Australia news live: Labor's women's health package offers cheaper contraceptive pills and HRT; Queensland on flood watch
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Cait Kelly
Some measures will take effect almost immediately, like the PBS listing of the first new contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, and the first new menopausal hormone therapies in more than 20 years.
Other measures will be implemented following the re-election of the Albanese Labor Government.
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher:
Women have asked government to take their healthcare seriously, and we have listened.
Our investment of more than half a billion dollars will deliver more choice, lower costs, and better healthcare for women at all stages of their lives.
These changes could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes.
Whether it's saving hundreds of dollars on contraceptives, opening more endo and pelvic pain clinics, or ensuring more reliable support for women going through menopause – this comprehensive package will deliver for millions of women and their families. Share Cait Kelly
Today the Labor party will announce a $573.3m it says will deliver more choice, lower costs and better healthcare for women.
The package of measures includes: The first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years.
Larger Medicare payments and more bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants saving about 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.
A new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, funding to train health professionals, the first clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign.
The first PBS listing for new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years.
Opening 11 new clinics for endometriosis and pelvic pain, and ensuring these and the existing 22 clinics are also staffed to provide additional specialist support for menopause.
Contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs directly from pharmacies, with two national trials to benefit 250,000 concession cardholders. Share Rafqa Touma
And welcome to our live news blog. I'm Rafqa Touma updating you with the stories of the day as they happen.
We woke up to news that a heatwave, bringing high humidity and hot nights, is moving east from southern and central Australia. Southern parts of the Northern Territory and far western parts of Queensland are bearing the brunt, while Melbourne and Hobart are also expected to experience a run of unusually hot weather.
Yesterday thousands of people attended rallies across Australia to show solidarity with transgender youth and their families, after the Queensland government's decision to pause essential healthcare for trans minors. Twenty rallies were held, including crowds of 5,000 gathering in Brisbane and Melbourne, 2,500 in Sydney and more than 200 in Cairns, a lead organiser said.
And Australia's largest childcare provider is facing activist pressure to give staff paid parental leave. Australian employers commonly offer paid parental leave – in addition to the government scheme – to attract and retain workers in a competitive jobs market. But the largest listed childcare provider in Australia, G8 Education, has no such policy, drawing the attention of activist shareholders who want to pressure it to change.
Now let's get into the news of the day. Share
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