Independent Inquiry into the system of Compensation and rehabilitation for veterans The Coalition Government has announced a Productivity Commission inquiry into the system of compensation and rehabilitation for veterans. The Commission is the Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of issues affecting the welfare of Australians. This inquiry will examine whether the system…
Tackling homelessness in the electorate of Parkes Young people at risk of homelessness in the electorate of Parkes will receive greater support through increased Government funding. The Coalition Government has provided up to $1,282,079 to Reconnect services in the electorate. Reconnect provides support and assistance to young people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Reconnect services will help stabilise the…
New regulatory powers and lower NBN prices delivering better broadband for consumers New consumer protection, greater transparency and lower wholesale prices are delivering an improved experience for users on the National Broadband Network (NBN). The Australian Communications and Media Authority [ACMA] released new rules to stop the handballing of complaints between telcos and nbn, giving…
4.7 million Australians to benefit from indexation Around 4.7 million pension and allowance recipients will receive an increase to their welfare payments from 20 March. The increases will help pensioners and allowance recipients to keep up with increases in living costs. From 20 March, pension payments including Age Pension and Disability Support Pension will increase…
100,000 more Australians move off welfare and into work More than 100,000 of the most disadvantaged Australians – many of them long-term unemployed welfare recipients – have gained a job through the Nationals-Liberal Government’s wage subsidy program since 2015. Wage subsidies are supporting businesses to give vital work opportunities to Australians facing disadvantage. The best…
Supporting Early Release of Superannuation Benefits on Compassionate Grounds The Nationals-Liberal Government has released for consultation the exposure draft regulations on the transfer of the early release of superannuation benefits on compassionate grounds to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). These regulations provide the necessary administrative changes to reflect the transfer of responsibility for early release…
Realtime payments, any hour, any day of the week Australians will now be able to make instant electronic payments at any time of the day, with the launch of the New Payments Platform (NPP). The Nationals-Liberal Government welcomed the launch of the new platform, which is set to revolutionise the payments process for millions of…
New NBN pricing delivering better broadband for consumers New wholesale pricing on the National Broadband Network is delivering a better broadband experience for consumers, according to the ACCC’s latest Wholesale Market Indicators report. The report shows the introduction of new wholesale pricing has resulted in a substantial 37 per cent boost to the amount of…
Getting kids in the Electorate of Parkes back to school The Nationals-Liberal Government is focusing on improving school attendance across remote communities. Getting an education is not only the first step in ensuring that our young people do not end up in the criminal justice system, but also gives students a great platform to pursue further studies and…
Lowest private health insurance premium change in 17 years The Nationals-Liberal Government’s reforms to take the pressure off private health insurance will deliver the lowest annual premium change in almost two decades. Health funds will have average weighted premium increases of 3.95 per cent from 1 April, 2018. This is the lowest increase since 2001.…