auspol

Federal Budget: $2.6bn for wages and $291.6m for aged care not good enough says opposition

On Tuesday night, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered his fourth federal budget, which, as expected, focuses heavily on the delivery of…

50 new urgent care clinics are on the cards. But are the existing ones working? Here’s what we know so far

Over the weekend the Australian government announced $644 million to build an extra 50 Medicare urgent care clinics around Australia.…

Labor unveils next step in healthcare overhaul

Labor has announced a $644 million bid to open 50 more urgent care clinics, building on Anthony Albanese’s centrepiece $8.5…

The major parties want nine in 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030. Here’s why we shouldn’t aim for 100 per cent

Unaffordable GP visits has become a pressing issue amid the increasing cost-of-living crisis. About 30 per cent of Australians delayed…

Tit for tat: Major parties put health at the centre of pre-election promises

The Prime Minister has promised the largest single investment in Medicare in its 41 years, tripling the current bulk billing…

New year, same aged care crisis: Longer wait times, facility closures and hospital strain

Recent government data reveals that wait times for accessing aged care services have continued to grow year-on-year. The Productivity Commission's…

Minister for Aged Care promoted to Labor cabinet

Minister for Aged Care and Sport Anika Wells has benefitted from a recent party reshuffle, in which Prime Minister Anthony…

Budget boost into dementia research on the cards after sporting legend’s plea for support

The federal government will direct more funding into dementia and brain injury research in the May budget following an impassioned…

Aged care workers may wait until 2026 for full pay increase

The Albanese government seeks to delay aged care workers' wage rises of 23 per cent by almost two years due…

Reforms delayed to consider “extensive and valuable feedback”

Leaked documents suggest aged care reforms that were to start in July have been delayed for a year. The aged…

Parts of ACT’s voluntary assisted dying bill to be rewritten

Australian Capital Territory officials have been tasked to rewrite parts of the voluntary assisted dying (VAD) bill after an inquiry…

Changes are coming for Australia’s aged care system. Here’s what we know so far

Michael Woods, University of Technology Sydney and Eugenia Tsihlis, University of Technology Sydney Australia’s subsidised aged care services now help…

Albanese tax plan will give average earner $1500 tax cut – more than double Morrison’s Stage 3

A person on the average annual wage of $73,000 will get a tax cut of more than $1500 a year…

Urgent care clinics open up nationwide

The Albanese Government's early campaign promise of establishing more than 50 urgent care clinics (UCC) has taken shape as 58…

How have Labor’s aged care promises been tracking

The aged care sector has been subject to "ambitious" reforms some of which have been achieved, while others have stalled…

Aged care minister applauds “ambitious reforms” as facilities continue to struggle

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells has commended the Albanese Government's "ambitious" aged care reforms despite facilities struggling to reach…

Older Australians missing out on $60m in unpaid Medicare benefits

Nearly a million Australians are eligible to claim millions of dollars in unclaimed Medicare benefits before Christmas. The federal government…

If you’re 65 or over and want to work, you’re far better off in New Zealand than Australia

Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Want to keep working after you’ve reached pension age? The…

ACT reveals new VAD bill, different from other states

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) became the latest jurisdiction to introduce voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation on Tuesday – with the…

Aged care beds sitting empty due to workforce shortages

The need for workforce reform is dire, as aged-care beds nationwide are empty despite long waiting lists, the Committee for…

Government reveals pension changes to get more Aussies to work

Older Australians wanting to work can earn up to $11,800 before their pension is affected as stated in the new…

Dementia and voting in the Voice referendum

Dementia Australia (DA) is asking the families, carers and doctors of those living with dementia to start the conversation about…

IGR: an optimistic view

Last week’s Intergenerational Report (IGR) release projected Australia’s population to age over the next 40 years – and it’s not a problem.…

‘Poor buggers’: Aussie group to suffer extra tax burden

The growing reliance on personal income taxes to prop up government coffers is an “intergenerational tragedy”, former Treasury boss Ken…

Treasurer’s warning as 40-year economic outlook released

The government will be forced to slash spending or hike taxes for Australians if it wants to avoid a widening…