Good morning! Here is the latest news in Australian politics Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced a substantial budget surplus by the way Happy International Podcast Day more news on that head over to our sister publication: podwires.com

We cannot do it without your support and thank you, if you enjoy our newsletter and would like to support us please email us or there is a donation button at the bottom of this newsletter.

Today's reading time is 7 minutes. - Miko Santos

WEATHER

THIS MORNING HEADLINES:

• Australia's 'Productivity Deadlock' Persists: Market Sector Outperforms Non-Market in Annual Growth. According to the latest report by the Productivity Commission, labor productivity in Australia declined 0.8% in the June quarter of 2024 and rose a mere 0.5% in the year to June, therefore returning to pre-pandemic growth trends that were weak, despite changes in the macroeconomic environment.

• Australian Opposition Calls for Action Following Pro-Hezbollah Protests in Major Cities. The Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, lashed out at the Australian government's response to recent pro-Hezbollah demonstrations in Sydney and Melbourne, called for stronger action against protesters glorifying terrorist leaders, and has questioned whether the country should admit Palestinian refugees.

PRESENTED BY BADA EMBANKMENT

POLITICS
PM Albanese: Future Made in Australia Agenda to Drive Growth in Post-Coal Era

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $15.8 billion budget surplus, an unprecedented result during turbulent global times. It places Australia in its element: a beacon of fiscal responsibility, with sustainable growth.

The Key points:

• Back-to-back budget surpluses add up to $37.8 billion

• Inflation rate cools to 2.7% from 3.5%

• Government to commit to cost-of-living relief for over 13.6 million Australians and tax cuts

• The Made in Australia agenda capitalizes on the zero net emission transition across the globe.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an AUD 15.8 billion budget surplus, following last year's $22 billion surplus, as the largest back-to-back surpluses on record. This fiscal record comes along with inflation shrinking from 3.5% to 2.7%.

The government has delivered these results while providing cost of living relief and tax cuts for all Australian taxpayers. Mr Albanese added that it underlined the Future Made in Australia agenda, which drives economic growth from the transition to net-zero emissions and increases domestic manufacturing.

Big Picture: The consequences of such progress extend beyond direct economic measures. Economically, during worldwide declines, Australia has proved a haven of stability to which investment has flocked and a model for the rest of the world in the management of an economy in a sustainable way.

Government commitment to the Future Made in Australia agenda means a more self-sufficient and innovative economy, possibly redefining Australia's role within global supply chains and in the shift to cleaner energy, positioning the country for significant transformation.

But the Prime Minister's comments on social cohesion signal these changes would need to be managed within the confines of domestic harmony. They demonstrate the interaction of economic policy and social dynamics in an increasingly interconnected world through pointing out the complex challenges of the government.

TOUR DE INTERNATIONAL

🇺🇸 Hurricane Helene Devastates Southeast: Death Toll Nears 100 as North Carolina Struggles. Hurricane Helene pounded the U.S. Southeast, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and almost 100 deaths; hard-hit mountain areas of North Carolina struggled to receive vital supplies.

🇳🇿 New Zealand Shatters World Record with Massive 6,500-Person Haka at Eden Park. This time, 6,500 people came together inside Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, reclaiming a new world record for the most mass Haka as one display of cultural pride and unity with the traditional Māori war dance.

🇱🇧 Hezbollah Vows to Fight On Despite Leadership Losses in Israeli Strikes. The acting leader of Hezbollah, Naim Kassem, declared this group ready for a long conflict with Israel even as strikes carried out by Israel killed several top commanders just recently, including Hassan Nasrallah. This is a situation when tensions across Lebanon grow, with airstrikes reaching central Beirut.

🇯🇵  Japan's New PM Shigeru Ishiba to Announce Snap Election for October 27.Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to announce a surprise general election for October 27, earlier than widely expected, in a move that has already sent the yen higher in anticipation of a possible shift in monetary policy.

🇲🇾 Malaysian Parliament Introduces 'Sugar-Free Wednesdays' to Combat Diabetes Epidemic. The Malaysian Parliament is introducing 'Sugar-Free Wednesdays', starting with the next October session, while continuing with the compulsories of health screening on Members of Parliament to help combat the country's increasing cases of diabetes for a healthier lot of lawmakers and staff.

ECONOMY
Fiscal Discipline Pays Off: Australia's $15.8 Billion Surplus Defies Economic Headwinds

The Australian federal government has announced a substantial budget surplus, defying economic headwinds and sparking debates about fiscal policy. This unexpected financial windfall, the surplus, raises questions about the nation's economic trajectory and the government's approach to managing public funds in challenging times.

The Key points:

• The federal government achieved a $15.8 billion surplus, exceeding May forecasts by $6.4 billion was instrumental in the surplus

• Revenue decreased because of lower income tax, corporate tax, and import fees.

• This marks the second consecutive year of a surplus, mainly due to favorable commodity prices and increased revenue from income tax.

The Australian federal government has reported a $15.8 billion surplus for the most recent financial year, surpassing earlier predictions. This achievement is notable because it occurred even with a decrease in overall revenue.

The surplus was mainly a result of cutting government spending, particularly in the funds designated for states and territories.. This outcome signifies two back-to-back years of budget surpluses, supported by beneficial commodity prices and higher income tax revenue due to increased employment rates.

Big Picture: The surplus reflects a complex economic landscape where government fiscal discipline intersects with broader economic trends. Although it can increase trust in Australia's economic management, it also brings attention to persistent challenges like deteriorating labor market conditions and ongoing inflation.

The government's decisions on using this surplus, whether for reducing debt, increasing spending, or creating a reserve, will influence economic policy discussions and affect different sectors of the Australian economy in the future.

SPONSORED BY PODWIRES NEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with breaking news and insights, and tap into freelance marketplace opportunities tailored for podcast producers like you.

👉️ Subscribe now for free

TECHNOLOGY
Australia Leads Global Effort with World-First Dating App Safety Code

The Australian government has taken a revolutionary leap in bringing in a new code of conduct for dating apps, at the forefront of setting standards globally in the fight against online-enabled harm and abuse. In an attempt to boost security in digital dating, the initiative installs mechanisms that ensure protection for Australians in the digital world from potential harm and abuse.

The Key points:

• Australia brings in world's first mandatory code of conduct for dating apps

• New rules require better safety features, like user protection systems.

• The code will come into force from 1st April 2025, but that's not the climax; even later on, new rules may be implemented, and the measures might be even firmer.

• An independent committee to address the issues of compliance and fines.

The rulebook was developed in collaboration with the major players of the industry and will force dating apps to introduce robust safety measures. Some of the requirements include systems to flag potential incidents of harm, open reporting channels, and liaison with the police. The code also introduces a rating system in order to keep users informed about each app's safety standards.

Big Picture: This code introduced a new frontier in how governments regulated digital platforms, as it finally recognized the on-the-ground impacts of online communication and put some responsibility onto tech companies to keep users safe. The move is expected to spark a global trend for regulating online dating and social media platforms that would call for a changed digital landscape: one where user safety, not growth at all costs, is the rule.

WAIT, THAT’S NOT ALL!

• Australian Government Appoints Aftab Malik as Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. The Australian government has appointed Aftab Malik, a specialist in Muslim affairs, to the position of special envoy in the fight against Islamophobia, a commitment it made amid social tensions fanned by recent conflicts in the Middle East.

• Hundreds of Email Addresses Exposed in VOCAT Administrative Error. Hundreds of email addresses-possibly those of victims of a crime-were inadvertently sent by the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal of Victoria due to an administrative error and caused distress and raised privacy concerns.

• Four-Week Negotiation Period Begins as NSW Nurses Receive 3% Pay Increase. NSW nurses have accepted a 3% interim wage increase recommended by the Industrial Relations Commission, temporarily halting industrial action while entering a four-week negotiation period with the state government for better pay and conditions.

SHARE MENCARI

We hope you enjoyed our newsletter!

We'd love for your friends to join us too! Just forward this email to them or send them your unique link: https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/4d5febfa-abab-4520-8540-f37d85919489?email=

Hey there! Just wondering if this newsletter was forwarded to you? 🤗 Sign up here (it's free!)

GAMES

Your click is an acceptance of Crossword Club's privacy policy and terms of use.

Got a News Tip?

Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.

FROM THE TEAM

📖 I appreciate you taking the time to read! See you in the next issue. Got a question or criticism? Just click on Reply. We can talk while we are here.

🎧 Check out our podcast, the one and only "Santos Unfiltered” - This podcast is an insightful conversation with people at the top of their game and deconstructs them to find the tools, tactics, and tricks to help you achieve your dream goal as Podcast Manager.

✍️ Give us a press release and a good-sized landscape photo. Make sure it's newsworthy. Send press releases to [email protected] or click here. Editorially, we may rewrite headlines and descriptions.