Category: Australian News

Rental Pain Index Reveals Pressure Points Across Australian States

A recent analysis of the Australian rental property landscape reveals that Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA), and New South Wales (NSW) are currently experiencing the greatest rental pressure, according to data released by Suburbtrends.

Kent Lardner, Founder of Suburbtrends, states, “The Rental Pain Index, a metric that measures the financial strain of renting, is highest in QLD, followed by SA and NSW. This suggests that tenants in these states are feeling the greatest ‘rent pain’ at present.”

The analysis focuses on the top 25 results per state, comparing factors such as the percentage of advertised rentals, vacancy rates, average 12-month rental increase, and average rent as a percentage of income. QLD not only leads the pack in rental pain but also boasts the largest average 12-month rental increase at a staggering 16.33%.

Kent explains, “The significant increase in rental prices over the past year in QLD is a clear contributor to the heightened rental pain felt by residents. Similar trends are observed in SA and WA, where rental prices have risen by approximately 15.95% and 15.37%, respectively.”

Interestingly, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Tasmania (TAS) were found to have the highest average percentage of advertised rentals, suggesting a high turnover of rental properties. The ACT also has the highest vacancy rate, with over 2.22% of properties sitting empty for 21-days or more.

Despite these findings, Kent stresses the importance of broader context: “While these numbers give us a snapshot of the current state of affairs, it’s crucial to remember that the rental market is complex and ever-changing. Factors such as economic conditions, population growth, and housing policies all play a role.”

Suburbtrends is committed to providing the most accurate and up-to-date insights into the Australian rental market to help both renters and property investors make informed decisions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Europe to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on July 10 before attending the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania from 11 – 12 July.
 
Australia and Germany are firmly united as strategic partners and close friends. The Prime Minister and Chancellor Scholz will discuss deepening cooperation between Australia and Germany in a range of areas including trade and investment, the clean energy transition, and defence.
 
Australia shares a commitment to peace and security with NATO allies and partners. At the NATO Leaders’ Summit Australia will advocate for our region’s strategic priorities and advance Australia’s security, economic and trade agenda.
 
This is the second time Australia has been invited to attend the Summit as an Indo-Pacific Four partner, along with Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.
 
Prime Minister Albanese said:
 
“It’s important that I attend the NATO Leaders’ Summit. Australia’s presence at this forum is firmly in our national interest as we work together towards a peaceful and stable world.
 
“Alongside our NATO allies, Australia continues to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine, and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.
 
“I am honoured to accept an invitation to visit Germany and meet with Chancellor Scholz. Australia and Germany are close partners and friends. Australia wants to deepen our cooperation to address shared challenges and ambitions.”

Today I will travel to Timor-Leste to meet with newly appointed Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and his government, and to reaffirm Australia’s deep and broad friendship with our close partner.

During the visit I will also meet with President José Ramos-Horta and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito Freitas.

Australia and Timor-Leste are close neighbours, friends and partners. These deep bonds form the foundation on which we can build our futures together. We are equal stakeholders in an open, stable and prosperous region.

From economic development, through to assisting Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, Australia is committed to supporting Timor-Leste as a sovereign, secure and resilient nation.

We cooperate across a wide range of sectors, including health and human development, education and skills, and defence and security.

This cooperation reflects the deep reservoir of respect, friendship and solidarity between the Timorese and Australian people.

This will be my second visit to Timor-Leste as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

All Australians join the family of Constable Anthony Woods in mourning. He was a young man cruelly robbed of his future. A husband, son, brother and uncle taken from his loved ones. An Australian who went to work and never came home.

Like all police officers, Constable Woods knew the risks his job entailed. Yet he bravely performed his duties, putting himself in harm’s way so others could be safe.

The hearts of all Australians go out to his wife, Emily, and all his family. We grieve with his friends, his workmates, and the broader police community, whose every member feels each loss so very deeply.

May Constable Woods rest in peace.

A funding agreement is now in place for the Australian Government’s $55 million election commitment towards upgrading international terminal facilities at Newcastle Airport.

The funding will support construction of an upgraded international terminal to increase the capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of international passenger and border processing at Newcastle Airport.

This will bolster air transport links and connectivity opportunities for the Hunter.

Transforming Newcastle Airport into an international gateway will generate significant economic benefits for local and regional tourism and trade sectors.

The terminal works at Newcastle Airport are scheduled for completion in 2024.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government wants to see regional centres like Newcastle grow and prosper into the future.”

“We are ensuring that every dollar that is invested has lasting benefits for the Hunter region.”

“We understand how important tourism is to the Hunter. And these upgrades will connect the region, and its incredible products, to the rest of the world.”

the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said:

“Making Newcastle Airport an international gateway will unlock greater opportunities for local tourism while better connecting residents to the world.”

“The project will also support significant employment and economic stimulus during and after construction, providing even more of a boost for the Hunter.”

Qthe Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson said:

“We are getting on with the job of delivering on our $55 million election commitment to contribute to the upgrade of international terminal facilities at Newcastle Airport.”

“The upgraded international terminal will be transformational for the whole Hunter region – for the aviation sector, for local tourism and for communities.”

Today, Commissioner Catherine Holmes AC SC has delivered the Final Report of the Robodebt Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission has found that “Robodebt was a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals. In essence, people were traumatised on the off-chance they might owe money. It was a costly failure of public administration, in both human and economic terms” (page xxix, Overview of Robodebt).  

The Albanese Government thanks Commissioner Holmes and her team for their dedication, professionalism and forensic work throughout the Royal Commission process.

The establishment of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme was a key election commitment of the Albanese Government.

This is another step toward delivering justice for the more than 500,000 victims of the former Liberal Government’s unlawful five year long Robodebt Scheme.

The former Government implemented the Robodebt Scheme in 2015. And, for almost five years, Liberal Ministers dismissed or ignored the significant concerns that were raised, over and over again, by victims, public servants, community organisations and legal experts.

The Robodebt Scheme only came to an end in 2020 after the Federal Court found that it was unlawful in late 2019.

Upon receipt of the Royal Commission’s Final Report, the Government has decided to release it to the public immediately.

The Report can be accessed at Publications.

The Government will now consider the recommendations presented in the final report carefully and provide a full response in due course.

To those who shared their stories with the Royal Commission and who campaigned tirelessly to raise the alarm bells about the gross betrayal that was the Robodebt Scheme – thank you.

Throughout the Royal Commission process we have seen courage, leadership and ethics on display from victims, their advocates and whistle-blowers.

We also acknowledge the individuals, researchers, stakeholder groups, expert witnesses, government and non-government representatives who gave evidence by way of hearings and submissions. This evidence has helped inform the Royal Commission’s report and recommendations.

Environment Minister Plibersek is preparing the ground to break the Government’s election promise of delivering 450 gigalitres to the river Murray by 2024 under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. 

Greens spokesperson for Water and the Environment, SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Our river needs action, not delay.

“A delay on the 450 gigalitres is a broken election promise to every South Australian and risks breaking our river Murray. This water must be delivered before the next election – South Australians are sick of excuses. 

“Buybacks must be used now to secure the promised water, not a concocted delay designed to hide a broken election promise. That means standing up to the big irrigators in the upstream states.

“South Australia and our environment cannot afford another term of government where nothing happens to save the river. It’s been a wasted decade and the river needs more than hand wringing from Ministers about how hard the job is to do. 

“If the Environment Minister is not up to the job, the PM should step in at National Cabinet, put money on the table, and push Labor premiers to deliver the water that the river and South Australia needs and was promised.

“The Minister has found time to approve 3 coal mines in the past 2 months but now says she’s run out of time to deliver the water that was promised to the river Murray. We need less river-wrecking coal mines and more water.

“The CSIRO and MDBA Chair Sir Angus Houston have warned climate change will rob the river of between 20-30% of water inflows. With El Niño coming this summer, the 450 gigalitres must be bought and delivered to protect the river.

“The Government needs to stop passing the buck and start taking responsibility for protecting our river.”

Indonesia’s President Widodo’s visit to Australia has ignited a pressing demand for an open and honest conversation about the ongoing West Papua crisis. With the 25-year anniversary of the Biak Massacre on 6th July, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for truth and accountability. 

Since his election in 2014, President Widodo promised social reform for West Papua. However, the situation has only deteriorated, resulting in escalating tensions and deepening divisions between the Indonesian Government and the West Papuan people. 

Almost 54 years since the ironically named ‘Act of Free Choice’ referendum for West Papuan independence, the human rights abuses, colonialism and impunity for the Indonesian military have continued. Successive Australian governments have remained silent and inactive. 

We know that the Australian Defence Force has concealed war crimes committed by Indonesian military police in West Papua. The Australian Government Defence Intelligence Report, dated July 17 1998, uncovers an investigation conducted by an Australian military attache and intelligence officer, shedding light on the massacre of West Papuan men, women and children by Indonesian defence and security forces on Biak Island.

The hostage-taking of Phil Mehrtens by the West Papuan Liberation Army has raised significant concerns, and while Greens strongly condone this abhorrent act, it underscores the desperate cry for international attention towards the West Papuan crisis, and Australia must actively engage. 

The Australian Greens will continue to call for an opportunity for the indigenous West Papuan people to participate in a free, democratic process to decide their own future.

Senator Steele-John, Australian Greens spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Peace & Nuclear Disarmament said :

“The Australian Greens are calling on President Widodo to allow unfettered access to West Papua for United Nations officials and foreign journalists, as well as drop charges against political prisoners. For the Australian Government to continue to stay silent is to condone these abuses.”

“The Greens recognise that the indigenous people of West Papua should have the opportunity to democratically decide their own future in accordance with international standards of human rights and the principles of international law.”

“The government and ADF decision-makers must be held accountable for concealing the truth about the Biak Massacre.”

“Being complicit in covering up human rights abuses is on our region is shameful. Without the ability of West Papuans to exercise self-determination, stability and peace in the region will remain elusive.

“We watched as the Prime Minister & Foreign Minister championed President Modi during his visit to Australia, whilst the diaspora of the minority Indian community shared their concerns and fears. The Labor Government must not let this visit be the same if they want a free, peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. 

“Friends must be able to talk frankly when they disagree and President Widodo must be included in that.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens spokesperson for Defence said:

“Tomorrow marks 25 years since the devastating Biak Massacre which saw Indonesian defence and security forces torture and kill West Papuan men, women and children yet we are still no closer to finding out details of the attack and our government remains silent.

“The Australian Defence Force must come clean about what it knows about the atrocities that took place 25 years ago and tell what they know about war crimes by the Indonesian military in West Papua.

“We know that an investigation took place and evidence was gathered and provided to Defence but we are yet to see any of those findings. 

“Allegations that Defence has destroyed photographic evidence are deeply troubling and require a detailed response from the ADF.

“West Papuans deserve justice, transparency and access to the truth and we support them in these calls.

“The Greens are calling for full transparency of Australia’s role in training Indonesian military units and the suspension of any funding for units found to be involved in human rights abuses.”

Minister Plibersek has approved 3 coal mines in the last 2 months.

Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“3 coal mine approvals in the last 2 months show our environment laws are broken.

“Minister Plibersek should stop approving new coal mines and start working with the Greens to put a climate trigger in our environment laws.

“The Ensham coal mine will add 100 million tonnes of pollution and wreck critical koala and greater glider habitat, hurting native wildlife.

“Australians didn’t vote for this, but Labor are captured by donations from the coal and gas industry.

“Minister Plibersek can’t do her job properly until we get a climate trigger to stop new coal and gas in its tracks.”

The Greens have condemned Forestry Tasmania’s move to expand its environmental vandalism to a further 1000 hectares of native forest for logging, including in the precious takayna/Tarkine.

The Greens have called on the Albanese Government to put an end to this needless destruction and ban all native forest logging nationwide.

Greens spokesperson for Forests, Senator Janet Rice said:

“We are in the midst of a global extinction and climate crisis; there’s no excuse for this assault on the environment to be allowed anywhere in Australia. 

“While community activists had a big win today in securing important protections for parts of Tasmania, only a total ban on native forest logging will protect our precious forests and save our wildlife.

“It’s clear from Tasmania’s announcement today that the Albanese Government can’t keep burying their heads in the sand. The Federal Government must finally listen to state Labor governments, scientists, and the vast majority of Australians who want our environment protected for future generations.

“Logging makes the climate crisis worse. The Labor Government need to stop prioritising corporate profits and industry lobbies over people and the environment. 

“We need a permanent, national ban on native forest logging, and a just transition plan for forestry workers.”

Greens Senator for Tasmania, Senator Nick McKim said:

“This is a fantastic result for a very special part of Tasmania that should never have been on the chopping block in the first place.

“However Forestry Tasmania’s destructive focus has now shifted to other forests equally as deserving of protection.

“Community campaigners should be proud of their efforts in saving this magnificent ecosystem.

“Logging native forests is a crime against nature and climate, and Tasmania needs to follow Victoria’s lead and end this toxic, loss-making industry.”

Greens spokesperson for the Environment, Senator Hanson-Young said:

“The Federal Government has promised to introduce new environment laws by the end of year. The test for Labor is whether they actually stop logging in order to protect our native forests and the wildlife that call them home.

“Expanding destruction of native forests goes directly against what is needed to protect our wildlife from extinction. This is why the Greens will move to make a ban on native forest logging national and permanent in our Federal environment laws.