Labor welcomes moves to review foreign aid, but the Morrison Government must rule out making further cuts to Australia’s international development program in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. Since coming to office the Coalition has cut $11.8 billion from official development assistance, meaning Australia’s foreign aid as a share of national income is at the lowest on record.
Read Morewith PENNY WONG SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Reports that the outbreak of measles in Samoa has taken an additional five lives in the past 24 hours are deeply distressing. The latest public reports indicate that a total of 4,052 measles cases have been reported since the outbreak started. 52 of the 60 individuals that have died from contracting this disease to date were under the age of four, which is nothing short of tragic. Labor sup...
Read Morewith SHARON CLAYDON, MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE Anger over planned Centrelink office closures in Newcastle has been compounded by the news that Newcastle and Lake Macquarie haven’t been spared in countrywide public service job cuts. According to the latest snapshot by the Australian Public Service Commission, 69 jobs have been slashed in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in the past year alone.
Read MoreThe Morrison Government’s announcement of 10,000 home care packages is a drop in the ocean when there is a waiting list of 120,000 older Australians and 16,000 died in one year alone while waiting. His announcement of $537 million for aged care is nowhere near the $1.2 billion he ripped out of aged care in his first Budget and nowhere near what is needed.
Read Morewith SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG Any review of Australia’s international development program will be meaningless without the Morrison Government halting its massive cuts to foreign aid. Since coming to office the Coalition has cut more than $11.8 billion from Australia’s official development assistance.
Read MoreShare the Dignity’s “It’s In The Bag” campaign is an important Christmas charity drive to help women experiencing disadvantage. The Belmont office of Member for Shortland Pat Conroy will be a collection point for the charity again this year.
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