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Category: Government Federal

New data reveals soaring prison costs across Australia: a convict country following the American model

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Australia’s continued reliance on incarceration is costing taxpayers more each year, with new data showing the ‘revolving door’ back into prison is becoming further entrenched as governments double down on the American approach of building more expensive prisons while ignoring the evidence about what actually reduces crime.   The Productivity Commission’s latest Report on Government … Continued

Governments must go further to reduce prices to curb inflation

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To curb inflation, Governments must do more to directly reduce prices, ACOSS said following today’s interest rate rise.   “Government spending is not to blame for higher inflation. But governments can and should take further action to bring down costs for people doing it tough, including by further reducing out-of-pocket specialist and dental care costs … Continued

LIBERALS AND NATIONALS GIVE GOVT FREE KICK ON BLOCKING TRANSPARENCY

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Independent Western Australia Senator Fatima Payman’s motion, which sought to discharge the flawed Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025, failed after the majority of the Liberals and Nationals abstained on the vote. The FOI legislation was introduced into the House of Representatives at the end of last year despite little public support. The committee inquiry … Continued

“Thriving Kids report a welcome step forward, but delivery will be the real test”: Peak autism body

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The Autism Association of Australia (AAA) has welcomed the release of the Thriving Kids Advisory Group’s final report, congratulating the Advisory Group on completing a substantial and complex piece of work. Nicole Rogerson, CEO of AAA, said the report provides important new detail about a program that was announced with limited information, and which families … Continued

NSW services under threat: United Services Union demands investment in local government to support council-run early childhood education

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The United Services Union (USU) is calling on Senators and MPs to support a major funding boost for councils to prevent further cuts to essential community services across the state.  As the House of Representatives inquiry into local government sustainability concludes its submission phase, Branch Secretary, Graeme Kelly said workers in NSW are struggling to … Continued

Alcohol and gambling companies’ political donations surge in election year

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Community organisations are calling for an end to political donations by alcohol and gambling companies, and their lobby groups.  New data released this week shows alcohol and gambling companies and their lobby groups donated millions of dollars to Australian political parties around last year’s Federal election, prompting renewed calls from the Foundation for Alcohol Research … Continued

INDEPENDENT SENATOR WILL MOVE TO DISCHARGE DODGY FOI BILL

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Who: Senator Fatima Payman supported by other independent Senators When: Tuesday 3 February at 9:00am Where: Mural Hall, Parliament House Contact: Ash Telford: 0424 375 160   Independent Western Australia Senator Fatima Payman will today move a motion discharging the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 and I calling for her colleagues in the Senate … Continued

Support for global push for UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

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Monday 2 February 2026  Support for global push for UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons  The Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, is joining voices around the world during the Global Rally for Older People’s Rights (1–7 February) to call for stronger international protections for older people and an end to systemic age discrimination.  … Continued

Care minutes performed by religious sisters to be recognised

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Catholic Health Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to ensure personal care minutes delivered by religious sisters in aged care homes are formally recognised and count towards mandated targets.   The Department of Health, Ageing and Disability has updated the definition of a Personal Care Worker to include a person who is a member … Continued

Public Hospital Funding an Ongoing Disaster for Patients

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“Patients will continue to languish for months and years on public hospital waiting lists despite the announcement of a record $25 billion Federal funding for public hospitals, said Dr Tim Woodruff, President”, Doctors Reform Society. It’s all about smoke and mirrors, said Woodruff. Of course it’s a record spend. “Any new spending will be a … Continued