News

Labor's fate in the upcoming election hinges on tomorrow's interest rate decision, as mortgage stress weighs heavily on voters in key electorates, particularly in outer-suburban Melbourne. The party is scrambling to retain seats with high mortgage rates, fearing a repeat of the 2004 swings driven by financial hardship.

Australian bootmaking has faced a steep decline due to globalization and changing consumer demands, leaving a handful of passionate artisans like Jess Wootten struggling to keep the tradition of handcrafted quality alive. While brands like RM Williams and Blundstone remain commercially successful, concerns about quality persist, highlighting the tension between affordability and traditional craftsmanship in the industry's future.

Labor has unveiled a $8.5 billion plan to make nine out of ten GP visits free for patients by 2030, marking the largest investment in Medicare since its inception. This ambitious plan would expand the bulk-billing incentive to all Australians, potentially saving millions of dollars in out-of-pocket costs and significantly increasing access to affordable healthcare.

The Yamatji-Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) accuses the Western Australian government of failing to share data crucial for tracking community wellbeing, despite a national agreement to do so. This lack of transparency hinders community-led efforts to close the gap in life outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

Shannon Pincombe, a former property maintenance worker, has been battling his super fund, Australian Super, for disability-related payments for almost a year. Despite initial approval and promises of a quick payout, the process dragged on for months, forcing Pincombe to rely on loans and impacting his mental health.