O75 Public Administration

World now in grey-zone warfare

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Original article by Noah Yim
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 8-Oct-25

The Office of National Intelligence’s director-general Andrew Shearer has doubled down on his recent warning about the growing global security threat. He says grey-zone warfare has become central to strategic rivalry in the global struggle between a new "axis of authoritarian powers" and democracies. He contends that actions such as cyber attacks, political interference, disinformation and economic coercion aim to weaken cohesion within democracies such as Australia and between allies, and to make the world safer for authoritarianism. Shearer also noted that China’s military parade in September was designed to send a "clear message" that the nation’s military capabilities and intent are "advancing in step".

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AUSTRALIA. OFFICE OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

‘Not confident’: RBA pours cold water on Labor’s housing dream

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Original article by Matthew Cranston
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 1-Oct-25

The Reserve Bank of Australia had been widely tipped to leave the cash rate unchanged at its monetary policy board meeting yesterday. Financial markets have priced in a 40 per cent chance of a rate cut at the next meeting in November, but RBA governor Michele Bullock says progress on returning core inflation to its mid-point target of 2.5 per cent will determine the next move on interest rates. Quarterly inflation data to be released ahead of the next board meeting is likely to be crucial. Meanwhile, Bullock has warned that federal government action to boost supply is unlikely to address the housing market’s structural deficit in the next two years.

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RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence up 1.7pts to 86.3 before this week’s Reserve Bank meeting

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 1-Oct-25

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence rose 1.7pts to 86.3 in the week to 28 September. Consumer Confidence is now 4.3 points above the same week a year ago (82.0), and just 0.5pts below the 2025 weekly average of 86.8. Analysis by State shows a broad trend, with Consumer Confidence reversing the results of last week and increasing in the four largest States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, but down in South Australia. Now 22% of Australians (up 1ppt) say their families are ‘better off’ financially than this time last year, while 42% (unchanged) say their families are ‘worse off’. Looking forward, 29% (up 2ppts) of respondents expect their family to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year, while 33% (up 1ppt) expect to be ‘worse off’. Meanwhile, just 10% (up 2ppts) of respondents expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next 12 months, while 29% (unchanged) expect ‘bad times’. Only 23% (up 2ppts) of Australians say now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items, while 33% (down 1ppts) say now is a ‘bad time to buy’.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Peace Inc: Trump’s audacious Gaza start-up

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Original article by Joe Kelly, Ben Packham
The Australian – Page: 1 & 2 : 1-Oct-25

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the Trump administration’s proposed 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, and urged Hamas to accept it. US President Donald Trump said the deal will bring "eternal peace to the Middle East", but warned that Israel will have his "full backing" to finish the job of destroying Hamas if the terrorist group does not agree to the peace plan. Hamas negotiators have indicated that they are willing to study the plan "in good faith" and provide a response. Amongst other things, Hamas would be required to release its remaining hostages within 72 hours and lay down its weapons, while there would be a phased withdrawal of Israel forces from Gaza. A ‘Board of Peace’ would be established to oversee the administration of Gaza; it would be chaired by Trump.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Sydney and Brisbane CBD workers surge while Melbourne struggles to regain pre-pandemic heights

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 1-Oct-25

Roy Morgan research reveals that Australia’s central business district workforces have seen strong long-term growth over the past two decades, with most CBDs now surpassing their pre-pandemic peaks. Just 974,000 Australians worked in CBDs in 2003-04. Since then, the total has more than doubled to a record 2.2 million in 2024-25, driven largely by Australia’s population growth. Melbourne’s CBD workforce expanded significantly over the past two decades, more than doubling from 246,000 in 2003-04 to 614,000 in 2019-20. However, the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on Melbourne compared with other capitals. Worker numbers declined by nearly 100,000 within two years, reaching 519,000 in 2021-22, largely due to extended lockdowns and slower office re-entry. The workforce has since recovered to 577,000 but remains 37,000 below the pre-pandemic peak. Meanwhile, Sydney’s CBD workforce has surged from 283,000 workers in 2003-04 to 670,000 in 2024-25, rebounding strongly after a small pandemic dip and cementing its position as Australia’s largest CBD workforce. Brisbane’s CBD workforce has more than doubled, from 125,000 to 320,000, with rapid post-pandemic growth.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence down 1.3pts to 84.6; lowest rating since the Federal Election in early May

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 24-Sep-25

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence fell 1.3pts to 84.6 in the week to 21 September. Consumer Confidence is now 0.3 points below the same week a year ago (84.9), and 2.2pts below the 2025 weekly average of 86.8. Analysis by State shows a broad trend, with Consumer Confidence falling in the four largest States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, but up in South Australia. Now 21% of Australians (down 1ppt) say their families are ‘better off’ financially than this time last year, while 42% (up 2ppts) say their families are ‘worse off’. Looking forward, 27% (up 1ppt) of respondents expect their family to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year, while 32% (down 1ppt) expect to be ‘worse off’. Meanwhile, just 8% (down 2ppts) of respondents expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next 12 months, while 29% (unchanged) expect ‘bad times’. Only 21% (down 3ppts) of Australians say now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items, while 34% (up 2ppts) say now is a ‘bad time to buy’.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Paracetamol safe but study link to autism

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Original article by Natasha Robinson
The Australian – Page: 7 : 24-Sep-25

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has advised that paracetamol is considered safe for use during pregnancy. The TGA adds that it has no current safety investigations regarding a potential link between the widely-used analgesic and autism. The issue has come under scrutiny after US President Donald Trump claimed that using paracetamol during pregnancy can contribute to a higher risk of autism. Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby from the Florey Institute for Neuroscience & Mental Health says a number of high-quality studies have consistently found some positive links between Panadol and autism, and the issue merits further investigation.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. THERAPEUTIC GOODS ADMINISTRATION, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, THE FLOREY INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH

ANZ-Roy Morgan Inflation Expectations are at 5% in late September – the same as for the full month of August

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 24-Sep-25

The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan Inflation Expectations were 5% for the week of 15-21 September, the same as for the full month of August. A look at monthly Inflation Expectations for August shows the measure at 5% for the month, up 0.2% points from July and the highest monthly Inflation Expectations since January 2025 (also 5%). Looking back over the last year, weekly Inflation Expectations have moved in a band of 4.2% to 5.2% since the start of August 2024 and averaged 4.8%. A look at Monthly Inflation Expectations on a State-based level for August shows mixed results, with increases in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, unchanged in Victoria and Tasmania, and down in South Australia. The data for the Inflation Expectations series is drawn from the Roy Morgan Single Source, which has interviewed an average of around 5,300 Australians aged 14+ per month over the last decade, and includes interviews with 4,099 Australians aged 14+ in August 2025.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

ALP two-party preferred lead reduced in September but in line with Federal Election result: ALP 55.5% cf. L-NP 44.5%

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 24-Sep-25

In September the ALP has a commanding two-party preferred lead, although this lead has been cut since August. The ALP is on 55.5% (down 1% from August), ahead of the L-NP Coalition on 44.5% (up 1%), according to the latest Roy Morgan survey. The Albanese Government’s two-party preferred lead in September is in line with the Federal Election result in early May: ALP 55.2% cf. L-NP 44.8%. In the month of September primary support for both major parties was unchanged with the ALP at 34%, ahead of the Liberal-National Coalition on 30%. Support for all other parties and independents was unchanged at 36% in September. This includes the Greens (unchanged at 12%), One Nation (up 0.5% to 9.5%), and Independents/Other Parties (down 0.5% to 14.5%). The latest Roy Morgan survey is based on interviewing a representative cross-section of 5,084 Australian electors from 25 August 25 to 21 September 2025.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED, MORGAN POLL, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, ONE NATION PARTY

Teaching Mandarin in Victorian schools, student exchange top of China strategy

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Original article by Chip Le Grand
The Age – Page: Online : 17-Sep-25

Closer education links with China will be a key part of the Victorian government’s so-called ‘China Strategy’. Premier Jacinta Allan has signed a memorandum of understanding during a personal meeting with China’s Minister for Education, Huai Jinpeng. The agreement includes a student exchange program at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, while Victorian students will learn Mandarin. Allan has also announced that China’s Trina Solar has received approval for a $435m battery project in Victoria. However, she has declined to comment on a transport announcement that she is slated to make later this week, and whether it will include Chinese investment in the Suburban Rail Loop project.

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VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, CHINA. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, TRINA SOLAR LIMITED