News

Labor is cutting $720 million in consultant spending and plans to invest the savings in cost of living support, Medicare, and housing. The Coalition has matched most of Labor's new spending and promises new initiatives of its own, including $5 billion for housing infrastructure and nuclear power plants.

The South Australian government has been criticized for its response to a coroner's recommendations regarding the practice of "closing" child protection cases without proper investigation due to a lack of resources. While accepting the recommendations "in principle," the government has stopped short of committing to a specific timeframe for phasing out the practice, raising concerns about the safety of vulnerable children.

Rowing Australia is concerned that the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton may not meet international standards for the 2032 Olympics due to its current and potential presence of crocodiles. The organization is requesting a thorough technical assessment of any proposed venue, including consultation with World Rowing and the International Olympic Committee.

Queensland has become the final state to sign onto the landmark Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, marking a historic day for public education in Australia. This agreement represents the largest investment in schools in the nation's history, with an additional $2.8 billion from the Commonwealth over the next decade.

The ACT government has paused the expansion of the portable long service leave scheme for the hospitality, food, hairdressing, and beauty industries due to concerns from local businesses facing financial difficulties. While some industry groups support the pause, others view it as an opportunity to suggest changes that address business concerns and ensure a smoother implementation in the future.