This Month
OpenAI wants AI tax breaks, promises $115b annual windfall
OpenAI chief economist Ronnie Chatterji has conducted a whirlwind set of meetings in Canberra as the company prepares to launch an AI blueprint for Australia.
June
Labor wants 50/50 split between universities and VET
The move would mean pushing tens of thousands of prospective university students towards TAFE and other vocational courses.
January
BCA calls for apprentices boost to future-proof workforce
Labor and the Coalition have traded blows over incentive payments for employers to take on trainee workers.
Business Council rejects legislating fee-free TAFE
The government is hoping to bake into legislation 100,000 free TAFE places a year, but the Business Council of Australia is arguing against the idea.
December 2024
‘Give us a chance’: More visas not enough to fix skills crisis
According to a recently launched coalition of business groups, unions and community organisations, more than 620,000 permanent migrants work below their skill levels and qualifications.
Tradies to join yoga instructors on core migration skills list
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the federal government was moving to address critical shortages, including in new home construction.
October 2024
Desperate colleges lure agents, students with cash offers
With the introduction of student caps looming, desperate vocational colleges are using unethical practices to shore up numbers.
September 2024
Banned colleges allocated thousands of places under student caps
Private vocational colleges say the allocation of caps for new international students for 2025 has been a ramshackle process.
August 2024
Dutton and Albanese ignore ASIO warning to tone down Gaza brawl
Peter Dutton sees an advantage in keeping up the pressure on Anthony Albanese over visas for Gaza refugees, accusing him of making the country less safe.
Populist surge makes it essential to spread gains of migration
Conflict over migration is now breaking out into the open in Western nations. But excessive limits would have a high cost too.
July 2024
Albanese guts Home Affairs in pointed reshuffle
Anthony Albanese has gutted the Home Affairs department and moved aside the two ministers responsible for the troubled Immigration portfolio, in a modest but pointed reshuffle.
Labor Right pushes for extra spot as O’Neil speculation swirls
Speculation is intensifying that Clare O’Neil will be shifted from Home Affairs and be replaced by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.
Queensland to cop skilled migrant cut amid boost to smaller states
Queensland will be the only Australian state to suffer a reduction in the number of skilled migrant allocations this financial year.
June 2024
AFR readers back Dutton’s assessment of climate targets
Almost 70 per cent of readers believe Australia is unlikely to meet its “aggressive” emissions reductions targets.
Giles junks Direction 99, seeks end to immigration saga
The opposition says the changes to Ministerial Directive 99 do not go far enough and is vowing tougher action if elected.
More voters considering Coalition than 18 months ago: Dutton
The opposition leader has partly pinned the shift on Labor’s response to anti-Semitism; Immigration Minister Andrew Giles says a new ministerial direction on visas prioritises public safety. How the day unfolded.
AAT plagiarist survives administrative cull
The body that decides on immigration appeals is getting a revamp. Though some familiar faces remain.
Immigration a rising concern for voters
Immigration has surged as an issue of concern among voters while the government’s perceived handling of the issue is continuing to decline.
May 2024
Albanese opens door for Giles’ exit amid NZ PM’s grave concerns’
Anthony Albanese is making no commitment to keeping the embattled immigration minister as he weighs a winter reshuffle.
Giles scandal shows we disdain bureaucracies until we need services
Slashing the capabilities of government departments means that in the real world, dodgy characters escape scrutiny and genuine needs go unanswered.