One group of young Australians is spending up to 94 per cent of their income on rent alone, with two conditions in two capital cities getting worse. Young income support recipients in Perth and Brisbane are worse off than a year ago despite support payments increasing in last year’s federalContinue Reading
A mum who lost her veteran son to suicide has hit out at what she calls a “delay, deny, die” culture within the Australian Defence Force. Karen Bird warned bureaucratic sclerosis has fatal effects for soldiers, sailors and airmen suffering through mental health challenges. “These three words are well recognisedContinue Reading
The New Year is here which means some sweeping changes to laws, regulations, fees and charges, and taxes and benefits. Some of the changes are a little quirky, from new taxes in exotic holiday destinations to a new “24-hour cat containment” policy. Here’s everything you need to know about theContinue Reading
A former federal politician has pleaded guilty to making fraudulent applications for natural disaster and Covid-19 support payments. Ex-Labor MP Craig Thomson appeared at the Downing Local Court on Tuesday morning over the fraud charges. The maximum sentence is up to 10 years imprisonment. Police allege Mr Thomson made fraudulentContinue Reading
Senators have been left “astounded” after top officials from Australia’s largest government agency failed to explain how wait times for Centrelink had gotten worse – despite the number of calls to the agency falling. Services Australia, which oversees Centrelink, has come under heavy scrutiny due to increased reports of longerContinue Reading
Hundreds of thousands of Australians could be about to score an increase to their welfare payments in Tuesday’s federal budget. In recent days, reports emerged that the budget would likely include an increase of $3.70 a day to JobSeeker payments in an attempt to ease cost of living pressures –Continue Reading
Widespread issues with Centrelink’s online services are being reported across the country as users struggle to access their website. According to Downdetector, problems with the social security payment service’s online portal began early Wednesday morning. Sixty-two per cent of reports suggest issues with the website, while another 28 concern theContinue Reading
One in eight Aussies are in poverty, with 60 per cent of people receiving Jobseeker support payments living on average $269 per week below the poverty line. The appalling figures – revealed in a new joint report by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and University of NSW –Continue Reading