Media Releases
Government doubles investment in systemic disability advocacy by $11.2 million
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to double funding for systemic disability advocacy, with an additional $11.2 million allocated to the Disability Representative Organisation program over four years to promote a better understanding of the lives of people living with disability.
Place-based Escaping Violence Payment trial launches in Cairns
The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to ending violence in one generation with the commencement of the first place-based trial of the Escaping Violence Payment in Cairns, Queensland.
Additional support for flood-impacted communities
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to supporting flood-impacted communities in Central West New South Wales with extra funding to employ more financial counsellors.
Future-proofing programs to support families and children
Children and Parenting Support (CaPS) and Budget Based Funded (BBF) programs.
Development of Early Years Strategy informed by National Summit
Parents and community organisations will join representatives from across government, non-government, academic and business sectors in Canberra today to discuss the development of the Commonwealth Early Years Strategy.
Extension of Robodebt Royal Commission
The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), has amended the Letters Patent to extend the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.
Australian-first National Guideline to better support autistic children
Minister Rishworth discusses how Autistic children and their families will be better supported with Australia’s first national practice guidelines to promote the early development of autistic children.
Support for essential community services
Minister Rishworth discusses how the Albanese Labor Government is providing increased financial support to help maintain a strong community services sector with fair wages and reduced cost of living pressures.
Disability Ministers from around Australia set priorities for the year ahead
Disability Ministers came together in Canberra last Friday to set collective priorities for the year ahead, focused on improving the lives of people with disability.
Boosting support for volunteers through a National Strategy for Volunteering
Minister Rishworth discusses boosting support for volunteers through a National Strategy for Volunteering.
Enhanced Income Management to provide financial choice
The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to reform Income Management through the introduction of the new SmartCard.
180,000 Australian families to benefit from improvements to Paid Parental Leave
Minister Rishworth discusses the benefits of improvements to Paid Parental Leave.
Community Services Ministers meeting communique
Minister Rishworth met with fellow Commonwealth, state and territory Community Services Ministers in-person at Parliament House, Canberra on 31 January 2023.
Opportunity for Australians to help shape the Early Years Strategy
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to develop an Early Years Strategy with public consultation now underway ahead of the major Early Years Summit to be held later this month.
Progressing a National Autism Strategy and Research Centre
The Albanese Labor Government will continue its commitment to leaving no one behind and holding no one back by progressing a National Autism Strategy and committing further funds to the Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
Making sure children in Australia are safe and supported
The Albanese Government will today progress its commitment to Australia’s children by launching the first Action Plans under Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2021-2031).
Government supports future young leaders with a new program delivered by Children and Young People with Disability
The Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, today awarded funding of $797,587 to Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) to deliver a new disability youth leadership program.
Albanese Government convenes National Roundtable for Online Dating Safety
Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP and Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP will convene the National Roundtable on Online Dating Safety in Sydney today.
Australia signs new social security agreement with Serbia
Australia and the Republic of Serbia have signed a new social security agreement that will improve access to retirement benefits for eligible people who have moved between the two countries.
Government inks agreement for innovative disability employment pilot
The Albanese Labor Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Business Council of Australia (BCA) to create and implement a new disability employment pilot.