Video: Albanese condemns Israel's denial of aid in Gaza as indefensible
We're sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We're working to restore it. Please try again later.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
11 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘A huge human cost': Labor criticised over delays to aged care reforms as waitlist grows
Labor is facing a backlash over aged care services as a delay to landmark reforms prompts calls for urgent funding for 20,000 additional home packages and warnings that a two-speed system is locking out poorer elderly people. The Albanese government lost its first parliamentary vote of the new term on Monday afternoon, when the Senate voted to establish an inquiry into delays for home care packages, including unmet needs and the wellbeing of seniors waiting for assistance. Proposed by the ACT independent David Pocock, the vote was supported by the Greens and the Coalition, and comes after the aged care minister, Sam Rae, rejected calls to bring forward an additional 20,000 home care packages. Labor's reforms to the sector, originally slated to come into force from 1 July, have been pushed back to November, delaying the release of more than 80,000 home care packages. More than 87,000 elderly people are on the waitlist for care at home, with wait times up to 15 months. Labor has promised an end to lengthy delays by 2027, with maximum wait times of 90 days. Sign up: AU Breaking News email 'There is a huge human cost to delaying the release of more home care packages,' Pocock said. 'For some people that means being stuck in hospital longer because they can't get the support they need to return home safely. For others it means entering residential aged care earlier than they otherwise would have, others are struggling at home without the help they need.' The push follows warnings from the sector that Labor's changes risk squeezing out elderly people with limited financial means. Tracey Burton, chief executive of Uniting NSW and ACT, told Guardian Australia early this month equitable access for poorer Australians remains an unmet promise of changes passed by parliament last year. After a royal commission and a taskforce report to the federal government, Labor introduced new rules requiring wealthier people to pay more for their care and boosting access to support services for people who choose to stay in their own home. Residents who can afford to pay for their own care do so using a payment known as a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD). The average RAD is $470,000, with the lump sum refunded to family members when a resident dies. Elderly people whose care is paid for by the government rely on a supported accommodation supplement, worth $70 per day. The Greens aged care spokesperson, Penny Allman-Payne, is set to chair the Senate inquiry. She said the difference in value between RADs and supported placements, combined with a shortage of available residential beds and a rationing of home care packages, has led to fears of a two-tier system. 'You shouldn't have to be a millionaire just to guarantee care in your old age, but that's exactly what's at risk from Labor's new aged care system. 'Far from fixing the residential aged care system, Labor's changes coming this November mean wealthier homeowners may soon be worth twice as much in revenue to an aged care facility as an older person who lives week to week.' In a letter to crossbench MPs, Rae said the government acknowledged high demand for home care places, and said it was expected to continue up to November. But he rebuffed calls for bringing forward extra places. 'We also recognise that waiting to access a [home care package] has a real impact on older people and their families, as well as on the care providers. 'The Support at Home program is designed to bring down wait times for care and deliver more tailored support, giving older people the flexibility and choice to stay at home for longer.' Demand for aged care services is expected to surge, with the country on track for a doubling of people over 65 and a tripling of those aged over 85 within 40 years.
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Corporate Australia keeps climate talks behind closed doors
Australia's top business lobby is likely to withhold its view on a 2035 emissions reduction target until after the Albanese government makes its own decision, despite commissioning detailed research on the topic. The Business Council of Australia, which represents 130 of the country's biggest corporates, has been briefing its members on emissions policy modelling it commissioned more than 12 months ago, but has yet to decide if it will take a position or make it public.
9 News
2 hours ago
- 9 News
Australia's nervous Trump tariff wait almost over
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The so-called "reciprocal" tariffs were paused for 90 days, and the White House has recently announced deals with a slew of partners, including the UK , China , Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and, as of this morning, the European Union. However, an Australian deal is yet to be announced ahead of the pause expiring on Friday. Donald Trump's tariffs have caused uncertainty in financial markets. (Getty) Australia is currently subject to a baseline 10 per cent tariff, but what that figure will be as of Friday is unclear. Trump said last week he would be sending out letters to roughly 200 countries this week unilaterally setting a range of tariff rates. "It's basically going to say, you're going to pay 10 per cent, you're going to pay 15 per cent, you're going to pay maybe less, I don't know," Trump told reporters. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised Trump's tariffs when they were first imposed. (Dominic Lorrimer) Trump reacted positively to the news, saying on his Truth Social account: "Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." Albanese and China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlir this month. (Huang Jingwen/Xinhua via A) Meanwhile, talks between the United States and China are still ongoing, with officials from both nations set to meet this week. Trump slapped a 145 per cent tariff on imports from China in April, prompting Beijing to respond with a 125 per cent duty on the United States. In the aftermath of Trump's tariffs, China called for greater trade cooperation with Australia, which was reiterated when Prime Minister Albanese undertook a state visit to China earlier this month. "Protectionist measures are on the rise in the world, and China and Australia are committed to advancing trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation," Chinese Premier Li Qiang said after meeting with Albanese. CONTACT US
