Category: Australian News

Hardship applications from Aged Care participants have more than doubled since the introduction of Labor’s new Aged Care Act, figures disclosed during Senate Estimates reveal.

The Aged Care Act, and the new Support at Home program came into effect on 1 November. In the two months since the commencement of Support at Home and the new Aged Care Act, Services Australia received 2,598 aged care hardship claims. [November: 1326 claims, December: 1272 claims – presented to Estimates at 5:45pm here]. 

In the two months immediately prior to the new Act, there were 1,429 claims, a more than doubling since the new act was introduced. [September: 571 claims, October: 858 claims – presented to Estimates at 6:40pm here].

Officials from Services Australia told the Greens’ Penny Allman-Payne that increased hardship claims were an ‘anticipated’ outcome of the new Support at Home program, which has seen the cost of essential aged care services dramatically increase, including help with showering, meals, and around the home.

Around one in three hardship applications were rejected by the government. In the quarter ending in December, just 67.7% of hardship claims were successfully approved, with 24% of hardship claims rejected and the remainder withdrawn (5:47).

The form to apply for aged care hardship is sixteen pages long and requires the participant to give three months of evidence of expenses. Experts have warned that the process of navigating this bureaucracy, for someone who definitionally is of low means and already needs help with their daily care, is a near-impossible task. 

Next Monday, the government’s aged care plans will face more scrutiny at a Senate hearing in Brisbane, chaired by Greens Spokesperson for Older People Senator Penny Allman-Payne.

Greens Spokesperson for Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Exactly as designed, Labor’s new Aged Care Act is pushing older Australians into financial ruin to boost the bottom line of private aged care providers.”

“We’re hearing from pensioners under Support at Home who can no longer afford the help they need with showers, meals and medications, continence pads, or keeping a safe and clean home.”

“Forcing people in their 80s and 90s to go through an onerous 16 page form to apply for help so they can have showers and meals each day is just ridiculous and cruel. It’s a system that’s been designed to deny people care.”

“It would be much more straightforward to simply make sure that everyone can access the help and care they need – but instead Labor are jacking up the price of care and shaking down pensioners for all they’ve got.”

“In a wealthy country like Australia, we can afford to look after our most vulnerable, and make sure everyone can access the help and care that they need.”

In the midst of a housing crisis, the big banks’ obscene profits have been taken directly out of the pockets of mortgagees and renters.

The CBA has reported a mammoth $5.4b profit in its half-year results and the ANZ’s profit rose to $1.94b in its first quarter, as mortgages rise, with the average mortgage up $70,000 over the last 12 months.

The Greens say Labor cares more about the profits of the banks than it does about first-home buyers.

Greens spokesperson for Finance, Housing and Homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“In the midst of a housing crisis it’s clear who the winners are – the big banks and wealthy property hoarders.

“The big banks are profiting off rising house prices and increased mortgages, while homeowners struggle in the face of rising interest rates.

“Labor’s policies – such as the 5% deposit scheme and the $181b tax breaks for property hoarders, is adding fuel to the fire, driving up house prices while the banks take all the profit.

“It’s clear who the government is working for and it’s not renters or first-home buyers – it’s the banks and wealthy property investors.

“Without tackling the root causes of the housing crisis – which are the tax breaks for wealthy property hoarders and the lack of social and affordable housing – house prices will continue to spike, and banks will continue to rake in the profits.”

Greens spokesperson for Economic Justice Senator Nick McKim:

“This is the story of the last few years in a nutshell – misery for mortgage holders and renters and obscene profits for the banking corporations.

“The banks have been let loose by a hands off government and an RBA that only has one lever to pull.

“Labor needs to get serious about tackling inflation as well as the corporate price gouging that is causing it.”

Premier Chris Minns and his Ministers have lost control of their own Government with contradictory statements from the Premier and his Leader of the Government in the Upper House within minutes of one another during question time today about the call for an independent investigation into the police response to the Sydney protest.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said:

“The Greens in both the Lower and Upper Houses are seeking simple answers, does the Government support an independent investigation into the Police violence last Monday night – all we got was contradictions,”

“The Premier has doubled down stating that he doesn’t support the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) investigating Police misconduct from this week, while his Leader in the Upper House declared that it would be inappropriate to take a position in relation to what the LECC does,”

“It is clear there are many members of the Government who do not want the police actions at Town Hall on Monday to go unchecked, but the Premier Chris Minns is doubling down in defiance. There must be support for an independent investigation, people have lost trust in police and it needs to be restored,”

“The turmoil between Minns and his Government is getting worse. Just last night, the Government opposed and lost a motion calling for greater integrity powers for the ICAC, and yet this morning the Premier is standing up to announce a reintroduced version of investigation laws that failed to pass last week,”

“The Premier is playing a dangerous game, you can’t run a Government through command and control. If he wants to head off rebellion in his Party and within his own Cabinet, then this is the time to take stock and realise that he is not the King in a castle,”

“He is a Labor Premier in a democracy, he should start acting like it and leave peaceful protest and civil liberties alone,” Ms Higginson said.

In the wake of the second consecutive Closing the Gap report which shows only four of 19 targets on track, the Australian Greens urge the Labor government to show ambition and courage to get real outcomes on First Nations justice.

The report comes as First Nations people around the country are still reeling from the attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo Perth, an incident which was shamefully underreported in media and which was not immediately designated a terrorist attack, despite the crowd of more than 2500 people being predominantly First Nations people.

The Greens urge the Labor Government to respond with stronger leadership to this escalation in racist violence by prioritising Closing the Gap through Truth and Treaty, ending the epidemic of over-incarceration and deaths in custody, and urgent action on child removal and cultural heritage laws.

The Greens have previously called for a Makarrata truth commission leading to a Treaty, with genuine First Nations leadership, guaranteed staffing and a clear timeline for delivery.

The Greens reiterate the urgent demand that all 339 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody be implemented.

The Commonwealth must use every lever to end the disproportionate incarceration and preventable deaths of First Nations people, including raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility. 

Leader of the Australian Greens and First Nations Justice spokesperson, Larissa Waters:

“The report today is sobering reading. More First Nations people are incarcerated and dying by suicide than last year. More First Nations kids are out of their homes and not on track to meet developmental milestones.

“I am deeply distressed that the outcomes today show almost no progress from last year’s report. First Nations people deserve much bolder action from the Government on Truth, Treaty and deaths in custody. Yet the government has stripped funding for a truth-telling commission and refuses to step in to end draconian States and Territory laws that put First Nations kids behind bars at alarming rates.

“We need to be real about the impacts of systemic racism, intergenerational trauma and chronic under-investment in Aboriginal-led responses. Labor must move beyond incremental measures if they are to close the gap by 2031 as promised.

“The Yoorook Justice Commission’s truth-telling work established a treaty pathway in Victoria; the Commonwealth should adopt and scale that approach nationally.

“Labor’s failure to implement the recommendations from the Deaths in Custody Royal Commission has led to the highest Aboriginal deaths in custody in over 40 years. 

“Additional funding is welcome, but without accountable delivery plans and genuine community partnership the gap will not close.

“The recent alleged murders of two First Nations women in Lake Cargelligo were not isolated incidents. First Nations women are more likely to be killed by a current or former partner, more likely to be hospitalised by violence, less likely to access support to leave violent relationships, and too often ignored when they report violence. We welcome the Our Ways, Strong Ways, Our Voices plan this week, but it should not have taken so long for government to listen to First Nations women calling for a standalone, community-led plan to end violence.

“The Greens are also alarmed by the continuing delays in meaningful cultural heritage reform while major projects continue to be approved against community wishes. It has been years since the destruction at Juukan Gorge and First Nations people still have to sue to defend their cultural heritage and water rights. The law must be reformed now so consent, self-determination and First Nations decision-making are central to approvals.

“And outside the report outcomes, the attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Boorloo was a chilling reminder that racism and far-right hatred targeting First Nations people is escalating. The time for leadership is now.

“Communities have the solutions, Labor needs to show the political will to implement structural reform led by First Nations people toward truth, treaty and justice.”

The Minns Labor Government has provided the Aboriginal not-for-profit Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, located 10 kilometres north of Eden, with more than $248,000 to install a new solar energy system at Jigamy Farm, helping take the site off-grid and reduce operating costs.

Jigamy Farm is an important cultural hub on the Sapphire Coast, incorporating a campground, training centre, art studio, cultural learning, and Aboriginal employment opportunities.

The funding was used to install a 62-kilowatt-hour solar energy system with battery storage, significantly reducing energy costs at the site and improving long-term sustainability.

NSW Government support has also enabled Twofold Aboriginal Corporation to work with a business mentor, strengthening the organisation’s capacity and ensuring it is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities following completion of the project.

The Aboriginal Economic Development Package is funded under the Minns Government’s Regional Development Trust to support Aboriginal businesses deliver new commercial opportunities and training to improve economic and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people.

For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“This project is a great example of how targeted support can help Aboriginal organisations take practical steps toward long-term sustainability.

“By going off-grid, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation is reducing their energy costs and reinvesting those savings back into community programs.

“The NSW Government is proud to support projects like Jigamy Farm, which is a hub for culture, training and opportunity, with this investment helping to strengthen that role in supporting local jobs and skills development.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“This investment is a great example of empowering Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in sustainability and economic growth.

“We know that Aboriginal organisations and people implementing initiatives in partnership with the NSW Government result in better Closing the Gap outcomes.

“Taking Jigamy Farm off-grid is not just an environmental milestone—it’s an investment in cultural and economic resilience.”

Local Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland MP said:

“This investment is a win for the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, the local community and everyone who visits Jigamy Farm. By reducing energy costs and moving off-grid, the organisation can reinvest savings into growing tourism, training and employment opportunities on the Sapphire Coast.

“Jigamy Farm is a valued cultural and economic hub, and this project shows how targeted NSW Government support can deliver lasting benefits for Aboriginal organisations while strengthening local jobs, skills and sustainability.”

Co-CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation Elvis Amair said:

“The AEDP funding was crucial to the completion of our project and its economic sustainability, the funding has set us on the path towards making our site totally green and lowering our operating costs.

“The next stage of the journey which this funding has allowed us to focus on will be providing glamping accommodation that will see us continue to grow our operations and broaden our services offered to the community.”

The Albanese Government is continuing to deliver on its Closing the Gap commitments by working with First Nations partners, represented by the Coalition of Peaks, to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The release of the Commonwealth’s 2025 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan shows the progress made over the past year and outlines our strategy for the year ahead.

In 2025, the Albanese Government focused on jobs and training, easing cost of living and increasing food security in remote communities, and improving housing, health and education outcomes.

In 2026, the Albanese Government is building on what is working and investing in key areas to improve Closing the Gap outcomes. We are:

• Doubling the successful Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program from 3,000 to 6,000 new jobs with a $299 million investment. So far, around 1,500 jobs have been created, delivering the dignity of work with decent pay and conditions.
• Expanding cost of living support for remote communities with a $27.4 million investment to lift the cap on the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme. 113 stores have already signed up to the Scheme, which will now be available to all 225 remote stores around Australia, delivering cost of living relief for 30 essential grocery items.
• Expanding the Store Efficiency and Resilience Package to 75 additional remote stores with a $32.7 million investment to keep stock fresh when the wet season and distance make transport difficult.
• Delivering Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026 – 2036, with an immediate investment of $218.3 million. The first standalone plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
• Reforming the health and hospital system to better meet the needs of First Nations people as part of the historic hospital funding agreement we secured at National Cabinet this month. This is a record $250 million Commonwealth investment and $200 million from the States and Territories.
• Investing a further $144.1 million to continue to improve health infrastructure across Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), building on the over 100 projects already delivered or underway.
• As a matter of priority, investing $13.9 million in 13YARN to extend hours and establish a text message service so more First Nations people can access culturally safe, crisis counselling.
• Supporting the successful Birthing on Country program across Australia with a $44.4 million investment to provide culturally safe maternal care to 1,100 mothers and their babies annually.
• Boosting the First Nations Health Worker Traineeship program with an additional $2.6 million.
• Supporting Aboriginal Hostels Ltd with an investment of $48.3 million to continue to deliver critical short-term accommodation services.

These investments build on major commitments already underway, including a 10-year, $4 billion joint investment to halve overcrowding in remote Northern Territory communities, $600 million in dedicated First Nations housing funding through the Housing Australia Future Fund, expanded Indigenous Ranger and Junior Ranger programs, and targeted investments in education, justice reinvestment, health, water and digital connectivity.

Closing the Gap requires partnership and action. The Albanese Government is delivering by working with First Nations people, backing community-led solutions, and building on proven successes.

Read the Commonwealth Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan at https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/closing-gap

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Closing the Gap only works when governments listen to First Nations people and invest in community-led, practical solutions.

“We have delivered record funding in health, education, housing including a $299 million investment to double our successful Remote Jobs program.

“Australians want to close the gap because we all believe in the meaning of the fair go.

“The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:

“Our investments in Closing the Gap are making a difference and in 2026 we are building on these successes.

“The Government is creating thousands more real jobs in remote communities with decent pay and conditions, reducing housing overcrowding, easing the cost of living by lowering the cost of 30 essential items in more remote communities and improving access to health care.

“We continue to drive changes to the way governments work with First Nations people, organisations and communities, to ensure policies and programs are developed in genuine partnership.”

Deputy Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Scott Wilson:

“Closing the Gap means giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations the power and resources to lead solutions. We’ve seen it happen and we know it works.

“Our people and organisations have the knowledge and trust of their communities and that is exactly what’s needed to drive real, lasting change.

“We’re pleased that the government is working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to design, lead and deliver the new and expanded programs announced today, and we hope to see continued investment in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to Belgium and Germany this week. 

In Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister will attend the 33rd Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany.

The Ukraine Defence Contact Group comprises more than 50 nations and coordinates the delivery of military aid to Ukraine.

The Deputy Prime Minister will then travel to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, the premier foreign affairs and security forum in Europe.

While at the Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister will hold a series of high-level meetings with key partners from NATO and the Indo Pacific. 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles:

“In an increasingly complex security environment, Australia’s partnership with NATO is more important than ever. 

“Australia and Europe’s interests and strategic challenges are inextricably linked, which is why we must work together to support international rules and principles.

“Australia is unwavering in our support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion. 

“I look forward to meeting counterparts in Brussels and Munich, and welcome productive discussions on how we can work together to face the shared challenges in our regions.”

New Cotality data shows rental affordability is at a record low as rents rise 2.5 times faster than wages, while ABS data today shows investor lending continues to skyrocket to record levels.

• Cotality monthly housing data shows that national rents have risen 2.5 times faster than wages over the past five years, with renters in deep housing stress spending an average of 33.4% of their income on rent. 
• ABS data published today shows that investor lending is up 23.6% over the year.At the same time as the first three months of Labor’s 5% deposit scheme, investors received $43 billion to invest in their housing assets, more than double the amount going to first-home buyers. An unsustainable increase of 31.8% over the year.

The Greens say this is further proof of Labor making the housing crisis worse, with explosive expansion in wealthy property investor spending and more and more renter stress. Labor needs to stop prioritising wealthy property investors over renters and first-home buyers.

Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock:

“The ABS data shows the biggest winners of Labor’s 5% deposit scheme are property speculators who rushed into the market, certain that the government’s policy was going to push up property prices and they were right.

“Double the amount of lending has gone to property investors than first-home buyers in the first three months of Labor’s scheme – a frankly unbelievable $43 billion in three months.

“Property investor lending increased by 31.8% over the year, the clearest sign yet that the worst of Australia’s housing crisis is yet to come.

“Renters are footing the bill for a market stacked in favour of investors, while their wages can’t keep up. 

“Australia is in a national housing crisis that is spiralling out of control and renters are being squeezed dry in a landlord-driven market.

“Amid rising cost-of-living pressures, renters are having to fork out more than one-third of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. 

“How is it fair that renters are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis while investors profit from tax incentives such as the capital gains tax discount?

“Across the country, renters are in deep financial strife while governments hand out huge tax perks to property hoarders. Labor must scrap these tax breaks.

“Labor’s policies, such as the changes to the 5% deposit scheme and $181 billion tax breaks for wealthy property investors, are pushing house prices up and up, forcing rents to skyrocket.

“For decades, successive governments have turbocharged house prices and driven up rents, putting billions of dollars in the pockets of property investors, property developers and the banks. 

“Rather than giving billions of tax breaks to wealthy property investors, the government needs to cap rents and invest directly in social and affordable housing, renting it to people who need it at prices they can actually afford.”

The Victorian Greens say that thanks to their amendment that passed last week, Labor now has both the power and the responsibility to force developers to contribute their fair share of public, community and genuinely affordable housing in new activity centres.

The Greens say that with draft maps released today, the real question for renters, young people, and millennials bearing the brunt of the housing crisis is – are we even going to be able to afford them?

The Greens support well-planned density near public transport, but we need to do it properly. That means homes that are genuinely affordable to rent and buy, family-sized apartments, strong environmental and design standards, green space, and the proper services and infrastructure to support growing communities.

Labor accepts political donations from the property industry and in return has given special treatment to property developers, handing them public land, and all the power over what gets built, where it goes and who it’s for.

Last week, the Greens secured a historic amendment to planning laws creating a “head of power” – a new legal mechanism that allows state and local governments to mandate public, community and affordable housing in new developments.

For the first time, there is no excuse for failing to require developers to contribute their fair share.

The Greens are calling on the Allan Government to commit to a mandatory minimum of 50% public, community and genuinely affordable housing requirements across all activity centres before final plans are locked in later this year.

Victorian Greens housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“It’s all well and good for Labor to release draft plans today, but the real question renters, young people and everyone being smashed by the cost of housing will be asking is: will we actually be able to afford these homes?

“Developers aren’t thinking about affordability, they’re thinking about profit. The changes we secured to planning laws mean that Labor now not only has the power but the responsibility to force developers to contribute their fair share of public, community and genuinely affordable housing. They have the power now – there’s no excuse not to use it.

“Greater density near public transport and services should be an opportunity to build better communities, with genuinely affordable homes, good design and green space. But Labor is kidding themselves if they think developers will prioritise those things unless they’re forced to.”

The Victorian Greens have warned that the Allan Labor Government should cancel Herzog’s visit to Melbourne. It comes after the Supreme Court granted extraordinary powers to Victoria Police ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. The Greens say the visit will only heighten tensions and make everyone less safe.

Just two days after scenes of violence and police brutality on peaceful protesters in Sydney, Victoria police have been granted additional powers ahead of his visit tomorrow. 

Greens MPs wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan yesterday calling for Herzog’s visit to be cancelled, citing the United Nations Commission of Inquiry finding that Herzog has incited genocide. The letter warns that his presence in Victoria will escalate community distress and increase the risk of police violence.

Victorian Greens Spokesperson for Justice, Katherine Copsey:

“After what we saw in Sydney, people are rightly concerned about police violence. If the Premier was serious about keeping the community safe, she would cancel Herzog’s visit.

Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“The Premier could cancel Herzog’s visit, it’s irresponsible and unethical to roll out the welcome mat to someone who has been found to incite genocide.”