Politics news

• Prisoners paid compensation for sleeping on floor amid overcrowding

  04-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  Prisoners are receiving financial compensation for sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding across Western Australian jails, the ABC can reveal.
  
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• Overcrowding triggers 'gratuity' payments to prisoners sleeping on floors

  04-08-2026 23:12 via abc.net.au
  
  Prisoners are receiving financial compensation for sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding across Western Australian jails, the ABC can reveal.
  
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• Shadow treasurer brands Labor's 'widows tax' fix a 'patch-up job' — as it happened

  04-08-2026 23:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson says Labor's attempt to address unintended consequences of its federal budget measures is a "patch-up job".
  
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• Live: Shadow treasurer brands Labor's 'widows tax' fix a 'patch-up job'

  04-08-2026 23:10 via abc.net.au
  
  Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson says Labor's attempt to address unintended consequences of its federal budget measures is a "patch-up job". Follow live. 
  
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• Live: Bridget McKenzie says 'widow tax' fix amounts to 'backflip'

  04-08-2026 23:10 via abc.net.au
  
  The National Party politician says the release of draft legislation to address the unintended consequences of Labor's budget measures amounts to a "backflip". Follow live. 
  
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• Labor's quiet visa change prioritises onshore workers

  04-08-2026 22:13 via abc.net.au
  
  The Home Affairs minister has quietly de-prioritised overseas skilled workers to reduce net overseas migration in a move the Coalition says is managing "migration by stealth".
  
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• Burke's quiet visa change prioritises onshore workers

  04-08-2026 22:13 via abc.net.au
  
  The Home Affairs minister has quietly de-prioritised overseas skilled workers to reduce net overseas migration in a move the Coalition says is managing "migration by stealth".
  
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• One Nation's new Victorian leader promoted conspiracy

  04-08-2026 20:45 via abc.net.au
  
  The new state One Nation leader warned of a debunked "globalist" plot to control Australians.
  
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• 'Noose is tightening': One Nation's new Victorian leader promoted conspiracy

  04-08-2026 20:45 via abc.net.au
  
  The new state One Nation leader warned of a debunked "globalist" plot to control Australians.
  
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• Best of cartoons, August 5, 2026

  04-08-2026 13:36 via smh.com.au
  
  The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
  
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• Tony Burke delays speech expected to reveal sweeping migration cuts

  04-08-2026 12:33 via abc.net.au
  
  The ABC understands the cuts to migration numbers are contentious within Labor, but no reason for the delay is given.
  
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• Labor was poised to reveal massive migration cuts, then suddenly delayed

  04-08-2026 12:33 via abc.net.au
  
  The ABC understands the cuts to migration numbers are contentious within Labor, but no reason for the delay is given.
  
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• Labor unveils 'widow tax' fix after negative gearing backlash

  04-08-2026 11:45 via abc.net.au
  
  The government is also consulting on carve-outs and changes covering newly built homes, affordable and disability housing and its new capital gains tax system.
  
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• From deadline to details: The six things you need to know to handle the census

  04-08-2026 11:31 via smh.com.au
  
  Some questions have fallen away since the first census in 1911, while others have been introduced. But no matter where you are, you must fill it in – or pay a whopping fine.
  
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• Widows and divorcees protected as Labor reveals details of tax backdown

  04-08-2026 10:33 via smh.com.au
  
  Amendments released on Tuesday will let widows and divorcees claim negative gearing and capital gains discounts after properties are transferred to single ownership.
  
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• ‘Publicity-seeking extremists’: V’landys weighs in as gambling inquiry gets personal

  04-08-2026 10:19 via smh.com.au
  
  Acting NRL chief Peter V’landys said senators leading the inquiry had been elected on a “handful of votes”, as betting companies denied any knowledge of claims agents were using drugs and escorts to encourage clients to gamble.
  
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• BoM orders independent review after $96m website backlash

  04-08-2026 08:21 via smh.com.au
  
  A botched $96 million website rollout, customer fury, and PR missteps have pushed the Bureau of Meteorology to order a sweeping independent inquiry.
  
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• Sportsbet, TAB deny allegations reps offered escort and drugs to gambler

  04-08-2026 08:20 via abc.net.au
  
  Sportsbet and TAB have denied explosive claims they offered a young gambler access to illicit drugs and escorts as part of an inducement program. 
  
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• Stark testimony highlights weakness of government’s gambling reforms

  04-08-2026 08:19 via smh.com.au
  
  Evidence by addicts to a Senate committee exposes another side of gambling.
  
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• ‘Pretty egregious claims’: Betting companies deny wooing clients with drugs, escorts

  04-08-2026 07:46 via smh.com.au
  
  Gambling industry figures denied the biggest allegations and said there was a difference between an inducement and a so-called “generosity”.
  
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• Hastie signals he might lose, hopes One Nation will preference him

  04-08-2026 03:56 via smh.com.au
  
  The gloomy comments have revived a conversation about how closely the Coalition and Pauline Hanson should co-operate to topple Anthony Albanese.
  
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