Reforms

Oppositieleider Angus Taylor en schaduwminister van Financiën Tim Wilson verklaren dat een toekomstige coalitieregering de genereuze regels voor vastgoedbeleggers zal herstellen. • De Coalition heeft beloofd de voorgestelde wijzigingen van Labor aan negative gearing en de belasting op vermogenswinst (capital gains tax) ongedaan te maken als zij aan de macht komen, wat leidt tot een grote strijd voorafgaand aan de volgende verkiezingen over cruciale belastinghervormingen uit de begroting. • De schaduwminister van Financiën, Tim Wilson, en de oppositieleider, Angus Taylor, zeiden dat een toekomstige coalitieregering ruimere regels voor vastgoedbeleggers zal herinvoeren, evenals voor Australiërs die hun belasting minimaliseren via trusts, en beloofden de voorstellen in de komende weken in het parlement te bestrijden. Lees verder...

Schaduwminister van Financiën Tim Wilson zegt dat zijn doel is om wijzigingen in vermogenswinstbelasting en 'negative gearing' te ‘verslaan’. Volg het nieuws van vandaag live Bekijk alle verslaggeving over de Australische begroting 2026 Ontvang onze breaking news e-mail, gratis app of dagelijkse nieuwspodcast De Coalitie verklaarde gisteravond dat zij de wijzigingen in de vermogenswinstbelasting en negative gearing ongedaan zou maken als zij gekozen zouden worden, in een poging om terug te slaan tegen de begrotingsmaatregelen van Labor. De schaduwminister van Financiën, Tim Wilson, vertelde Sky News dat de premier tijdens de verkiezingscampagne van vorig jaar had beloofd de stimuleringsmaatregelen niet aan te raken en dat Labor daarom geen mandaat had voor de hervormingen. We zullen deze maatregelen indien nodig intrekken, maar ons doel is om ze te verslaan en ervoor te zorgen dat ze nooit in wetgeving worden omgezet. Omdat deze regering geen toestemming heeft van de Australische gemeenschap om deze wijzigingen te ondersteunen. Lees verder...

Exclusief: staat nu zonder limieten op politieke donaties of openbaarmakingsvereisten, enkele maanden voor de verkiezingen in november Ontvang onze breaking news-e-mail, gratis app of dagelijkse nieuwspodcast “Onbeperkt dark money” zal blijven instromen in de Victoriaanse politiek nadat Labor er niet in is geslaagd een akkoord te bereiken met de Liberals of de Greens over donatiehervormingen die de regering-Allan beloofde via het parlement te versnellen. Victoria is nu zonder limieten op politieke donaties of openbaarmakingsvereisten, enkele maanden voor de verkiezingen in november, nadat het hoogste hof vorige maand de donatiewetten van de staat ongeldig verklaarde. Lees verder...

• De Respect en Vrijheid Partij (Tisza) van Péter Magyar behaalde vorige maand een tweederde meerderheid met 141 van de 199 zetels, waarmee een einde kwam aan de 16-jarige Fidesz-regel van Viktor Orbán. • Hervormingen richten zich op het herstellen van de rechterlijke onafhankelijkheid, de persvrijheid en het elimineren van politieke invloed in staatsinstellingen en bedrijven. • De regering is van plan zich aan te sluiten bij het Europees Openbaar Ministerie om EU-budgetfraude, corruptie en misbruik van fondsen aan te pakken, te midden van toegenomen controle op onthullingen uit het Orbán-tijdperk.

Exclusive: amid unrest, President William Ruto promised to give all Kenyans access to healthcare. But the algorithm favours the rich, an investigation has found An AI system used to predict how much Kenyans can afford to pay for access to healthcare, has systemically driven up costs for the poor, an investigation has found.The healthcare system being rolled out across the country, a key electoral promise of President William Ruto, was launched in October 2024 and intended to replace Kenya’s decades-old national insurance system. Continue reading...

Treasurer Jim Chalmers had indicated ‘transitional’ proposed changes as Labor attempts to repair a ‘structurally flawed’ budgetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOnly applying changes to the CGT discount and negative gearing rules to new investments would “severely delay” desperately needed reforms required to repair a “structurally flawed” budget and boost the economy, Deloitte says.The consulting firm estimated that a policy which cut the 50% capital gains tax discount to 33% and abolished negative gearing would only generate $500m over the first four years of operation if existing investments were not included – an approach known as “grandfathering”. Continue reading...

• Pakistan secured a $6 billion IMF bailout package on Monday after the International Monetary Fund approved a revised structural adjustment program focused on tax increases and subsidy reductions. • The agreement requires Islamabad to implement value-added tax increases and privatize state-owned enterprises within the next 18 months, measures intended to stabilize the country's external account deficit. • The U.S. welcomed the agreement, with Treasury officials noting that Pakistan's fiscal stabilization is important for regional economic security and counterterrorism financing oversight.

Exclusive: Australian Recreation Union says it plans to support candidates and parties that oppose gun control laws brought in after terror attackGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA gun users’ group targeting marginal Labor seats in next year’s New South Wales election plans to campaign for candidates who oppose the government’s firearm laws enacted after the Bondi terror attack.In an email sent to the electorate offices of 15 Labor backbenchers last week, the Australian Recreation Union (ARU) said it had recruited campaign managers across 17 “vulnerable” electorates, including Kogarah, the seat of the premier, Chris Minns, and Swansea, held by the police minister, Yasmin Catley. Continue reading...

President signed executive order directing FDA to expedite review of psychedelic drugs including ibogaineDonald Trump on Saturday announced reforms intended to speed up access to medical research and treatment based on psychedelic drugs.The president signed an executive order directing the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite review of drugs such as ibogaine, a drug that US military veteran groups have said can help treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Analysis of government figures indicates public finances will gain £600m not £10bn if migrants’ access to benefits is reducedShabana Mahmood’s migration reforms are expected to deliver just £600m in savings – about 6% of the £10bn the home secretary claimed, according to the government’s own data.Under the plans, most people would have to wait 10 years to qualify for settled status, rather than the existing five-year period, which the home secretary argued would save costs on public services. Continue reading...

• G7 foreign ministers, led by US, demanded on April 4, 2026, independent audits of Venezuela's March 29 presidential election marred by 45% voter suppression claims. • US froze $800 million in Maduro regime assets, supporting opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's fraud allegations backed by 2 million witness affidavits. • Statement warns of hemispheric instability, with 7.2 million Venezuelans already refugees straining US border resources.

• The Pentagon released new details on personnel reforms for U.S. Cyber Command to enhance cybersecurity operations. • Officials aim to utilize existing CyberCom powers and avoid creating a separate cyber force. • The reforms address growing cyber threats, bolstering U.S. defense amid rising incidents.

More than half of roles could be hit and young shop workers in particular could lose out, trade body warnsMore than half of retail jobs could be affected by reform to guaranteed working hours, making it harder for shops to employ people – particularly young workers – in part-time roles, the industry’s lobby group has warned.From April, the Employment Rights Act will introduce new protections for workers on sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition. Continue reading...

• Congress passed landmark PBM reforms within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, reshaping pharmacy benefit manager operations and introducing new compliance requirements for PBMs and group health plans. • The legislation coincides with proposed Department of Labor rules on PBM fee disclosures and increased FTC enforcement on drug pricing initiatives. • These changes aim to address compliance risks and evolving regulations in the pharmaceutical supply chain, impacting industry stakeholders significantly.

Former deputy prime minister says Labour’s immigration changes are un-British and Starmer must respond to fall in party’s popularityAngela Rayner has said the very survival of the Labour party is at stake and warned Keir Starmer that he “cannot go through the motions” in the face of declining support.In a speech at campaign group Mainstream’s spring reception, the former deputy prime minister said she believed the government was “running out of time” to show it can deliver the changes that the public needs. Continue reading...

Pat McFadden unveils £1bn youth employment scheme and appeals for support from backbench MPs who rebelled over welfare last year Labour MPs have no reason to oppose a fresh government attempt to overhaul the welfare system, the work and pensions secretary has said as he unveiled a £1bn youth employment scheme.The announcement by Pat McFadden – who said the public wanted the system to promote work and “value for money” – is seen as a prelude to a renewed bid to reform the welfare system after plans by his predecessor, Liz Kendall, were blocked by a Labour backbench rebellion last year. Continue reading...

The Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12, 2026, with an 89-10 bipartisan vote, marking the first major housing reform in a decade and including LeadingAge-supported policies for affordable senior housing. The bill creates grants for planning affordable housing, streamlines environmental reviews, and updates manufactured home standards to increase supply. It represents key wins by empowering state and local governments to revise zoning and regulatory barriers hindering development. Further reforms and House action remain needed to fully address senior housing shortages.