Federal government

Employers who deliberately underpay their workers could face jail time under new workplace laws that have passed Parliament.

A credit card ban for online gambling will soon be in effect across Australia, following the passing of new laws this week.

What is the NDIS? An independent review of the disability support system suggested a raft of changes to address persisting problems.

What is income apportionment? The unlawful scheme has created a burdensome administrative task that could trigger a large-scale debt waiver.

Who is NZYQ? A High Court decision triggered the release of over 140 indefinite detainees. The Government is developing laws to return them.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was directly involved in a decision to block Shan United from entering Australia, TDA has learned.

What is thalidomide? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered an apology to survivors of the drug in Parliament today.

Nazi bans in Australia will be strengthened by an amendment that will ban the Nazi salute throughout Australia.

Student safety at Australian universities is threatened by widespread reports of sexual violence. A new action plan hopes to confront this.

Disability employment in Australia is much lower than the rest of the population. A new trial hopes to address this issue.

The Federal Government has announced cuts to 50 major infrastructure projects and warned more may be needed amid inflation fears.

Why did the cash rate rise? The Reserve Bank decided to raise the cash rate again on Tuesday, after keeping it unchanged since July.

1 in 20 people have ADHD in Australia. On Monday, a Senate Committee handed down a report targeted at improving the lives of people with ADHD.

The Federal Government has announced a scholarship program to attract more people to teaching amid growing concerns of a national shortage.

Feral goats in Australia will be targeted under a new framework aimed at protecting the nation’s endangered species.

The High Court of Australia has ruled a convicted terrorist can have his Australian citizenship restored.

Federal, state and territory governments have launched a national recruitment campaign aimed at encouraging more people to become teachers.

A crypto crackdown will be included in legislation set to be tabled in Australia next year. This is what it could look like.

What was the Qatar Airways decision? A Senate Committee tasked with scrutinising the controversial decision has called for an urgent review.

Mental health in Australia is under the microscope this week, after the release of a new 10-year health strategy. Here’s what it says

Changes for international students are hoped to stop dodgy education agents and providers from taking advantage of students.

The Federal Government will create a digital ‘Skills Passport’ for workers so they can more easily connect with potential employers.

The Federal Government has announced a $22.1 billion budget surplus for the 2022/23 financial year, the first in 15 years.

The independent COVID inquiry will look at several areas of the Federal Government’s response to the pandemic. Here’s the details

JobSeeker is rising on Wednesday, following a combination of periodic increases and new laws taking effect. Here’s the important details

The Federal Government has issued online dating apps with a new deadline to improve the safety features on their platforms.

Macquarie Bank will phase out cash and cheque services by the end of 2024. Here’s the timeline for the phase-out

What’s lumpy skin disease? Indonesia has lifted restrictions on Australian livestock after they say the disease was discovered on cattle.

What was the Qatar Airways decision? The Government is facing sustained backlash over their call to block more flights into Australia.

The Australian Government has launched a new attack on feral cats through the release of a new plan to curb damage caused by the animals.

A discussion paper around Australia’s first-ever national autism strategy has been released for public feedback. Here’s the key points

The system offering subsidised mental health sessions underwent a major change last year. New data suggests that very little has changed

The gig economy often works as many hours as their full-time counterparts, but don’t have the same entitlements, such as sick or annual leave.

The eSafety Commissioner has delivered a blueprint for adding an age limit on porn in Australia. This is what they said

A referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will be held on 14 October. Here’s what you need to know.

Every few years the Government shares its predictions about where Australia is headed and what sort of country it thinks we’ll be in the decades ahead. Those projections are released in the form of the Intergenerational Report. In today’s deep dive, we’ll take a closer look at what the report found, and how the Government plans to manage those findings.

Australia’s life expectancy will continue to rise in the future, though fewer children are expected to be born come 2063.

Australians spend more money gambling online per person than anywhere else in the world. Now, the Federal Government has launched a new initiative to help change that. BetStop lets Australian exclude themselves from online gambling, but will it work? In the deep dive, we’ll look at what these bans are trying to achieve and whether or not they’ll help Australians stop betting.

Following a review into higher education, the Federal Government has shed light on planned reforms for the university sector, including scrapping a rule that excludes some students from HECS. With a focus on improving regional access, creating more inclusive campuses and boosting First Nations enrolments, TDA journalist Tom Crowley explains what you need to know in the deep dive.

A rule that excludes university students from studebt debt support based on their academic output will be axed. Here’s why

The Solomon Islands’ latest deal with China has prompted Solomons’ PM to lash out at Australia on multiple fronts.

A caged egg ban will begin by 2036 under a plan endorsed by Australia’s governments. But one has already said it will make its own rules.

A student safety body for unis has been put forward in a national open letter. It’s targeted at addressing sexual violence around campuses.

A taskforce led by Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells will consider ways to pay for the growing cost of aged care, including an aged care levy, or tax.

Cheques will be phased out by the Federal Government, who say the payment method is too slow and expensive. Here’s their plan.

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to stop smoking in Australia. They’ll be formalised as legislation, which will be tabled this year.

A ban on some AI could soon become a reality in Australia, according to a Federal Government paper released on Thursday. Here are the details

Australians on British working visas are set for a shake up, after a free trade agreement came into effect on Wednesday. Here’s the details

What is the PwC scandal? It’s resulted in a criminal investigation, and claimed the scalp of its CEO. Here are the details, explained simply

Should gambling ads be banned? One Independent thinks so, and she’s got the backing of other parts of the crossbench. Here are the details

What is Buy Now Pay Later? The Federal Government unveiled its plans to add new rules for the services on Monday. Here’s what they are

Is there a Nazi symbol ban in Australia? Laws to ban their public display were tabled this year. A federal ban is now one step closer.

The Government will increase financial support for single parents by expanding eligibility for the Parenting Payment.

Why is Snowy 2.0 being delayed? There are many reasons for the delay, which could impact Australia’s renewable energy transition. Here’s why.

Victorians are paying the most taxes to their state and local governments in Australia, according to new data from the ABS.

A group of Australian universities have called for paid jobs to be added to degrees. But what would it look like? Here are the details.

TikTok will be deleted from all Australian Government devices. Why’s it happening, and has it happened elsewhere? Here’s what you need to know.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today that Australian households and small businesses will be provided up to $1.5 billion in power bill relief amid rising energy prices.

The Government has passed changes to wages laws through the Senate.

It says Australia is not on track to meet its new emissions reduction targets

Health Minister Mark Butler said the measures would “re-establish our reputation as a global leader in tobacco control”.