Media Releases

Strengthening disability supports with inclusive and responsive legislation

From today, Australians with disability will benefit from the commencement of the new Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023.

Additional support for No Interest Loans

The Albanese Labor Government is boosting support for vulnerable Australians by extending a loans scheme designed to assist with urgent, critical purchases to 30 June, 2025.

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations to address family, domestic and sexual violence

The Albanese Labor Government is progressing its work to help end family, domestic and sexual violence in one generation by investing more than $96 million in projects run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

Redress Scheme expanded to more child migrant survivors

The Albanese Labor Government is expanding eligibility under the National Redress Scheme for Institutionalised Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 to allow former child migrants who were sent to Australia from the United Kingdom and Malta, to apply to the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme).

New culturally safe program to stop family violence

Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service are leading the way in addressing family and domestic violence in Western Australia.

Increased access to 1800RESPECT with new SMS service channel

From today, anyone experiencing family, domestic or sexual violence can receive specialist counselling and support services from 1800RESPECT via text message, ensuring those in unsafe situations who can’t access telephone or web chat can still get help.

Albanese Government delivers credit card ban for online wagering

Australians will soon not be able to use credit cards, credit-related products and digital currency to gamble online, as a result of the Albanese Government’s new laws designed to minimise gambling harm which passed the Parliament last night.

Strengthening family and community partnerships in Central Australia

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to invest in community led-change, announcing a $30 million partnership over four years to support place-based initiatives in Regional and Remote Central Australia, targeted at strengthening family and community safety.

Helping Northern Territory communities to stay connected

The Albanese Labor Government will help multiple regional and remote communities in the Northern Territory to achieve greater digital connection with significant upgrades to phone and internet connectivity as part of the Government’s Digital Connectivity Project.

Indexation delivers extra support to more than 936,000 Australians

More than 936,000 Australians receiving youth, student or carer support will see a 6.0 per cent boost to their payments as indexation takes effect from 1 January 2024.

Inaugural roundtable of Investment Dialogue for Australia's Children

Leading philanthropic organisations have partnered with the Albanese Government to improve the wellbeing of children and address entrenched community disadvantage, committing millions of dollars towards new initiatives and laying out a vision for investment over the next decade.

Recognising International Day of People with Disability

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), a United Nations Day that promotes community awareness and understanding of people with disability.

New supports for victim-survivors of modern-day slavery in Australia

The Albanese Labor Government is reaffirming its commitment to eliminate modern-day slavery with the announcement of $12.1 million in funding over five years for the new Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program, and $2.2 million in further funding to extend the Speak Now project.

Government partnership to deliver innovative domestic violence interventions in South Australia

The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with the Malinauskas Labor Government to help address family, domestic and sexual violence and help keep women and children safe.

Launch of defence family and domestic violence prevention and response strategy

Today we’re releasing the Defence Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Family and Domestic Violence 2023–2028.

Albanese Government to improve reporting on intimate partner homicide

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to progressing our shared ambition to end violence against women and children in Australia in one generation. One life lost to intimate partner homicide is too many. We know that to end violence, we must be able to measure it. Understanding the scale of the issue with accurate, verified, closer to real-time data is critical.

Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council

The Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council (Council) was convened virtually, attended by: • Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher (Commonwealth) • The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP (Commonwealth) • The Hon Justine Elliot MP (Commonwealth) • Ms Yvette Berry MLA (Australian Capital Territory • The Hon Yvette D’Ath MP (Queensland) • The Hon Jodie Harrison MP (New South Wales) • The Hon Kate Worden MLA (Northern Territory) • The Hon Ngaree Ah Kit MLA (Northern Territory) • The Hon Katrine Hildyard MP (South Australia) • The Hon Jo Palmer MLC (Tasmania) • Ms Vicki Ward MP (Victoria)

New pilot program to drive career progression for people with disability

The Albanese Labor Government remains focussed on boosting employment opportunities and meaningful careers for people with disability, with the official launch of the Career Pathways Pilot today.

1800RESPECT garbage truck to spread awareness for support services

1800RESPECT – Australia’s national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support service – has partnered with Blacktown City Council in NSW, in an innovative initiative where garbage trucks are used to promote social change.

Industry to fund additional financial counselling services

The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with industry stakeholders and the financial counselling sector to implement an innovative industry funding model to ensure increased access to financial counselling services for Australians.