



Private health isn’t delivering on value. Here are three practical steps for reform
This is the second of three articles examining the value private health insurance and private healthcare bring to the Australian health system.

Beer, HECS and visas: things that raise more revenue than the Petroleum Rent Resource Tax (PRRT)
While the PRRT has collected a fraction of the revenues from oil and gas company profits over the past 10 years, Australians have been contributing more to the government’s coffers in HECS repayments, beer, tobacco and spirits excises, and the Major Bank Levy. Even foreigners have been contributing more in visa application fees.

Japanese climate coalition joins growing push for 25% gas export tax
Calls for Australia to impose a 25 per cent gas export tax have gained international backing, with a coalition of Japanese climate and advocacy groups urging the Albanese government to act.

Pacific nations step up push for fossil fuel phase-out ahead of global talks
Pacific leaders are preparing to meet in Vanuatu to agree on a unified position ahead of the first global conference on transitioning away from oil, coal, and gas later in the year.

Factcheck: Angus Taylor’s claim that expanding Parliament “could cost $620 million” is misleading
Liberal leader Angus Taylor claims that expanding Parliament “could cost taxpayers more than $620 million”. This figure is misleading, relying on unclear assumptions and omitting important context.

NDIS whistleblowers gain stronger protections under new laws
Whistleblowers exposing wrongdoing within the NDIS will now have stronger protections after Canberra passed laws to improve the reporting of unsafe or unlawful practices. The Human Rights Law Centre campaigned for the reforms for two years, arguing that the scheme’s framework was “the weakest whistleblowing regime under federal law”.

International aid enters historic decline with Australia among lowest contributors
As global crises mount, international aid spending has entered a historic decline, with Australia’s contribution among the lowest in the world. “DFAT must restore its aid budget and shore up the global humanitarian system that faces its most serious crisis in decades,” said Oxfam Australia’s Head of Humanitarian, Lucia Goldsmith.

Shorter America This Week: Ceasefire?; Madman theory; Group hugs in space
It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. “Shorter America” is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.



































