Jetstar to charge for overhead baggage; Australia drops 'widow tax'

Australian airline Jetstar is introducing a new policy that will charge passengers at least $25 for overhead baggage space, starting in February 2027. The airline will remove the current 7kg carry-on weight limit, allowing only an underseat bag. Passengers wishing to use overhead bins will need to purchase "priority carry-on," which also includes early boarding. Jetstar's CEO cited passenger and crew frustration with full overhead bins as the reason for the change, aiming to streamline boarding and improve bin access.

“

We’re the biggest losers, per capita, in the world. The last two days has shown us exactly why. You have a predatory industry that is doing everything to, one, normalise gambling against Australians, and, two, to absolutely milk people for their money.

Meanwhile, Independent Senator David Pocock has voiced strong criticism following testimony at a parliamentary inquiry into the gambling industry. He described the industry as "predatory" and accused vested interests of maintaining a "stranglehold" on major political parties, hindering government action on gambling reform. Pocock believes this is preventing the government from enacting measures that most Australians desire, and he sees an opportunity for the Senate to protect young Australians.

“

This is vested interests and their stranglehold on the major parties. And particularly on the prime minister. That is what’s stopping the government doing what the vast majority of Australians want.

In separate comments, Pocock also suggested that a housing market correction would be beneficial for the country. He argued that the rapid rise in house prices over the past two decades is unsustainable. Pocock stressed the fundamental importance of housing for individuals and families, advocating for measures to keep prices in check while wages increase, thereby restoring affordability.

“

It’s kind of just become this normal thing that house prices go up at a rapid rate. I think we’ve got to ask the question – what is housing for? Housing is so fundamental to functioning as a human, to flourishing families, communities – we have to actually ensure that we can keep house prices in check over the next couple of decades while wages rise to get back to a point where housing is affordable in this country.