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TRANSCRIPT
Disability advocates are expressing concerns over the federal budget changes to the NDIS which includes cutting access to more than 160,000 participants by 2030.
The changes aim to save almost $38 billion over the next four years.
Cherry Baylosis from Disability Advocacy Network, has told SBS there needs to be an alternative to address the gap.
"Drastic is a appropriate word. I think we are going to see some unprecedented changes with the scheme, including access. We can anticipate that there will be, uh, a large amount of people exiting the scheme, difficulties accessing the scheme as well, as well as seeing a reduction to plans as well."
Skilled migrants already living in Australia are set to benefit from changes to the nation’s migration program unveiled in the federal budget.
More than 70 per cent of the 185-thousand permanent migration places will go to skilled workers, with migrants already onshore expected to take up more than two-thirds of those visas.
Just 55,000 places will be reserved for offshore skilled applicants.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the federal budget’s housing tax changes are aimed at helping younger Australians buy a home.
The changes include limiting negative gearing for residential property investments to new builds.
The 50 per cent capital gains tax discount will be replaced with indexation aligned with inflation.
Mr Chalmers says too many Australians have been locked out of home ownership.
"I think it is becoming increasingly clear to us over time that even though the problem in the housing market begins with supply. It doesn't end there. Also, the composition of the market. It is becoming harder and harder for first home buyers to get a toehold in the market. If we left that for longer that problem would get more challenging."
US President Donald Trump says arms sales to Taiwan will be discussed during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing in the coming hours.
The talks come after Washington approved an US$11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, including missiles, rocket systems and drones.
A spokesperson for Taiwan's Foreign Ministry, Hsiao Kuang-Wei, says Taiwanese officials will closely follow updates from the meeting in Beijing.
"We will continue to monitor developments in United States–China interactions very closely. At the same time, we will maintain close and constructive communication with the US. They (Trump administration) have taken concrete actions to implement the United States’ longstanding and consistent policy, including the previously announced $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan."
And to sport, in the AFL,
Michael Voss says the demands of coaching Carlton had become too much, and that was a major factor in his decision to step down from the role.
Voss also defended his record, insisting Carlton is in a better position than when he arrived.
Josh Fraser has been appointed interim coach as the search begins for Voss' successor.
