AUSTRALIA – POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Albanese Government maintains large two-party preferred lead while One Nation and the Coalition are tied on primary

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

A Roy Morgan survey shows that primary support for the ALP was virtually unchanged at 30% last week; the L-NP Coalition was also virtually unchanged at 22.5% (Liberals 19% and Nationals 3.5%). One Nation gained support (up 1% to 22.5%), while support for the Greens was 14% and support for Independents/ Other Parties was 11%. On a two-party preferred basis (based on how electors said they would ‘vote’ their preferences) the ALP was on 54.5% (down 1%), but still well ahead of the L-NP on 45.5% (up 1%). When preferences are allocated based on how Australians voted at the 2025 Federal Election, the ALP on 54% (down 0.5%) leads L-NP on 46% (up 0.5%). If a Federal Election were held now the ALP would be returned to Government with a clear majority under either method. This Roy Morgan survey was conducted from 20-26 April, with a representative Australia-wide cross-section of 1,587 electors.

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

Big tech hits back at Labor government’s Media Bargaining Incentive plan

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Original article by Clare Armstrong
abc.net.au – Page: Online : 29-Apr-26

The draft legislation for the federal government’s proposed Media Bargaining Incentive was released yesterday, and immediately attracted criticism from Meta and Google. The MBI aims to ensure that media companies are fairly compensated by technology giants that use their content; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it will prevent digital platforms from sidestepping their "obligations" under existing rules such as the News Media Bargaining Code. They will incur a tax of 2.25 per cent on their Australian gross revenue unless they make deals with news publishers to pay for use of their content. A Meta spokeswoman has described the MBI as a "government-mandated transfer of wealth", while Google had questioned why LinkedIn owner Microsoft is among the companies that will be exempt.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, META PLATFORMS INCORPORATED, GOOGLE INCORPORATED, MICROSOFT CORPORATION, LINKEDIN CORPORATION

Higher tariffs on Chinese steel could raise construction costs

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Original article by Michael Read
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 22-Apr-26

Economist Huw McKay says the federal government’s decision to increase the tariffs on Chinese steel products is "potentially counterproductive". McKay warns that this will increase construction costs, which will in turn add to inflation and the housing supply crisis. The government recently increased the tariff on Chinese-made steel reinforcing bar from 19 per cent to 24 per cent, in response to a recommendation from the Anti-Dumping Commission. The government has previously increased the tariffs on a range of other Chinese steel products, including bolts, hot-rolled coil and ceiling frames.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. ANTI-DUMPING COMMISSION

Labor races to secure fertiliser and diesel

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Original article by Ronald Mizen, Ryan Cropp
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 22-Apr-26

The federal government is confident that Australia will have sufficient petrol supplies for the month of May and at least the first part of June. However, government sources have indicated that the outlook is less certain for diesel, jet fuel and fertiliser. Australia is likely to face competition for these commodities in coming months, as European and Asian countries begin to rebuild their stockpiles. The government is set to announce new deals for Wesfarmers and Incitec Pivot to underwrite the purchase of fertiliser on the international market; this will be similar to a recent deal for Export Finance Australia to underwrite to fuel cargo purchases on the global spot market.

CORPORATES
WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, INCITEC PIVOT LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. EXPORT FINANCE AUSTRALIA

BHP tapped to advise on fuel crisis fix

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Original article by Perry Williams, Brad Thompson
The Australian – Page: 13 & 19 : 22-Apr-26

Resources Minister Madeleine King says the federal government has been working with companies across the economy to shore up the nation’s diesel fuel supplies since the Iran war began. It has been revealed that the government accepted an offer from BHP to provide expert advice on securing diesel supplies; Rio Tinto has also been assisting Labor to navigate the fuel market, although neither of procured physical supplies for the government. However, sources have indicated that Labor had been slow to accept assistance from the corporate sector.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESOURCES

Federal support looms for smelter to save jobs

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Original article by Ronald Mizen
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 21-Apr-26

A number of potential buyers have been conducting due diligence on the Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter in Tasmania, which was placed in administration in March. However, a deal between administator EY and unions to keep paying the smelter’s workers is set to expire this week, and about 175 jobs will be lost unless the workers agree to take leave without pay. The federal government is expected to intervene with a support package to fund the smelter’s $1.6m fortnightly payroll until prospective buyers have completed due diligence. Industry Minister Tim Ayres has described Australia’s only manganese smelter as "efficient" and "capable".

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ERNST AND YOUNG

NDIS infiltrated by organised crime gangs using intimidation and threats of violence against Australians

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Original article by Tom McIlroy
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 21-Apr-26

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has warned that the National Disability Insurance Scheme is being exploited by criminals. The ACIS has told an NDIS integrity review that organised crime gangs are using the scheme to launder money, earn income and hide assets. The ACIS has also told the review that lack of sufficient surveillance has allowed NDIS providers who have been banned from the system to reapply and resume their rorting. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has advised that NDIS cost reductions will be a key savings measure in the federal budget on 12 May.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Big business says Chalmers must reign in welfare for the wealthy

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Original article by John Kehoe
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 21-Apr-26

The Business Council of Australia has used its pre-budget submission to urge the federal government to cap real spending growth at per cent a year. Government spending currently comprises nearly 27 per cent of GDP – its highest level in four decades excluding the pandemic – and the BCA warns that it will reach a record high within a decade if action is not taken. The BCA notes that untargeted government spending that supports wealthy Australians and middle-income earners is increasing, while more targeted income support payments for the unemploy and people on the age pension are declining.

CORPORATES
BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

Beware Chalmers, the anti-economist Treasurer at helm

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Original article by Judith Sloan
The Australian – Page: 11 : 21-Apr-26

Even if there is an early resolution to the Iran war, which looks unlikely, there will be a hit to Australia’s economic growth rate with headline inflation increasing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is essentially an anti-economist who is trying to transform the Australian economy from Canberra. He distrusts markets and thinks government intervention and spending can produce superior outcomes. Without a coherent economic framework, Chalmers’ response to war-induced economic difficulties is likely to be ill-advised and ineffective. His instinct will be to ditch any budget plans for real savings and to pour money into pump-priming the economy through more handouts. The minor tax reforms in the budget will be piecemeal and designed to shift attention away from the loose fiscal settings.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Federal Voting Intention: Albanese Government maintains large two-party preferred lead as One Nation loses support to other parties

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 21-Apr-26

Last week ALP primary support was virtually unchanged at 30.5%, and the L-NP Coalition virtually unchanged at 23% – Liberals on 19.5% and Nationals on 3.5%. One Nation lost support, down 3% to 21.5%, while support for the Greens was up 1% to 13.5%, and up 1% to 11.5% for Independents/ Other Parties. A look at voting results by gender shows the ALP leading strongly amongst women on a two-party preferred basis: ALP 60.5% (down 0.5% points) cf. L-NP 39.5% (up 0.5% points). However, amongst men, there continues to be a much closer result. On a two-party preferred: ALP 50.5% (up 0.5% points) cf. L-NP 49.5% (down 0.5% points) according to the Roy Morgan survey conducted from April 13-19, 2026, with a representative Australia-wide cross-section of 1,620 electors.

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