O75 Public Administration

As Russia’s influence in Asia surges, Australia’s ranking slips

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Original article by Matthew Knott
The Age – Page: Online : 26-Nov-25

The latest edition of the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index shows that the US is still the most powerful nation in the region. China is ranked second, followed by India and Japan; however, Australia has fallen from fifth place in the annual rankings to sixth. Russia has in turn risen to fifth place in the index, which assesses the relative power of 27 countries and territories in the Indo-Pacific region. The report notes that Russia’s power in Asia is rising, aided by support from other ‘authoritarian revisionist powers’ such as China and North Korea; the authors warn that the growing collaboration between these nations will continue to challenge the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

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LOWY INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL POLICY

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence up 0.7pts to 84.2 driven higher by more confidence about buying conditions heading towards next week’s Black Friday sales weekend

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 19-Nov-25

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence rose 0.7pts to 84.2 in the week to 16 November; however, it is now 2.6pts lower than a year ago (86.8), and 2.2pts below the 2025 weekly average of 86.4. Analysis by State shows mixed results, with Consumer Confidence up in New South Wales and Queensland, unchanged in Victoria, but down in Western Australia and South Australia. Now 20% of Australians (down 1ppt) say their families are ‘better off’ financially than this time last year, while 44% (unchanged) say their families are ‘worse off’. Looking forward, 26% (down 2ppts) of respondents expect their family to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year, while 33% (up 2ppts) expect to be ‘worse off’. Only 9% (up 1ppt) of respondents expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next 12 months, while 29% (down 1ppt) expect ‘bad times’. Meanwhile, 24% (up 4ppts) of Australians say now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items, while 36% (down 1ppt) say now is a ‘bad time to buy’.

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

RBA cautious on any further rate cuts

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Original article by Luke Kinsella
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 19-Nov-25

The minutes of the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy board meeting for November outline the circumstances under which it would consider further interest rate cuts. The minutes indicate that the RBA would only consider a rate cut if there is a material deterioration in the labour market or if households become more cautious about spending. The monetary policy board noted that inflationary pressures would be weaker under both scenarios, making interest rate cuts more likely. However, the RBA expects both the unemployment rate and economic growth to remain steady over the next several years.

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RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Roy Morgan Poll: In November, support for One Nation increased to its highest since 1998; ALP maintains two-party preferred lead

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 19-Nov-25

The latest Roy Morgan survey shows that primary support for the ALP was down 2% to 33% in November, with support for the Coalition unchanged on 27% and the Greens down 0.5% to 12.5%. However, primary support for One Nation was up 2% to 14%, which is its highest level since July 1998. On a State-by-State basis, support for One Nation increased in the four largest States of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, but support was down in the smaller States of South Australia and Tasmania. This increasing support for One Nation should come as no surprise; Roy Morgan has been monitoring the rise of disaffected, disengaged Australians, who are 2.5 times more likely to support One Nation. On a two-party preferred basis the ALP has maintained its lead at 56.5% (down 0.5% from October), ahead of the Coalition on 43.5% (up 0.5%). If a Federal Election were held now the ALP would be returned to Government with an increased majority. The latest Roy Morgan survey is based on interviewing a representative cross-section of 5,248 electors over the four weeks from 20 October to 16 November 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

Shaky Liberals fears party split

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Original article by Phillip Coorey, Ryan Cropp
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 19-Nov-25

There is growing concern within the Liberal Party of Australia that its stance on net-zero emissions could potentially cause the party to split. Multiple sources have indicated that some members of the Liberals’ moderate faction have held discussions about splitting from the party. However, Liberal senator and moderate Andrew Bragg contends that the recent decision to abandon the commitment to net-zero is not a reason to walk away from the party, and he argues that the fragmentation of the centre-right of Australian politics would result in less coherent policy.

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LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

Wilson’s policy blueprint to take down Allan

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Original article by Anthony Galloway, Lily McCaffrey
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 19-Nov-25

Victoria’s Opposition leader Jess Wilson has identified a range of policy priorities for the Coalition ahead of the state election next year. They include budget repair, the economy, healthcare, housing and the state’s crime crisis. Wilson has described herself as a "new generation" leader and says the appointment of a third Liberal leader in less than a year is a "line in the sand" moment for the party. Wilson was elected unopposed, with Brad Battin choosing not to contest the ballot after the party room voted 19-13 to spill the leadership. Sam Groth has been re-elected as deputy leader, while Beverley McArthur is the Opposition’s new leader in the upper house. The state government has already launched ‘attack’ ads targeting Wilson.

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LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA

Victoria to set life terms for kids as young as 14

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Original article by Anthony Galloway
The Australian – Page: 3 : 12-Nov-25

The Victorian government has belatedly responded to the state’s youth crime crisis by announcing plans to implement ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws. Premier Jacinta Allan is set to announce that children aged 14+ who commit a range of offences will automatically have their case heard by the Country Court rather than the Children’s Court; these offences include aggravated home invasion and aggravated carjacking. The County Court can presently impose a maximum penalty of 25 years for aggravated home invasion and aggravated carjacking; however, the government will legislate to increase the maximum penalty to life imprisonment for offenders aged 14+.

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VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, COUNTY COURT OF VICTORIA, CHILDREN’S COURT

Victoria hits back at worst for business ranking

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Original article by Marcus de Blonk Smith
The Australian – Page: 4 : 12-Nov-25

The Victorian government has responded to the Business Council of Australia’s finding that the state is the nation’s worst place to do business for a second consecutive year. The government contends that investment in Victoria has been "the strongest among all states" over the last decade, growing by 53 per cent over this period. A government spokesman also contends that Victoria continues to rank first in terms of home approvals and home completions, adding that the government has also reduced or scrapped taxes 65 times. The BCA has again ranked South Australia as the best place to do business.

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BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

Roy Morgan Business Confidence virtually unchanged at 101.7 after the RBA leaves interest rates at 3.6%

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 12-Nov-25

In October 2025, Roy Morgan Business Confidence was virtually unchanged at 101.7. The result followed the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged in late September at 3.6%. Business Confidence is now 8.2pts below the long-term average of 109.9, and down 5pts from October 2024. Now 30.6% (down 2.8ppts) of businesses says their business is ‘better off’ financially than this time a year ago, while 34.1% (down 0.5ppts) say the business is ‘worse off’. Meanwhile, 42.2% (up 2.6ppts) of respondents expect the business will be ‘better off’ financially this time next year, while 22.3% (up 2.3ppts) expect the business will be ‘worse off’. Some 37.4% (down 1.9ppts) respondents say the next 12 months will be a ‘good time to invest’ in growing the business, while 34.9% (up 5.4ppts) say it will be a ‘bad time to invest’.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED

States attack federal Labor’s tobacco policy

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Original article by Mohammad Alfares, Lachlan Leeming
The Australian – Page: 6 : 12-Nov-25

The federal government is attracting growing criticism over its tobacco policy, including its refusal to reduce excise tax in order to combat the burgeoning black market. Tasmania’s Police Minister Felix Ellis says the federal government’s response to the illegal tobacco trade has been one of the "worst public policy disasters" in the world at present. He adds that Tasmania intends to crack down on the illicit trade, but warns that the issue needs to be addressed at federal level. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says federal counterpart Mark Butler has ignored his call to reduce the excise tax.

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TASMANIA. DEPT OF JUSTICE, NEW SOUTH WALES. MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, DISABILITY AND AGEING