Independent senator David Pocock has declared that a housing correction "would be a good thing for our country," because apparently the idea of house prices growing at the rate they have over the past two decades isn't the pinnacle of national achievement. Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Pocock mused, "It’s kind of just become this normal thing that house prices go up at a rapid rate. I think we’ve got to ask the question - what is housing for?" He added that housing is "so fundamental to functioning as a human, to flourishing families, communities - we have to actually ensure that we can keep house prices in check over the next couple of decades while wages rise to get back to a point where housing is affordable in this country." Pocock also welcomed Labor's move to drop the so-called "widow tax" in its negative gearing reforms, which had threatened to strip tax concessions from widows and divorcees.
Meanwhile, shadow assistant minister Simon Kennedy has labelled an opt-out system for gambling ads "absolute madness," arguing that Australians should instead opt in if they want to see ads for betting. Kennedy, speaking to RN Breakfast, pointed out that under an opt-out model, people would have to actively block gambling ads across a dizzying array of platforms: "He’s going to have to opt out on Google for when he’s [making a] Google search. He’s going to have to opt out on Spotify, on the Guardian, on the Australian, on The Daily Telegraph … on Chat GPT, on Claude, on Gemini, on Spotify, on TikTok, on Snapchat." Kennedy, who admits to gambling himself, suggests an opt-in system where "if you want a punt, you can opt in and see the ads and see the odds." Because nothing says responsible gambling like making it easier to see the odds.
Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd has offered a scathing critique of Pauline Hanson's political style, describing it as the "easy business of politics." Rudd told ABC's 7.30 that while the "hard business of government" involves practical responses to national security, the economy, environmental sustainability, and housing affordability, Hanson has spent a quarter of a century as a "protest vector" laced with "the politics of race." Rudd asked, "What single answer does she have to any of the challenges I listed before? Zip is the answer to that." Strong words from a man who knows a thing or two about political comebacks.
Energy minister Chris Bowen is set to announce an expansion of the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) at the National Press Club today. The solar discount will now cover installations up to 1MW - that's 10 times the previous 100kW limit - which Bowen says will "slash the installation costs for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings by around 20%." This aims to address the "missing middle" in Australia's energy transition: while residential solar has boomed with 22GW installed as of last December, businesses have only installed 5.6GW despite consuming more electricity than households, according to a June analysis. Bowen will also ask the Australian Energy Market Commission to consider a rule change requiring network providers to approve commercial and industrial solar "much more expeditiously and efficiently than they have been doing." These moves follow a $100m federal investment through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation announced on Monday to support up to 16 hybrid solar, battery storage, and battery retrofit projects.
Pocock also expressed shock at testimony in the parliamentary inquiry into the gambling industry, noting that Australians are "the biggest losers, per capita, in the world." He blamed a "predatory industry" that normalises gambling and "absolutely milk[s] people for their money." He insisted gambling reform is not a "left versus right" issue but a matter of "vested interests and their stranglehold on the major parties. And particularly on the prime minister." Pocock sees this as a chance for the Senate, the Coalition, and the crossbench to tell the government to "actually protect young Australians."
In other news that will surely delight travellers, Jetstar is overhauling its carry-on baggage policy. From February 2027, the airline will scrap its 7kg carry-on weight limit and instead allow passengers to bring one underseat bag (like a backpack or handbag) for free. If you want to use the overhead lockers, you'll need to purchase "priority carry-on," which includes a second, larger bag and early boarding, with fees starting at $25 one-way on short flights and exceeding $52 for long-haul routes. Jetstar's CEO defended the move, saying it addresses passenger and crew frustration over overhead bin access and "provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need - travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need." Because nothing says choice like paying extra for the privilege of storing your bag above your head.