Tag Archives: oceania

Australia's wealthiest to be taxed more in bumper budget

2023-05-01 FreeNews

The persistently high cost of living will be top of the government's agenda when Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down the federal budget next Tuesday.

Faced with local and global factors that have seen grocery, fuel and housing costs soar, the pressure is on the Albanese government to deliver reform that will have a meaningful impact on the wallets of ordinary Australians.

Flush with surging tax revenue from the cost of iron ore, coal and gas, here's what we expect to see in the federal budget on May 9.

Australia's wealthiest to be taxed more

Wealthy Australians could be forced to pay more tax if the May budget removes a number of tax discounts that traditionally favour those who have a large number of assets or a high superannuation balance.

Mark Molesworth, Tax Partner at BDO in Australia, said he expects the budget to increase the amount of tax those who are well-off will pay.

"The top end of town should be on notice if the recently proposed superannuation changes are anything to go by," Molesworth said.

"Tax breaks on superannuation earnings and contributions are not the largest tax expenditure but the government's move could be seen as a harbinger of other measures that similarly target a smaller population or group of entities that are seen to be well off."

Stage three tax cuts could still be tweaked

Currently, the long-heralded stage three tax cuts are due to start in 2025, but Molesworth said tweaks could be made in the budget to target the very highest income earners.

"The government could still move to reduce the generosity of the stage three tax cuts by keeping the existing threshold for the top tax bracket at $180,000," he said.

"Again, it would be framed at targeting high-income earners and would not trouble the vast majority of the population.

"What we probably don't expect to see are system-wide tax reforms that affect a large cohort of taxpayers or consumers.

"On that basis, we don't expect to see any changes to the rate or the base of the GST, however acceptable or desirable those changes might be."

Superannuation tax loophole to close

Australians who have a superannuation balance above $3 million will have their concessional rate doubled from 2025.

This means – for around 80,000 Australians – when they make contributions to their superannuation they will be taxed at a rate of 30 per cent, up from 15 per cent.

The changes will come into effect after the next election and will not be retrospective but will rather apply to future earnings.

Family, friends could chip in to help get onto the property ladder

Home ownership will soon be in closer reach for millions more Australians as the federal government expands eligibility for its Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS), in a bid to tackle the housing crisis.

Under one of the changes, friends and family will be allowed to team up to buy a first home as the definition of the word "couple" will be changed from those who are married, or in de facto relationship, to "any two eligible individuals" from July 1.

Under the scheme, the federal government acts as a guarantor, making up the majority of a loan for prospective buyers.

Welfare payments could increase for disadvantaged

While no concrete plan to increase welfare payments has been publicly announced, it is widely speculated the Labor government will attempt to improve welfare conditions during the current cost of living crisis.

John Hicks, professor of economics at Charles Sturt University, said some measures could be made to improve the cost of housing for Australians on low incomes.

"Closely associated with lower-cost housing and the provision of housing for the homeless are other aspects of welfare – including support for those out of work and unable to work," Hicks said.

"It would be most unlikely that these groups will be ignored in a Labor budget.

"While payments at the level that are being proposed by some groups are unrealistic from a budget perspective, there is no doubt that some attempts will be made to raise payments."

Possible boosts for single parents and the unemployed have been flagged.

The budget itself could be in surplus for the first time in 15 years

Inflation, record-low unemployment and tax revenue from the soaring cost of exports such as coal, iron ore and gas could see the government deliver a budget surplus for the first time in 15 years.

The AFR reports the return of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers, along with a number of other factors, is narrowly tipping the budget balance towards the black.

While this sounds fantastic, don't mistake it with Australia's government debt, which is currently sitting close to $900 billion.

Potential energy bill relief on the way

Australians struggling with paying their utility bills could be in luck come next Tuesday, with around $3 billion tipped to be set aside for specific energy bill relief.

This money is said to include deals with each of the states and territories to smooth out bill shock for residents despite rapidly rising wholesale costs for suppliers.

Cheaper medicines

Reducing the strain on the nation's general practitioners has been a key policy for the government, which has announced a doubling of the length of some prescriptions to keep patients out of waiting rooms.

From September 1, eligible prescriptions will be extended to 60 days supply.

This is tipped to save the average Australian on these prescriptions around $180 a year.

Huge overhaul on defence spending

We all know the government is spending big – $368 billion big – on new submarines.

But next Tuesday's budget will likely overhaul exactly where defence money will go following the release of the government's Defensive Strategic Review.

It's expected much of the cash will go towards equipping each branch of the military with better long-range missile capability.

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'Three-dimensional lesson' unveiled after Freya the walrus shot dead

2023-05-01 FreeNews

The artist behind a sculpture of a walrus that was controversially euthanised over public safety concerns says she hopes her creation becomes a "three-dimensional history lesson" after it was unveiled in Norway's capital Oslo.

The life-sized bronze statue shows Freya the walrus curled up on her side close to the water's edge. The artwork was funded by an online campaign, which raised A$37,000.

Freya became a social media sensation last year, with tourists and locals thronging to see her.

The young female had been spending time at the Oslo Fjord, an inlet on the country's southeastern coast, and was seemingly unafraid of humans, unlike most walruses. Videos showed the walrus clambering onto small boats to sunbathe.

She became a danger to visitors who ignored the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries orders to keep a clear distance from her, instead getting up close to take photos of the mammal and even throwing objects at her. This prompted the directorate to make the decision to put her down, leaving many across the country enraged.

Freya the walrus is wreaking havoc in Norway

The statue's artist, Astri Tonoian, told CNN how she was happy to work on the project "almost for free" as it was an issue that was close to her heart. She hopes it will serve as a "three-dimensional history lesson."

"In my head, my goal was to make an immortal symbol of people's ability to mistreat not just wildlife but also humans," she said.

Freya the walrus

She believes that Norway's Directorate of Fisheries should have dealt with the situation in a more ethical manner.

"The authorities could have acted more quickly and tried to move her instead of shooting her. They waited too long and it became dangerous for the people. They decided to do the 'quick fix'."

She added that the intention with the statue is not to make people hate the authorities as one entity, but instead "question the system" as a whole.

Previously, the directorate told CNN that it was considering multiple solutions, including relocating Freya out of the fjord.

But "the extensive complexity of such an operation made us conclude that this was not a viable option," Director General Frank Bakke-Jensen said. He added: "We have great regard for animal welfare, but human life and safety must take precedence."

Female walruses typically weigh between 600 and 900 kilograms, or around 1,300 to 2,000 pounds. Usually, the marine mammals are wary of humans and stay on the outer edges of Norway's coast.

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WA mining company fined after it left 'a visible salt scar on the land'

2023-05-01 FreeNews

A gold mining company in Western Australia has been fined $41,000 after authorities found a flood left damage "so significant it could be seen in satellite images".

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) said Bellevue Gold Limited drew saline water from disused mines in the northern Goldfields between December 2019 and March 2020, with the intention of "pumping the water into surface pits".

The company was charged with causing material environmental harm and not being licensed for the emission under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, which carry maximum penalties of $250,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Bellevue Gold Limited has been fined $41,000 plus costs for allowing a large quantity of saline water to be discharged from its mine into the environment.

During sentencing, Perth Magistrates Court Magistrate Andrew Matthews imposed a fine of $31,000 for causing material environmental harm and $10,000 for not being licensed for the emission.

The company was also ordered to pay $4663 in costs.

A DWER spokesperson said about 145,000 kilolitres, enough to fill about 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools, was discharged into one surface pit and overflowed into the environment through a vent shaft connected to the pit.

Bellevue Gold Limited was charged with two offences after the company drew saline water from disused mines in the northern Goldfields between December 2019 and March 2020.

"The resulting hypersaline spill extended over 46 hectares and affected approximately 16 hectares of native vegetation and associated ecosystems," the spokesperson said.

"Initially the discharge killed all native vegetation in the area and left a visible salt scar on the land.

"While subsequent rainfall dissipated surface salts, the salinity of the soil remained elevated in May 2022.

"Although saline-resistant species such as chenopods had started growing in the area, other coloniser species such as acacias had not recovered, even after approximately two years since the discharge."

Bellevue Gold Limited declined to comment when contacted by 9News.com.au.

However a spokesperson referred to a statement on the company's website which said "there is native vegetation re-growth on the formerly salt-affected areas" and photographic monitoring would be ongoing.

DWER executive director for compliance and enforcement Kelly Faulkner said the environment needed to be protected.

"In this case, the discharge left an impact so significant it could be seen in satellite images," Faulkner said.

"It is the responsibility of mining companies to ensure they have the correct permissions to discharge water or otherwise impact the environment."

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'Ripped off using my money': Eftpos fees rise amid cost-of-living crisis

2023-05-01 FreeNews

A Sydney woman has detailed her fury at being hit with high eftpos fees over the weekend, declaring she's being "ripped off using my money".

"Over the weekend every debit transaction incurred a transaction. Is this the new norm?" Marrisa, who was identified by just her first name, told 2GB radio.

"I feel like I'm being ripped off using my money. It's not a credit card".

https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/it-s-extortion-eftpos-fees-rise-as-banks-collect-6/embed

Host Ben Fordham said he was inundated with messages from other angry Sydneysiders who pointed out paying cash isn't really an option anymore as Australia moves towards a cashless society

Editor-at-large of Canstar, Effie Zahos, explained to Fordham the fees themselves haven't gone up but instead have been influenced by record-high inflation.

"Even though the fees haven't gone up, let's think about it, we are in a cost-of-living crisis," she said.

"We are seeing inflation number still at that 7 per cent, so the value of what we buy has gone up.

"So guess what? The fee we pay on that card goes up as it's calculated as a percentage."

Eftpos transaction fees have risen alongside inflation.

Mastercard fees sit around $0.47, whereas Amex "is a lot more expensive" with a $1.34 surcharge, Zahos added.

The finance expert went on to explain that small businesses also incur a cost to use eftpos in their stores.

This was corroborated by a small business owner who told Fordham his merchant fee went up 20 cents per transaction in January.

"Some of the small businesses can't carry it on and they're forced basically to pass it onto consumers," Zahos said.

"I do feel some pain for them as well.

"Understand (they) may possibly charge you a higher surcharge than big business."

To avoid being stung by high transaction fees, Zahos advised customers to always swipe over using "tap-and-go".

"Tap-and-go can go through some more expensive networks," she said.

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Daughter of ex-ATO deputy commissioner jailed for role in tax conspiracy

2023-05-01 FreeNews

The daughter of a former tax office deputy commissioner who was a "trusted participant" in one of Australia's biggest fraud conspiracies has been jailed for at least five years.

Lauren Cranston, 30, still does not believe she has done anything wrong, Justice Anthony Payne said, handing down her eight-year sentence in the NSW Supreme Court today for her role in the Plutus Payroll conspiracy.

She will be eligible for parole in March 2028 with a five-year non-parole period.

Lauren Cranston was handed an eight-year sentence in the NSW Supreme Court for her role in the Plutus Payroll conspiracy.

She was found guilty in March of conspiring to cause a loss to the Commonwealth and dealing with the proceeds of crime worth more than $1 million alongside four others, including her older brother Adam Cranston, following a mammoth trial beginning in April 2022.

Legitimate clients, attracted by its lack of service fees, sent money to Plutus Payroll to pay wages, taxes and super.

Instead, the money was funnelled through second-tier companies directed by "unsophisticated and vulnerable people" who did not understand them, Payne said on Monday.

More than $141 million was funnelled through the scheme, siphoning more than $105 million that should have been paid to the tax office.

Lauren Cranston departs the Supreme Court in Darlinghurst where they are accused of being involved in a 105 million tax fraud conspiracy.

It was not a victimless crime, Payne said, coming in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The loss of over $100 million which would have otherwise been available to fund government services is a very significant injury suffered by all Australians," he said.

The conspiracy was hatched in meetings at "gentlemen's clubs", which Cranston was not aware of and did not participate in.

While she was not involved in the initial planning stages, she remained knowingly involved in the conspiracy from at least February 2015 as a "trusted participant", the judge said.

She acted on instructions, but understood the mechanics and knew she had a central role in facilitating the money laundering and tax fraud conspiracies, which she also took efforts to conceal.

By the time authorities were listening in, she was showing her knowledge of the scheme's history.

"At least we are actually paying some taxes," Cranston was recorded saying.

Cranston gained about $182,000, primarily participating at the bottom of the conspiracy's hierarchy out of misguided loyalty to her older brother, the judge said.

However, she has not shown any contrition.

"The offender still appears to believe that she and her co-conspirators have done nothing wrong," the judge said.

Cranston appeared in court via audiovisual link, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her green prison jumper as Payne delivered his sentencing remarks before sobbing as the judge left the bench.

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'Illegal' ASIO conduct may halt former military pilot's extradition

2023-05-01 FreeNews

Potential misconduct by Australia's spy agency could halt the United States' bid to extradite a former fighter pilot accused of aiding the Chinese military.

Daniel Edmund Duggan, 54, has filed an application to temporarily stay an ongoing lawsuit in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court which could prevent the ex-pilot being extradited to the US to face criminal prosecution there.

Duggan's lawyer Dennis Miralis said today a hearing for the stay set for July 25 would give his client the chance to protect his rights to a fair hearing.

Former US marine Daniel Edmund Duggan is accused of illegally aiding China by training pilots.

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) has launched an inquiry into the circumstances of Duggan's return to Australia from China after the pilot made a formal complaint to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

"The substance of the complaint fundamentally relates to whether or not ASIO has acted illegally or improperly in its dealings," Miralis told reporters.

The lawyer has previously claimed the former pilot was "lured" back to Australia and then arrested.

The time granted by the stay is hoped to allow Duggan access to the findings of the IGIS's report which he will then use in his defence against extradition.

Barrister Trent Glover said today that the US would fight the stay application, arguing the Local Court did not have the power to halt the extradition.

Duggan has consistently denied the charges brought against him.

His wife Saffrine Duggan has called for her husband's release, saying he had been caught up in a political prosecution due to increasing hostilities between the US and China.

If the stay bid is unsuccessful, a Local Court magistrate will hear submissions on whether Duggan is eligible for extradition to the US.

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Public invited to 'swear allegiance to King' during coronation broadcast

2023-05-01 FreeNews

Members of the public watching the live coronation broadcast this Saturday will be invited to join "a chorus of millions" to swear allegiance to King Charles III.

The move is one of a number of sweeping new changes aimed at modernising the ceremony, in addition to a female clergy, multilingual hymns being sung, and the participation of leaders of other faiths.

On Saturday, Brits, and those watching all over the word, will be invited to say the words: "I swear that I will pay true allegiance to your majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me god", in a proclamation that will dubbed a "homage of people".

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla - LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY. IMAGE MUST NOT BE USED AFTER 00:01 TUESDAY MAY 9, 2023 WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM BUCKINGHAM PALACE. NO SALES.

Previous coronations included a "homage of peers" and the change is aimed at reflecting a more progressive UK and Commonwealth.

But not everyone is impressed with the new "invite", with some branding the attempt to "modernise" the monarchy as "offensive and tone deaf".

Other new measures introduced include the King himself reciting a specifically-written prayer aloud, and a hymn sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, English, and Irish.

King Charles III attends the start of the Australian Legacy Torch Relay at Buckingham Palace in London, to mark the beginning of the London-leg of the charity's relay race in celebration of their centenary year. Picture date: Friday April 28, 2023.

The former traditional Homage of Peers previously saw a long line of hereditary peers kneel and make a pledge to the monarch in person, which often took significant lengths of time to get through, sometimes hours.

The new British sovereign will be crowned alongside his wife, Camilla, in a service at Westminster Abbey that will take place on the morning of May 6.

There will be two processions through the streets of the British capital on coronation day – one taking the King to be crowned and a larger parade back to Buckingham Palace after the historic service, where the monarch and members of the royal family will make a balcony appearance.

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Relatives bury children killed in Russian missile attack

2023-05-01 FreeNews

Relatives and friends cried next to coffins as they buried children and others killed in a Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Uman, while fighting claimed more lives elsewhere.

Almost all of the 23 victims of the attack on Friday died when two missiles slammed into an apartment building in Uman. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said six children were among the dead.

Mykhayl Shulha, 6, cried and hugged relatives next to the coffin of his 11-year-old sister Sofia Shulha during Sunday's funeral, while others paid respects to a 17-year-old boy.

As mourners held candles, crossed themselves and sang, the priest at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" waved a vessel containing incense over the coffins. He said the deaths had hit the entire community hard.

"I live nearby," said Father Fyodor Botsu.

"I personally knew the children, the littlest, from when they were very young, and I personally baptised them in this church. I'm worried with everyone since I have children and I'm a citizen of this country and have been living in this city for 15 years."

He said he prayed "that the war should end and peace should come to our homes, city and country."

At the damaged building in Uman, people brought flowers and photos of the victims.

GALLERY: Google Maps shows devastating impact of Russia's invasion in Mariupol

Russia's 14-month-long war brought more deaths elsewhere on Sunday.

The governor of a Russian region bordering Ukraine said four people were killed in a Ukrainian rocket attack.

The rockets hit homes in the village of Suzemka, nine kilometres from the Ukrainian border, said Bryansk regional governor Alexander Bogomaz.

He said two other residents were injured and that defence systems had knocked down some of the incoming shells.

Bryansk and the neighbouring Belgorod region have experienced sporadic cross-border shelling throughout the war. In March, two people were reported killed in what officials said was an incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs in the Bryansk region.

In other news, an expected spring counteroffensive by Ukraine could be concentrated in the Kherson region, a gateway to Crimea and other Russian-occupied territory in the southern Ukrainian mainland.

Ukrainian forces drove Russian forces out of the regional capital Kherson last year, a significant defeat for Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelenskyy said the counteroffensive wouldn't wait for the delivery of all promised military equipment.

Ukraine is particularly hopeful that it will receive Western fighter jets, but Zelenskyy said his forces wouldn't delay the counteroffensive for that, so as not to "reassure Russia that we still have a few months to train on the planes, and only then will we start."

Zelenskyy said he spoke Sunday with French President Emmanuel Macron about the weapons supply, and was pleased with its "speed and specificity."

Macron's office said he reiterated France's commitment to provide Ukraine "all the aid necessary to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity," and discussed long-term European military aid.

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Fisher missing in croc-infested waters after friend heard 'splashing'

2023-04-30 FreeNews

A Queensland man who vanished in crocodile-infested waters in the state's far north has been identified as 65-year-old Kevin Darmody.

Darmody, a fishing enthusiast, was last seen at 3.30pm yesterday at the Kennedy River at Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, about 340 kilometres north-west of Cairns.

A desperate search operation is currently under way but has so far returned no trace.

9News understands Darmody, from Laura, was fishing with a friend at the time of his disappearance.

His friend reported his absence to authorities and described hearing a "splashing sound" at the time of the disappearance, according to reports.

Police, volunteers from the Queensland State Emergency Service and a Rescue 510 helicopter crew, led searches yesterday evening and at first light this morning.