The Australian federal government has announced plans to cut student loans by 20% if Labor wins the election next year, while thousands of union members are preparing to march on Queensland parliament against a decision to cancel safety rules. The headline consumer price index rose to 2.1%, and electricity prices were down 35.6% from October last year due to government rebates.
Australia Politics Live Updates
November 27, 2024
Key Developments:
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The federal government’s announcement to cut all student loans by 20% will only go ahead if Labor wins the election next year.
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Thousands of CFMEU and Electrical Trades Union members are preparing to march on Queensland parliament, rallying against a decision by the Liberal National party government’s decision to cancel union safety rules.
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The prime minister has killed off any deal with the Greens over the government’s Nature Positive legislation to establish a national environmental protection authority.
Education:
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Legislation passed overnight ensures public schools will not have their funding go backwards and allows Labor to make good on its offer to increase its funding share to 22.5% from next year.
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The education minister, Jason Clare, confirmed the ATO would automatically apply changes to 2023 and 2024 debts for everyone with a student loan “as soon as possible”.
Economy:
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Australia’s headline consumer price index rose to 2.1% last month, the ABS has just reported.
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Electricity prices were down 35.6% from October last year, thanks to big government rebates.
Other Developments:
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has also issued a statement after attempting to refer Fatima Payman for an investigation over an alleged section 44 citizenship issue in the senate today.
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Rogue taxi drivers in New South Wales who don’t use their meter, overcharge or refuse short trips will soon be banished from the industry if convicted twice.
Exams Impacted by Victorian “Cheat Sheet” Bungle
56 exams have been impacted by the “inadvertent publication of examination material on exam cover sheets” in Victoria. These include:
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English and English as an additional language – which are mandatory for VCE students
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Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority interim chief executive, Marcia Devlin, has stated that the material contained in the cover sheets would not have affected the student’s responses.
Public School Funding
The Greens have questioned why Labor has kept the legislated commonwealth share of public school funding at 20%. This is despite the education minister, Jason Clare, stating that the Liberal party “ripped the guts out of public school funding”.
Electricity Prices Down 35.6% from October Last Year
Electricity prices are down 35.6% from October last year, according to the ABS. This is due to big government rebates.
Headline Consumer Price Index Rises to 2.1%
The headline consumer price index has risen to 2.1% last month, with economists tipping it will increase to 2.3% from September’s 2.1%.
Queensland Parliament Protest
Thousands of CFMEU and Electrical Trades Union members are preparing to march on Queensland parliament against a decision by the Liberal National party government to cancel union safety rules.
Nature Positive Legislation Still Listed in Senate
Tanya Plibersek’s Nature Positive legislation is still listed in the Senate and can be supported by any senator at any time.
