![\"Clare](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8256.jpg\")
Clare O\u2019Neil speaks during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\nUpdated at\u00a000.44 EDT<\/p>\n
Key events<\/p>\n
![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\n
Vic premier plans to pass work from home laws this week<\/p>\n
Victoria\u2019s premier, Ben Carroll, says the government will introduce amendments to its work from home bill and pass it through parliament this week.<\/p>\n
Prior to stepping down as leader, Carroll\u2019s predecessor, Jacinta Allan, had announced plans to legislate the right to work from home two days a week for those who can \u201creasonably\u201d do so and had secured bipartisan support for the bill.<\/p>\n
But one of Carroll\u2019s first acts as premier<\/a> \u2013 and following a media blitz by business groups \u2013 was to announce he would push back the bill\u2019s commencement from 1 September to July 2027. The bill has then been sitting toward the bottom of the upper house notice paper after passing through the lower house.<\/p>\n This afternoon, he posted on social media<\/a> that he had made some \u201csensible amendments\u201d to the bill and expects it to pass this week:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re going to pass the right to work from home laws this week. Work from home works. That\u2019s the message I\u2019ve heard loud and clear. But these laws need to work for business too, because the reality is, if it\u2019s not practical for employers, the laws won\u2019t last. So I\u2019ve made some sensible amendments to these laws to make them practical and affordable for businesses, while preserving the right for workers.<\/p>\n Caroll has previously signalled he was open to amendments that would ensure businesses don\u2019t have to foot the bill for home-office equipment and other costs.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> What would One Nation\u2019s super policy mean for you and your retirement?<\/p>\n One Nation\u2019s new super policy proposes splitting the 12% compulsory super payment so that 3% could be used prior to retirement. Critics say it would just push up inflation.<\/p>\n For a breakdown on all of this and what it means, we\u2019ve laid it out for you here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.59 EDT<\/p>\n Hastie says One Nation\u2019s super policy a distraction from internal problems<\/p>\n Coalition frontbencher Andrew Hastie has called One Nation\u2019s proposed policy to divert superannuation payments into workers\u2019 pay packets a distraction from the party\u2019s other issues.<\/p>\n Speaking on ABC\u2019s Afternoon Briefing, Hastie questioned whether the policy would work.<\/p>\n double quotation markI think Pauline Hanson is trying to address a real cost-of-living pressure for Australians. If you look at real wages since the pandemic, they have crashed and not recovered. Go to the outer metropolitan parts of this country, people are doing it really tough, no matter what state or territory.<\/p>\n One Nation are seeking to address cost-of-living pressure, that\u2019s great. The question is, will it work? And that is a question for which I have not seen the modelling or the costing.<\/p>\n The comments come as One Nation\u2019s Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, continues to attract scrutiny over allegations made against him by an ex-partner about alleged drug use.<\/p>\n Hastie said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWarren Pickering, the One Nation candidate, has questions to answer about his past, and Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce have questions to answer about what they have known about his past. You could argue this is a magician\u2019s trick.<\/p>\n Pickering has rejected his ex-partner\u2019s claims as \u201cfalse\u201d. \u201cThey are extremely hurtful and I just hope the public can see through them,\u201d he said in a statement<\/a>, according to The Australian.<\/p>\n Andrew Hastie. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.08 EDT<\/p>\n Two people dead after light plane crash south of Brisbane<\/p>\n Police have confirmed two people have died following reports of a light aircraft crash after the plane plunged on to a property at Chambers Flat in Logan after 11am on Monday.<\/p>\n The crash sparked a fast-moving grass fire which saw at least a dozen fire trucks and multiple crews work to contain the blaze, which burned close to a farmhouse before being brought under control about 12.50pm.<\/p>\n Police have yet to release further information surrounding the circumstances of the pair\u2019s deaths and are awaiting further details.<\/p>\n At a press conference, Ch Supt Mel Adams from Queensland police said officers are in the process of identifying and contacting the deceased\u2019s next of kin.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt was a very confronting scene as you can imagine. So, our care at the moment is to our emergency service responders and of course the family when we can make contact with them and notify them.<\/p>\n Police have called on any witnesses of the incident to come forward to assist in investigations.<\/p>\n double quotation markWe\u2019re still searching for witnesses in that matter. So I reiterate my call to the public. Please contact police if you have information to share in relation to this tragic incident today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.23 EDT<\/p>\n Boy speared in back during unrest in remote NT community<\/p>\n Police say a 14-year-old boy has been speared in the back as tensions rise between family groups in a remote Top End community, AAP reports.<\/p>\n The spearing allegedly occurred in Ngukurr, one of the largest Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory\u2019s Roper Gulf region, with a population of just over 1,000 people.<\/p>\n The community unrest started on Friday evening, with police receiving reports of a large disturbance between two family groups in the township. Police said in a statement:<\/p>\n double quotation markA number of people were allegedly armed with weapons during the disturbance.<\/p>\n No injuries were reported at the time.<\/p>\n More reports of disturbances involving weapons were received after tensions escalated on Saturday afternoon. Police said:<\/p>\n double quotation markAt around 5.35pm, police received a report that a 14-year-old boy had been speared in the middle of his back.<\/p>\n Officers went to the local health clinic where they spoke with the boy and his family. Police said:<\/p>\n double quotation markHe was subsequently medically evacuated by CareFlight for further treatment and remains in a stable condition.<\/p>\n Officers are working with local leaders and elders in a bid to prevent further violence.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.13 EDT<\/p>\n Light plane plunges into Queensland paddock, sparks grass fire<\/p>\n A light aircraft has plunged into a rural property in Queensland, sparking a fast\u2011moving grass fire and a massive emergency response, with grave fears held for the people on board, AAP reports.<\/p>\n The plane went down on a paddock south of Brisbane after 11am on Monday, with shocked residents raising the alarm as smoke billowed across paddocks.<\/p>\n Crews were called to a grass fire just after 11am and arrived to find plane debris scattered on the Chambers Flat property and flames racing through dry grass across an area about 300 by 400 metres, authorities said.<\/p>\n At least a dozen fire trucks and multiple crews worked to contain the blaze, which burned close to a farmhouse before being brought under control about 12.50pm.<\/p>\n No homes were damaged.<\/p>\n Police have cordoned off the crash site and have yet to confirm how many people were on board or whether anyone has been injured.<\/p>\n Paramedics and firefighters remain at the scene as investigators work to piece together what caused the accident.<\/p>\n The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and will investigate the crash.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.59 EDT<\/p>\n Arts Centre Melbourne workers take industrial action for the first time Workers at Australia\u2019s largest performing arts venue, Arts Centre Melbourne, have taken industrial action for the first time in its history, with multiple work stoppages delaying performances last week, and more expected to come.<\/p>\n Ushers, food and beverage attendants, stage managers, ticketing staff, programmers, electricians, technicians, and other unionised employees of the VVictorian government-run Arts Centre walked out of the building as audiences took their seats for five shows last week.<\/p>\n The workers are calling for a 7% annual pay rise to make up for wage stagnation since 2022. The previous enterprise agreement saw wages increase by 1% every six months, and many of the band 1 wages in the expired agreement are now below the national minimums. The Arts Centre had to increase affected workers\u2019 pay after the recent minimum wage review to ensure they were not paid less than the national baseline. The Arts Centre told the Guardian none of its workers were paid below minimum wage, and has offered a pay rise of 3% annually, the equivalent of the Victorian government wages cap.<\/p>\n Members of MEAA, the Community and Public Sector Union Victoria, and the Electrical Trades Union have been bargaining with the Arts Centre on a new enterprise agreement since March.<\/p>\n Aerial view of Arts Centre Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross\/AAP<\/p>\n Footage posted to social media by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) last week showed audiences applauding a worker announcement<\/a> explaining that the delay to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra\u2019s performance of How to Train Your Dragon 2 was caused by industrial action.<\/p>\n The Symphony Orchestra Musicians\u2019 Association, part of MEAA, has also expressed its support for the striking workers<\/a>.<\/p>\n A union petition that had nearly 3000 signatures at the time of writing<\/a> called on the Victorian government to \u201cincrease funding to Arts Centre Melbourne and give workers a real pay increase that reverses years of real wage decline\u201d, linking worker pay to the broader issue of cultural funding.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Arts Centre Melbourne said the organisation respected workers\u2019 rights to take lawful industrial action, and continued to bargain in good faith with union representatives to reach an agreement that was \u201cfair and financially sustainable outcome that is consistent with the Victorian Government Wages Policy\u201d.<\/p>\n The spokesperson said:<\/p>\n double quotation markArts Centre Melbourne has reached agreement with unions on a range of detailed conditions within the proposed Enterprise Agreement. The main outstanding issue is wage increases \u2026 During this period of industrial action, our priority is to minimise disruption for presenters, artists, and audiences, while maintaining a safe working environment for our team.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.48 EDT<\/p>\n That\u2019s all from me, Achol Arok will guide you through the rest of the afternoon\u2019s news.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Nationals call on government to \u2018scrap the cap\u2019 on veterans\u2019 allied health services<\/p>\n Nationals MP Michael McCormack calls on the government to \u201cscrap the cap\u201d on veterans\u2019 allied health services<\/a>.<\/p>\n Albanese says the government is consulting on the changes; increasing the fees paid to allied health professionals; removing the need for veterans to get a new referral every 12 months; and making further care available if there is a clinical need beyond that $5,000 cap.<\/p>\n The existing cap is 12 allied health visits before a veteran needs a referral. Albanese says the new cap of $5,000 will allow more visits.<\/p>\n The resources minister, Madeleine King, wraps up question time with an ode to Australia\u2019s critical minerals capabilities.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.29 EDT<\/p>\n Greens: Beetaloo fracking a \u2018giant climate bomb\u2019<\/p>\n Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown asks the prime minister if he supports the resources minister, Madeleine King, on the fracking of the Beetaloo basin<\/a>, describing it as a \u201cplan to ignite this giant climate bomb\u201d.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese says he supports his ministers as well as \u201creal action on climate change\u201d. He says:<\/p>\n double quotation markUnless you have firming capacity, you won\u2019t have the expansion of renewables that is important for the transition.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.14 EDT<\/p>\n Enforcement and compliance focus in tobacco war, Chalmers says<\/p>\n Nationals MP Llew O\u2019Brien is demanding a yes\/no answer on whether the government will rule out any reduction in the tobacco excise.<\/p>\n \u201cThe government\u2019s priority is to deal with this as an enforcement issue, a compliance issue, a law enforcement issue,\u201d Jim Chalmers says.<\/p>\n In answer to objections from the opposition about the relevance of his answer, the speaker, Milton Dick, says he can\u2019t force the treasurer to say yes or no.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.58 EDT<\/p>\n Tim Wilson booted from chamber<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers is quoting the shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson \u2013 who was just booted from the chamber for being rowdy \u2013 saying he would \u201clike to slow the growth in the price of housing\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThen he says he wrote a whole book about it,\u201d Chalmers says.<\/p>\n And we\u2019re back to another demand the government join the Coalition<\/a> to \u201ccrush the organised crime gangs\u201d.<\/p>\n The health minister, Mark Butler, talks about the opposition increasing the tobacco excise by far more than Labor did when they were in power.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they trousered every single dollar,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He says Queensland and South Australia have put extra enforcement powers in place and there\u2019s a \u201ccompletely different picture\u201d to that playing out in NSW and Victoria.<\/p>\n Tim Wilson exits after being ejected from the chamber during question time. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.12 EDT<\/p>\n Taylor says tobacco excise cut would \u2018crush\u2019 organised crime<\/p>\n Now to the tobacco excise wars<\/a>, sparked by the explosion in illegal tobacco.<\/p>\n Opposition leader Angus Taylor talks about the firebombing of small businesses and the need to \u201ccrush the organised crime gangs\u201d. The opposition wants to cut the excise cut on cigarettes, so they would be more competitive on price.<\/p>\n Leader of the house Tony Burke says \u201cthe last thing this parliament should ever do is outsource its health policy to organised crime\u201d.<\/p>\n It has to be dealt with through law enforcement, he says, adding:<\/p>\n double quotation markThey know all too well that the exact impact of what they are proposing would be an increase in tobacco consumption in Australia.<\/p>\n Angus Taylor during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.07 EDT<\/p>\n Katter calls for income splitting<\/p>\n Crossbench MP Bob Katter asks the treasurer about the cost-of-living crisis. He talks about the \u201cappalling inequality\u201d in the disposable income between those with children and \u201cdinks\u201d (double income, no kids).<\/p>\n Income splitting is the answer, he says, \u201cwhile a birthing payment will help arrest Australia\u2019s plunging birthrates\u201d.<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers says a similar proposal was costed and it found it would cost the nation more than $12bn over the forward estimates and would \u201cprimarily benefit higher wealth and income couples\u201d:<\/p>\n double quotation mark[It would] cost the budget substantially, while denying the people it\u2019s designed to help.<\/p>\n Income splitting would create a tax transfer system that encourages economic dependence, reduces initiatives for women\u2019s workforce participation [and] would risk unwinding some of the gains that we\u2019ve made as a country.<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.39 EDT<\/p>\n Are house prices \u2018softening\u2019 or \u2018plummeting\u2019?<\/p>\n The shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, says Sydney house prices are \u201cplummeting so fast that they are on track for the biggest crash in 40 years\u201d in a question to the government.<\/p>\n The housing minister, Clare O\u2019Neil, says the government was transparent about the changes in the budget, with Treasury modelling suggesting there will be 75,000 new owner occupiers and a \u201csmall and temporary slowing in house price growth\u201d.<\/p>\n House prices grew 400% in the past 25 years, she says:<\/p>\n double quotation mark[Wilson] is accurate in one sense that house prices are softening across the country \u2026 this is the fourth time that we have seen this occur in a decade in our country.<\/p>\n Clare O\u2019Neil speaks during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.44 EDT<\/p>\n It’s question time<\/p>\n After a moment of silence for Nepal, question time is up and running.<\/p>\n Up first is Angus Taylor, who asks Anthony Albanese about comments from the Property Council about the government\u2019s taxes being \u201ca ram raid on house prices\u201d.<\/p>\n Albanese says the budget made no changes for people who already negatively gear property, and that investors are \u201cborrowing to build more new homes than ever before\u201d, citing a Herald Sun report and ABS data:<\/p>\n double quotation markGoing forward, negative gearing and the 50% capital gains tax can still be used for investment properties, but only on new builds, so when people choose to invest in housing, they\u2019re not investing in their future wealth and assets, they\u2019re investing in the future wealth and assets of the nation.<\/p>\n Anthony Albanese during question time. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.18 EDT<\/p>\n![\"Luca](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Luca_Ittimani.png\")
Luca Ittimani<\/p>\n![\"Stephanie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Steph_Convery.png\")
Stephanie Convery<\/p>\n![\"Tory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Tory_Shepherd.png\")
Tory Shepherd<\/p>\n