Guardian AU
Labor under internal pressure on gas tax as influencer says government ‘stopped working for the punters’
Australia's Labor government is facing internal dissent over its treatment of gas exporters, with the party's own environment action network pushing a parliamentary inquiry to consider a "very substantial" levy on windfall profits. The pressure comes as a prominent social media influencer warns that public anger over the current tax regime runs deeper than Labor's leadership recognises. The episode signals a widening gap between the government's position and grassroots expectations heading into a politically sensitive period.
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Government to pay for showers for at-home aged care recipients
The federal government has reversed course on its controversial plan to charge aged care recipients $50 per hour for in-home showering services, following months of fierce public and sector backlash. Critics had raised the alarm that vulnerable older Australians were sacrificing other essential care to cover the cost. The backdown marks a significant win for advocates who argued the policy threatened the dignity and wellbeing of those relying on at-home support.
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Live: PM to convene national cabinet to tackle 'long tail' fuel crisis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to convene a national cabinet meeting within days to address the ongoing fuel supply crisis gripping the country. The move signals mounting pressure on federal and state leaders to coordinate a unified response to shortages that show no signs of quick resolution. The so-called "long tail" of the crisis suggests disruptions could persist well beyond initial forecasts.
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Australia news live: Anthony Albanese says national cabinet to meet this week to discuss ‘long tail’ of fuel crisis
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is convening a national cabinet meeting this week to address the ongoing fuel crisis, with a focus on what he describes as its "long tail" of supply challenges. The gathering will bring together state and territory leaders to weigh potential measures, including options to boost domestic oil refining capacity. The meeting signals growing federal urgency around energy security as the crisis continues to strain the country's fuel supply chain.
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Labor to tighten child NDIS eligibility to curb spending as Queensland MP warns change is ‘failing kids’
The Albanese government is tightening eligibility rules for children under 18 in the NDIS and introducing mandatory character checks for service providers, as part of efforts to rein in the $50 billion scheme ahead of the May budget. The reforms have drawn immediate backlash from state health ministers, with a Queensland MP warning the changes risk leaving vulnerable kids without support. The crackdown signals Labor's intent to curb the program's rapid cost growth, but risks a political fight over whether fiscal discipline is coming at the expense of disabled children.
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