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Budget Politics

Hits and misses in federal budget

Catholic organisations have praised aspects of the federal budget, welcoming foreign aid investment and measures that prioritise aged care, youth homelessness and end-of-life care, but raised concerns about NDIS reforms and missed opportunities to address family violence.

Budget Politics

Budget to reveal bottom-line improvement and ‘spending restraint’

Today’s federal budget will reveal a $45 billion improvement in the bottom line over this and the next three financial years, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers promises “spending restraint” at a time of high and rising inflation. Source: The Guardian.

Aged Care Politics

States concerned aged care plans won’t fix bed block

Labor’s bid to woo states into supporting NDIS reforms has hit a hurdle, with jurisdictions saying the Commonwealth’s promise to build an extra 5000 aged care beds a year won’t address the bed block already choking their health systems. Source: The Australian.

Budget Politics

Chalmers set to announce cash handout for every working Australian

The Albanese Government is set to announce a multibillion-dollar cash splash for all working Australians as its centrepiece cost-of-living support in the May budget. Source: The Australian.

Economy Politics

Grim warning for workers with inflation set to hit a three-year high

Inflation is set to reach a three-year high, with warnings that the Australian economy could be in the grip of stagflation, driving more than 100,000 people out of work within months. Source: The Age.

Politics Welfare

Government committee calls for increase in Centrelink payments

Calls are growing louder for Centrelink payments to be raised further amid an ongoing cost of living crunch for many Australians. Source: Yahoo News.

Disability Politics

Reforms spark fears over new definition of ‘permanent’ disability

Labor faces backlash over how it will define “permanent” disability and “functionality”, with warnings it will be “impossible” for one eligibility tool to be rolled out across more than 100 disability types. Source: The Australian. 

Disability Politics

NDIS cuts a cause for concern: Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services Australia has expressed concern following the reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme announced by Health and NDIS Minister Mark Butler yesterday.

Disability Politics

Chalmers warns ‘unaffordable’ scheme faces major changes

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned the National Disability Insurance Scheme is not affordable in its current form, laying the groundwork for major changes to the $50 billion program to become the central savings plank of next month’s budget. Source: The Age.