Australia news LIVE: Voice to parliament ‘Yes’ campaign to launch this week; another earthquake hits Turkey and Syria
Key posts
- ‘Code for more tax’: Dutton slams Treasurer’s superannuation overhaul
- East coast power shortages on the cards without new projects: AEMO
- ‘Ukraine stands, democracy stands’: Biden says during surprise visit
- Panic as another strong earthquake hits Turkey-Syria border
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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‘Code for more tax’: Dutton slams Treasurer’s superannuation overhaul
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ plan to overhaul the $53 billion a year in tax concessions on superannuation accounts faces early opposition from the Coalition amid claims Australians are tapping their retirement nest eggs for cosmetic procedures.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton denounced the treasurer’s proposals to introduce new laws about what superannuation could be used for as “all code for more tax”, while defending the Coalition policy of allowing withdrawals for illness or house deposits.
Peter Dutton has denounced Treasurer Jim Chalmers proposed reforms to superannuation.Credit:Nine
But Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones will use a speech on Tuesday to argue the government needs to change the laws around superannuation to safeguard against its misuse.
Read the full story here.
East coast power shortages on the cards without new projects: AEMO
Returning to Australia, where homes and business along the country’s eastern seaboard could face electricity shortages as closures of coal-fired stations loom and there are delays with clean energy projects.
In a new report to be released on Tuesday, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) warns “material changes” to its expectations of available power supplies over coming years in Victoria, South Australia, NSW and Queensland have reinforced the urgent need for new generation plants and other key infrastructure to be approved and rolled out.
EnergyAustralia will close the Yallourn power station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley in mid-2028Credit:Paul Jones
“Urgent and ongoing investment in renewable energy, long-duration storage and transmission is needed to reliably meet demand from Australian homes and businesses,” AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman said.
More on this issue here.
‘Ukraine stands, democracy stands’: Biden says during surprise visit
Staying with overseas news, where US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The trip was shrouded in secrecy because of security concerns and comes at a pivotal moment in the war as Russia increases attacks and prepares for a likely larger offensive in the coming weeks.
US President Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit in Kyiv.Credit:AP
Biden had already been publicly scheduled to arrive in Warsaw on Tuesday morning for meetings with Polish President Andrzej Duda as well as the leaders of the so-called Bucharest Nine group of eastern European countries.
Read more from our Europe correspondent about Biden’s visit here.
Panic as another strong earthquake hits Turkey-Syria border
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck southern Turkey near the Syrian border late on Monday, setting off panic two weeks after the country’s worst earthquake in modern history left tens of thousands dead.
Two Reuters reporters said the tremors were strong and lasting, damaging buildings in central Antakya city. It was also felt in Egypt and Lebanon, Reuters reporters said.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the tremor struck at a shallow depth of 2 km.
Police patrolled Antakya while ambulances rushed to the quake-hit area near the city centre. Two people fainted, while others filled the streets around the central park making emergency calls on cell phones.
Turkish rescue teams ran around on foot after the latest quake to check on residents, many who were living in temporary tents after the tremors two weeks ago.
The full story about the latest earthquake is available here.
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning, and thanks for your company.
It’s Tuesday, February 21. I’m Caroline Schelle, and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started:
- Australia’s east coast faces power shortages in the next decade because of the closure of coal-fired power stations as delays hit renewable projects
- Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has slammed Treasurer Jim Chalmers bid to overhaul superannuation
- Staying with treasurer for the moment, he also made an early call to change the $5 note
- According to new research Australia’s pricey property market is because of high population growth and sprawling low-density suburbs rather than low-interest rates
- And turning to the Aston byelection, where top Liberal party officials will pick the party’s candidate for the high-profile federal seat in Melbourne’s outer east
- Turning to overseas news, US President Joe Biden appeared in Ukraine for a surprise visit, and show of support for the country
- Meanwhile, another earthquake has hit the Turkey-Syria border triggering panic
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