar recommends that travelers, especially noncitizens, keep the phone number of an immigration attorney or another emergency contact on hand if they are detained at the border and need legal advice.

    Travelers should also consider the data on their personal electronic devices, which can be subject to search, said Esha Bhandari, the deputy director of the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/03/21/travelers-entering-united-states-rights/

  8. U.S. immigration authorities are detaining European travelers, weighing on tourism

    Data from Tourism Economics, a branch of investment advisory firm Oxford Economics, is forecasting a 15% drop in the number of visits from Canada in 2025.

    International travel from all foreign countries to the U.S. is expected to drop by just over 5%, according to the report. Factoring in diminished spending by Americans traveling domestically this year, overall travel spending in the U.S. could drop up to $64 billion in 2025, according to Tourism Economics.

    “The negative effects of an expanded trade war scenario will reach U.S. hotel room demand in 2025,” Tourism Economics said in the report. “Domestic travel will be negatively affected by slower income growth and higher prices while international travel to the U.S. will be hit by a trifecta of slower economies, a stronger dollar and antipathy toward the U.S.”

    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-immigration-detaining-european-tourists-borders/

  10. SCARY!!!!

    NYT.

    After the wrestling was over, Mr. Trump began to make his way out, walking slowly and waving to the crowd as it roared for him. Mr. Musk bobbed a half-step behind.

    Just before he reached the exit, Mr. Trump stopped for one last moment to shake the hand of a young fellow with a front-row seat. A minute later, Mr. Musk stopped to shake his hand, too.

    What we have here is to social misfits with massive insecurity complexes…. their mothers didn’t love them

  11. So, the Maugean Skate is so important to the environment movement that they will stop their advertisements criticising Peter Dutton’s undeveloped nuclear energy plans (which are really just a ruse for stopping the transition to a renewable energy ), and focus solely on attacking Labor.

    And how many people gave money to these organisation for their campaigns to fight the Coalition’s plans to drag us back to a completely fossil fuel economy? I have had many requests in my inbox.

    Are the donors who gave to fund ant-nuclear ads happy at what has happened?

    I will be asking questions as a donor to one or two environmental groups.

    Australia’s leading environment organisations have abruptly suspended advertising campaigns attacking the Coalition’s plan to introduce nuclear power and are instead funding ads accusing Anthony Albanese of signing “the death warrant” of an endangered species.

    The shift from criticising the Coalition to Labor on the cusp of an election campaign was agreed by the bosses of green groups – including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace, the WWF Australia and the Climate Council – at what campaigners described as an emergency meeting on Saturday.
    ………….
    The campaign is notable in part because most environmental organisations would strongly prefer that Labor returns to government, whether in minority or majority, to a Peter Dutton-led Coalition taking power. Many of the anti-nuclear ads have also been strongly supportive of Labor’s renewable energy policies.
    ……….
    [Conservation} group leaders told the government the suspension of their anti-nuclear advertising was “open-ended”. Some were reconsidering where they would dedicate resources during the campaign.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/apoplectic-environment-groups-halt-coalition-attack-ads-to-take-aim-at-albanese-over-species-death-warrant

  12. The number of Tesla owners trading in their cars surged to a record high in March, compounding the troubles of an automaker that has been embroiled in controversy since CEO Elon Musk became a central figure of President Donald Trump’s administration.

    Of all vehicles traded in at dealerships for new or used cars through March 16, 1.4 percent were Tesla cars from model year 2017 or newer — the highest share on record, according to data from U.S. car shopping website Edmunds, which analyzed purchases at traditional dealerships (but not direct-to-consumer brands). The data shows a steady increase: Last March, 0.4 percent of all vehicles traded in were Teslas. The figure rose to 0.8 percent in January and 1.2 percent in February.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/21/tesla-trade-ins-elon-musk/

  14. It’s like I said yesterday. The Greens are happy to switch out salmon farming for nuclear reactors in these places. Madness.

  15. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/23/the-guardian-view-on-chinas-ev-breakthrough-helped-by-the-kind-of-strategic-state-elon-musk-despises

    Quote..
    Tesla’s boss, Elon Musk, once thought the idea that China’s BYD could compete with his company was laughable. In 2011, he smugly dismissed the Chinese carmaker as unimpressive, its products unattractive and its technology “not very strong”. He’s not laughing now –

    Musk will resign from Tesla so he can concentration his latest grift..

  16. Jim Chalmers has accepted Australia is on track for years of deficits and “it remains to be seen” when the budget will return to surplus, as economists urge Labor and the Coalition to end the pre-election spendathon, tackle debt and improve productivity.
    The Treasurer’s refusal to outline a timeline for the next surplus comes as Finance Minister Katy Gallagher declared the government would deliver $2.1bn in “savings and reprioritisations” in Tuesday’s federal budget, including lowering spending on consultants by $720m.
    Senator Gallagher said the government had made $95bn of “savings and reprioritisations” since the 2022 election, as Labor trumpets its record on fiscal discipline despite overseeing ballooning commonwealth spending that has the nation on track for at least a decade of deficits.
    The Australian understands the tax to GDP ratio will decline from 23.4 per cent forecast in December’s mid-year budget update to 23.1 per cent, blunting the ­Coalition’s claim a 23.9 per cent tax to GDP cap was needed to ­restore fiscal discipline.
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/budget-2025-into-red-zone-and-no-way-out-as-labor-accepts-years-of-deficits/news-story/26fa727f9f85116e7bda4c8e18ae0291?amp

  17. Jaeger says:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:23 am
    Useless.

    ‘Apoplectic’ environment groups halt Coalition attack ads to take aim at Albanese over species’ ‘death warrant’

    “Exclusive: Australia’s top green organisations suspend anti-nuclear power ads to fund campaign against Labor’s move to protect salmon industry”

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/apoplectic-environment-groups-halt-coalition-attack-ads-to-take-aim-at-albanese-over-species-death-warrant

    ________

    Jill Stein, come on down!

  18. 11 Mar 2025The average price of a pre-owned Tesla is now $30,000, nearly $10,000 less than a non-Tesla EV. Tesla owners selling up amid backlash against Elon Musk should be prepared to take a big loss.

    Tesla used car prices are falling at three times the rate of the rest of the used car market, which is also going down.
    When new sales and used sales are not going well, it’s a giant red flag.

    Yet Tesla shares are up 5.7% on Friday … as I said last week there is a total disconnect between the S&P500 & reality.. massive crash building.. may it happen soon

  20. This editorial pap could just as well have been written by the Chicommies propagandists.

    1. It grossly understates the subsidies made by the Chinese Government to the EV, battery and panels industries. Combined, these now total over $300 billion.

    2. BYD’s official debt is over $80 billion. It sells each car at a loss. The official debt is almost certainly being papered over with… BYD company paper. This paper can be subdivided and onsold by everyone in BYD’s supply chain and is essentially an unofficial currency. Where has this been used before? BYD is using the Evergrande model of issuing commercial paper – possibly at rates so large that the state will have to ride in to the rescue to stop a company that is too big to fail from failing.

    3. There is a long history of the Chicommies ‘saying’ something and it turning out not to be true after all.

    4. The Chicommies overnight destroyed all domestic ICE v EV competition by using internal tax arrangements.

    5. There is no systemic current fix for the huge level of charges TO the chargers that would enable practical use of the charging rates being claimed but not yet validated by a third party.

    6. China’s model of supercharging industrial production, erecting tariff walls and foreign dumping has gained it industrial global dominance. Because ROI is deemed not, somehow, to ‘matter’, it has also gained China a 300% debt to GDP ratio. Finally, China is gaining debt at the rate of a trillion US a MONTH.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/23/the-guardian-view-on-chinas-ev-breakthrough-helped-by-the-kind-of-strategic-state-elon-musk-despises

  21. typical that the Labor stans don’t actually even attempt to make any defence of the ALP or it’s environmental record, such as it is under Albo, just the same tired argument that any criticism of the government is helping Peter Dutton.

    If all you’re selling is “we’re not as bad as the other guy” then perhaps your product ain’t all that good?

    For environmental groups I think it makes perfect sense. Peter dutton’s nuclear ‘policy’ will never happen, Matt Canavan let that cat right out of the bag, however the Salmon industry is causing real environmental degredation right now due to shoddy practices and inappropriate locations. There are beaches on the east coast that were closed due to being covered in unsafe dead and rotting fatty salmon chunks loaded with antibiotics and god knows what, and the risk of complete marine ecosystem collapse in Macquarie Harbour is very real. Its an industry that’s completely foreign owned, employs relatively few people, pays no tax and is very actively destroying the environment in which it operates, and yet albo is in all likelihood going to pass special legislation (with the support of the coalition, naturally), to by pass our environmental laws (which were written by John Howard, FFS) just for a couple of vites in a seat he won’t win anyway

    so sure, a Dutton government would be worse, but this government is still absolutely shithouse and deserves to be attacked

  22. (from election based on Newspoll )

    NSW swing: 2%
    Vic Swing: 4%
    QLD swing: 3%
    WA swing: 1%
    SA swing: 4%

    Seats that will change based on that (ignoring third parties)

    NSW:
    Bennelong, Gilmore, (possibly Robertson, Paterson)

    Vic:
    Aston, Chisholm, McEwen,

    Qld:
    None

    Wa:
    None

    Sa:
    Boothby

    I would also think Lyons would change

    9 seats to swing.

  23. Jeez the language these Trump folk use.

    But Washington’s decision to send migrants from around the world to Central America has also raised legal questions, tested governments seemingly unprepared to receive migrants and left people marooned in nations where they have no support networks or long-term legal status.

    Most of the migrants in Panama said that when they arrived in the United States they told officials they were fearful of returning to their countries, but were never given an opportunity to formally ask for asylum.

    A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, said in an email that the migrants had been “properly removed” from the United States. She added that “not a single one of these aliens asserted fear of returning to their home country at any point during processing or custody.”

    “The U.S. government coordinated for the welfare of these aliens to also be managed by humanitarian groups in Panama,” she said.

    Since taking office, Mr. Trump has sent hundreds of migrants from around the world to Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador, though it is unclear if the U.S. government plans to continue doing so.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/world/americas/migrants-panama-trump-stranded.html

  24. World News & Politics Patrol:

    New Canadian prime minister Mark Carney calls snap election: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-election-prime-minister-carney-b2720146.html

    ‘Let’s just put things on pause’: Alberta premier under fire for Breitbart interview: https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/lets-just-put-things-on-pause-alberta-premier-under-fire-for-breitbart-interview/

    Starmer says he faced pressure from US to criticize Zelensky after Oval Office clash with Trump: https://kyivindependent.com/starmer-says-he-faced-pressure-from-us-to-criticize-zelenksy-after-oval-office-clash-nyt-reports/

    Turkey jails Istanbul mayor before trial, stoking opposition anger: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkish-prosecutors-demand-istanbul-mayor-imamoglu-be-jailed-pending-trial-2025-03-23/

    Musk’s X suspends opposition accounts in Turkey amid civil unrest: https://www.politico.eu/article/musks-x-suspends-opposition-accounts-turkey-protest-civil-unrest-erdogan-imamoglu-istanbul-mayor/

    ‘They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums,’ — Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putin’s claims in Ukraine: https://kyivindependent.com/i-dont-regard-putin-as-a-bad-guy-witkoff-says-on-negotiations-with-russia/

    Germany is unlocking billions to supercharge its military at a seismic moment for Europe: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/23/europe/germany-military-investment-intl/index.html

    Schools to give boys anti-misogyny lessons to stop toxic masculinity in wake of Netflix hit Adolescence: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14527891/Schools-boys-anti-misogyny-lessons-stop-toxic-masculinity-Netflix-Adolescence.html

    Rachel Reeves to cut 10,000 civil service jobs in effort to lower government costs: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/23/rachel-reeves-promises-economy-and-living-standards-will-improve

    Schumer Refuses to Step Down Despite Criticism: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/schumer-refuses-step-down-1235301630/

    Pelosi Privately Urged Hakeem Jeffries to ‘Use Your Power’: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/pelosi-hakeem-jeffries-use-your-power-1235301655/

    McMahon Won’t Rule Out RFK Jr. Taking Over School Vaccines: https://www.thedailybeast.com/education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-wont-rule-out-rfk-jr-taking-over-school-vaccines/

    Walz reemerges as Democratic fighter with shots at Musk: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5208305-gov-tim-walz-rehabilitation-tour/

    Social Security is on a path to privatization, experts warn, led by Musk’s ‘DOGE’: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/social-security-is-on-the-path-to-privatization-experts-warn-led-by-musks-doge-81b934cc

    Attorney General Pam Bondi says Supreme Court could get involved in Alien Enemies Act case: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/attorney-general-supreme-court-involved-alien-enemies-act-case-rcna197682

    How JB Pritzker uses the Holocaust to position himself as the (Jewish) face of Trump resistance: https://forward.com/news/705526/jb-pritzker-trump-holocaust/

    Couple sentenced to hundreds of years in prison for forcing adopted Black children to work as ‘slaves’: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/couple-sentenced-hundreds-years-forcing-black-children-work-slaves-rcna197533

    IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts at agency: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/irs-doge-cuts-tax-filing-b2719911.html

  26. Pageboi says:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:04 am
    typical that the Labor stans don’t actually even attempt to make any defence of the ALP or it’s environmental record, such as it is under Albo, just the same tired argument that any criticism of the government is helping Peter Dutton.

    If all you’re selling is “we’re not as bad as the other guy” then perhaps your product ain’t all that good?

    For environmental groups I think it makes perfect sense. Peter dutton’s nuclear ‘policy’ will never happen, Matt Canavan let that cat right out of the bag, however the Salmon industry is causing real environmental degredation right now due to shoddy practices and inappropriate locations. There are beaches on the east coast that were closed due to being covered in unsafe dead and rotting fatty salmon chunks loaded with antibiotics and god knows what, and the risk of complete marine ecosystem collapse in Macquarie Harbour is very real. Its an industry that’s completely foreign owned, employs relatively few people, pays no tax and is very actively destroying the environment in which it operates, and yet albo is in all likelihood going to pass special legislation (with the support of the coalition, naturally), to by pass our environmental laws (which were written by John Howard, FFS) just for a couple of vites in a seat he won’t win anyway

    so sure, a Dutton government would be worse, but this government is still absolutely shithouse and deserves to be attacked

    __________

    Strong justification to shift from attacking the Coalition to Labor. Be careful what you wish for…

  27. I vote that every time Tasmania shuts down an industry on “environmental” grounds” its GST allocation should be cut by a certain number of percentage points.

    Lazy welfare state doing nothing to deserve the generosity of the mainland.

  28. The Liberal Candidate in Lyons allowed the veil to slip, probably inexperience, I wouldn’t say she’s such as political genius that she’s trying to collect the same lightning in a bottle Birget Archer has captured in the seat right next door.

    “But you’re running for a party that the last time it was in government the majority of Australia’s economic growth flowed to the top 10 per cent of income earners. Why?” Ms Bowers was asked.
    “I don’t have an answer for that. I don’t know,” she said.     (Feb Australian)

  30. Mostly Interested says:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:12 am
    The Liberal Candidate in Lyons allowed the veil to slip, probably inexperience, I wouldn’t say she’s such as political genius that she’s trying to collect the same lightning in a bottle Birget Archer has captured in the seat right next door.

    “But you’re running for a party that the last time it was in government the majority of Australia’s economic growth flowed to the top 10 per cent of income earners. Why?” Ms Bowers was asked.
    “I don’t have an answer for that. I don’t know,” she said. (Feb Australian)

    __________

    Echoes of Mal Meninga when asked “Why should people vote for you?” But no carry through 🙂

  31. Here’s a Tesla story that will please some.
    I have connected 3 banks of solar panels to a Tesla powerwall. When installed one of the bank’s switches failed – a small but vital part. No worries Tesla will send up a replacement during the week. That was 29th January. Six weeks later the part is still in transit. This has significantly reduced my belief that Tesla is a serious organisation.
    (I am not that unhappy – I have not paid for the powerwall and last month my power bill went from the usual >$200 to a $30 credit.)

  32. Jaegersays:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:23 am
    Useless.

    ‘Apoplectic’ environment groups halt Coalition attack ads to take aim at Albanese over species’ ‘death warrant’

    Exclusive: Australia’s top green organisations suspend anti-nuclear power ads to fund campaign against Labor’s move to protect salmon industry

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/apoplectic-environment-groups-halt-coalition-attack-ads-to-take-aim-at-albanese-over-species-death-warrant

    Because the environmentalists of the 70s are not the environmentalists of the 20s.

    I recall as a kid seeing images on the TV about protesters in the UK outside of nuclear power plants. They understood the grave dangers of nuclear power when it went wrong. Single species protestors disregard all else in their crusades to stop renewable energy developments and other industries.

  33. Catprogsays:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:15 am
    @Bizzcan

    Would that also apply to other states as well? Such as states that restrict offshore wind?

    ____________

    Pretty much, thought the states I’m aware going slow on wind is Tasmania (via Bob Brown). I’m a renewables maximalist and every square inch of good wind coast should be tapped into.

  34. Good Morning! Here is your Daily News and Views Roundup.

    How Anthony Albanese is taking a leaf from Scott Morrison’s playbook
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-anthony-albanese-is-taking-a-leaf-from-scott-morrison-s-playbook-20250323-p5llsd.html

    Sean Kelly observes that after mounting a small but steady comeback in recent polling, Labor ever more strongly gives the impression of playing defence: maintaining a winning position rather than risking it by trying something new. This week’s budget looks set to confirm that impression. If Tuesday night surprises on the bold side, then Labor is more worried than we think.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-budget-will-reveal-labor-s-level-of-confidence-dutton-s-already-shown-us-his-20250323-p5llr4.html

    The federal budget is on the cusp of being delivered — and the government is holding the talking stick just when it needs it most. By Patricia Karvelas
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-24/dutton-budget-reply-a-career-and-election-defining-test/105085850

    Why where you work is the new political battleground. The debate over work from home is rapidly becoming a war over the lived experience of hundreds of thousands of Australians. By Shane Wright
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-where-you-work-is-the-new-political-battleground-20250323-p5llqz.html

    Dutton blames renewables for rising power prices, but bills would be much higher without them
    By Sophie Vorrath
    https://johnmenadue.com/dutton-blames-renewables-for-rising-power-prices-but-bills-would-be-much-higher-without-them/

    PM vows to help people work from home to ease cost of living. By David Crowe
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/amid-cost-of-living-crisis-pm-seizes-on-working-from-home-as-a-money-saver-20250323-p5llr9.html

    Labor will assure voters it is easing the tax burden to the lowest level since the pandemic despite a Coalition attack on the scale of federal spending, with this week’s federal budget showing taxation has fallen to 23.1 per cent of the economy.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/budget-to-reveal-tax-burden-at-its-lowest-since-pandemic-20250323-p5llsc.html

    Finance minister reveals a further $2bn in savings in Tuesday’s federal budget. Latest round of ‘reprioritised’ spending includes $720m from cuts on consultants, contractors and labour hire as Labor tries to rebuild public service
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/24/finance-minister-reveals-a-further-2bn-in-savings-before-labors-next-federal-budget

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers says his fourth budget in three years will be all about “repair, relief and reform” – but it will also be all about the government’s re-election chances. By Shane Wright
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/what-we-know-about-the-budget-so-far-20250321-p5lldu.html

    Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down the Albanese government’s fourth budget tomorrow night. And while this will inevitably involve a lot of political talk, it will also either directly or indirectly affect your finances. Here’s what to expect and what it could mean for you.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-24/when-is-federal-budget-2025-why-does-it-matter/105081304

    5 things to look for in the budget – and why we really need another budget soon. By Michelle Grattan
    https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-5-things-to-look-for-in-the-budget-and-why-we-really-need-another-budget-soon-252513

    This week’s federal budget will focus on cost-of-living measures – and a more uncertain global economy
    https://theconversation.com/this-weeks-federal-budget-will-focus-on-cost-of-living-measures-and-a-more-uncertain-global-economy-252515

    What a $5,000 ticket will and won’t get you at one of Canberra’s budget night fundraising soirees
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/24/what-a-5000-ticket-will-and-wont-get-you-at-one-of-canberras-budget-night-fundraising-soirees

    Jim Chalmers says Coalition hints at aggressive NDIS cuts will ‘send a shiver up the spine’ of recipients
    Treasurer seizes on shadow finance minister’s comments on ‘out of control’ disability insurance scheme
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/23/jim-chalmers-says-coalition-hints-at-aggressive-ndis-cuts-will-send-a-shiver-up-the-spine-of-recipients

    Trump’s attacks on freedom of speech are a threat to us all – and not the product of a ‘big thinker’
    Zoe Daniel
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/22/trumps-attacks-on-freedom-of-speech-are-a-threat-to-us-all-and-not-the-product-of-a-big-thinker

    POEM: The Incontinence of Donald Trump
    https://independentaustralia.net/life/art-display/poem-the-incontinence-of-donald-trump,19539

    Can any self-respecting journalist or political commentator inform me and many Australians as to why they continue to bolster the Australia/United States togetherness as though it is the same relationship of years past? The United States is not a friend – it is increasingly becoming a pariah state, joining its very best friend, Israel.
    https://johnmenadue.com/where-are-the-honest-and-critical-reports/

    Zionism, anti-Zionism, and the role of psychological coping strategies. By Pam Stavropoulos
    https://johnmenadue.com/zionism-anti-zionism-and-the-role-of-psychological-coping-strategies/

    This is a time when clear political vision and decisive leadership is called for, when the stakes for tomorrow’s federal budget and the coming election couldn’t be higher. Not that you would know it from the grubby squabbles that pass for national debate these days. By Alan Kohler
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-24/democracy-climate-change-ai-robotics-war/105085846

    It’s official – supermarkets are overcharging. Quick, change the subject. By Ross Gittins
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/it-s-official-supermarkets-are-overcharging-quick-change-the-subject-20250323-p5llqy.html

    Australia’s top green organisations suspend anti-nuclear power ads to fund campaign against Labor’s move to protect salmon industry
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/apoplectic-environment-groups-halt-coalition-attack-ads-to-take-aim-at-albanese-over-species-death-warrant

    Health Minister Mark Butler concedes it’s taking too long for Australians to get new medicines, while US pharmaceutical giants complain to the Trump administration about lengthy delays, risking retaliatory action.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-valid-point-about-australian-medicines-that-pharma-giants-made-to-trump-20250321-p5llik.html

    Why cut thousands of public service jobs? Who came up with the idea?
    By business reporter Gareth Hutchens
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-23/why-should-we-cut-thousands-of-public-service-jobs/105084480

    Peter Dutton’s taxpayer-funded flight to ‘long lunch’ on Noosa River was investigated by expenses watchdog.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/23/peter-dutton-noosa-river-long-lunch-investigated-expenses-watchdog-ntwnfb

    Ready to rumble but halted at the brink, insiders fret as election vibe shifts on Peter Dutton.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-23/peter-dutton-coalition-policy-delayed-election-momentum/105078014

    The US-Australia alliance has created a unique kind of subservience. What if we don’t need the US to come to our rescue? In this adapted extract from What’s the Big Idea?, historian Dr Emma Shortis says we need to rethink the US-Australia alliance as one based on democratic solidarity, not fear
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/23/the-us-australia-alliance-has-created-a-unique-kind-of-subservience-what-if-we-dont-need-the-us-to-come-to-our-rescue

    Hi-tech upgrade for Australia’s Bushmaster vehicles to counter growing drone threat.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-23/bushmasters-upgrade-to-counter-growing-drone-threat/105086328

    Should Australia increase its defence spending? We asked 5 experts
    https://theconversation.com/should-australia-increase-its-defence-spending-we-asked-5-experts-252374

    Motorists who regularly endure a NSW choke-point on an arterial route to Sydney’s northern beaches in peak periods are finally set for relief after the Albanese government vowed to inject $250 million into widening a western section of Mona Vale Road.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/choke-point-on-key-road-to-sydney-s-northern-beaches-finally-set-for-fix-20250322-p5llmt.html

    WA firearm owners concerned about new gun laws amid ‘poor’ communication.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-23/gun-owners-concerned-ahead-of-new-gun-laws-wa/105071396

    Adelaide Hills water crisis: a local problem is a global wake-up call
    https://theconversation.com/adelaide-hills-water-crisis-a-local-problem-is-a-global-wake-up-call-251265

    Child protection recommendation not guaranteed by SA government despite baby death inquest
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-24/baby-death-inquest-child-protection-recommendations-response/105041538

    Victoria’s premier has defended her government’s costing of the first stage of the state’s mammoth Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project in the face of scrutiny from the federal government and Australia’s peak infrastructure body. Jacinta Allan said on Sunday she was expecting the first stage of the project to remain within the existing budget.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-23/premier-defends-suburban-rail-loop-east-amid-federal-scrutiny/105085676

    As trust in the US collapses, leaders in Australia and around the world are frantically recalibrating.
    It will be a test to see which countries are the nimblest when it comes to responding to changing economic paradigms. By Julianne Schultz
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/23/as-trust-in-the-us-collapses-leaders-in-australia-and-around-the-world-are-frantically-recalibrating

    Twitter promotes Nazi groups so it’s time to say goodbye. By Tom Tanuki
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/twitter-promotes-nazi-groups-so-its-time-to-say-goodbye,19552

    An interview by Peter FitzSimons with national treasure, Greg Combet.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/greg-combet-julia-gillard-sounded-me-out-on-the-leadership-i-made-the-right-call-20250320-p5ll7z.html

    Turkey lurches toward outright autocracy as Erdoğan’s main rival is jailed. Popular opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu calls for mass protests as he is thrown in jail and booted out as Istanbul mayor.
    https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-jailed-tayyip-erdogan-mayor-immamoglu-jail-crackdown-nato-democracy/

    Musk’s X suspends opposition accounts in Turkey amid civil unrest. Suspensions affect accounts spreading information about the widespread demonstrations. Elon is evil.
    https://www.politico.eu/article/musks-x-suspends-opposition-accounts-turkey-protest-civil-unrest-erdogan-imamoglu-istanbul-mayor/

    The pervasive fear and anger that have been rippling through federal agencies over Elon Musk’s slashing approach to shrinking government deepened even further on Friday over the billionaire tech mogul’s threat to root out and punish anyone who is leaking to the media.
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/21/musk-leakers-government-trump-doge-00243208

    Attorney general to Jasmine Crockett: ‘Tread very carefully’ with your Musk critique. Ahead of expected protests at Tesla locations, the Democratic representative said her calls to action against Musk were nonviolent. Pam Bondi is evil too.
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/23/bondi-jasmine-crockett-musk-tesla-protests-00244256

    Cartoon Time!

    Alan Moir

    Joe Benke

    Marija Ercegovac
    https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.739%2C$multiply_1.1032%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_86%2Cf_auto/2d666ec557739940b114838c1850f17cbdc652cdac25435d05094e329c70c3d1

    Badiucao

    Ella Baron on Adolescence and the dangers social media pose to teenage boys

    Tom Gauld on abandonment issues

    Simone Lia: Your voice

    Edith Pritchett

    First Dog On the Moon

    From the Internet

    Enjoy!

  36. how fortunate for us that we have preferential voting and it’s not a binary choice between full of shit or shit lite. there’s a whole constellation of not shit candidates who aren’t beholden to vested interests you can give your first preference to:

    https://linktr.ee/notshitcandidates

    this is going to be one nasty, nasty election because all each side has is attacking the other guy. The coalition is a policy free zone full of grievance politics, and The ALP will run on not being nazis, tinkering around the edges and otherwise defending and increasingly indefensible system. Neither deserve your first preference

  37. ”
    Jaegersays:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:23 am
    Useless.

    ‘Apoplectic’ environment groups halt Coalition attack ads to take aim at Albanese over species’ ‘death warrant’

    Exclusive: Australia’s top green organisations suspend anti-nuclear power ads to fund campaign against Labor’s move to protect salmon industry

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/apoplectic-environment-groups-halt-coalition-attack-ads-to-take-aim-at-albanese-over-species-death-warrant
    ”

    After getting signal from Bob Brown, the conservation groups are doing another version of “Stop Adani convoy” just before another close election. Idiots.
    CONSERVATION GROUPS
    LISTEN. YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS WILL BE SHOTS TO PIECES IF LNP GETS ELECTED. HAVEN’T YOU LEARNED ANYTHING FROM TRUMP 2.0 ELECTION.
    Haven’t you seen what happened when Morrison government was elected in 2029 after your ‘Stop Adani convoy ‘ stunt lead by Bob Brown?

  38. “After getting signal from Bob Brown, the conservation groups are doing another version of “Stop Adani convoy” just before another close election. Idiots.”

    Certainly has that smell about it

  39. Jacinta Allan said on Sunday she was expecting the first stage of the project to remain within the existing budget.
    _____________________
    With her track record you could double it. Maybe even triple it.

  40. Mostly Interested’s got it spot on. Environmentalists have gone from big issue protest groups to being unable to see the wood for the trees, to use a nature-based metaphor.

  42. This is an important point to remember, next time pied piper pipes up with his ridiculous talking point about the Budget Deficit likely to be announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers tomorrow night:

    While deficits add to debt, imposing costs on future generations, what matters is whether the debts can be paid. If the economy grows faster than the rate of debt, the situation is manageable. So we are likely to see a chart in Tuesday’s budget papers showing this, with debt gradually declining as a share of Gross Domestic Product over time.

    https://theconversation.com/this-weeks-federal-budget-will-focus-on-cost-of-living-measures-and-a-more-uncertain-global-economy-252515

  43. or maybe the environmental groups are, you know, trying to protect the environment? We have a government that is completely in the pockets of the gas cartel in particular and is expanding the fossil fuel industry against all evidence, is watching the destruction of an ecosystem in tasmania in real time to protect a foreign owned industry that pays no tax, and reneged on its own promise to improve our environmental laws because the mining lobby said so. Are those the trees we are failing to see because of the woods?

    it’s exactly that attitude why the ALPs primary is in the toilet and continues to fall. Maybe aim a little higher than ‘not the coalition’

  44. Pageboi says:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:59 am
    or maybe the environmental groups are, you know, trying to protect the environment? We have a government that is completely in the pockets of the gas cartel in particular and is expanding the fossil fuel industry against all evidence, is watching the destruction of an ecosystem in tasmania in real time to protect a foreign owned industry that pays no tax, and reneged on its own promise to improve our environmental laws because the mining lobby said so. Are those the trees we are failing to see because of the woods?

    it’s exactly that attitude why the ALPs primary is in the toilet and continues to fall. Maybe aim a little higher than ‘not the coalition’

    _________

    Seriously Pageboi, go for Labor. But why cancel the nuclear ads? Think about it. Que bono?

  45. Thanks forr the roundups Cat and HoldenHillbilly. Very comprehensive. The budget session will be critical and I am confident Chalmers will perform well. He has little to fear from Dutton or Taylor’s reply.

    With USA going missing and a need to refocus on Russia and Europe there are doubts whether the Royal Navy carrier group will deploy to the Pacific as planned.
    https://www.navylookout.com/is-the-royal-navy-indo-pacific-ready-or-should-the-carrier-strike-group-stay-closer-to-home/

  46. Pageboi’s claim that “maybe the environmental groups are, you know, trying to protect the environment” is laughable given the suspension of the campaign against the Coalition’s nuclear proposal (which is arguably harmful). Especially given that the average punter cares more about that than the Maugean skate.

  47. ”
    Vensays:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:41 am
    ”
    Jaegersays:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:23 am
    Useless.

    ‘Apoplectic’ environment groups halt Coalition attack ads to take aim at Albanese over species’ ‘death warrant’

    Exclusive: Australia’s top green organisations suspend anti-nuclear power ads to fund campaign against Labor’s move to protect salmon industry

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/24/apoplectic-environment-groups-halt-coalition-attack-ads-to-take-aim-at-albanese-over-species-death-warrant
    ”

    After getting signal from Bob Brown, the conservation groups are doing another version of “Stop Adani convoy” just before another close election. Idiots.
    CONSERVATION GROUPS
    LISTEN. YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS WILL BE SHOTS TO PIECES IF LNP GETS ELECTED. HAVEN’T YOU LEARNED ANYTHING FROM TRUMP 2.0 ELECTION.
    Haven’t you seen what happened when Morrison government was elected in 2029 after your ‘Stop Adani convoy ‘ stunt lead by Bob Brown?
    ”

    Oops! The year should be 2019 instead of 2029?
    Yesterday, meherbaba posted what a great guy Bob Brown is.

  48. Pageboisays:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:41 am
    how fortunate for us that we have preferential voting and it’s not a binary choice between full of shit or shit lite. there’s a whole constellation of not shit candidates who aren’t beholden to vested interests you can give your first preference to:

    https://linktr.ee/notshitcandidates

    this is going to be one nasty, nasty election because all each side has is attacking the other guy. The coalition is a policy free zone full of grievance politics, and The ALP will run on not being nazis, tinkering around the edges and otherwise defending and increasingly indefensible system. Neither deserve your first preference

    ______________________

    Nice, endorsing candidates that voted against making wage theft illegal, voted against reigning in super tax concessions and are campaigning to raise the GST to fund high income tax cuts.

    Talk about a shit sandwich.


  50. Lars Von Trier says:
    Monday, March 24, 2025 at 8:08 am

    Albo decrees Death to the Maugean Skate through suffocation by farmed salmon shit!

    I know for you guys facts don’t matter, but below is a link to the actual research.

    The big issues seems to be reduced fresh water inflow. Now I wonder could that be due to climate change. I know the Liberals don’t believe in that, must be an act of god.

    The shit coming out of the Greens and Liberals is unbelievable. Is this truly where the Liberal now reside. No policy, support for the Greens crazier behavior.

    https://www.publish.csiro.au/mf/pdf/MF24240

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