Yesterday
The 14 measures you might have missed
From fast-tracked passports to sweet potato levies, there are many more things in the 1000 pages of federal budget documents than you might imagine. Here are some of them.
- Updated
Contractors in the firing line as public service headcount soars
The number of bureaucrats has increased nearly 10 per cent in one year alone and some $1.8 billion has been allocated to overhaul staffing at Services Australia.
This Month
Smart wallet encryption to get $23.4m budget boost
Amid a wave of identity theft, $11 million has also been pledged over four years to upgrade the Credential Protection Register.
- Opinion
- Public service
Why headcount matters when it comes to budgets
As any finance chief will attest, the number of bums on seats tells you most of what you need to know about an organisation’s underlying size and costs.
China admits to firing flares near Australian chopper: PM
China admits helicopter was not in Chinese territory says Albanese; slow housing pipeline worries Chalmers; Stormy Daniels testifies. Follow updates here.
- Updated
Health portal ‘plagued by incomplete records and poor usability’
Poor usability and incomplete records are frustrating uptake of the My Health Record portal, while the Productivity Commission estimates benefits of around $5.4 billion a year if it can be made to work.
Size of Victorian government to be cut for first time in 15 years
Tight control over salaries and operating expenses will result in reduced average expenditure of 2.2 per cent over forward estimates.
Israel warns Palestinians to evacuate Rafah ahead of possible attacks
Eastern Rafah residents told to evacuate; Chalmers warns against slash-and-burn approach to spending; Qantas settlement a quick win for consumers; murdered Australian surfers identified in Mexico. How the day unfolded.
How your electric car is watching your every move
Electric vehicle makers are among the worst offenders when it comes to protecting the personal data of their customers, and Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind is worried about it.
- Analysis
- Government Observed
Nordic paradox: how male resentment fuels domestic abuse
Closing gender pay gaps fuels domestic violence, pointing to the deep challenges to stop the societal scourge.
Domestic violence rates fall over decades but one stat hasn’t changed
The rate of women killed by their partners has fallen by two-thirds over the past 34 years, but women remain twice as likely as men to be victims of intimate partner homicide.
Treat violent men like terrorists or gangsters, experts say
Swift sanctions, including jail, are needed to stop domestic violence, say researchers, who argue no amount of “respectful relationships training” will stop some men.
April
- Analysis
- Government Observed
The domestic violence red flags the system can’t see
Tragically, domestic homicide of partners is proving to be highly predictable. If only there was the data to show the red flags before violence erupts.
The four Cs: How to rebuild a department after robo-debt
Considered one of Canberra’s best leaders, former navy chief Ray Griggs is now Department of Social Services secretary, helping to rebuild culture after a damning royal commission.
- Opinion
- National security
Pezzullo takes first step to redemption
The former Home Affairs secretary admitted his mistakes and accepted his disgrace, and knows he will not be working with the Commonwealth for some time.
Higgins payout independent of ministers says Albanese
Industry policy inflation claims are ‘rubbish’ says Chalmers; Higgins payout negotiated at arm’s length; Opposition joins government attack Twitter; NSW threatens to pull back from NDIS commitments.
Meet the doctors whose virtual ED is easing the load on hospitals
In outer Melbourne, a virtual emergency department has offered 250,000 patients treatment and created a model to help keep ageing Baby Boomers out of hospital.
Iran claims small drones used in attacks
US media report Israeli missile attack on Iran; explosions appear to be limited and targeted; Australian government officials and their dependants posted in Iran have been directed not to travel outside of Tehran. Follow live here.
- Updated
- Opinion
- Government Observed
The Senate’s mock outrage games shame all
Threatening corporate leaders with jail time over an accounting contrivance is part of a trend where the national parliament is becoming a theatre for showboating and mock outrage.
Australian COVID-19 deaths hit new lows
After eight successive waves of COVID-19 infections, national COVID fatalities have dropped to below single digits.
