Australia’s food security threatened by rising cost of living and climate change Community & Social Food insecurity is likely to be affecting Aussies’ health, social and financial wellbeing long term.
Premium Columnists How bureaucrats and Morrison misled a government and created a lethal policy July 11, 2023 By Bernard Keane Community & Social DHS, along with their minister, Scott Morrison, worked hard to overcome advice that robodebt was illegal and misled cabinet into backing it.
Budget 2023: Treasurer’s ‘foundations for the future’ message acknowledges relief can only go so far May 9, 2023 By Melissa Coade Economy & Industry Acknowledging high inflation and rising interest rates are “squeezing families”, Jim Chalmers said the focus is sustainable drivers of growth.
Equality taskforce gets a win with ParentsNext program abolished May 5, 2023 By Anna Macdonald Economy & Industry The federal government has accepted the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce’s recommendation to abolish the ParentsNext payment.
Commercial robodebt collectors booted from Services Australia April 13, 2023 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social In a big policy shift, Shorten is insourcing welfare debt management after expelling three debt-collection agencies from government books.
‘Amateurish, rushed and disastrous’: royal commission exposes robodebt as ethically indefensible policy targeting vulnerable people March 16, 2023 By Darren O'Donovan Community & Social Robodebt should never be framed as a technological glitch or a legal oversight. It was the active exploitation of people’s vulnerability.
Shorten unwinds Fortress Centrelink mindset with conspicuous community outreach December 21, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Government services minister Bill Shorten is re-humanising Services Australia, with officers now travelling out to meet with people in need.
PM&C, Treasury cast for new Dep Secs ahead of Budget October 21, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Editors' Picks You know the winds of change are beginning to blow through Barton when the casting call goes out for Band 3 Deputy Secretaries across central agencies.
Cashless debit card program to be scrapped by new government July 27, 2022 By Anna Macdonald Community & Social Minister for social services Amanda Rishworth said the government is looking to allow participants to opt out of using the card.
Labor says Coalition cuts to Services Australia caused welfare inaccuracies June 16, 2022 By Anna Macdonald Economy & Industry Minister for social services Amanda Rishworth said the Coalition’s failure to invest in welfare meant 17% of Jobseeker payments were incorrect.
Study supports ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown response to COVID-19 outbreaks June 7, 2021 By Melissa Coade Economy & Industry New research shows that circuit breaker lockdowns are one of the best responses to COVID-19 outbreaks for high income nations like Australia.
Morrison offers temporary support for people impacted by ‘state imposed health restrictions’ June 4, 2021 By Melissa Coade Federal The federal government has announced it will offer ‘rapid support’ payments on a weekly basis to workers affected by state public health order decisions.
How to reduce child poverty in Australia June 2, 2021 By Katie Maskiell Community & Social NGOs call on the government to raise income support rates given the current levels predict dire outcomes for children relying on social security payments.
Premium Interviews How a team of strategists are the commonwealth ombud’s secret weapon May 19, 2021 By Melissa Coade Federal Becoming the commonwealth ombud is like actively deciding to bite off more than you can chew; its remit is huge and it has a small staff to get the job done.
Stuart Robert reflects on one year of Services Australia May 27, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Community & Social Government services minister Stuart Robert has marked one year since the government announced its ‘vision’ for Services Australia, which has seen the department-turned-executive agency respond to two crises in the space of six months.