Palestine remains embroiled in the quagmire of politics and legitimacy
The Australian Labor Party’s (ALP) symbolic recognition of the State of Palestine last March attracted attention, and constituted a sharp distinction from the more common Australian political rhetoric that builds upon ‘shared values’ with Israel. Amid the cautious approval from Palestinians, and Israeli opposition to the change in the party’s policy, the implications of such a move still remain murky in terms of whether it will be adopted under a possible future Labor government and, if it is adopted, how far can Australia, along with other states that recognise Palestine, challenge the associated symbolism.
Labor Promises $10B for Social Housing in Budget Reply
Australian Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has promised a $10 billion (US$7.7 billion) housing fund to build 30,000 social and affordable housing as part of Labor’s response to the 2021 Budget.
In his Budget reply speech, Albanese said the Labor Party was committed to lifting wages, fixing age care, addressing the housing crisis, championing equality for women, and more.
“What a missed opportunity if our economy comes out the other side with nothing to show for this transformational moment but the biggest debt and deficit of all time,” Albanese said.
He attacked the Tuesday budget for merely showing “the sorry tale of 8 years of Liberal neglect” and presenting a trillion-dollar debt plan.
Michelle Grattan.
The Startup Year proposal, in Anthony Albanese’s Thursday night budget reply, would offer places for up to 2000 students. The scheme would run for a year, with the opportunity to scale up
Labor’s industry spokesman Ed Husic said the goal would be “to increase the number and scale of new high-growth firms that are creating economic growth, innovation, and good quality jobs for the future”.
Incubators and accelerators exist in a range of universities as well as in the private sector to help entrepreneurs with their startups. The students would be able to get mentoring on commercialisation, financing and business management.
Labor have done nothing to earn government’: Alan Jones13/05/2021|12min
The Australian Labor Party has “done nothing” to earn government, according to Sky News host Alan Jones.
“Nothing Labor has done or offered since the last election when Bill Shorten was beaten, nothing suggests Labor is worthy of being allowed to occupy the Treasury benches,” he said.
“You can cite polls and everything else.”
Mr Jones said Scott Morrison has a “massive mountain to climb” to win the election again given the Morrison government is “technically a minority government” and Albanese needs to win eight seats to form majority.
“If you forget the numbers – which can be intimidating – Labor have not done anywhere near enough to prosecute their entitlement to form government,” he said.