Australia news live: Labor reports $20bn in savings in mid-year budget update; Queensland driver charged with eight attempted murders after pedestrians struck

Published 23 minutes ago
Source: theguardian.com
Australia news live: Labor reports $20bn in savings in mid-year budget update; Queensland driver charged with eight attempted murders after pedestrians struck

The government is talking up $20bn in cost savings ahead Wednesday’s mid-year fiscal and economic outlook. Follow live updates

Pressure mounts on Albanese government to control gas exports

A broad range of consumer, industry and climate and environment organisations have called upon the Federal government to put people before gas exporters as it considers a new gas policy expected to be released soon.

Australia’s focus on gas exports has tripled domestic gas and electricity prices, driving up inflation and household bills. Multinational gas corporations are posting huge profits while people on low incomes are skipping meals, not cooling homes and going without medicines because they can’t afford their energy bills.

The government must implement gas export market controls and avoid options that effectively subsidise gas companies or incentivise new polluting gas production. It’s time for this government to prioritise people over rich gas companies.

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