Guardian AustraliaGreens under pressure to support $10bn social housing bill after Labor strikes minor party dealverified_publisher Australia News - Paul KarpLabor’s $10bn housing Australia future fund is one step closer to passing the Senate after a deal with the Jacqui Lambie Network to support the bill. The deal, which guarantees a minimum of 1,200 social and affordable houses in each territory and state over five years, adds pressure on the Greens, …
Guardian AustraliaShort-term rental properties in NSW surge by 13,000 since December 2021verified_publisher Australia News - Tamsin RoseThe number of properties listed as short-term rentals across New South Wales has surged by 42% since 2021 to exceed 45,000, with the state’s planning minister to review proposed annual caps later this year. Paul Scully said his department would interrogate the calls for 60-day caps, amid pressure …
Guardian AustraliaConsulting firm KPMG paid to audit Australian aged care homes while also advising providersverified_publisher Australia News - Henry BelotConsultancy firms are being paid lucrative contracts to audit the quality and safety of residential aged care homes while simultaneously charging providers for advice on audits and accreditation. The Community and Public Sector Union believe this arrangement exposes taxpayers and residents to …
Guardian AustraliaJobseeker: what we know before the budget, who will benefit and who won’tverified_publisher Australia News - Luke Henriques-GomesDetails about the Albanese government’s mooted changes to welfare payments remain scant but Guardian Australia has confirmed reports that the boost being considered would lift welfare payments for people over 55. This would probably happen by a change to existing rules and would mean that people …
Guardian AustraliaIndigenous rights activist Gary Foley warns voice will be ignored by governmentverified_publisher Australia News - Adeshola OreVeteran Indigenous rights activist Prof Gary Foley has warned the Indigenous voice to parliament will face the same fate as its predecessors and be ignored by governments. Foley – a critic of the proposed advisory body on Indigenous affairs – argued the voice referendum would not succeed due to …
Guardian AustraliaBudget 2023: Labor to commit $11.3bn to fund 15% pay rise for aged care workersverified_publisher Australia News - Josh ButlerThe federal government will commit a record $11.3bn in next week’s budget to fund a 15% pay rise for aged care workers in line with the Fair Work Commission’s order for staff in the sector. Ministers hope the historic wage increase for underpaid workers, to begin from July, will attract thousands …