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TRANSCRIPT
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers flags cuts to the NDIS
- An easing of blood donation rules
- In the NRL, the Dragons are searching for a new head coach
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he'll be holding talks with the states and territories about curbing the growth of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The program is costing $42 billion dollars a year and Mr Chalmers says it's growing too fast for Australians to afford.
He says NDIS reforms will be the most significant savings measure in the May 12 Federal Budget.
"This has been a really big part of our pre-Budget deliberations. It is easily the most important part of the savings package that we will present on Budget night. There have been many, many hours of deliberations and again I thank the colleagues for that."
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Opposition leader Angus Taylor says the federal government wants to impose extra taxes on housing which he says will only reduce supply.
His comments come after more reports suggesting the government will change the capital gains tax concession arrangements in the May Budget.
Angus Taylor says the reported changes will put extra taxes on housing and reduce rather than increase the supply of housing.
"I want to see more housing in this country for young Australians. I want it to be easier for a young Australian to buy a house, pay down the mortgage to get ahead to start a family. That means we need more housing that young Australians can not just rent but can buy and that means more supply. Now, Labor keeps talking about things that are going to reduce supply. Let's see what they come out with in the Budget."
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Iran's state media is reporting the country has rejected new peace negotiations and won't be sending a delegation to talks in Pakistan.
It follows the United States attacking and seizing an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel had allegedly tried to evade a US military blockade.
US diplomats, including Vice-President JD Vance, are on their way to Pakistan for new negotiations.
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An Aboriginal woman's request for her trespass case to be heard on Country in Hobart has been rejected by a magistrate.
Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ruth Langford represented herself in court, based on the two counts of trespass over protests against logging in Snow Hill and Lonnavale in January and April 2025.
She argued that hearing the case on Aboriginal-owned land would assist the court in understanding the Aboriginal peoples' connection to the land, Aboriginal identity, and cultural practices.
Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason determined the case would not be prejudiced by proceeding in a standard court setting.
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Gay and bisexual men and transgender people who have had a single sexual partner for longer than six months will now be able to donate blood and platelets.
Lifeblood's eligibility criteria has been expanded after the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the removal of gender-based sexual activity rules last year.
Since the onset of the HIV-AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, gay and bisexual men and transgender people had been prevented from making donations.
Graham says he's thrilled he's now permitted to donate blood.
"We thought this is an opportunity for us to get our friends, family and allies together and really show Australia that we've been here, we've been waiting to help to make a difference. Now it's finally our time to help out."
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In rugby league,
St George Illawarra is searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Shane Flanagan following the club's winless start to the season.
The last-placed Dragons had already been on the longest losing streak in club history before Saturday's 30-12 loss to South Sydney made it 11 defeats in a row.
The Dragons settled on Flanagan's departure by "mutual agreement", less than nine months after tying the 2016 premiership-winning coach to a two-year contract extension.
Chief executive Tim Watsford says new appointments will be announced in due course.
"We'll communicate our interim coachinga arrangements following discussions with our coaching staff today. Beyond that, we'll continue to undertake a thorough evaluation around our football department, including the appointment of an NRL head coach in due course."
