Concerns raised about the impacts of NDIS reforms on Australians with psychosocial disability, JB HI-Fi to refund $250,000 to customers, after an investigation by the regulator, The AFL's Gather Round festival to stay in South Australia for another three years.
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TRANSCRIPT
A services provider for people with psychosocial disability says the federal government's current bill to change the NDIS will put the lives of their clients at risk.
Giving evidence at a Senate committee inquiry on the bill, Mind Australia says the test for what's called functional capacity, excludes those with severe mental health conditions.
The group is calling for greater consultation with people with lived experience and specialist providers before proceeding with the bill.
Mind Australia board director Tim Heffernan says that as someone with lived experience - he has serious concerns about the bill as it is currently drafted.
"Those risks include not granting to people with a genuine need. There is a significant risk in people receiving news about their package - and their claims from automated services that will utlimately contribute to things like an increase in suicide. People's lives are at risk by parts of this legislation."
A spokesperson for the One Nation says the party will undertake an independent forensic audit of the donations it received in an online fundraising drive this week.
The spokesperson says the audit will be released publicly in some form at some point to respond to criticisms on a lack of transparency about the donation amounts.
The party claims it received $1.5 million in donations in one day alone; and the One Nation website says it has now received close to $1.9 million for its campaign.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among MPs - both Labor and Liberal - casting doubt on the veracity of the donation sums.
"Did she though? Did she? What evidence is there? It is an example of slogans being put forward, are not substance."
Former Labor foreign affairs minister, Gareth Evans, has told an inquiry into AUKUS that the deal carries with it a number of risks that have foreign policy implications.
The crowdfunded public inquiry* has held its first hearing in Melbourne today as Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles meet with their British counterparts in London to discuss AUKUS and other issues.
Mr Evans says he has believes the costs outweigh the benefits.
"My submission does not advocate Australia walking away from the United States alliance. We still benefit significantly from the intelligence co-operation and access to sophisticated technology that has always been part of it. But we should stop being so dewy-eyed (naive) about what has been and will be a very one-sided relationship. And be very conscious of the risks involved in excessively entangling ourselves in what has too often in the past been - and may again be in the future - wrong-headed military decision making in Washington."
Electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi will refund more than $250,000 to customers, after the regulator raised concerns about promotional pricing claims.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission alleges 206 customers bought one of the products advertised with an allegedly misleading price - in the six months to September last year.
The regulator has found there were sales of 11 of 17 products with allegedly misleading pricing displays.
The commission says the prices were largely due to system errors or human error, some of which JB Hi-Fi proactively took action on prior to the ACCC’s investigation.
Arthritis Australia says the federal government's announcement to establish a research mission for arthritis represents the biggest standalone funding announcement for research in this field in the country's history.
With about one in four Australians living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, the government has announced it will spend $100 million over 10 years to establish a research mission to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Arthritis Australia CEO Louise Hardy says it is hoped the research will lead to breakthroughs patients so urgently need.
"These conditions are leading causes of chronic pain, disability and lost workforce participation in Australia. They also cause major strain on our health system, costing over $16 billion a year. So this mission, this $100 million really represents new hope for millions of Australians living with these conditions. It represents the hope of better treatments, better quality of life; and ultimately the hope of cures for these debilitating conditions."
The AFL and South Australian government have agreed to extend the Gather Round festival through to the end of 2029.
With the current deal due to expire after this year, this agreement will see South Australia retain hosting rights, .
The 2027 Gather Round will feature the introduction of a player parade that will allow fans to interact with the players in a free event.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon says the three-year extension is a significant moment for the game and its fans.
