Long-term homelessness grows amid housing cost crunch
Calls are mounting for more funding for homelessness services as data shows the number of people without a home long-term jumped.
welfare
Bulk billing dips with GP care more complex and costly
Patients who rely on Medicare have fewer options as more clinics stop taking new bulk-billed patients, according to a study prompting calls for more funding.
‘Treat us like humans’: rise in out-of-home care kids
A report has called for urgent change after finding one state has up to four times as many children in residential care than others.
Anti-corruption boss grilled over robodebt decision
The head of the national anti-corruption watchdog has defended himself before a federal parliamentary committee probing its performance.
Plea for action over death of six kids in protection
Six children connected to Victoria's child protection system have died in the last three months, sparking a plea for more action to protect vulnerable kids.
Corruption watchdog under scrutiny over robodebt call
The national anti-corruption commissioner has been found to have engaged in officer misconduct by failing to recuse himself from a conflict of interest.
Retail trade springs back after warmer weather
A hotter-than-average August and Father's Day sales has led to a spike in retail sales, with more people taking advantage of the outdoors.
Renters still can’t keep up, despite more supports
Despite an increase in government supports, low-income earners would still find themselves in rental stress across most of the country, a report has found.
Calls for ‘blinkered’ robodebt officials to face music
The federal public servants involved in the robodebt scheme broke the rules multiple times but some won't face sanctions because they have resigned or retired.
Struggle for Aussies on income support ‘national shame’
Almost three-quarters of Australians receiving income support are cutting back on essentials including food due to the rising cost of living, a survey shows.
Calls for gambling ads ban to prevent gendered violence
A panel of experts tasked with urgently investigating Australia's gender-based violence crisis has recommended gambling advertising and alcohol restrictions.
Tax breaks fuelling widening wealth gap: report
Anglicare Australia's latest report shows tax breaks on superannuation and housing investments are widening the wealth gap.
‘Please explain’ for watchdog’s robodebt probe decision
About 900 complaints have been made since the federal corruption watchdog announced it wouldn't investigate six public officials connected to an illegal scheme.
Corruption watchdog won’t go after robodebt officials
A federal corruption watchdog has opted not to investigate senior public servants responsible for the unlawful robodebt scheme.
Australian adoption numbers drop to record low
The number of children being adopted in Australia has dropped to a record low after falling by 98 per cent over half a century.
Women trying to flee DV held back by income management
Indigenous, legal and community advocates have told a Senate inquiry that compulsory income management doesn't work and can have dire unintended consequences.
‘Unbalanced’ disability system needs rapid change
Once considered world-leading, the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been questioned as its cost continues to surge.
Welfare to get human touch after robodebt debacle
More than 50 recommendations of the robodebt royal commission will be brought in by the government in a $22 million pledge to improve the welfare system.
Government agrees to robodebt inquiry recommendations
The federal government has agreed to all of the recommendations of the robodebt royal commission, after a report was handed down earlier this year.
Millions of Australians receive welfare payment boost
The social services sector is warning small boosts to welfare will not address inequality, with the payments still keeping people well below the poverty line.
Neglect of autistic teens ‘should never have happened’
An inquiry report on autistic teens found living in squalor has prompted an apology and pledge to consider changes after what "should never have happened".
Liberals won’t stand in the way of welfare rise: Dutton
Despite the opposition saying the money would be better spent on incentivising work, it won't stand against a rise in benefit payments for welfare recipients.
Senior robodebt bureaucrat suspended from $900k role
A senior bureaucrat found to have misled cabinet over the illegal robodebt scheme has been suspended without pay from her $900,000 a year defence advisory role.
Robodebt victims urge action on royal commission report
The final report of the royal commission into the controversial robodebt scheme is due to be released on Friday.
Robodebt prosecutions loom after ‘gross betrayal’
A royal commission into the unlawful robodebt scheme has recommended senior figures behind it be prosecuted over their roles in the troubled program.
Ministers taken to task for unlawful robodebt scheme
The report of the royal commission into the robodebt scheme has found a series of failures by ministers, but the consequences for them are unclear.
Robodebt report evidence now in hands of crime fighters
Evidence is being considered by federal police and the anti-corruption watchdog following a damning report on the robodebt scheme.
Claims govt milked political advantage from Robodebt
Peter Dutton has accused Anthony Albanese of milking political advantage following the release of a damning report into the Robodebt scheme.
Albanese alleges lack of contrition over Robodebt
Anthony Albanese claims his predecessor Scott Morrison has displayed a lack of contrition following the release of a damning report into the Robodebt scheme.
PM accuses his predecessor over Robodebt failings
Anthony Albanese has hit out at Scott Morrison for his lack of contrition, days after the release of a damning report into the infamous Robodebt scheme.
Morrison ‘has to live with robodebt impact’: Clare
Education Minister Jason Clare has added to criticism of former prime minister Scott Morrison and public service bureaucrats over the robodebt scheme.