Media Releases

Supporting the most vulnerable in our community

Today we are releasing the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee’s second report as well as a progress update on the Albanese Government’s actions to tackle disadvantage in our community.

New Changing Places initiative unveiled

The Albanese and South Australian Governments have opened a new accessible changing place, marking a key step towards ensuring every Australian can equally access their community.

Labor continues to deliver on its commitment to community sector organisations

The Albanese Government recognises the significance of government funding to community sector organisations and is mandating that agencies pass on indexation to grant recipients where grant programs are linked to one of the wage cost indexes.

New initiatives to drive better supported employment outcomes

Australians with disability with high support needs will benefit from a $26 million boost to help build confidence and better facilitate control over their employment options.

Former Cashless Debit Card program communities have support services extended

The Albanese Labor Government is extending a range of support services and programs in former Cashless Debit Card communities with $17.5 million in additional funding.

Making some noise for safer vehicles

Pedestrians will soon be safer around quiet cars, trucks and buses travelling at low speeds with the Albanese Government introducing a new design rule to make electric vehicles safer.

New resources helping autistic children to thrive

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to advance initiatives that support every autistic child to reach their goals and thrive.

Industry Funding Model helping more Australians get access to financial counselling

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to a strong financial counselling sector to ensure Australians who need support have greater pathways to access it.

Boost in jobs vital to reducing the number of First Nations children in out-of-home care

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to reducing the number of First Nations children in out-of-home care and has created close to 100 additional jobs in Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to assist.

Growing Australia's social enterprises

Communities in need of a helping hand will be getting more as the Albanese Labor Government provides funding to grow social enterprises.

Consultation continues to shape a brighter future for the Autistic community

The Albanese Labor Government is today releasing a draft of the landmark National Autism Strategy for public feedback – marking the final stage of extensive community consultation and delivering on our election commitment.

World first gender justice institute for First Nations Women

The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University with a funding contribution of $3 million over four years.

Government recognises 11th Anniversary of the National Apology for Forced Adoptions

On the eleventh anniversary of the National Apology for Forced Adoptions, the Albanese Labor Government acknowledges the traumatic consequences children, families, and communities endure due to past forced adoption practices.

New laws reflect survivor-focus of National Redress Scheme

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to improve the National Redress Scheme with a suite of legislative changes which passed Parliament today

New laws expand Paid Parental Leave – More support for working families with biggest expansion since 2011

Labor’s changes to Paid Parental Leave – expanding the scheme to a full six months – will now be law after the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023 was today passed by the Senate.

Strengthening financial wellbeing support in the Northern Territory

The Albanese Government is investing more than $6 million in 2023-24 to strengthen and increase targeted financial literacy and capability supports for vulnerable Australians in the Northern Territory.

Escaping Violence Payment place-based trial expanded for First Nations victims-survivors in the top end

The Albanese Government is continuing to support victim-survivors of family, domestic, and sexual violence with a $31.6 million expansion over two-years of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) place-based trial.

Progress on the Disability Royal Commission and Disability reforms

The Albanese Labor Government continues its commitment to people with disability, today releasing a Progress Update in response to the Disability Royal Commission’s final report, along with publishing new Disability Employment Services guidelines.

1800RESPECT introduces new video call service to support victim-survivors

Australians in need of family, domestic and sexual violence support now have an additional avenue for receiving assistance, with the official launch today of a new, on-demand video counselling service through 1800RESPECT.

Negotiations commence for an Australia-Lithuania Social Security Agreement

The Albanese Labor Government is entering into negotiations with the Lithuanian Government on a bilateral social security agreement.