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Time Out
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
We're (finally) making moves: Australia just achieved its best gender equality ranking in history
Australia still has a long road ahead when it comes to gender equality – but we're all about celebrating the small wins. This year, we've climbed from 24th to 13th place in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report. It's our highest-ever ranking out of 148 countries, and proof that we're heading in the right direction. Now in its 19th edition, the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index tracks countries against four key benchmarks: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Australia's 13th-place ranking marks our best performance since the report launched in 2006, and is a huge leap from our record-low 50th place in 2021. Australia's rise in the rankings was largely driven by improvements in political empowerment, where we placed 19th overall – including 30th for the percentage of women in parliament and eighth for women in ministerial roles. We also came 32nd in economic participation and opportunity, with standout results in labour-force participation (21st) and the proportion of professional and technical workers (joint first), where the gender gap was just 9.78 per cent. When it comes to education, Australia scored top marks – ranking joint first in literacy, primary education and university enrolment. However, our overall ranking of 79th in this category was dragged down by lower enrolment rates in secondary education. We also have progress to make in the health and survival category, with Australia slipping from 88th to 96th, driven by women facing a lower healthy life expectancy. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said, 'Whether it is investing in women's wages and economic opportunities, investing in sexual and reproductive healthcare, or investing in policies to address women's safety and tackling gender-based violence, our government is backing up words with action…However, we know there is always more work to do, and this report will help to inform our work on gender equality over the next three years.' While not reflected in this year's report, the May election saw the first majority-women cabinet in Australian history and the highest proportion of women in government, including 56 per cent of Labor reps. Iceland retained its top spot on the Global Gender Gap Index for the 16th year running, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. And while the global gender gap has narrowed to 68.8 per cent, the report estimates it will still take around 123 years to reach full equality. These are the 15 best countries for gender equality Iceland Finland Norway United Kingdom New Zealand Sweden Republic of Moldova Namibia Germany Ireland Estonia Spain Australia Denmark Barbados Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. 🏝️ Fun fact: Australia has 8,222 islands — and you probably never knew they existed ✈️ Australia has one of the most powerful passports in the entire world for 2025 🥳
SBS Australia
21-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
'You can't erase history': Labor to keep Latham party room portrait, with added disclaimer
A picture of former Labor leader Mark Latham will keep hanging in the party's caucus room as he faces domestic violence allegations. Latham is accused by his former partner Nathalie Matthews of a "sustained pattern" of abuse. Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Matthews, saying he has "broken no laws". Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a "unanimous consensus position" had been reached where the photo would remain, but with a caption providing context. The words will read: "In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand." Latham sits as an independent in the NSW upper house and faces calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. Portraits of former federal Labor leaders John Curtin, Frank Forde, Ben Chifley, Kim Beazley, Simon Crean and Mark Latham in the Labor caucus room. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas The decision to add context to Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. "It's finding the balance, you can't erase history, we can't pretend he wasn't our leader, he was and so there he sits in the leaders' timeline," she told reporters in Canberra. "But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party." Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. "It will exist there forever on our leaders wall," she said. "It's a pretty strong statement." Latham lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over a homophobic social media post.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Controversial ex-Labor leader Mark Latham unleashes on his former party for making embarrassing change to his parliamentary portrait - as he reveals the risque image he wants to replace it
Former Labor leader Mark Latham has furiously hit out at his former party after a note was added to his parliamentary portrait condemning his behaviour. The portrait will continue to hang in Parliament House despite Latham, who was banned from Labor in 2017, being accused of domestic violence. His former partner Nathalie Matthews alleged a 'sustained pattern' of abuse. Her allegations include he pressured her to take part in 'degrading' sex acts. Latham strongly denies the untested claims made in a civil court apprehended violence order application by Ms Matthews, saying he has 'broken no laws'. Calls have grown since the allegations were raised for his official portrait in Labor's federal party room to be removed. But a Labor caucus meeting on Monday was told a 'unanimous consensus position' had been reached where the framed picture would remain, but with a caption that would provide context. The words will read: 'In 2017 Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life. His actions do not accord with Labor values and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand.' The decision to add context to Latham's portrait was the right one, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said. 'But it's a recognition ... his behaviour and attitudes don't reflect the modern Australian Labor Party.' Senator Gallagher said the wording allowed people to feel something had been done. 'It will exist there forever on our leaders wall,' she said. 'It's a pretty strong statement.' Latham led Labor between 2003 and 2005 and currently sits as an independent in the NSW upper house. He has been hit with calls to resign over sexually explicit messages allegedly sent to his former partner while sitting in the chamber of parliament. On Monday, Latham hit back on X, sharing a picture of himself at a table with mostly women. The women included his former partner Ms Matthews and sex worker and racehorse owner Carly Electric. He wrote: 'Can't the Labor caucus go the full Stalin and white me [out] with a trace around my head? Latham hit back on social media and mocked his former party Latham shared a picture of himself at a table with mostly women while referencing an Australian Financial Review report, in which a source said he 'had a harem' 'Or replace that boring head shot with what the AFR says is my harem?' The mocking post was a reference to an Australian Financial Review report last week that said complaints had been made about the former Labor leader's table at a $600-a-head champagne room at Randwick in Sydney, in April. The table included his Ms Matthews and sex worker and racehorse owner Carly Electric. A member reportedly told the AFR: 'It's like he had a harem.' Latham, who led Labor from 2003, lost his bid for the nation's top job at the 2004 federal election to former Liberal prime minister John Howard. The campaign was marked by his aggressive handshake with Howard outside the ABC's radio studios on election-eve. The infamous episode was largely blamed for his election defeat and delivered the Howard government a fourth term. Latham retired from politics a year later in 2005 before joining the Liberal Democratic Party in 2017, leading to a ban from his former party. He joined One Nation's NSW branch in 2018, but was sacked as its leader in 2023 following a homophobic social media post. The Federal Court in 2024 ordered Latham pay independent NSW politician Alex Greenwich $140,000 in damages over the homophobic post.
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labor to add text to Mark Latham's portrait as former party leader faces ongoing controversy
Federal Labor will keep Mark Latham's official portrait hanging in its caucus room at Parliament House, but add text condemning the former leader's actions since leaving federal politics. The new caption follows a defamation loss for homophobic comments about another MP and allegations of domestic violence and inappropriate behaviour being levelled at the now New South Wales upper house member. Labor's caucus chair, Sharon Claydon, told a meeting of party MPs on Monday that members concerned about Latham's portrait, which is included in a gallery of former leaders, had agreed on new text to be added to the photo. 'In 2017, Mark Latham was expelled from the Australian Labor Party and banned for life,' it will read. 'His actions do not accord with Labor values, and fail to meet the standards we expect and demand.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Latham was the federal Labor leader from 2003 until 2005. He was expelled from the Labor party after joining the Liberal Democrats to run for NSW politics and has since been a member of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. He currently sits as an independent. The finance minister and minister for women, Katy Gallagher, said Latham was expelled from the party and banned for life in 2017. 'Action was taken back then in light of some of his behaviour, and also leaving to join another political party,' she said. 'I think there is a recognition on balance that you can't erase history. 'He was a leader, and a leader for two years and sitting there on the wall is an indication of where we have been, and perhaps for all of us, somewhere we don't want to return to. 'But I think acknowledging the fact that he was expelled and that his actions don't align with modern Australian Labor Party values, or standards of behaviour is important.' Latham has faced calls to resign after he lost a defamation case regarding homophobic comments about NSW independent MP Alex Greenwich, and criticism of his decision to air confidential medical information about Greenwich in parliament. Last week Latham also faced allegations of emotional, physical and financial abuse by a former partner in court documents. Latham's former girlfriend, Nathalie Matthews, is pursuing a private apprehended violence order against him. Leaked text messages prompted more criticism of the Legislative Council member. Latham has strongly denied the allegations against him. Latham posted on social media after the move was announced, likening the decision to Stalin's purges in Soviet Russia in the 1930s. He suggested the Labor caucus 'go the full Stalin'.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Australia hikes student visa fee to AUD 2,000: List of major study abroad destinations and their visa costs
Australia has increased the student visa application fee for Subclass 500, from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000, effective 1 July 2025, making it the highest among major English-language study destinations. According to Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, the hike is expected to generate AUD 760 million over four years. University of Western Australia to launch its first global campuses in Chennai and Mumbai According to reports, the government emphasised that it is part of a broader strategy to manage the booming international education sector sustainably. Here's a country-wise table of student visa fee hikes since September 2024: –Australia's 25% increase contrasts with smaller or no fee rises elsewhere. –UK student visa fees rose about 7% from £490 to £524 from April 2025. –US non-immigrant student visa (F/M/J) fee increased from $160 to $185 on 17 June 2023. –Notably, Canada, Germany, and France have not significantly changed student visa fees since September 2024. Here's a more in-depth, country-by-country breakdown of visa requirements and financial proof needed. NEET UG 2025 Result: Getting a seat in India seems difficult? Here's how to choose the right medical college abroad Australia With the visa fee now AUD 2,000 (approx Rs 112,000), Australia also requires students to maintain AUD 21,041 in living expenses in a bank account, plus course tuition and travel costs. The fee hike accompanies stricter enrollment caps and sustainability measures, significantly increasing the upfront cost for students. United Kingdom From 9 April 2025, the UK increased its main student visa (Tier 4 / Student Route) fee to £524 (approx Rs 52,400). Additionally, maintenance funds were updated: £1,483/month in London and £1,136/month elsewhere, requiring students to show between £11,360–£17,796 depending on program length. 'Studying abroad opened doors I never imagined,' says student at UK's Manchester Metropolitan University Canada Canada's study permit fee remains C$150 (approximately Rs 9,500), with no recent hikes. Canada also requires demonstrating C$10,000 (or CAD 11,000 in Quebec) in bank balance to cover living costs—notably lower visa costs make Canada more budget‑friendly. 'India is the most exciting place for global higher education': University of York VC on launching Mumbai campus United States The US charges a visa fee of US$185 (approximately Rs 15,355). In addition, all F/M/J visa applicants must pay a SEVIS I‑901 fee: US$350 (approximately Rs 29,050) Funds proof varies by school, but students normally need to show enough to cover one year's tuition (e.g., US$20,000–30,000) plus living expenses (approx US$10,000–12,000). Germany The visa fee for a German student visa is €75, which must be paid in Indian Rupees (Rs 7,537.50) at the current exchange rate determined by the respective German Consulate or Embassy. France France generally charges no visa fee or a modest €50 consular charge. Students must demonstrate €615/month (Rs 52,000), totaling about €7,380 (approximately Rs 6.15 lakh) annually, depending on university requirements. Harvard advises international students to avoid Boston Logan airport amid heightened US border scrutiny: Report These fee increases, especially Australia's steep hike, will place additional financial burdens on international students. Australia's outing now makes it the most expensive major destination; while countries like Canada, Germany, and France remain comparatively affordable, rising costs in the UK and US further narrow options. This trend risks discouraging prospective students, especially from countries like India, potentially affecting global talent mobility, diversity in universities, and long-term soft-power stance.
