Media Releases

Establishment of the Royal Commission into Robodebt

The Governor-General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) has issued Letters Patent establishing a Royal Commission into the former debt assessment and recovery scheme commonly known as Robodebt.

Improving the quality of employment services for people living with disability

Around 15,500 people living with disability will have access to better quality employment services and a greater chance of finding a long-term job following a performance assessment of the Disability Employment Services program.

Fast-tracking of $10.7 million to frontline family, domestic and sexual violence support services for the Northern Territory

The Albanese Labor Government has today announced that $10.7 million in funding to support family, domestic and sexual violence responses in the Northern Territory will be brought forward ahead of the October Federal Budget.

Working to boost employment for Australians living with disability

The Albanese Labor Government will continue its important preparation for the September Jobs Summit with Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth to host a Disability Employment Roundtable on Monday in Canberra.

Community Services Ministers Meeting

Community Services Ministers met via video conference on 5 August to discuss the interconnectedness of the issues impacting families in the community and the complexities of child protection.

$31 million to boost readiness for educational environments for children with disability or developmental concerns

The Albanese Labor Government has today announced grants of $16 million under the National Early Childhood Program (NECP) and an additional $15 million under the Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program.

Protecting people living with disability from the latest COVID-19 wave

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to protecting people living with disability and their carers from the latest COVID-19 winter wave and will launch a targeted text message campaign to protect their health.

Critical federal meeting on First Nations women’s safety

Federal Ministers will today meet with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic and sexual violence to discuss the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to ending violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.

No new Cashless Debit Card participants

The Albanese Labor Government will today close the Cashless Debit Card program to new entrants as the next step to abolish the scheme.

Cost of living relief for older Australians

More than 50,000 additional self-funded retirees will be helped to ease their cost of living pressures with the Albanese Labor Government taking action to enable more Australians to access the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Abolishing the Cashless Debit Card as a priority

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitments and will today introduce legislation to Parliament to abolish the Cashless Debit Card.

Universal paid leave for family and domestic violence

More than 11 million Australian workers – including casuals – will have access to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave under Albanese Labor Government legislation to be introduced into the Parliament this week.

Working together with states and territories on gender equality and women’s safety to finalise the National Plan

Today, Commonwealth, state and territory governments agreed on a pathway to finalise the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–32.

Release of consultation report on national plan to end violence against women and children

The Albanese Labor Government is pleased to support today’s release of the National Plan Stakeholder Consultation Report (the Report) and thanks all contributors for their important work.

Funding boost to home-based early learning program

The Albanese Labor government will provide around $30 million per year over the next five-years to the home-based program that supports parents and carers to be their child’s first teacher.

Meeting of federal, state and territory ministers responsible for women and women’s safety.

The Albanese Labor Government will continue its commitment to women’s safety and gender equality by hosting its first face-to-face meeting of federal, state and territory ministers to engage on key policy priorities for women.

Disaster payments available for more NSW flood-impacted residents

Australian Government disaster payments are available now to eligible residents in six additional local government areas (LGAs), affected by the severe storms and flooding that continue to impact large areas of New South Wales.

$34 million in support delivered to flood-affected communities in NSW

Australian Government support is flowing through to people impacted by the recent flood event in New South Wales, with Services Australia delivering $34 million in emergency assistance since yesterday.

Disaster payments available for NSW flood-impacted residents

Australian Government disaster payments will roll out from tomorrow to eligible residents in 23 local government areas (LGAs) affected by the severe storms and flooding that continue to impact large areas of Metropolitan Sydney and east coast of New South Wales.

Delivering targeted support services for Redress applicants

Survivors of institutional child sexual abuse will get more assistance from the Labor Government to access the National Redress Scheme with Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth today announcing grant funding of over $39.7 million to boost support services.