Latest news with #RafqaTouma
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australian election 2025 live: Greens call for lower retirement age
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it'll be Rafqa Touma to take you through the day. The Greens are out of the blocks first today with another of their policy announcements, this time a policy that would lower the retirement age to 65, and boost the age pension to above the poverty line. Adam Bandt says Australia is a wealthy country and people should not suffer poverty in their old age. More coming up. As thoughts turn to actually voting – and some have already done so – we have a guide to the minority parties on your ballot paper – the ones you might want to back and the ones you might not want to see in the Senate. More coming up. In the week when the Coalition launched its policies to tackle domestic violence, our reporters have asked every police jurisdiction how it assesses risk in family violence offenders to get a better understanding of how the system should work. More coming up. Share
The Guardian
08-02-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
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 Labor's $573.3m package for women's health 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
The Guardian
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australia news live: Greens to push for 50c bus and train fares; Frydenberg blames Albanese for antisemitism rise
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it'll be Rafqa Touma to wrap up the week. The former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has accused Anthony Albanese of failing to set red lines that could not be crossed as antisemitism attacks began ramping up in Australia. The former MP said the prime minister's failure to act had 'emboldened' people to hate. It comes as the investigation into the explosives found in a caravan in Dural along with a list of Jewish targets continues. More coming up. While one in five women over the age of 15 has been sexually assaulted in their lifetime, almost 90% will not report to police. Of those who do make a report, only a quarter will see their perpetrator charged. These are the statistics behind our latest investigation, Broken Justice, looking at how the legal system fails rape victims. Coming ahead of a report by the law reform commission to be tabled in parliament next week, we also hear from a survivor who explains why the system seems stacked against women who seek justice. Transparency advocates are urging federal politicians to support the Albanese government's proposed electoral reform changes, warning public trust could be further eroded without it. With the federal parliament preparing to resume for a fortnight next week, the legislation is in doubt. More coming up – as well as some details on the Greens' new policy for national 50c public transport fares. Share
