Latest news with #JasonClare
News.com.au
18 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Opposition to back Labor's student debt bill, Sussan Ley says
Sussan Ley has confirmed the opposition will back the Albanese government's signature student debt-slashing bill. It comes after Education Minister Jason Clare told Labor colleagues he was hopeful the HECS reforms would pass parliament on Tuesday. Fronting media, the Opposition Leader said she still had concerns over the Albanese government's broader response to the cost-of-living crisis, but that 'we will not oppose the government's proposal'. 'And I want to say this to students today – remember this moment,' Ms Ley told reporters. 'Because Anthony Albanese says life will be easier under him, costs will come down, everything will get cheaper. 'Remember this moment because, when I have spoken to young people across the country, they have talked about escalating costs, in rent, electricity, any groceries, in everything a student needs to spend money on. 'It has been really tough.' She said added that 'underpinning this student debt relief bill has been a massive cost of living crisis for Australia's students' and vowed to hold the government to account. 'But today, we agreed to not oppose the bill as it makes its way through the parliament,' Ms Ley said. 'We do care about students who are struggling with the cost of living and said we would be positive where we can be and critical where we need to be.' Labor's bill was central to its youth-focused re-election pitch. It would cut student debts by 20 per cent for some 3 million graduates, or wipe off about $5500 from the average debt. The changes would also raise the repayment threshold for student loans from $54,000 to $67,000.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: Clare pledges childcare action, Harbour Bridge Gaza protest row grows, questions over Adani's tax bill
Morning everyone. The education minister, Jason Clare, has told Guardian Australia exclusively how he plans to use new powers as soon as possible to shake up the childcare sector after the shocking reports of abuse in Victoria and New South Wales. In other news, pro-Palestine protesters are digging in over plans to stage a rally on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, while our Full Story podcast asks if the outcry over pictures of starving children in Gaza is a tipping point. Plus, we ask why Adani doesn't pay corporate tax in Australia despite billions in revenue from its huge Queensland coalmine. Discrimination claim | Mary Kostakidis has asked the federal court in Adelaide to strike out an 'embarrassing' Zionist Federation of Australia racial discrimination claim on the grounds it fails to identify which race, ethnicity or nationality was offended by the former SBS journalist's social media posts about Israel. Meanwhile the Sydney lord mayor, Clover Moore, has said a pro-Palestine protest involving a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge would be a 'powerful symbol'. Childcare crisis | The use of CCTV in childcare centres, a national register of teachers and mandatory child safety training are top of the agenda for a meeting of state and federal ministers, as governments race to respond to abuse in the early childhood sector. 'Missing' $22bn | Consumer price figures released tomorrow may determine whether a cautious Reserve Bank of Australia will give millions of mortgaged Australians a rate cut next month. Union anger | The NSW government is facing strong pushback against workers compensation changes designed to curb claims for psychological injury, with educators and the peak union group criticising the bill's failure to address underlying issues. Gaming backlash | Payment companies such as Visa, Mastercard and Stripe are facing public backlash for pressuring online gaming platforms to remove hundreds of games in response to a campaign from an Australian anti-porn lobby group. 'Dark day' | The French prime minister, François Bayrou, said the EU had capitulated to Donald Trump's threats of ever-increasing tariffs, as he labelled the framework deal struck in Scotland on Sunday as a 'dark day' for the EU. Here's an explainer about what the EU has agreed to and analysis on why they chose a deal over a trade war. 'Real starvation' | Two leading human rights organisations based in Israel, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, say Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the country's western allies have a legal and moral duty to stop it. For the first time, Donald Trump acknowledged that there is 'real starvation' in the region and told Benjamin Netanyahu to allow 'every ounce of food' into Gaza. Aeroflot hack | The Russian airline Aeroflot was forced to cancel dozens of flights after a pro-Ukraine hacking group with a track record of claiming responsibility for hacking targets in Russia said it had carried out a cyber-attack. Meanwhile Donald Trump has given Vladimir Putin a 12-day deadline to cut a peace deal with Ukraine. Gallagher charged | The older brother of Oasis's Noel and Liam Gallagher has been charged with rape and other sexual offences, Scotland Yard has said. Spidey senses | David Attenborough's new series, Parenthood – to be shown on Channel Ten – will feature footage of a 1,000-strong pack of young African social spiders hunting prey in a game of 'grandmother's footsteps' during which they freeze in unison then eat all their mothers and elderly relatives alive. Is this the tipping point in Gaza? Guardian Middle East correspondent William Christou speaks to Reged Ahmad from Jerusalem about whether this moment is a tipping point in the Israel-Gaza war. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ More than three years after Adani started extracting coal from its Queensland mine, the Indian conglomerate has paid zero corporate tax from its Australian project – and tax experts say it may 'never pay a cent'. Our business correspondent, Jonathan Barrett, investigates how it has happened. A new Australian biography of the mythologiser of the American west, Zane Grey, has uncovered the unlikely tale of how the ageing writer and keen fisher spent his final years chasing his dream of catching a great white – and explains why a caravan park in southern NSW bears his name. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Swimming | Alexandria Perkins (pictured on right) has taken a bronze medal for Australia on day two of the swimming world championships in Singapore, while Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh continued her winning ways. Football | As the world of women's football moves on after England's dramatic Euro win, the Matildas prepare for tonight's draw for the Asian Cup which will be held in Australia in March. Cricket | Kevin Pietersen has defended Ben Stokes after the England captain was criticised for his reaction to India's decision to bat on in the closing stages of the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford. Rugby union | Our correspondent on the Lions tour, Gerard Meagher, explains why the 12-hour train journey between Melbourne and Sydney is an essential part of the experience. Victorian farmers are 'furious' about plans to hand VicGrid the power to access farmland to build transmission towers, according to the Australian Financial Review. In an editorial, the Courier Mail says sneering from Sydney and Melbourne won't stop Brisbane from having its moment. A couple whose baby was stillborn at Cowra hospital have thanked nurses for managing to make the experience 'deeply meaningful', the Central Western Daily reports. Energy | Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney. Courts | Interlocutory hearing at 10.15am for the racial discrimination case brought by the Zionist Federation of Australia against Mary Kostakidis. Perth | Case management hearing at 11.15am for Linda Reynolds v Commonwealth. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Jason Clare vows to use new childcare centre powers as soon as possible with list already in sights
The use of CCTV in childcare centres, a national register of teachers and mandatory child safety training are top of the agenda for a meeting of state and federal education ministers, as governments race to respond to abuse in the early childhood sector. The Albanese government will seek to rush its bill through parliament this week to strip funding from below-standard childcare centres, with the education minister, Jason Clare, promising to use his new powers as soon as he is legally able to – with some centres already in his sights. 'My department is working right now with states and territories on a priority list of providers to bring action against,' Clare told Guardian Australia. 'We are determined to do what needs to be done to rebuild confidence in a system that parents need to have confidence in.' He confirmed a special meeting of state and territory education ministers would be held on 22 August to focus on child safety in early education. Sign up: AU Breaking News email There were three main topics for the meeting, dealing with key areas identified by providers: efforts to accelerate a national register of early education and care workers, discussing mandatory child safety training for early education and care workers, and investigating the role of CCTV in responding to safety concerns. Large providers spoken to by Guardian Australia said they were strongly supportive of a national register and more funding for training, but some have reservations about CCTV, with concerns about cost, resources to operate and monitor feeds, and the potential for footage to fall into the wrong hands. A separate meeting of the standing council of attorneys general , also to be held in August, would discuss reforming the working with children check system. The federal attorney general, Michelle Rowland, told parliament on Monday that the system needed 'long overdue improvements'. 'Different states and territories have inconsistent schemes covering eligibility and reportable conduct. They do not talk to each other and there is no system of national oversight or real-time monitoring,' she said. 'We need meaningful change and we need it urgently. It's time to stop predators exploiting cracks in the hodgepodge of separate systems around the country.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The education ministers and AGs meetings would advance reforms which must be agreed to by states and territories, in a bid to unify systems run by separate governments. They come in addition to the federal government's early childhood education and care (strengthening regulation of early education) bill 2025, introduced by Clare into parliament last week, which gives the education department the power to take action against providers not meeting national quality standards on safety. The department would be empowered to undertake unannounced raids, publish the findings of its inspections, and potentially suspend or cancel a provider's ability to access the childcare subsidy. This legislation would give the commonwealth government power to cut off funding to childcare centres that do not meet the national quality standard when it comes to safety and quality, where there is a breach of the law, or where centres are acting in a way that puts the safety of children at risk. Labor hopes to pass the bill this week. Once the legislation is in force, approximately two weeks after it passes parliament, Clare said the federal education department would begin preparing to issue the first 'show cause' notices to underperforming providers – the first step toward potentially cancelling or suspending funding. 'As soon as these new powers come into force, we will use them to strengthen safety in childcare,' Clare said, noting state regulators already have such powers to respond to imminent safety threats. 'This legislation gives the federal government additional powers to lift safety in childcare. This is about making sure the safety and quality in childcare centres is what parents expect and children deserve.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Parents back push to expand child care subsidy options
A push to expand Australia's childcare subsidy to include more care options has the support of parents, advocates and politicians as the government remains focused on improving standards at existing centres. A bill empowering authorities to strip funding from childcare operators who fail to meet safety standards, among other measures, was this week fast-tracked during the first sitting of the 48th federal parliament. Operators who fall down on quality, safety and compliance standards could be cut out of subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees, and also blocked from opening new centres. Education Minister Jason Clare says he doesn't want to see funding removed and that the legislation should more compel providers to improve standards in the wake of recent abuse cases. The crackdown is part of the government's promise to guarantee universal access to early education and while welcomed by parents and advocates, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability. Advocacy group For Parents has gone a step further, launching a petition calling on the government to provide equitable support for families who choose alternatives to centre-based care. In an economy where most families need both parents to work, there should be more choice when it comes to childcare, says co-founder Cecelia Cobb. "This is about giving families more freedom because the way that the subsidy currently works is that centre-based childcare is the only option many can afford," she told AAP. "There is a huge potential for additional workplace participation, as lots of people delay going back to work until they can get into their preferred centre." The childcare subsidy is predicted to exceed $16.2 billion in 2025/26 and helps families manage childcare costs but access and the amount depend on specific eligibility criteria. Yet services such as BubbaDesk and CoWork Creche, which combine co-working spaces with flexible childcare, are not supported by the subsidy. While the price per day is based on the average of local daycare centres, the lack of subsidy means many parents cannot afford to use the service. "The demand is huge as traditional daycare doesn't always fit with people's needs," BubbaDesk founder Lauren Perrett said. "When you become a parent, you wonder why close-proximity care hasn't been built into traditional office spaces - it's a no-brainer. "Parents are delaying their return to work and considering not returning at all because they don't feel their kids are safe in out-of-home care and the instinct is to keep our babies close." Illawarra-based mum Jenna Bush placed her baby girl Grace on multiple childcare waitlists when she was born but received few placement offers. The one place she was offered and toured gave her the "ick" and she could not bring herself to enrol Grace there. Instead, she started using BubbaDesk as she was able to work remotely from the co-working space. "Being in close proximity and having that contact to her throughout the day gives me that peace of mind," she said. "But financially, even though I can claim some of the co-working part through tax, reducing that fortnightly payment would be really helpful if the subsidy was expanded." Liberal senator Maria Kovacic is among those backing the For Parents petition. She says it's not about "tearing down" formal childcare centres. "Expanding the subsidy in the way these families are calling for would not only deliver flexibility," she told parliament on Wednesday. "It would (also) begin to recognise in a tangible way the value of informal care and the unpaid labour that holds up our economy and our communities." A push to expand Australia's childcare subsidy to include more care options has the support of parents, advocates and politicians as the government remains focused on improving standards at existing centres. A bill empowering authorities to strip funding from childcare operators who fail to meet safety standards, among other measures, was this week fast-tracked during the first sitting of the 48th federal parliament. Operators who fall down on quality, safety and compliance standards could be cut out of subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees, and also blocked from opening new centres. Education Minister Jason Clare says he doesn't want to see funding removed and that the legislation should more compel providers to improve standards in the wake of recent abuse cases. The crackdown is part of the government's promise to guarantee universal access to early education and while welcomed by parents and advocates, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability. Advocacy group For Parents has gone a step further, launching a petition calling on the government to provide equitable support for families who choose alternatives to centre-based care. In an economy where most families need both parents to work, there should be more choice when it comes to childcare, says co-founder Cecelia Cobb. "This is about giving families more freedom because the way that the subsidy currently works is that centre-based childcare is the only option many can afford," she told AAP. "There is a huge potential for additional workplace participation, as lots of people delay going back to work until they can get into their preferred centre." The childcare subsidy is predicted to exceed $16.2 billion in 2025/26 and helps families manage childcare costs but access and the amount depend on specific eligibility criteria. Yet services such as BubbaDesk and CoWork Creche, which combine co-working spaces with flexible childcare, are not supported by the subsidy. While the price per day is based on the average of local daycare centres, the lack of subsidy means many parents cannot afford to use the service. "The demand is huge as traditional daycare doesn't always fit with people's needs," BubbaDesk founder Lauren Perrett said. "When you become a parent, you wonder why close-proximity care hasn't been built into traditional office spaces - it's a no-brainer. "Parents are delaying their return to work and considering not returning at all because they don't feel their kids are safe in out-of-home care and the instinct is to keep our babies close." Illawarra-based mum Jenna Bush placed her baby girl Grace on multiple childcare waitlists when she was born but received few placement offers. The one place she was offered and toured gave her the "ick" and she could not bring herself to enrol Grace there. Instead, she started using BubbaDesk as she was able to work remotely from the co-working space. "Being in close proximity and having that contact to her throughout the day gives me that peace of mind," she said. "But financially, even though I can claim some of the co-working part through tax, reducing that fortnightly payment would be really helpful if the subsidy was expanded." Liberal senator Maria Kovacic is among those backing the For Parents petition. She says it's not about "tearing down" formal childcare centres. "Expanding the subsidy in the way these families are calling for would not only deliver flexibility," she told parliament on Wednesday. "It would (also) begin to recognise in a tangible way the value of informal care and the unpaid labour that holds up our economy and our communities." A push to expand Australia's childcare subsidy to include more care options has the support of parents, advocates and politicians as the government remains focused on improving standards at existing centres. A bill empowering authorities to strip funding from childcare operators who fail to meet safety standards, among other measures, was this week fast-tracked during the first sitting of the 48th federal parliament. Operators who fall down on quality, safety and compliance standards could be cut out of subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees, and also blocked from opening new centres. Education Minister Jason Clare says he doesn't want to see funding removed and that the legislation should more compel providers to improve standards in the wake of recent abuse cases. The crackdown is part of the government's promise to guarantee universal access to early education and while welcomed by parents and advocates, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability. Advocacy group For Parents has gone a step further, launching a petition calling on the government to provide equitable support for families who choose alternatives to centre-based care. In an economy where most families need both parents to work, there should be more choice when it comes to childcare, says co-founder Cecelia Cobb. "This is about giving families more freedom because the way that the subsidy currently works is that centre-based childcare is the only option many can afford," she told AAP. "There is a huge potential for additional workplace participation, as lots of people delay going back to work until they can get into their preferred centre." The childcare subsidy is predicted to exceed $16.2 billion in 2025/26 and helps families manage childcare costs but access and the amount depend on specific eligibility criteria. Yet services such as BubbaDesk and CoWork Creche, which combine co-working spaces with flexible childcare, are not supported by the subsidy. While the price per day is based on the average of local daycare centres, the lack of subsidy means many parents cannot afford to use the service. "The demand is huge as traditional daycare doesn't always fit with people's needs," BubbaDesk founder Lauren Perrett said. "When you become a parent, you wonder why close-proximity care hasn't been built into traditional office spaces - it's a no-brainer. "Parents are delaying their return to work and considering not returning at all because they don't feel their kids are safe in out-of-home care and the instinct is to keep our babies close." Illawarra-based mum Jenna Bush placed her baby girl Grace on multiple childcare waitlists when she was born but received few placement offers. The one place she was offered and toured gave her the "ick" and she could not bring herself to enrol Grace there. Instead, she started using BubbaDesk as she was able to work remotely from the co-working space. "Being in close proximity and having that contact to her throughout the day gives me that peace of mind," she said. "But financially, even though I can claim some of the co-working part through tax, reducing that fortnightly payment would be really helpful if the subsidy was expanded." Liberal senator Maria Kovacic is among those backing the For Parents petition. She says it's not about "tearing down" formal childcare centres. "Expanding the subsidy in the way these families are calling for would not only deliver flexibility," she told parliament on Wednesday. "It would (also) begin to recognise in a tangible way the value of informal care and the unpaid labour that holds up our economy and our communities." A push to expand Australia's childcare subsidy to include more care options has the support of parents, advocates and politicians as the government remains focused on improving standards at existing centres. A bill empowering authorities to strip funding from childcare operators who fail to meet safety standards, among other measures, was this week fast-tracked during the first sitting of the 48th federal parliament. Operators who fall down on quality, safety and compliance standards could be cut out of subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees, and also blocked from opening new centres. Education Minister Jason Clare says he doesn't want to see funding removed and that the legislation should more compel providers to improve standards in the wake of recent abuse cases. The crackdown is part of the government's promise to guarantee universal access to early education and while welcomed by parents and advocates, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability. Advocacy group For Parents has gone a step further, launching a petition calling on the government to provide equitable support for families who choose alternatives to centre-based care. In an economy where most families need both parents to work, there should be more choice when it comes to childcare, says co-founder Cecelia Cobb. "This is about giving families more freedom because the way that the subsidy currently works is that centre-based childcare is the only option many can afford," she told AAP. "There is a huge potential for additional workplace participation, as lots of people delay going back to work until they can get into their preferred centre." The childcare subsidy is predicted to exceed $16.2 billion in 2025/26 and helps families manage childcare costs but access and the amount depend on specific eligibility criteria. Yet services such as BubbaDesk and CoWork Creche, which combine co-working spaces with flexible childcare, are not supported by the subsidy. While the price per day is based on the average of local daycare centres, the lack of subsidy means many parents cannot afford to use the service. "The demand is huge as traditional daycare doesn't always fit with people's needs," BubbaDesk founder Lauren Perrett said. "When you become a parent, you wonder why close-proximity care hasn't been built into traditional office spaces - it's a no-brainer. "Parents are delaying their return to work and considering not returning at all because they don't feel their kids are safe in out-of-home care and the instinct is to keep our babies close." Illawarra-based mum Jenna Bush placed her baby girl Grace on multiple childcare waitlists when she was born but received few placement offers. The one place she was offered and toured gave her the "ick" and she could not bring herself to enrol Grace there. Instead, she started using BubbaDesk as she was able to work remotely from the co-working space. "Being in close proximity and having that contact to her throughout the day gives me that peace of mind," she said. "But financially, even though I can claim some of the co-working part through tax, reducing that fortnightly payment would be really helpful if the subsidy was expanded." Liberal senator Maria Kovacic is among those backing the For Parents petition. She says it's not about "tearing down" formal childcare centres. "Expanding the subsidy in the way these families are calling for would not only deliver flexibility," she told parliament on Wednesday. "It would (also) begin to recognise in a tangible way the value of informal care and the unpaid labour that holds up our economy and our communities."
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Parents back push to expand child care subsidy options
A push to expand Australia's childcare subsidy to include more care options has the support of parents, advocates and politicians as the government remains focused on improving standards at existing centres. A bill empowering authorities to strip funding from childcare operators who fail to meet safety standards, among other measures, was this week fast-tracked during the first sitting of the 48th federal parliament. Operators who fall down on quality, safety and compliance standards could be cut out of subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees, and also blocked from opening new centres. Education Minister Jason Clare says he doesn't want to see funding removed and that the legislation should more compel providers to improve standards in the wake of recent abuse cases. The crackdown is part of the government's promise to guarantee universal access to early education and while welcomed by parents and advocates, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability. Advocacy group For Parents has gone a step further, launching a petition calling on the government to provide equitable support for families who choose alternatives to centre-based care. In an economy where most families need both parents to work, there should be more choice when it comes to childcare, says co-founder Cecelia Cobb. "This is about giving families more freedom because the way that the subsidy currently works is that centre-based childcare is the only option many can afford," she told AAP. "There is a huge potential for additional workplace participation, as lots of people delay going back to work until they can get into their preferred centre." The childcare subsidy is predicted to exceed $16.2 billion in 2025/26 and helps families manage childcare costs but access and the amount depend on specific eligibility criteria. Yet services such as BubbaDesk and CoWork Creche, which combine co-working spaces with flexible childcare, are not supported by the subsidy. While the price per day is based on the average of local daycare centres, the lack of subsidy means many parents cannot afford to use the service. "The demand is huge as traditional daycare doesn't always fit with people's needs," BubbaDesk founder Lauren Perrett said. "When you become a parent, you wonder why close-proximity care hasn't been built into traditional office spaces - it's a no-brainer. "Parents are delaying their return to work and considering not returning at all because they don't feel their kids are safe in out-of-home care and the instinct is to keep our babies close." Illawarra-based mum Jenna Bush placed her baby girl Grace on multiple childcare waitlists when she was born but received few placement offers. The one place she was offered and toured gave her the "ick" and she could not bring herself to enrol Grace there. Instead, she started using BubbaDesk as she was able to work remotely from the co-working space. "Being in close proximity and having that contact to her throughout the day gives me that peace of mind," she said. "But financially, even though I can claim some of the co-working part through tax, reducing that fortnightly payment would be really helpful if the subsidy was expanded." Liberal senator Maria Kovacic is among those backing the For Parents petition. She says it's not about "tearing down" formal childcare centres. "Expanding the subsidy in the way these families are calling for would not only deliver flexibility," she told parliament on Wednesday. "It would (also) begin to recognise in a tangible way the value of informal care and the unpaid labour that holds up our economy and our communities."
