Josh Butler

Planning to use this a bit more from now on. You can also find me via the following for work stuff: - my DMs are open - email: Josh.butler@theguardian.com - Signal: joshbutler.01

ABC director Hugh Marks says they're "taking further action" over One Nation's Please Explain cartoon featuring Bluey - alleging "breach of intellectual property" and flagging a cease & desist, in answers to the Senate

Police charge driver after Helen Haines struck by vehicle - charges include dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and causing harm to Commonwealth public official "Police will allege the incident was targeted" Court hearing tomorrow

New statement from David Shoebridge's office, re Jordon Steele-John: Shoebridge says he believes Steele-John taking leave is "appropriate" and he believed "leave was agreed" - in contrast to JSJ's statement overnight that "I am not on leave"

OpenAI must explain how they will stop their models from inappropriately accessing Australian data, the chair of the parliament’s committee on artificial intelligence has warned, ahead of federal inquiry hearings today to grill big tech companies on AI www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

it's official: David Shoebridge announced as new Greens leader, Steph Hodgins-May deputy Shoebridge: "The answer to the rise of One Nation and the far right is to give people hope, and make people’s lives better with real economic and environmental security"

David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May confirm tilt for Greens leadership ballot They join Sarah Hanson-Young, and Mehreen Faruqi and Nick McKim, as declared contenders

OpenAI has apologised for its agent accessing Australian govt websites, saying "should have handled our response better. We are sorry and working to do better in the future" company "intend to make this right" but no details beyond appearance at a parliamentary committee openai.com/index/how-we...

Sydney Swans say the five players "will not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 AFL Season" www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2105113...

the new opt-out register for gambling ads could take up to 12 months to design, Guardian Australia understands, with critics on both sides questioning how it would actually work www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

last night we let the News24 Launch Edition Shiraz talk www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

PM Albanese says Labor WILL now move on gambling inducements, and promises some action on "targeting of advertising" - but details still TBA, amid negotiations with Coalition Greens urging Angus Taylor not to "roll over" www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

For all the bluffing and calling going on, everyone knows walking away from gambling reform is the worst option The Coalition and Greens are on board for stronger action. The government should call their opponents, and stand up from the table with a popular win www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

In a new statement today, One Nation claims there is no "free speech" issue with barring certain journalists and media outlets from its events Story: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

ABC apologises for Gina Rinehart comments on Race Around The World - "has fallen short of community expectations" says managing director Hugh Marks www.abc.net.au/about/media-...

Coalition demanding amendments to Labor govt's gambling bill - saying they want action on inducements and ad frequency Govt's bill appears nearly friendless in the Senate, with Greens, crossbench and now Coalition (+ Labor members) voicing major concerns

Despite QLD & NT rejecting the federal government’s plans to mandate AI datacentres use renewable power, Labor will forge on with plans for energy & water usage rules Govt also examining whether it can set price protections to shield people from power bill spikes www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Pauline Hanson has updated her parliamentary register of interests for her European trip - disclosing that Gina Rinehart paid for the flights www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

Creative industries are happy after Albanese's AI speech backed copyright protections, not carveouts for big tech ARIA CEO: "should be a very strong message to the AI companies, pick up the phone and start licencing… We’d like get on with it" www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Albanese's major speech on AI tomorrow will describe the technological change as on par with the renewable energy transition, but is not expected to outline long-awaited copyright reforms to protect creative industries - with discussions still in train www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Liberal MPs joining with Greens, crossbench to demand more Govt action on gambling reforms - which have been branded a “capitulation” and “half-arsed” by opponents www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation withdrew more than $800,000 of election spending claims after AEC inquiries www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Are we now pretending that homes are a short turnaround purchase for first home owners?

Liberal frontbencher calls for party ‘rebrand’ after drop in polls, prompting ridicule from Labor

Parliament has been getting frosty as winter closes in – but Labor may make one more gamble before the break

Barnaby Joyce and now senator Sean Bell have struggled to explain One Nation's housing policy to force non-residents to divest their property Bell was cut off mid-interview on 2GB, the host calling it a "trainwreck" when he couldn't explain the policy www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

The Greens have raised concerns about Jim Chalmers having sweeping discretionary powers to change tax rules. Chalmers says its a "beatup", but Labor needs the Greens to get CGT and negative gearing changes through the Senate www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

🚨NACC commissioner Paul Brereton has resigned, the anti-corruption commission has announced www.nacc.gov.au/news-and-med...

Labor MPs expect Govt WILL give concessions on capital gains tax to startups some are wary scare campaigns may “get out of hand” without clearer explanation "If an unintended consequence has caused a headache, let’s fix it" w/ @krishani-dhanji.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australia’s peak community and housing groups have urged federal parliament to quickly pass Labor’s changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, saying the reforms would improve fairness for renters and young homebuyers www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Albanese’s department among those blocking 80% of FoI requests, scathing report finds Report finds culture of ‘resistance and delay’ in the Australian parliament with more than 60% of requests having longer response times than mandated 30-day deadline www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Tech founders use AI-generated images to poke fun at Anthony Albanese in protest against tax changes

BUDGET 2026: - confirmed: negative gearing and CGT discounts slashed - $250 "tax offset" for workers - budget forecasts inflation to rise to 5% by midyear Follow along live here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Chalmers says economic pressures are “driving them to consider” rightwing populist parties - the budget has an eye on the rise of One Nation Albanese admits home ownership struggles will "get worse, not better" unless govt takes major action in the budget www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

shadow treasurer Tim Wilson today says he would “never, ever, ever” support a coalition government with One Nation, walking back previous comments that left the door open to such an arrangement. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Sussan Ley statement after One Nation wins her former seat of Farrer: "I urge Liberal leadership to accept this result with humility" "[Angus Taylor] said Liberal Party needed to “change or die”... the result demonstrates that statement to be far truer today than it ever was"

royal commission report, key points: - some parts remain confidential - no "urgent" changes, PM says - some states too "leisurely" on gun law reforms - RC won't publicly discuss Bondi shooters' motives - focus on whether ASIO terror warnings were heeded www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

the interim report of the Bondi royal commission has been released - 14 recommendations, 6 kept to a confidential report Calls to prioritise efforts on gun buyback, and consider whether PM and cabinet "should participate in a counter-terrorism exercise" www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

Gina Rinehart has gifted Pauline Hanson a new private plane, worth more than $1.5m, as a group of her associates donate another $2 million to One Nation www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Ben Roberts-Smith has been granted bail under strict conditions while he awaits a possible trial on five counts of war crime murder. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has urged Israel to stop attacks on Lebanon and again called for Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire He also tells me Australia’s Wedgetail military aircraft would stay in the Middle East at least 4 more weeks www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

PM Albanese has extended Australia's deployment of a Wedgetail military plane and ADF staff Asked if Israel’s escalating strikes on Lebanon were a threat to the ceasefire and reopening the strait of Hormuz, he would only say: “we want to see a ceasefire” www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

new: PM Albanese will give an "address to the nation" tonight at 7pm across TV and radio. It'll be on fuel, and is said to be about encouraging Australians to help save fuel for areas that need it www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

despite Australia's under-16s social media ban, eSafety's survey of parents found 31.3% of children still had social media after the ban (down from 49.7% before) Of those with social media before Dec 10, 70% were still on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/med...

breaking: PM Albanese announces a HALVING of the fuel excise for 3 months - cutting petrol prices by 26 cents a litre Also encouraging people to take public transport where possible, to conserve fuel for those who need it

Farmers hope national cabinet will help them with tax breaks and underwriting fertiliser purchases to survive the fuel crisis, with Monday’s meeting expected to discuss more assistance to businesses amid ballooning petrol prices www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Some industry groups are urging the government to roll out assistance packages or even a jobkeeper-style wage assistance program amid the fuel crisis, to help businesses avoid laying off staff www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...