Labor to introduce Bill to cap PBS-listed scripts at $25, PM dodges questions on super tax
Once passed, eligible medicines will be lowered from $31.60 to $25.
The government estimates the change will save Australians $200m a year, while costing the budget $690m over four years.
This is in addition to previous reforms which allowed patients to acquire 60-day prescriptions, and freezing the cost of medicine for pension and concession card holders at $7.70 until the end of 2029.
The election pledge was also matched by the Coalition, suggesting the Bill will likely have a swift passage through parliament.
Anthony Albanese said it was a promise delivered.
'This is another example of cost of living relief that helps every Australian,' Mr Albanese said.
'The size of your bank balance shouldn't determine the quality of your healthcare. My government will continue to deliver cost of living relief for all Australians.'
Health Minister Mark Bulter also welcomed the incoming Bill.
'Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket and good for your health,' Mr Butler said.
'For general patients medicines haven't been this cheap since 2004.
'For pension and concession card holders we've frozen your medicine prices at a maximum price of $7.70 until the end of the decade.'
The Bill comes as the United States lashed Australia's PBS as 'discriminatory' amid tariff negotiations to remove the general 10 per cent levy, as well as fees on Australian steel and aluminium US imports.
Concerningly, US President Donald Trump has also flagged a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceutical imports, which could have a major impact on $2bn of Australian exports.
However the Albanese government said it is unwilling to use the PBS as a bargaining chip.
On Sunday, Mr Albanese also faced a grilling over when Labor would introduce its proposed plan to double the tax on superannuation accounts over $3m up to 30 per cent.
He said the Bill 'will come in time' and that the priority in the first fortnight was policies 'that make a difference to people's money in their pocket'.
Perth MP and assistant minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman said the government had been 'clear about our priorities' for the Bill and said he was 'confident it will pass'.
'I think we have seen in this building, time and time again, that when it comes to getting things through parliament, you have got to also let the parliamentary processes do their piece,' he said.
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ABC News
20 minutes ago
- ABC News
NT government responds to landmark domestic violence inquest into killings of four Indigenous women
The Northern Territory government says more than two-thirds of recommendations from a landmark domestic violence inquest "are already in place" in the territory, with a minister saying the report has failed "dismally to hit the mark". WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the names of Indigenous people who have died, used with the permission of their families. The Country Liberal Party handed down its response to NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's report in NT parliament on Tuesday, more than eight months after it was handed down. Judge Armitage made 35 recommendations, after spending more than a year investigating the domestic violence killings of four Aboriginal women — Kumarn Rubuntja, Kumanjayi Haywood, Ngeygo Ragurrk and Miss Yunupiŋu. They were among more than 80 Indigenous women killed in domestic violence attacks in the NT since the year 2000. The coroner's recommendations included calls for increased funding for frontline emergency service responses, women's shelters and men's behavioural change programs. In NT parliament on Tuesday, Prevention of Domestic Violence Minister Robyn Cahill said the government would support 21 of the recommendations in full and accept 11 in principle. The government did not support three of the recommendations: In handing down the government's response, Ms Cahill said "overall" the recommendations from the coroner were "uninspiring" and the report "failed so dismally to hit the mark". She said only a "small proportion" of the recommendations made would lead to the "implementation of a new and innovative approach". She also criticised Judge Armitage's approach to the inquest, calling it "protracted" and resulting in "lengthy reports delivered in a manner seeming to lack the humility one might expect from an officer of the court". "More focused on the reveal rather than the result," she said of Judge Armitage. When handing down her recommendations, Judge Armitage said she did not believe the 35 recommendations were "radical", saying the DFSV sector had been calling for them for many years. In a statement, Ms Cahill said "extensive consultation with government, non-government agencies, advocacy groups and experts found that 24 of the 35 recommendations related to programs or processes already in place". "Some of these measures have been in place for years without delivering the results we need," she said. Ms Cahill said the government was developing a DFSV roadmap to address domestic violence in the territory, which would set "strategic priorities" for the government's $36 million a year funding for the sector. In response to Ms Cahill's comments, opposition MLA Chansey Paech said it was "absolutely appalling" for the minister to "take aim at the Northern Territory coroner". "It was a long inquest, absolutely," he said. "It was four families, four unique circumstances that absolutely deserved the right to be comprehensively reviewed." Mr Paech said all 35 recommendations could "absolutely be accepted", despite government concerns over funding limitations. "The coroner designed all of these in a way that they could absolutely be supported," he said. In a joint statement, a coalition of NT DSFV services said the government's response was "underwhelming in the face of the Northern Territory's biggest criminal issue". "This is about more than programs. It's about a system that is currently failing women and children, and the urgent need to redesign it alongside the people who know what works," the statement said. "The government's ongoing lack of genuine consultation with the specialist DFSV sector is creating missed opportunities, poor coordination and unsafe outcomes." The NT has the highest rates of family and domestic violence in Australia, with a rate of intimate partner homicide seven times the national average. Recommendation 3: Amend the DFSV workforce plan to better engage Aboriginal workers, communities and universities. Recommendation 5: Create and implement an evidence-based strategy to reduce alcohol availability. Recommendation 6: Increase investment in specialist alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation services. Recommendation 7: Implement the police and children and families department co-responder model — which has been trialled in Alice Springs — on a permanent basis NT-wide. Recommendation 8: NT police to review protocols and improve officer training on information sharing. Recommendation 9: Consider establishing a multi-agency protection service to formalise partnership between police and government departments. Recommendation 10: NT police to embed interpreters and/or Aboriginal liaison officers in the emergency call centre. Recommendation 11: Provide PARt training to all current police officers, auxiliaries and new recruits, including emergency call centre workers. Recommendation 12: NT police to expand the DFSV command in Alice Springs and Darwin. Recommendation 13: Expand NT police's family harm coordination daily auditing program. Recommendation 14: Children and families department to audit and continue its commitment to the Safe and Together framework. Recommendation 15: Fund and implement "timely and intensive" early interventions for young people engaged in violence. Recommendation 16: Extra funding for community-based approaches to child welfare. Recommendation 17: Replicate the specialist DFSV court in Alice Springs in other regions. Recommendation 23: Increase funding for men's prison-based behaviour programs and counselling. Recommendation 24: Improve access to men's prison programs. Recommendation 25: Develop and implement a prison program for men who are 'deniers' of their violence. Recommendation 26: Establish reintegration programs for men leaving prison and returning to community. Recommendation 29: Boost funding for community-based behavioural change and prevention programs. Recommendation 33: Full implementation of the DFSV Action Plan 2, which will require $180 million funding over five years. Recommendation 34: Increase baseline funding for frontline DFSV crisis services by about 10 per cent. Recommendation 1: Establish a permanent, whole-of-government unit to lead DFSV policy and practice. Recommendation 4: Boost funding for Aboriginal interpreter services. Recommendation 18: Fund culturally-appropriate, trauma-informed, mediation/peacekeeping for family and community violence. Recommendation 19: Regulate and fund mediation and peacemaker groups as recognised alternative dispute resolution providers. Recommendation 20: Develop and fund alternatives to custody for DFSV perpetrators. Recommendation 21: Make the NT victims register an opt-out system, and consider how victims can be notified of the release of inmates. Recommendation 22: Embed the charter of victims' rights in NT law. Recommendation 27: NT Health to improve its DFSV screening and assessment of patients. Recommendation 28: Better support for Aboriginal liaison officers in hospitals and clinics. Recommendation 30: Invest in culturally-appropriate prevention and education programs in schools and on social media. Recommendation 31: Fund DFSV awareness training for clubs and pubs. Recommendation 2: Establish an NT peak body to represent the sector on a national level. Recommendation 32: Mandatory 12-month trial of banned drinker register scanners in licensed venues. Recommendation 35: Ensure funding agreements for frontline DFSV services include indexation increases.
News.com.au
20 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Popular drink craze causing global shortage
While Australia has built a reputation for quality coffee, another drink has been quietly growing in popularity down under. Matcha, a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves, has become a viral sensation, thanks to its taste, health benefits, and steadier caffeine boost. However, this worldwide 'matcha mania' has caused a global supply chain issue, with The Japan Times reporting that there may be a matcha shortage this year. Matcha production nearly tripled from 2010 to 2023, Japan's agricultural ministry reports. It also says that green tea exports, including matcha, increased by 25 per cent last year. Experts say that one of the main reasons for the potential shortage is that consumers are now seeking premium matcha. This sort of matcha is traditionally reserved for tea ceremonies, rather than the more affordable, culinary-grade matcha, and people are now using it for 'everyday' use. These higher-grade matchas requires extensive time and effort, which can lead to limited production. Farmers hand pick the tea leaves, dry them, and grind them in specialised stone mills that process less than 60 grams of leaves per hour. Behind the craze Christelle Young, Managing Director of T2, told that although the company has been selling matcha for over 20 years, recent years have seen a noticeable spike. The growing popularity comes down to a few main reasons. 'Matcha fits perfectly with Australia's increasing focus on health, wellness, and mindfulness,' Ms Young said. 'It's rich in antioxidants, L-theanine (which promotes calm and focus), and has less caffeine than coffee, making it an attractive alternative for health-conscious Aussies seeking a balanced energy boost'. She also pointed out that the increased post-pandemic tourism to Japan plays a role, with nearly one million Aussies visiting the country last year. 'As more Australians immerse themselves in Japanese culture, interest in products like matcha continues to grow at home,' she said. Many Aussies are also trying to cut back on coffee, for health or lifestyle reasons. 'Matcha provides a gentle, sustained energy release without the jitters or crash that often comes with coffee,' Ms Young explained. And of course, social media has also fuelled the craze, with thousands of videos showcasing the vibrant, green drink. Influencers and wellness bloggers regularly feature matcha recipes, lattes, and even desserts, inspiring many to try a drink they might not have otherwise known about. In response, T2 has launched trend-driven products like Strawberry Matcha and White Chocolate Matcha, while staying true to its ethos of selling ceremonial-grade, high-quality matcha and supporting growers. 'By working directly with these tea gardens, we've been able to prioritise allocation even in tight supply conditions,' Ms Young explained. Stock levels are closely monitored, and a 'tiered distribution system' ensures flagship stores and online outlets get priority on bestsellers. 'Where necessary, batch allocations help ensure every store can maintain core matcha products, even if some flavoured variants are temporarily out of stock,' she added. The issue has been brewing The first signs of demand stretching Japan's matcha industry emerged late last year when some brands began to limit purchases, raise prices, and temporarily suspend sales. In November, Sydney's Simply Native announced customers could buy only 'one item per brand per person'. Ippodo Tea, which has sold matcha for 300 years, also halted sales of some items, citing the 'recent surge in demand'. However, Anna Poain, director of the Global Japanese Tea Association, said this only caused 'panic buying'. She told The New York Times that demand has soared even higher since last year as buyers try to stockpile, making it increasingly difficult to source in Japan. The industry is ill-prepared for this sudden surge, she claimed, with many Japanese tea farms being small, family-run operations. The government has encouraged tea farmers to shift to growing matcha, but many are hesitant, unsure how long the craze will last. 'Many people say it's here to stay, but who knows,' Ms Poain said. 'Building factories, and other infrastructure, is risky. It's not that easy to do'.
The Age
20 minutes ago
- The Age
Allan is wrong about NGV protest - it is fair to highlight Israel links
Shared humanity Experienced Israeli soldiers with proven loyalties are looking beyond the frontlines of Gaza's war (' Israeli soldiers and generals turning their backs on Netanyahu over Gaza ', 29/7). They see a reality in which Palestinian civilian families are mere collateral for an Israeli government resorting to violence to shroud political ambitions. (Yes, Hamas fighters also trashed Israeli civilian families). We should encourage Israel's uniformed dissidents; your correspondents' acknowledge they express a growing sentiment in Israel, against war. Yet being against war will not be enough to build a new peace. Israel needs peace as much as Palestinians do. But can Israel even start down that path while its occupation, laws, regulations and budgets ensure Palestinians remain subjects or second-class citizens? The Jewish state's reputation will fully recover, along with its security, when its people acknowledge the full humanity of others. Ken Blackman, Inverloch Loading Going backwards So Barnaby Joyce feels he is 'compelled' to repeal the net zero target because 'his community felt too passionately about the wide scale of solar and wind farms in the regions'. (28/7). It's worth mentioning that he has spent the past 20 years spreading misinformation about climate change and the transition to renewable energy needed to address it. That he and his fossil fuel friends have been astroturfing protests against renewable energy projects. Joyce's efforts have undoubtedly been successful in New England, where he received 67.14 per cent of the two-party vote at the last election. Joyce also claims, with absolutely no evidence, that our net zero target will 'have absolutely no effect on the climate'. Yet cutting emissions is the primary requirement to avoid a climate catastrophe. This is why more than 100 countries have zero emissions targets. Some, like China (2060) and India (2070), a bit later, and some a bit early, like Finland (2035) and Germany (2045). His claim is nonsense, like his earlier prediction of $100 roasts. Barnaby Joyce certainly won't give up on his favoured wedge issue, especially now that it can be used to wedge his own Coalition colleagues and perhaps rekindle his own leadership ambitions. Graeme Henchel, Yarra Glen Winning at dealing Like him or loathe him, Trump is no fool when it comes to money. He enters every 'deal' from a position of strength and on his own ground. Every other party enters in weakness. We first saw this in the Trump-Starmer (UK) deal. America the winner. Now it's the EU's turn. Have a close look at the expression on the faces of the two negotiators (' EU and US agree to trade deal with 15% tariffs for European exports ', 28/7). Trump's first strike allowed plenty of room for painless compromise. Yet again, a win for America. It remains to be seen how Australia will get on given we have already agreed to accept American beef, to no apparent advantage for Australia. Jim Lamborn, Doncaster Deal is a hoax Is this EU deal the biggest, the most beautiful, the most unbelievably fantastic hoax perpetrated on the American people in US history by the unparalleled shyster of all time? What a wondrous thing to watch the Trumpmeister perpetrate a reverse GST on his people by introducing across the board tariffs and getting importers and exporters to collect the tax from consumers, apparently solving the debt crisis. But get this, this comes while at the same time he releases the wealthy from contributing taxes to the welfare of American society under his Big Beautiful Bill. You've gotta hand it to the most successful carpet bagger in American history. Pier Paolo De Carlo, Ascot Vale Tariffs for peace So the Palestinians won't come to the party with Israel on peace negotiations for the Gaza Strip? It is time for the Great Deal Maker to step up. Trump only needs to threaten the Gaza Strip with a 150 per cent tariff on all their exports to the US and they will soon be begging for a deal. Christopher Rogers, Killawarra Finding answers Timely advice from Peter Hartcher (' Good journalism can seek solutions ', 29/7). Yes, we are so dispirited by bad news with seemingly no solutions. Taking climate change action as an example, Barnaby Joyce and others would take us back into the climate wars with his insistence of retreating from the net zero target for emissions ('Hanson hits out at Ley, tests coalition resolve on net zero', 29/7). We all know we could well fail to reach our targets in the prescribed time and see all around us evidence of worsening climate disasters. We need to move forward with solutions, which are more achievable working together. Yet we have various individuals focusing on their own goals of self elevation and party dominance. The public is certainly influenced by journalism and hence solution-focused writing would not only be welcome but essential in this extremely important area. Jan Marshall, Brighton A relief from gloom I keenly read Peter Hartcher's article on journalism seeking solutions. With the constant barrage of hard news reporting, it is little wonder that mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are increasing. It would be a relief if journalists could refocus on constructive solutions instead of high drama, gloom and doom, winners and losers, and report to readers on useful problem-solving strategies where at times positive change can happen. Helen Clements, Mt Waverley Privatising our park The latest moves to remove 34 mature trees from Albert Park while extending the lockout period to three weeks is another disgraceful example of privilege and privatisation of public utilities to serve the few. For a three-day annual event! (' Public lockout at Park ', 29/7). The original charter for the F1 race was that it would be short term. It makes an annual loss taxpayers subsidise while the owners reap the profit – if only there was transparency regarding the actual finances but good old 'commercial in confidence' covers that. Denise Stevens, St Kilda Chopper damage Shame on all connected with the environmental carnage that will follow in Swan Bay (' Helicopter landing site riles locals in this prized coastal area ', 29/7). In January at Lakers Cutting, I watched a military helicopter with its twin rotors roar low across the water. It sent pelicans, spoonbills, swans and ducks into a panic. As they spiralled off their peaceful patch, it appeared that they, the helicopter pilot and crew could all be imperilled in a devastating collision. Surely this is a worrying situation for James Ramsey, his precious toy chopper and the unfortunate birdlife when he takes off and lands. Alan McLean, Queenscliff Birds can handle it Helicopters are not an uncommon sight down here at the coast. When someone is in trouble they actually help to save lives. One private helicopter lifting off and gone in minutes won't annoy the swans - ever heard them honk? Margaret Skeen, Point Lonsdale The wrong bikes eBikes have been in the news lately; but what is an eBike? Let us not confuse electric bicycles and scooters with eBikes. An electric bike or scooter moves under battery power and can travel at great speeds, whereas an eBike requires a rider to actually pedal to create forward movement. The battery on an eBike is simply there to make pedalling easier. So let's get those electric bikes and scooters off footpaths and maybe have them registered. But eBikes do not need further controls as they present no danger. Alan Thomas, Hawthorn Kiwi rockets Elizabeth Knight's story on the DORKs meme stocks (' Love-bombing hits the market in revenge of the DORKs ', 28/7) correctly identified that Rocket Lab was an outlier because 'its shares had already taken off thanks to launching several satellites'. However, this undervalues Rocket Lab's impressive credentials. This New Zealand-founded, US headquartered company has made 63 launches of 224 satellites with manufacturing and launch facilities in the US and NZ, which in the past four years has positioned NZ as the fifth-ranked country globally for commercial space launches after the US, China, Russia and Europe. How about a story on how and why NZ has 'rocketed' ahead of Australia in the commercial space sector? Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Rocket Lab and own no shares in the company. But I am a proud Kiwi-Australian! Rick Ede, Mont Albert AND ANOTHER THING Barnaby Joyce Barnaby Joyce rejects climate change action (' Why Barnaby's war on net zero's already sunk ', 25/7). What about government assistance to farmers impacted by drought, floods and bushfires exacerbated by climate change? Peter Baddeley, Portland The sooner the Nationals merge with One Nation the better. The Liberals will then only have themselves to fight with. Randall Bradshaw, Fitzroy AFL Six/six/six: what a nonsense rule (' How the Demons' history-making horror show unfolded ', 28/7). These guys are not under 10s. How long before the AFL introduces an offside rule? John Walsh, Watsonia Please no Snoop Dogg at the AFL grand final. I'm still trying to get over Meatloaf all those years ago. We have much more talent on the local scene. John Bye, Elwood Loading Furthermore Your correspondent (' Underwhelming 100 ', Letters, 29/7) begrudges those younger than her voting for a Veronicas song that she does not consider a true classic, in the same way my parents would perhaps bemoan my not including Sadie the Cleaning Lady in classics of my era. Ageing is a funny business. Julian Guy, Mt Eliza Trump steak? (Letters, 28/7). Hard to chew and even harder to swallow. Greg Curtin, Nunawading An Ansett branded 'AI-powered travel agency' (' Ansett embarks on new adventure for travellers without taking flight ', 29/7) appeals to me even less than MG branded Chinese economy sedans and wagons. Maybe that's because I remember both Australia's Ansett Airlines and British MGBs. Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills Finally When a date is agreed for the end of coins and banknotes in favour of 100 per cent electronic 'card' transactions, will I be compensated for the obvious cost savings; and the end of occasional finds of a coin on the ground or a $5, $10, etc note blowing across my path? Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell
