Category: Australian News

The Illawarra community is one step closer to benefitting from enhanced access to medical imaging services, with a new MRI machine installed at Wollongong Hospital as part of a $21.9 million investment to upgrade health services and infrastructure.

The MRI machine was carefully craned into its new home on Level Two around 1am this morning, marking a major step in the delivery of new medical imaging facilities at Wollongong Hospital, which will expand imaging capacity and include an additional CT scanner. 

When fully operational, the additional MRI will help deliver diagnostic services for a wider range of patients, including those requiring breast imaging, biopsy services, and cardiac imaging.

The new medical imaging facilities will be located across two levels, with the CT scanner near the Emergency Department on Level One, enabling improved access for diagnostic services. 

With the MRI in place, equipment commissioning and testing is being carried out, in preparation for radiographers and nurses to undertake training for the machine ahead of operations commencing.

Work on the expanded medical imaging department is expected to be complete in early 2026.

In addition to the medical imaging upgrades, a relocated Medical Ambulatory Care Unit and an expanded Transit Lounge was recently completed as part of the works at Wollongong Hospital, improving patient flow and supporting outpatient care.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“We are delivering the health infrastructure our growing community needs.

“The installation of the new MRI machine is a key step in delivering expanded medical imaging capacity at Wollongong Hospital.”

“The new medical imaging facilities ensure people have access to world-class diagnostic technology closer to home.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“This is a major milestone in the ongoing investment in Wollongong Hospital which will improve patient care. 

“The installation of this MRI and upgraded medical imaging department will provide patients with better access to diagnostic services ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

“This investment coupled with the additional nursing staff recruited to meet staffing ratios in the Emergency Department and the $220 million commitment in the recent Budget for the next redevelopment of Wollongong Hospital will expand health services in the region to help meet growing demand.”

The Minns Labor Government has confirmed the inclusion of an outdoor Learn to Swim pool as the final scope of the Carss Park Pool redevelopment gets a tick.

Kogarah War Memorial Pool at Carss Park was permanently closed in 2019 after it was found to be polluting Kogarah Bay. In 2023, the Minns Labor Government committed to working with the Federal Government and Georges River Council to rebuild the 50 metre pool following a community campaign.

With council now committing an additional $5 million bringing their total contribution to $15 million, we will not only be able to deliver the 50-metre pool but we will be able to include a 20-metre by 8-metre Learn to Swim pool as part of the project scope.

The NSW Government through the Office of Sport, is leading the project on behalf of Georges River Council with a Principal Design Consultant expected to be appointed in late 2025.

The NSW Government will call for construction tenders in early 2026 with a contractor expected to be appointed in mid-2026 and the new facility is expected to open to the public in late 2027.

NSW Premier and Member for Kogarah Chris Minns said:

“Kogarah War Memorial Pool at Carss Park was an iconic facility that I am determined to return to the community.

“This increased investment will ensure we are able to expand the project’s scope to support the entire community, from our newest swimmers to masters.

“I look forward to getting on with the job of building this vital community asset and seeing it come back to life in two summers’ time.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“Today is a landmark day in the Carss Park Pool redevelopment project, we are locking in

“The NSW Government’s commitment gives the Kogarah community confidence that Carss Park Pool can return to its glory days as a breeding ground for World and Olympic champions.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will welcome New Zealand Minister of Defence, The Hon Judith Collins KC, to Australia today for a bilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

Australia and New Zealand are closer than ever, tightly bound by our shared history, deep people-to-people links, and alignment in our strategic, foreign and trade interests. 

The Deputy Prime Minister will host Minister Collins in Sydney where they will discuss their shared commitment to modernise and strengthen the bilateral defence alliance between our two countries.  

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Australia’s security partnership with New Zealand was founded in the days of the first ANZACs and formalised through ANZUS. Today, that partnership is stronger than ever.

“Our Trans-Tasman Alliance is seeing us train, integrate and operate more closely together.

“We look forward to continuing to work together to advance our collective interests, and contribute to the peace, stability and security of our shared region.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, will travel to the Republic of Fiji from 2 – 4 October 2025 to meet with Fiji’s Minister for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Pio Tikoduadua MP. 

Australia deeply values our close security and defence partnership with Fiji, underpinned by our renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership.

During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister will attend the opening of the Australian-funded Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre – a multi-agency facility that is home to the Republic of Fiji Navy Headquarters, as well as other government agencies, including the Hydrographic Office, Rescue Coordination Centre and Suva Radio Coastal Radio Station.

This facility will support the Government of Fiji in its efforts to protect local fishing industries, respond to natural disasters, facilitate search and rescue operations, and respond to transnational crime. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Our defence relationship with Fiji continues to grow, with increased interoperability between our forces. 

“In a landmark year, 130 Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel embed with the Australian Army for five months – training and learning together. I look forward to discussing future rotations with my counterpart while in Suva.

“Australia is proud to support the construction and development of Fiji’s newly opened Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre, a vital enhancement of Fiji’s maritime response and coordination capabilities.

“We are committed to working with our Pacific family to uphold common values, so we can make our own decisions as strong sovereign nations.”

Today marks 20 years since the 2005 Bali bombings, which saw the tragic loss of 20 lives, including four Australians, fifteen Indonesians and one Japanese national. 17 Australians were injured along with many other innocent bystanders.

Together, on what will be a difficult day for many in Australia, Indonesia and around the world, we honour the victims, and the courage and resilience shown by survivors and their families.

We also pay tribute to the first responders and volunteers who bravely assisted those in need in the aftermath of the attack.

To commemorate the anniversary, two official memorial services will take place, in Newcastle and Bali.

The Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP, will join survivors, their families and first responders in Newcastle. Australia’s Consul-General, Jo Stevens, will host a commemorative service at the Australian Consulate-General in Bali.

In honour of the victims, survivors and all those whose lives were forever changed by the attacks, the Australian Government will fund a new, permanent memorial in Australia to commemorate the 2005 Bali Bombings. Plans for the memorial will be developed in close consultation with survivors, and families of the victims.

As we mark this tragic anniversary, the bonds between the governments and people of Australia and Indonesia are stronger than ever.

We share a deep commitment to countering the scourge of violent extremism and will continue to work closely together to further our common interest in the peace and security of our region.

The Albanese Government’s First Home Buyers Scheme will add $55 billion to property prices over the next six years, according to ABS data analysed by the parliamentary library.

Labor has lifted borrowing limits and income caps under the scheme as of today – a move which, according to media reports, Treasury modelling expects will inflate house prices.

Newly compiled data from the Parliamentary Library shows a 0.5% increase would be $55 billion, increasing the value to $11,164 billion, over 6 years. This amounts to an average of around $9 billion per year.

The Greens say Labor’s deposit scheme will turbocharge the housing crisis by driving property prices up, locking out first home buyers or plunging them into deep debt.

Greens housing and homelessness spokesperson Senator Barbara Pocock:

“In the midst of a national housing crisis, this scheme will add billions of dollars to property prices. How is this a solution? Labor is turbocharging the housing crisis.

“We know this will drive up house prices and we know this will encourage people to buy houses they can’t afford – it’s reckless.

“Under the Labor’s First Home Buyers Scheme, the Government is encouraging people to take out loans on homes they can’t afford. Taking out a 95% mortgage when property prices are eight times the average household income doesn’t create stability — it sets first-buyers up for financial hardship, while the banks take the profits.

“If Labor’s goal is to make housing even more out of reach for everyday Aussies – it’s certainly succeeded. This policy sounds good on paper but it’ll only drive up house prices and plunge first-home buyers deeper into debt.

“Increasing housing demand without dealing with the acute housing supply issue in this country just means more expensive homes. 

“The housing market is rigged for the wealthy. Until the government scraps the tax perks for wealthy property investors – the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing – and builds affordable homes, younger generations will be left on the sidelines.”

Data:

• The current value of dwelling stock owned by households in Australia is $11,108 billion ($11.1 trillion).
• A 0.5% increase would be $55 billion, increasing the value to $11,164 billion, over 6 years.
• An average of around $9 billion per year (assuming a simple linear increase).

The Victorian Greens have said the state’s housing crisis is one of Labor’s own making, after a scathing report found that decades of under-investment in community and public housing had fuelled it.

The Greens say at a time when Labor should be building more genuinely affordable housing, they’re instead preparing to tear Melbourne’s public housing towers down to give the land to private developers and push more people into the already stretched rental market.

The Council to Homeless Persons report was released overnight and found that Victoria’s housing woes had worsened across almost every key measure.

It found that more people were seeking homelessness support in Victoria than anywhere else in the country.

Yet Victoria still has the lowest proportion of public and community housing of all the states and territories in the country (3%).

Meanwhile the waitlist was continuing to grow, and people with priority access due to family violence were still, on average, waiting more than 19 months for a home.

It follows the release of a separate Tenants Victoria report last week which found that renters continued to face outrageous rent hikes, with 80% of rental providers raising rents in the past two years, with an average rental increase of 17%.

This is despite CPI increasing by only 2.4% in the last year.

Victorian Greens housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri MP:

“This has gotten seriously out of control – for all of Labor’s impressive numbers and big announcements, their response to the housing crisis has done nothing but line the pockets of property developers and push more and more people into housing stress and homelessness. 

“Labor’s solution to the housing crisis is to demolish all the public housing towers in the state and lock renters into unlimited rent increases. 

“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live. But with Labor putting property developer profits over people, we are hurtling towards a housing disaster.”

With just weeks to go until Labor’s new aged care system commences on 1 November, the Greens-led Senate inquiry into Aged Care Service Delivery has handed down its report raising the alarm for older Australians, and finding that the reforms must be urgently reviewed and amended to avoid cruel and terrifying consequences for older Australians.

Ending shortages of care

The committee, chaired by Greens Spokesperson for Older People Senator Penny Allman-Payne, took the view that the ‘rationing’ of care through the periodic release of packages leads to significant, life altering and sometimes fatal consequences for older Australians (9.21). 

The committee in its report also expressed “grave concern” that “vulnerable older people will forgo necessary care” (9.48) because they won’t be able to afford new co-payments for basic care, a key feature of the new Support at Home program. 

Rather than rationing care, the majority committee report urges the government to work towards a universal entitlement to care (9.23) as the Royal Commission intended. 

But Labor, in their dissenting comments, has rejected the recommendations of the majority report, locking in their support for policies creating deliberate shortages of care that have led to over 200,000 older Australians on the waitlist for care, many dying before receiving a package.

Inquiry raises serious concerns, more work to be done on Labor’s reforms

Under Support at Home, older Australians will be forced to pay up to $50 each time they need help with a shower, and the government has been warned of billions in flow-on costs due to poor design of the scheme in the form of early entry to the residential aged care system and avoidable hospitalisations.

Significantly, the committee also recommends the Senate further inquire into the government’s planned closure of the Community Home Support Program (CHSP). The CHSP currently supports more than 800,000 older Australians with everyday living needs, but is slated to close after 1 July 2027 and be transitioned into Support at Home.

Serious questions remain about how the government will address the waitlist for home care in the future if it goes ahead with the closure of the CHSP. The Senate committee has previously heard that the government has “no possibility” of reaching its home care waitlist target (down to 3 months by 1 July 2027), due to the flow on impacts of the closure of that program on demand for care packages. Responses to questions during the inquiry hearing made clear that the government had not modelled the impact of the planned closure of CHSP on the waitlist for home care packages.

After evidence surfaced during the public hearing for this inquiry successfully forced the government into a humiliating backdown over the delay of tens of thousands of home care packages last month, today’s committee report and the threat of further inquiries is a warning for the government that the Greens won’t let the neglect of older Australians go unnoticed. 

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Older People and Chair of the Aged Care Service Delivery inquiry:

“This inquiry shows that the more you look at Labor’s aged care changes, the worse it is for older Australians.”

“While the Greens and the majority of Senators have agreed to work towards ending the shortages of aged care, Labor have voted to continue deliberately rationing the availability of aged care each year.”

“By mandating shortages of care, Labor will ensure people die on waitlists without the care they need. That should be unthinkable in a country like Australia, let alone deliberate government policy.”

“In just over thirty days, harsh co-payments will mean thousands of older people will be forced to pay up to $50 just for help with a shower. Many will have to go without.”

“Politicians on big salaries might not have to worry about who will look after them in their old age, but ordinary Australians do.”

“Labor’s aged care changes mean the worse your health, the more you’ll pay.”

“The Greens have taken on Labor over the needless delay of home care packages and won. Now we’ll fight to make sure everyone can access the level of care that they need when they need it, not just the care they can afford to pay for.”

The parent company of Huon Salmon, Brazilian meat giant JBS, has been exposed as the largest company in Australia by revenue to pay no corporate tax in 2023–24.

JBS reported an income of almost $20 billion and paid no corporate tax according to the Australian Taxation Office’s corporate tax transparency report.

Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the revelations show how parasitic the salmon industry has become.

“Huon Salmon’s parent company pulled in nearly $20 billion and didn’t pay a cent in corporate tax. That’s taking the piss,” Senator McKim said.

“It’s nothing short of scandalous that JBS pays no corporate tax while profiting from a business model based on animal cruelty, destroying marine ecosystems, killing dolphins and polluting coastlines.”

“Tasmanians are paying the price for this parasitic industry twice over, with trashed waterways and lost revenue for schools and hospitals.”

“Working people don’t get to dodge tax. But big salmon keep lining its pockets while Labor and the Liberals let them off the hook.”

“The Greens will keep fighting to make corporations like JBS pay their fair share so we can fund housing, health, education and the services our communities rely on.”

The Australian Taxation Office’s latest corporate tax transparency report shows that big corporations are still ripping Australians off when it comes to avoiding tax.

The ATO figures show that almost a third of large companies, including fossil fuel, gambling and airline corporations, paid no corporate tax at all in the 2023-24 financial year.

Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said the numbers are proof the system has been totally corrupted.

“Almost one in three big corporations paid nothing. That’s an economy-wide rip off,” Senator McKim said.

“Corporations that are wrecking the climate, destroying nature and sucking profits out of our communities are dodging tax which leaves working Australians to make up the difference.”

“You know the system is cooked when people going to work every day as nurses, cleaners or plumbers are paying more tax than nearly a third of big corporations.”

“Working people don’t get the option of skipping their tax bill. But big corporations keep buying their way out of it, and Labor and the Liberals keep letting them.”

“The Greens will keep fighting to make big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share so we can fund housing, health, education and the services people rely on.”