Latest news with #Americanisation
Epoch Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Labor Defends Consultant Cuts as It Takes Aim at Coalition's Public Service Slashes
While Labor targeted Coalition's plan to cut 41,000 public servants as a point of contention, it has also defended its own move to slash 54,000 private consultants. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers argue Labor is targeting waste, not essential services. Albanese added that Labor's cuts were about value for money. 'We are cutting on wasteful spending,' he said. 'A public service officer works for a reasonable wage—$200,000 for a senior role—but a consultant for the same role works half the time, getting paid double the amount under the Coalition.' He said the Coalition's reliance on consultants had real consequences. 'The consultant culture led to 42,000 veterans being denied their entitlements—men and women who had served our nation in uniform, some of whom passed away before they got the entitlements they had earned,' he said. Related Stories 3/3/2025 3/27/2025 'We are backing Australians. Peter Dutton is sacking Australians.' Impact on Vital Agencies Albanese warned the Coalition's cuts would gut key public services, including Services Australia, the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the National Emergency Management Agency. He questioned what would happen to critical agencies if 41,000 public service jobs were lost. 'What happens with ASIO, with Operation Sovereign Borders, with the Australian Signals Directorate?' he asked. 'These security and defence agencies represent more than 20,000 of the 68,000 public servants currently in Canberra; 41,000 of them are going to be sacked. That will have a devastating impact on Australian services.' Billions in Savings Defended Chalmers said Labor had already saved billions by cutting back on consultants, and would continue reducing waste. 'We are making billions of dollars of savings, investing in the capacity of the Australian Public Service, while winding back outrageous levels of spending on contractors and consultants,' he said. He dismissed claims that the figures were 'creative accounting.' 'When we came to office, the public service was hollowed out. Too much spending on contractors and consultants,' he said. Chalmers accused Dutton of borrowing policies from overseas. 'He wants the Americanisation of health, the public service, and education,' he said. 'He draws his inspiration from U.S. politics and slogans. We believe in the capacity of the Australian Public Service.' Coalition: No Forced Job Losses Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has downplayed the fallout from the proposed cuts, saying that no jobs would be lost outside Canberra. 'We've been very clear about that,' Dutton said, adding that some of the 41,000 positions could come from existing vacancies. Nationals Leader David Littleproud said many of the positions were already vacant and would simply not be filled. The Coalition confirmed frontline and national security roles would be protected, and there would be no forced redundancies. The projected $7 billion in savings is to be delivered over five years through voluntary exits, unfilled vacancies, and a freeze on new hiring.
7NEWS
15-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Nurses and midwifes allowed to prescribe abortions in NSW bringing state in line with rest of Australia
Abortion acess in NSW will expand as the state allows nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs to terminate pregnancies. An amended bill to address the address the state's 'abortion deserts' was passed in NSW parliament's lower house on Wednesday. It was put forward by Greens MP Amanda Cohn to remove barriers to abortion for women in areas outside major cities. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The bill will still need to return to the state's upper house, which does not sit again until May 27. Sixty-five lower house MPs supported the change in a conscience vote, while 20 were opposed. Political leaders lamented the 'Americanisation' of the debate around increasing access. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman alleged in parliament that a prominent campaigner threatened to derail his leadership if he supported the bill. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe told him she would 'lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader,' Speakman told MPs under parliamentary privilege. 'I will not cave to brazen bullying like this, nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics,' he said. Speakman supported the bill, calling it 'a shadow of its former self'. The pared-back bill has been narrowed along guidelines from the national regulator, allowing qualified nurse practitioner and endorsed midwives to prescribe abortion medication known as MS-2 Step. 'It can no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill',' Speakman said. Premier Chris Minns backed his political rival, suggesting Dr Howe had spread an 'enormous amount of misinformation and lies' on her social media channels. 'It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community believing that the legislative changes are far more extensive than they in fact were,' Minns said. AAP FactCheck in March debunked the Adelaide Law School professor's claim the bill would 'force the closure of all Christian and Catholic hospitals unless they perform abortions'. The push to expand abortion access came after revelations a woman was denied an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan District Hospital, in the southeast of NSW, in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange, in the Central Tablelands, restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering Health Minister Ryan Park to intervene and reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was permitted by the courts in NSW in 1971 and decriminalised in 2019 but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas. Rules for abortion acrosss Australia The ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have also permitted qualified nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion drugs following advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. But when it comes to abortion, there are no federal laws and the approach varies across Australia, according to state and territory governments and national abortion provider and advocate MSI Australia. In the ACT, gestational limits include nine weeks for medical abortions and 16 weeks for surgical abortions, but services are accessible after that time with referrals from a doctor Nurses and midwives in the ACT are also permitted to prescribe drugs for medical terminations In the Northern Territory and Victoria, abortion is legal up to 24 weeks gestation, and permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors In Queensland, abortion is legal up to 22 weeks, and permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors. Nurses and midwives in Queensland are also permitted to prescribe and administer drugs for medical terminations In NSW, abortion is legal up to 22 weeks, and permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors. Nurses and midwives will be able to prescribe drugs for medical terminations up to nine weeks gestation under legislation before parliament. In Tasmania, abortion is legal up to 16 weeks, and permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors. In South Australia, abortion is legal up to 22 weeks and six days, and permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors. Nurses and midwives are also permitted to prescribe drugs for medical terminations. In Western Australia, abortion is legal up to 23 weeks, and permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors. Nurses and midwives in Western Australia are also permitted to prescribe drugs for medical terminations.
The Advertiser
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Medical access to expand to remove 'abortion deserts'
Abortion access in Australia's most populous state will expand, allowing nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs to terminate pregnancies. NSW parliament's lower house on Wednesday passed an amended bill put up by Greens MP Amanda Cohn to address "abortion deserts" in the state and remove barriers to women in areas outside major cities. But the bill will need to return to the state's upper house, which does not sit again until May 27. Sixty-five lower house MPs supported the change in a conscience vote, while 20 were opposed. Political leaders lamented the "Americanisation" of the debate around increasing access. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman alleged in parliament that a prominent campaigner threatened to derail his leadership if he supported the bill. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe told him she would "lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader", Mr Speakman told MPs under parliamentary privilege. "I will not cave to brazen bullying like this, nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics," he said. Mr Speakman supported the bill, calling it "a shadow of its former self". "It can no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'," he said, noting it was narrowed along guidelines from the national regulator, allowing qualified nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion medication. Premier Chris Minns backed his political rival, suggesting Dr Howe had spread an "enormous amount of misinformation and lies" on her social media channels. "It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community believing that the legislative changes are far more extensive than they in fact were," Mr Minns said. AAP FactCheck in March debunked the Adelaide Law School professor's claim the bill would "force the closure of all Christian and Catholic hospitals unless they perform abortions". The pared-back bill allows nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives with appropriate training to prescribe abortion medication, known as MS-2 Step. The ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have also permitted nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion drugs following advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The push to expand abortion access came after revelations a woman was denied an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan Hospital in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering Health Minister Ryan Park to intervene and reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was permitted by the courts in NSW in 1971 and decriminalised in 2019, but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Abortion access in Australia's most populous state will expand, allowing nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs to terminate pregnancies. NSW parliament's lower house on Wednesday passed an amended bill put up by Greens MP Amanda Cohn to address "abortion deserts" in the state and remove barriers to women in areas outside major cities. But the bill will need to return to the state's upper house, which does not sit again until May 27. Sixty-five lower house MPs supported the change in a conscience vote, while 20 were opposed. Political leaders lamented the "Americanisation" of the debate around increasing access. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman alleged in parliament that a prominent campaigner threatened to derail his leadership if he supported the bill. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe told him she would "lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader", Mr Speakman told MPs under parliamentary privilege. "I will not cave to brazen bullying like this, nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics," he said. Mr Speakman supported the bill, calling it "a shadow of its former self". "It can no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'," he said, noting it was narrowed along guidelines from the national regulator, allowing qualified nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion medication. Premier Chris Minns backed his political rival, suggesting Dr Howe had spread an "enormous amount of misinformation and lies" on her social media channels. "It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community believing that the legislative changes are far more extensive than they in fact were," Mr Minns said. AAP FactCheck in March debunked the Adelaide Law School professor's claim the bill would "force the closure of all Christian and Catholic hospitals unless they perform abortions". The pared-back bill allows nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives with appropriate training to prescribe abortion medication, known as MS-2 Step. The ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have also permitted nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion drugs following advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The push to expand abortion access came after revelations a woman was denied an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan Hospital in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering Health Minister Ryan Park to intervene and reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was permitted by the courts in NSW in 1971 and decriminalised in 2019, but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Abortion access in Australia's most populous state will expand, allowing nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs to terminate pregnancies. NSW parliament's lower house on Wednesday passed an amended bill put up by Greens MP Amanda Cohn to address "abortion deserts" in the state and remove barriers to women in areas outside major cities. But the bill will need to return to the state's upper house, which does not sit again until May 27. Sixty-five lower house MPs supported the change in a conscience vote, while 20 were opposed. Political leaders lamented the "Americanisation" of the debate around increasing access. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman alleged in parliament that a prominent campaigner threatened to derail his leadership if he supported the bill. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe told him she would "lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader", Mr Speakman told MPs under parliamentary privilege. "I will not cave to brazen bullying like this, nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics," he said. Mr Speakman supported the bill, calling it "a shadow of its former self". "It can no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'," he said, noting it was narrowed along guidelines from the national regulator, allowing qualified nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion medication. Premier Chris Minns backed his political rival, suggesting Dr Howe had spread an "enormous amount of misinformation and lies" on her social media channels. "It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community believing that the legislative changes are far more extensive than they in fact were," Mr Minns said. AAP FactCheck in March debunked the Adelaide Law School professor's claim the bill would "force the closure of all Christian and Catholic hospitals unless they perform abortions". The pared-back bill allows nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives with appropriate training to prescribe abortion medication, known as MS-2 Step. The ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have also permitted nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion drugs following advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The push to expand abortion access came after revelations a woman was denied an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan Hospital in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering Health Minister Ryan Park to intervene and reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was permitted by the courts in NSW in 1971 and decriminalised in 2019, but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Abortion access in Australia's most populous state will expand, allowing nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs to terminate pregnancies. NSW parliament's lower house on Wednesday passed an amended bill put up by Greens MP Amanda Cohn to address "abortion deserts" in the state and remove barriers to women in areas outside major cities. But the bill will need to return to the state's upper house, which does not sit again until May 27. Sixty-five lower house MPs supported the change in a conscience vote, while 20 were opposed. Political leaders lamented the "Americanisation" of the debate around increasing access. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman alleged in parliament that a prominent campaigner threatened to derail his leadership if he supported the bill. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe told him she would "lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader", Mr Speakman told MPs under parliamentary privilege. "I will not cave to brazen bullying like this, nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics," he said. Mr Speakman supported the bill, calling it "a shadow of its former self". "It can no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'," he said, noting it was narrowed along guidelines from the national regulator, allowing qualified nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion medication. Premier Chris Minns backed his political rival, suggesting Dr Howe had spread an "enormous amount of misinformation and lies" on her social media channels. "It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community believing that the legislative changes are far more extensive than they in fact were," Mr Minns said. AAP FactCheck in March debunked the Adelaide Law School professor's claim the bill would "force the closure of all Christian and Catholic hospitals unless they perform abortions". The pared-back bill allows nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives with appropriate training to prescribe abortion medication, known as MS-2 Step. The ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have also permitted nurses and midwives to prescribe abortion drugs following advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The push to expand abortion access came after revelations a woman was denied an abortion on the day of her planned procedure at Queanbeyan Hospital in August 2024. Another public hospital in Orange restricted terminations for non-medical reasons, triggering Health Minister Ryan Park to intervene and reinstate abortions without restrictions in October 2024. Abortion was permitted by the courts in NSW in 1971 and decriminalised in 2019, but is not always accessible, particularly in rural and regional areas. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman slam anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe over misinformation, bullying claims
NSW Premier Chris Minns has joined Opposition Leader Mark Speakman in accusing an anti-abortion activist of spreading 'misinformation', hours before parliamentarians vote on a hotly contested bill seeking to expand access to abortions in the state. Mr Minns accused campaigner Dr Joanna Howe on Wednesday of spreading an 'enormous amount of misinformation' on social media, but noted he did not blame her for a rumour that consciences objectors would be compelled to perform abortions. 'It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community, believing that the reform changes, the legislative changes, are far more extensive than they are,' Mr Minns said. 'I think that there are genuine differences, particularly when you have a matter as sensitive as abortion. 'It's not helped by putting an enormous amount of misinformation. 'As for threatening politicians about what you will and won't do, well that's a matter for activists. But, generally speaking, Australian politicians, regardless of their background or ideology, react incredibly poorly to that kind of threat.' Mr Speakman on Tuesday night accused Ms Howe, who is self-described as 'the lead advocate' against the bill, of 'brazen bullying' following an email in which she told the Liberal leader she would halt a campaign targeting Labor seats. 'Should Premier Minns vote for the bill and enable its passage, I will be leading a 20-month campaign across five marginal seats that are currently Labor-held but are also in socially conservative electorates,' Mr Speakman said Ms Howe said. 'However, if you choose to vote for the bill, I will be left with no other choice but to suspend my planned campaign against Labor in order to lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader.' In response, Mr Speakman said he would 'not cave to brazen bullying like this nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics. I will vote according to my conscience and balance difficult and sensitive ethical, social, moral and medical concerns. 'I thank all constituents who have contacted me. I have carefully considered their sincere and varying views. I will therefore vote for the bill. I think that, on balance, the bill will make no material difference to the rate of abortion in NSW. 'It will not interfere with freedom of conscience and will probably lead to better, not worse, health outcomes for many pregnant women seeking abortions.' Mr Speakman said some opposition to the bill was 'based on misinformation' and that 'the attacks on freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in the original bill have now been removed by successful amendments.' The Liberal leader described the bill as a 'shadow of its former self' and could 'no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'', noting that there was 'no way I could have voted for the bill in its original form'. Those views were somewhat reflected by Mr Minns on Wednesday. The Premier told the media he would support the bill 'in its current incarnation'. 'I couldn't have supported the removal of conscientious objection, but it's not in the bill anymore,' he said. The bill, introduced by upper house Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn in February, would expand access to abortions by allowing nurse practitioners to supply medication to terminate pregnancies of up to nine weeks in gestation. It will be voted on tonight in the NSW Legislative Assembly where, if passed, it will become law. The vote comes after a raft of amendments, including the removal of provisions to empower the Health Minister to compel public health services to comply with directions to offer abortion services and would require practitioners who object to abortion to refer a patient to someone who will perform the abortion. The bill has stirred fiery debate since it was tabled. In a parliamentary debate last week, upper house Liberal MP Chris Rath compared abortion to the Nazi genocide of Jews, stating 'it is bizarre that abortion is increasingly being categorised as a human right to health care'. Mr Rath later apologised for the statement. In Facebook video on Wednesday, Ms Howe claimed Mr Speakman's speech had been leaked to the media 'because they think it will stop me from speaking', and vowed to publish the email to 'let you guys decide' if she was a 'bully'.
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Anti-abortion activist accused of political bullying
NSW Premier Chris Minns has joined Opposition Leader Mark Speakman in accusing an anti-abortion activist of spreading 'misinformation', hours before parliamentarians vote on a hotly contested bill seeking to expand access to abortions in the state. Mr Minns accused campaigner Dr Joanna Howe on Wednesday of spreading an 'enormous amount of misinformation' on social media, but noted he did not blame her for a rumour that consciences objectors would be compelled to perform abortions. 'It's whipped up a lot of good people in the community, believing that the reform changes, the legislative changes, are far more extensive than they are,' Mr Minns said. 'I think that there are genuine differences, particularly when you have a matter as sensitive as abortion. 'It's not helped by putting an enormous amount of misinformation. 'As for threatening politicians about what you will and won't do, well that's a matter for activists. But, generally speaking, Australian politicians, regardless of their background or ideology, react incredibly poorly to that kind of threat.' Mr Speakman on Tuesday night accused Ms Howe, who is self-described as 'the lead advocate' against the bill, of 'brazen bullying' following an email in which she told the Liberal leader she would halt a campaign targeting Labor seats. Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe threatened to call off a campaign against Labor seats. Picture Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia 'Should Premier Minns vote for the bill and enable its passage, I will be leading a 20-month campaign across five marginal seats that are currently Labor-held but are also in socially conservative electorates,' Mr Speakman said Ms Howe said. 'However, if you choose to vote for the bill, I will be left with no other choice but to suspend my planned campaign against Labor in order to lead a public campaign aimed at encouraging a grassroots opposition to you as Liberal leader.' In response, Mr Speakman said he would 'not cave to brazen bullying like this nor to the Americanisation of NSW politics. I will vote according to my conscience and balance difficult and sensitive ethical, social, moral and medical concerns. 'I thank all constituents who have contacted me. I have carefully considered their sincere and varying views. I will therefore vote for the bill. I think that, on balance, the bill will make no material difference to the rate of abortion in NSW. 'It will not interfere with freedom of conscience and will probably lead to better, not worse, health outcomes for many pregnant women seeking abortions.' Mr Speakman said some opposition to the bill was 'based on misinformation' and that 'the attacks on freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in the original bill have now been removed by successful amendments.' NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman accused Ms Howe of 'brazen bullying'. NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: The Daily Telegraph The Liberal leader described the bill as a 'shadow of its former self' and could 'no longer be characterised as a 'radical Greens bill'', noting that there was 'no way I could have voted for the bill in its original form'. Those views were somewhat reflected by Mr Minns on Wednesday. The Premier told the media he would support the bill 'in its current incarnation'. 'I couldn't have supported the removal of conscientious objection, but it's not in the bill anymore,' he said. The bill, introduced by upper house Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn in February, would expand access to abortions by allowing nurse practitioners to supply medication to terminate pregnancies of up to nine weeks in gestation. It will be voted on tonight in the NSW Legislative Assembly where, if passed, it will become law. Premier Chris Minns said he would support the amended bill. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia The vote comes after a raft of amendments, including the removal of provisions to empower the Health Minister to compel public health services to comply with directions to offer abortion services and would require practitioners who object to abortion to refer a patient to someone who will perform the abortion. The bill has stirred fiery debate since it was tabled. In a parliamentary debate last week, upper house Liberal MP Chris Rath compared abortion to the Nazi genocide of Jews, stating 'it is bizarre that abortion is increasingly being categorised as a human right to health care'. Mr Rath later apologised for the statement. In Facebook video on Wednesday, Ms Howe claimed Mr Speakman's speech had been leaked to the media 'because they think it will stop me from speaking', and vowed to publish the email to 'let you guys decide' if she was a 'bully'.
