Daily News

Federal Government to End Electricity Bill Subsidy by Month’s End

Published

6 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The federal government has announced that its electricity bill subsidy for households will not be extended into next year and will end as originally planned at the end of this month. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that the $75 quarterly discount for all households will cease, describing the decision as a “hard” one made by the cabinet in light of “budgetary pressures.” Chalmers emphasized that the subsidy was never intended to be a permanent budget measure and that the government would shift to “long-term support,” such as tax cuts, to help households cope with living costs.

The subsidy, which began in mid-2023, was applied directly to electricity bills and complemented by state and territory government assistance. Some small businesses were also eligible. Initially funded for one year, the program was twice extended due to persistently high cost-of-living pressures. Although there had been speculation about a further extension, Chalmers said moving toward long-term measures was the more appropriate approach.

The announcement comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holds its final monetary policy meeting of the year, with markets widely expecting interest rates to remain unchanged. Core inflation recently fell to 3.3%, still above the central bank’s preferred 2–3% range. Chalmers noted that government tax cuts could reduce the average taxpayer’s weekly burden by around AUD 50, but cautioned that inflation, global economic conditions, and other spending pressures require careful budget management.

Rising energy costs were a significant contributor to high inflation in 2022 and 2023. The first round of electricity bill relief was introduced just ahead of a sharp price spike in July 2023. Statistics show that without the subsidy, prices would have risen 19.2%, whereas with the subsidy, the increase was limited to 6%. The program effectively dampened headline inflation, but with both federal and state subsidies ending, households will continue to face elevated electricity bills.

Commentary:

Over the past two years, the subsidy provided direct relief during periods of high living costs, helping ease household burdens and stabilize inflation in the short term. However, its temporary nature highlights that one-off subsidies cannot resolve underlying structural economic pressures.

Shifting to long-term measures such as tax cuts may boost disposable income, but it cannot immediately offset the impact of high electricity and energy costs on low- and middle-income households. For many families, electricity expenses still account for a significant portion of their daily budgets, and the removal of the subsidy may exacerbate financial stress. The government must ensure that follow-up measures effectively address the real cost-of-living needs of citizens while closely monitoring energy prices and inflation trends. Otherwise, household anxiety over rising living costs is likely to persist.

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Daily News

Legislative Council Election Sees Slight Increase in Voter Turnout, Total Voters Still Below Previous Term

Published

6 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Blessing CALD Editorial

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) election was held on Sunday, with all 615 ordinary polling stations opening at 7:30 a.m. and closing at 11:30 p.m. According to the latest figures from the Electoral Affairs Commission, the voter turnout in the geographical constituencies was 31.9%, up 1.7 percentage points from the 2021 election. However, in terms of total number of voters, the figure was slightly lower than the previous term, at 1,317,682. Turnout in functional constituencies exceeded 40%, while the Election Committee subsector saw nearly full participation, reaching 99.45%. The results for all 90 LegCo seats, covering geographical constituencies, functional constituencies, and the Election Committee subsector, have been announced.

Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman, Mr. David Lok, told the media shortly after midnight that the functional constituency elections used an electronic vote-counting system for the first time, which operated smoothly and efficiently. He highlighted that despite the impact of the Tai Po Hong Fuk Court fire, over 1.3 million voters still turned out, sending a positive message and symbolizing the first step toward Hong Kong’s post-pandemic normalization. He also expressed hope that the new council would help society recover from recent traumas.

Commentary:

While the geographical constituency turnout rose slightly to 31.9%, suggesting a modest increase in public participation, a closer look reveals that the number of registered voters decreased by approximately 340,000 compared to 2021. As a result, the total number of voters was still lower than the previous election.

The government made extensive efforts this year to encourage voting, including extending polling hours, offering “voter incentive cards,” allowing half-day leave, and providing discounts at cinemas and stores. Despite these measures, voter numbers did not see a significant rise, and in fact were slightly lower than the last term—a concerning trend rather than a cause for celebration.

In the context of events such as the Tai Po fire, voters’ decisions were influenced by deeper factors, including political trust and the broader social environment. If the government hopes the new council will genuinely reflect public opinion, superficial incentives and headline figures are insufficient. Authorities must precisely target citizens’ needs and understand the true sentiments of society to effectively boost political participation and rebuild trust in governance.

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Daily News

Communications Minister Faces Criticism Over Series of Taxpayer-Funded Trips

Published

6 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Blessing CALD Editorial

Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells has come under fire for a series of trips funded by public money, the latest controversy involving a June visit to the Thredbo ski resort where nearly AUD 3,000 of taxpayer funds were used to cover travel for her husband and child.

Documents show that Wells stayed at local resort facilities during peak ski season and had the costs reimbursed under the guise of official business. Her office emphasized that the trip was part of ministerial duties, including meetings with sports industry representatives, local organizations, and policy discussions related to departmental work. However, several opposition MPs questioned whether the itinerary overlapped with recreational skiing and accused the Labor government of using public funds for an unnecessary “luxury getaway.”

The scrutiny also extended to Wells’ other expenses, including using entitlements to bring family members to the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, attending a meeting in Adelaide coinciding with a friend’s birthday, and spending nearly AUD 100,000 on flights for herself and two staff members to New York.

In response, the Labor government defended Wells. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed that the trip “fully complied with the rules” and had been appropriately reported by the minister’s office, with no breach of reimbursement guidelines. The government also highlighted that the locations were recommended by relevant departments and represented important hubs for local sports and community activities. Wells’ official itinerary included meetings with sports organizations and discussions on winter sports policy.

Under the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) regulations, MPs may claim family travel expenses while performing official duties to help maintain family life, provided the primary purpose of the trip is ministerial business and aligns with the public interest.

Commentary:

Against the backdrop of rising living costs and growing pressure on the Labor Party, a minister using taxpayers’ money to take family members to a ski resort during peak season is inevitably seen as out of touch with ordinary citizens. Even if the trip complies with regulations, public perception may lean toward unfairness, particularly since skiing is a high-end leisure activity, making it more likely to provoke resentment. This scenario undoubtedly undermines Labor’s public image and trust, giving the opposition a long-term point of attack.

The episode also serves as a reminder to government officials that compliance with rules is not enough; transparency and sensitivity to public concerns are essential. Failing to address such perceptions can have a lasting impact on political credibility, emphasizing the need for careful management of taxpayer-funded activities to maintain public confidence.

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Daily News

Japan Accuses China of Radar Lock on F-15 Fighter Jets

Published

6 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Blessing CALD Editorial

On Sunday, Japan’s Ministry of Defense accused China of using radar to lock onto Japanese F-15 fighter jets near Okinawa, further escalating tensions between the two countries. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held an emergency press conference in the early hours, condemning China’s actions as a “dangerous behavior” that exceeded what is necessary for safe flight. He stated that Japan had lodged a strong protest with China and demanded measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The incident reportedly occurred in international waters southeast of Okinawa Island, where Chinese J-15 fighter jets took off from China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, to perform the radar lock. The area is near islands claimed by both Japan and China.

The Chinese Navy rebutted the accusation, stating that the Liaoning was conducting “routine carrier-based fighter training” and that prior notification had been issued. Chinese Navy spokesperson Wang Xuemeng said Japan’s claims were “inconsistent with the facts” and demanded that Japan cease slandering China. He emphasized that China would take necessary measures under the law to safeguard its security and legitimate rights.

Experts note that China has been gradually expanding the scale and frequency of its military exercises around Japan and Taiwan. The aim is to familiarize regional countries with their military presence and deter potential Japanese or U.S. intervention in a sudden Taiwan-related crisis.

Commentary:

China’s recent radar lock on Japanese fighter jets near Okinawa is not an isolated military action but part of a broader pattern of long-standing Sino-Japanese friction. In recent weeks, Beijing has taken a series of political and economic retaliatory measures in response to Japan’s political support for Taiwan and public statements on the issue. These actions reflect China’s strategy of applying multi-layered pressure on Japan, combining military moves with economic and cultural measures to create a comprehensive diplomatic leverage.

Historically, disputes over territory and security in the East China Sea and around Taiwan have persisted between Japan and China. In recent years, with China’s rapid naval expansion and regular carrier group patrols, Japan’s security pressures have increased significantly. The recent radar lock incident occurred within this geopolitical context, aiming both to demonstrate China’s military presence and to warn against foreign interference in Taiwan-related matters.

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