Live: Minister backs ABC as it questions use of Bluey in One Nation cartoons
Australia Post's chief executive Paul Graham has told an estimates hearing he received a $1.2 million executive bonus on top of his $1.64 million base salary.
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Greens leader proposes $21-a-week tax cut in vow to 'replace Labor'
By Tom Crowley
By Tom Crowley
The Greens have called for a $21-a-week tax cut for all taxpayers and a welfare boost, in the party's first major policy launch since its new leader vowed to "replace Labor".
David Shoebridge, whose first weeks in the role have been derailed by allegations against Greens senator Jordon-Steele John, will front the National Press Club on Wednesday to launch a tax policy to "turn the tide" on inequality.
The new proposal would raise the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to $26,000 for all personal income taxpayers, a tax cut of up to $1,092 a year or $21 a week.
It would also add the same amount to all income support payments, including the JobSeeker unemployment benefit, student and carer payments, and the Age Pension.
"No matter who you are, whether you're working, studying, looking for work or on a pension, you'll get more," he will say, according to an extract of a speech seen by the ABC.
The policy would cost the budget $22 billion each year, according to the independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO). Senator Shoebridge will propose the cost be offset by collecting "rivers of gold" from gas and mining companies.
You can read the full story at the link below.
US nuclear-powered submarine arrives in Australia
By Olivia Caisley
By Olivia Caisley
It's full steam ahead for AUKUS following the arrival of a US nuclear-powered attack submarine—USS Colorado—at HMAS Stirling yesterday for scheduled maintenance.
The visit serves as a trial run of sorts for the Submarine Rotational Force–West (SRF-West) plan.
What is that? Well, starting in late 2027, SRF-West will establish a permanent presence of up to five US and UK nuclear subs in Western Australia.
This will essentially boost the US and UK's military presence in the Indo-Pacific while giving Australian crews and technicians crucial hands-on experience with nuclear submarines before Australia acquires its own fleet in the 2030s.
Defence officials confirmed the Colorado will return as the inaugural vessel under that arrangement.
This week's maintenance work is basically an opportunity for Australian and allied technicians to show they're up to the task of servicing these high-tech submarines. But while Canberra points to the operation as proof of growing domestic capability, some sources I've spoken with remain concerned about Australia's ability to rapidly scale up local infrastructure and workforce numbers in time. It's a huge undertaking!
The Australian Submarine Agency chief Jonathan Mead, said in a statement: "This is the fourth maintenance period since 2024. Each visit sees a significant growth in the number of Australians supporting maintenance on visiting boats, from local industry to Navy divers. It is genuinely exciting to see how far we've come as a country in such a short time."
Key Event
Australia Post CEO reveals 'mind-blowing' bonus
By Lexie Jeuniewic
By Lexie Jeuniewic
Australia Post's chief executive Paul Graham has revealed he received a $1.2 million executive bonus on top of his $1.64 million base salary.
Fronting Senate estimates last night, Graham was asked by Liberal senator Sarah Henderson about his salary in relation to the company's performance results for the 2026 financial year, which included a pre-tax profit of $31.8 million.
An underlying loss of $107.6 million excluded profit from property sales of $139.4 million, according to the company.
The CEO told estimates "half" of his $1.2 million bonus was contingent on the company's "property strategy being executed".
"That's a mind-blowing amount of money," Henderson responded.
Graham will retire at the end of June 2027, and said the decision was made in consultation with his family.
"I'm 65 next month, I know I don't look it, and it's been a decision that has been coming for some time."
Good morning 👋
By Courtney Gould
By Courtney Gould
Hello friends. Welcome to our politics live blog. I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here to guide you through the day.
We've got another day of Senate estimates ahead of us, where officials from the Health Department, Treasury, and the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be questioned by senators.
The Reserve Bank is also listed to appear. They'll join estimates around the same time the Australian Bureau of Statistics drops its latest inflation data.
Focus in the chamber is expected to stick with the government's digital duty of care legislation. But don't be surprised if the Coalition continues to pile on the pressure on the PM and the $6 million Marrickville Golf Club grant.
There's a little bit happening this morning, so let's jump straight into it.
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