Australian parliament votes on gas policy as Greens pledge funds for Yarra River

UPDATE - follow-up to Politics live: Hastie dubs inflation a 'silent tax eating away at wealth'; half of young Australians say US a 'threat': The lower house is debating and voting on Australia's domestic gas reservation policy today. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese states the policy is important for increasing supply and lowering prices. Meanwhile, Liberal MP Andrew Hastie warns Australians should worry about a potential interest rate rise, calling inflation a silent tax that erodes wealth. Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino defends the government's response after data showed inflation at 4.3% to September, pointing to international factors and government efforts to strengthen the fiscal position.

Trade and Social Media

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement to boost the economy, though it faces ongoing hurdles from farmers. Separately, Albanese urges the Senate to pass social media reforms, arguing the changes let individuals control device content rather than international tech companies using algorithms.

Yarra River Plan

The Victorian Greens announced a $70m election promise to make Melbourne's Yarra River swimmable by 2036. The plan allocates $50m for pollution and stormwater management and $20m for community, environmental, and First Nations grants. Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell points to Paris as an example, while swimming in the river has been banned downstream of Abbotsford since the 1960s due to contamination.

Context

Domestic gas reservation policies are often proposed by governments to secure local energy supplies and protect domestic users from high international market prices. The Yarra River cleanup proposal follows similar urban river restoration efforts seen in major global cities like Paris.