Private health sector estimated to come out in ‘much better shape' following Healthscope crisis
Private Healthcare Australia CEO Rachel David says there has been 'tremendous growth' in the number of Australians using private health insurance.
Ms David claims around 15 million Australians are equipped with the service.
'The reason it continues to grow is because of some of the struggles that the public hospitals have had … and people desire to have more control over when they have treatment and by whom,' Ms David told Sky News Australia.
'We think that the private hospital sector will emerge from this crisis in a much better shape than it was previously.'
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News.com.au
9 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Australia's Best Teachers: Fixing our maths, science teaching ‘crisis'
Two in five Australian high school students are learning maths from teachers without formal qualifications in the subject. But universities are boosting teachers' skills through new short courses – and are calling for support to rapidly expand them to tackle the nationwide issue. News Corp has this week launched the third year of its Australia's Best Teachers advocacy series to celebrate the positive impact educators have and tackle workforce challenges in our schools. This year's series is presented in partnership with Officeworks, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Education Perfect and Big Ass Fans. Teachers around the country, through no fault of their own, are being forced to teach subjects outside their areas of expertise due to workforce shortages. A 2024 report by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute found maths was taught by out-of-field teachers 40 per cent of the time. And the most recent Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership workforce survey found 20 per cent of maths teachers, 29 per cent of technology teachers and 11 per cent of science teachers had no formal qualifications in those areas. Southern Cross University and Charles Sturt University have each developed microcredentials to upskill out-of-field teachers in maths, trialling them on pilot cohorts. Maths lecturer and Southern Cross course co-ordinator Lewes Peddell said out-of-field teaching had reached a 'crisis point' where thousands of students went from years 7 to 10 without being taught by a teacher with a maths degree. Dr Peddell's 350-hour course is designed to upskill teachers and improve their 'confidence and competence' in six main areas of the maths curriculum. 'We have to remember that these are qualified teachers – they're just not qualified in mathematics, so it's about finding ways to bridge what they know from their own discipline areas into teaching maths,' he said. 'This micro-credential is a drop in the bucket, but it is a drop.' Mathematical Association of NSW executive director Darius Samojlowicz said out-of-field teaching had become so common that he 'quite regularly' encountered non-maths-trained teachers who have become head of their school's maths faculties. 'We can't solve this problem overnight but we can support those teachers who are in this situation right now,' he said. Dr Janelle Hill coordinates a short course for out-of-field teachers at Charles Sturt. 'There's an overall teacher shortage and a very unequal distribution in regional and rural and remote communities,' she said. 'It's a tricky one to solve, but something like this microcredential is making a big difference.' Kat Crow, head teacher at St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in rural Victoria, said she benefited enormously from the Southern Cross course after feeling 'like a unicorn' among maths teachers. Ms Crow said teachers must be given the time – and money – to access such programs. 'If I didn't have the school assist me with that, I may or may not have been able to make that choice,' she said. Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe said STEM graduates were in high demand in the broader economy, so teaching needed better pay and conditions to attract more into the profession. The federal government's $18.5 million micro-credential trial, which includes a range of qualifications besides teaching, will end in June 2026. Education Minister Jason Clare said both student teacher training reform and support for current teachers was needed. 'Part of turning this around is improving teacher training at university to make sure teaching students are taught the fundamentals about how to teach children to read and write and do maths and how to manage disruptive classrooms,' he said.
News.com.au
12 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Concrete and steel': Stark new modelling exposes grim legacy of Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games
Stark new modelling shows Brisbane is set to lose the majority of its largest inner-city parkland to make way for a mega Olympic stadium the government promised would never be built. Sustainable development research Neil Peach has conducted analysis of the impact of constructing a 63,000-seat arena at Victoria Park, showing at least 58 per cent of the 64-hectare green space. The release of the assessment coincides with new visuals showing the significant impact of the stadium and its associated infrastructure. Major difference to official renders Perth's Optus Stadium – a 60,000 seat and 14-storey high venue – has been superimposed on the site as a comparable indicator, advocacy group Save Victoria Park explained. 'These new images show in proper scale how much this mega structure will completely overwhelm the park and local suburbs,' the group's spokesperson Rosemary O'Hagan said. 'And these pictures don't even include the 25,000-seat aquatics stadium, Olympic warm up track and other major ancillary facilities now planned for the site.' The government's official render of the new stadium in Victoria Park. Save Victoria Park's render of the 'true' size and scale of the stadium. The visuals show official architectural impressions released by the Queensland Government are misleading, Ms O'Hagan said. 'The glossy official renders we have seen to sell this project to date are nothing more than architectural artifice. They are not concepts, or plans. 'Where are the sprawling plazas, the bridges, the towering retaining walls, and the extensive amenities that will be required to cope with tens of thousands of people at a time? 'Where are the multiple car parks and connections to roads and train stations that have been promised?' Government figures 'don't add up' Planning for the 2032 Games has been marred by confusion for several years, with original announcements abandoned or revised, as well as projected cost blowouts. In March, following a 100-day review of Olympic infrastructure needs, the recently elected Liberal-National government unveiled its final plan, with a Victoria Park stadium as its centrepiece. But in a bid to ease community tension, the review insisted just 12 to 13 per cent of the site's green space would be consumed by the stadium and its related infrastructure. Ms O'Hagan said the source of that figure remains 'unknown' and is wildly off the mark. To scale overlay showing Perth's Optus Stadium against the government's artist's impression of a stadium in Victoria Park. Excludes warm-up track and a 25,000-seat aquatic stadium also planned for the site. Picture: Save Victoria Park Full overlay on the Victoria Park site, showing the entire northern side would need to be redeveloped to meet requirements. Picture: Save Victoria Park Dr Preach's analysis conservatively estimates the true loss of green space at 58 per cent, with that conclusion reached via site-specific modelling and the input of town planning, sports architecture and engineering experts. On top of that, a recent report in The Courier-Mail indicated the government is considering selling off additional chunks of land inside Victoria Park to residential developers, Ms O'Hagan said. 'This is a salami slicing tactic – taking a bit at a time and announcing impacts gradually so that the full size and extent is not revealed until it's too late,' she claimed. 'It's time the government told us exactly how much public land we are losing with this Victoria Park construction fest, and how much it's going to cost.' The government insists its plan is the best way forward for the 2032 Olympics and will deliver a 'lasting legacy' beyond the global event. And with the clock ticking, Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris said 'the time for talking has passed'. 'Let's put the plan into place,' Mr Liveris said. A 'precious public asset' Victoria Park was first designated as a future public parkland in 1875. Until recently, it was home to a sprawling golf club, the closure of which saw the original vision revived. As well as being heritage-listed, Ms O'Hagan said Victoria Park is a significant Indigenous cultural site. 'Let's call this project what it is – a major profit-driven redevelopment of one of Brisbane's most precious public assets,' she said. 'What is truly hard to understand here is that there are and always have been other viable options – flat, less challenging sites not listed on Queensland's Heritage Register. 'This is an extremely hilly, challenging landscape, in a high traffic area next to Queensland's largest hospital. You can't simply plonk mega venues here.' Opponents rally against the Olympic stadium at Victoria Park. Picture: Patrick Woods. Victoria Park Olympic stadium protesters join forces to form giant human 'NO'. Picture: Liam Kidston The government's plan 'signal the death' of the future of Victoria Park, she added. Authorities haven't confirmed the cost of the new stadium, but the formal review of infrastructure needs estimated it at $3.4 billion. Green group Aussie Animals said sacrificing more than half of the green space will have dire environmental consequences. 'Urban green spaces don't just provide aesthetic value – they are essential infrastructure for climate resilience,' a spokesperson said. 'The park's 64 hectares of green space help cool surrounding neighbourhoods, manage stormwater run-off, and provide a natural buffer against extreme weather events. 'Replacing this natural infrastructure with concrete and steel would effectively remove one of Brisbane's most important climate adaptation assets at a time when we need it most.' Broken promises and fast-tracking In the lead-up to and during the election, now-Premier David Crisafulli repeatedly vowed no new stadiums would be built. In March, conceding he had broken a key election promise, Mr Crisafulli told reporters: 'I have to own that, and I will, and I am sorry. It's my decision.' Legislation introduced by the government will see all Olympic venues, including the stadium at Victoria Park, exempt from major planning rules including the Environmental Protection Act, Queensland Heritage Act, and Planning Act, among others. 'With the largest infrastructure investment in Queensland's history, it's important there are clear pathways to delivery, with the appropriate oversight of government in the right places,' Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie said. Premier David Crisafulli concedes he broke a key election promise. Picture: Josh Woning When the Games have concluded, the new stadium will be the new home of AFL and cricket in Brisbane. The Gabba, an ageing asset that had originally been flagged for redevelopment by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, is too expensive to save and will be demolished instead. 'It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL and cricket at a new home,' Mr Crisafulli said. Research by Griffith University conducted in 2023 and 2024 found many Queenslanders are 'apathetic about the Games and concerned about their cost'. 'Some were unclear how the event would benefit them. Others were concerned the games would take resources away from areas they felt were more important,' the researchers noted. 'This research highlights an urgent need and opportunity to ensure Olympic plans and outcomes are relevant and positive for the host community at large.' Save Victoria Park has vowed to launch a legal challenge.
ABC News
18 minutes ago
- ABC News
How will Australia's minimum wage increase affect you?
ABC finance reporter Alicia Barry says a real wage increase of 3.5 per cent is a 'substantial' change considering slowing inflation.
