Tobacco excise backfires; households spend up; Spotify’s artist rankings

Friday 5 December 2025

Cigarettes and vapes cause the federal government, budget, health and crime headaches. 

• Household spending surges. 
• The federal government concedes it won’t hit its target for 1.2 new million homes by the end of the decade. 
• Spotify releases its most played artists and songs.
• Aussie tourist favourite Thailand relaxes rules around alcohol. 

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