Victoria's truth-telling inquiry recommends raft of changes to fix "broken" child protection and legal systems, A report reveals those on income support are struggling more than ever to survive as the cost of living crisis intensifies, Australia's Rinky Hijikata knocked out of the US Open.
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TRANSCRIPT
- In this bulletin;
- A Victorian inquiry recommends raft of changes to fix the child protection and legal systems.
- A report reveals those on income support are struggling more than ever to survive...
- In tennis, Australia's Rinky Hijikata knocked out of the US Open.
Victoria's first truth-telling inquiry has found evidence of ongoing, systemic racism and human and cultural rights abuses against Indigenous people in the state.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission has tabled its interim report to the state's parliament which has focused on the child protection and criminal justice systems.
It recommends 46 changes including raising the criminal age of responsibility to 14, stronger bail reform and a new independent police oversight commission.
Commissioner Travis Lovett says Indigenous families and communities have been routinely failed, resulting in devastating and ongoing harm.
"These recommendations are facts, and we are expecting the government to implement these recommendations as a matter of priority and not just waiting for Treaty but implementing the recommendations that are urgent priority reforms now."
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The Australian Council of Social Services says people on income support are struggling more than ever to survive as the cost of living crisis intensifies, and housing affordability worsens.
The ACOSS survey shows nearly three-quarters of Australians on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and the Parenting Payment are eating less, with similar numbers keeping their heating switched off to keep energy costs down, and most in rental stress, defined as spending more than 30 per cent of income on rent.
Sam is a student receiving youth allowance and says his quality of life has worsened over the last 18 months because the payments are so low.
"I am struggling to pay for anything right now. I am only eating two meals a day if that, and the quality of the food I am eating is poorer and poorer and poorer... I'm spending half my money on housing, so much money that I have to actively consider homelessness in order to survive."
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Labor has delivered their response to an interim report on the higher education sector, saying they accept Indigenous and low income students are the most adversely affected by Commonwealth funding rules.
The government plans to remove an enrolment cap on government-supported places for First Nations students.
It will also scrap a benchmark requiring students to pass at least 50 per cent of their courses to continue qualifying for student funding.
Dr Andrew Leigh says Labor is committed to finding a pathway to university for those who struggle to get there.
"The 50 percent pass rule affects a disproportionate number of students who are Indigenous. It pushes out of university a disproportionate number of students who are first in family. It forces out of university a disproportionate number of students who are from poorer backgrounds. These are the very students that we need to continue on in university if Australia is to ensure that the education of the population matches the technological demands of the labour market."
Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather says the government has not gone far enough.
"If Labor was serious about improving access to universities, they would do two things... bring back free university education, and of course wipe the scourge that is skyrocketing and surging student debt . Indeed we know that free university education would be transformative for millions of Australians."
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The New South Wales government has announced a multi-million dollar funding boost for the state's reconstruction authority - ahead of what is expected to be a bad bushfire season.
Premier Chris Minns says $115 million will be added to the authority which supports mitigation and preparedness for natural disasters - as well as clean-up efforts.
It takes the total funding to more than $321 million over four years.
The state's Rural Fire Service has been warning of a high-risk bushfire season ahead - with just 24 per cent of hazard reduction burns completed so far due to poor weather.
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In tennis, Australia's Rinky Hijikata has been knocked out of the round of 16 at the US Open by American Frances Tiafoe.
The 10th-seeded Tiafoe defeated Hijikata 6-4 6-1 6-4 in less than two hours.
His exit leaves Alex de Minaur as Australia's last remaining singles hope at Flushing Meadows.
De Minaur faces world number three Daniil Medvedev in his round-of-16 clash.
