Labor says that Treasury document shows that LNP negative gearing claims ‘outright lies.’

The Guardian reports that ALP has released a Treasury document that states its negative gearing policies could cut house prices in the short term but, over time, the impact will be “relatively modest”. It is reported that the opposition has seized on the advice to government, released under freedom of information, as proof that the Coalition exaggerated claims that changing the tax treatment of property would be a “sledgehammer” to the economy. Before the 2016 election the Guardian reports, the ALP promised to restrict negative gearing to new homes and reduce the capital gains concessions from 50% to 25%. The Treasury analysis from 2016 reports the Guardian contains a table showing the expected impact of Labor’s policy on various asset types. It concludes that, for residential investment properties and owner-occupied housing, the policy “could introduce some downward pressure on property prices in the short term”. The Guardian reports that the shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, said that the document, which the Australian information commissioner ordered be released, “directly refutes” the Liberals’ “overblown attack on Labor’s housing affordability policies”. He said it was clear the criticisms were “little more than outright lies” reports the Guardian.

Poll shows African youth crime is a key issue, and that Andrews needs to deal with it.

The Age reports that voters in two key outer Melbourne electorates say resoundingly that crime involving African youths has spiked in the last year, and more than half identify law and order as their biggest concern. However writes the Age, a strong majority of more than 1300 residents polled in the Labor seats of Tarneit and Cranbourne believe that Premier Daniel Andrews will better tackle crime than Opposition Leader Matthew Guy.

Barnaby Joyce has Hansard changed back after being caught out over correction.

The SMH reports that ALP has pursued Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce in question time after the Nationals MP was caught out correcting an answer he gave to Parliament that exaggerated the number of farmers receiving drought assistance. It is reported by SMH that the opposition tried to suspend regular proceedings to censure the minister for trying to "improperly alter" Hansard and "misleading the house". However, writes SMH, Labor's attempt to admonish Mr Joyce failed when the government used its numbers to shut down Labor's motion. Ultimately reports the SMH, Mr Joyce sought to undo the changes and blamed a staff member for the "minor edits". It was noted by SMH that while minor amendments to Hansard that don't affect the substance of what was said are usual, substantive changes without a formal correction of the record are considered to be bad by MPs as Hansard is supposed to show the true record of what is said in the Chamber.

Government tackles youth anxiety and depression with $110m package.

The Guardian reports that the federal government has announced a $110m package targeting youth anxiety and depression, including $46m in funding to a beyondblue program to teach students about good mental health in early learning, primary and secondary schools. It is reported that online and phone support services including the Kids Helpline and ReachOut will share an extra $1.8m in funding over two years, while $13.5m has been allocated to the Orygen National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health.

2018 ‘the end’ of resources boom as commodity price drops bite.

The Age reports that the government has forecast the end of the mining boom, with 2018 marking the tipping point for when producers will see export earnings heading south. It is reported in the Age that in the fiscal 2017, the resources and energy sector is tipped to see record high exports earnings. However writes the Age, this is expected to be short-lived. Data from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science released on Monday suggests a bleaker outlook for 2018 with billions less in earnings it is reported. After exports earnings hit a high of $214 billion in 2017/18 it is reported, but they will quickly pull back to $200 billion the following year, the report forecasts.