Health

Megan Spindler-Smith

The NDIS is essential social infrastructure. Something Australians believed in. A system that ensures people with disability can live, work and participate in our communities. Now, trust in the NDIS is being eroded. Not because people don’t understand why it matters when it’s explained. Most do. Trust is being eroded because of what our politics has done to the NDIS.

Gemma Killen

The Australian Government’s compassionate release of superannuation scheme, managed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), currently acts as a safety net for those on lower incomes who need financial assistance prior to retirement. Almost all applications for early release of super are made on medical grounds, and more than half of applicants are women. Despite a persistent retirement gender gap of approximately $52,000, women are more likely than men to rely on their superannuation to cover essential healthcare costs prior to retirement.

Angela Xu

Behind the closed doors of a consultation room, or concealed by impenetrable medical jargon, wrongdoing in the healthcare sector impacts the lives of every Australian.

Rod Campbell

New research shows fossil fuel subsidies will reach $16.3 billion in 2025–26, rising faster than the NDIS. Handouts to mining giants are growing faster than support for Australians with disability.

Luke Slawomirski

The Four Corners program aired on Monday night detailed how Melbourne gynaecologist Simon Gordon performed surgeries to remove the ovaries and uteruses of dozens of young women who did not need these highly invasive and life-changing procedures. But beyond these shocking examples, Australia has a widespread problem with unnecessary and inappropriate medical interventions. 

Madeleine Howle & Kieran Pender

In recent years, the media has played a critical role in exposing abuse, exploitation, corruption and fraud within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Often this wrongdoing is left unaddressed until it reaches a crisis point – further undermining public confidence.

Luke Slawomirski

The 78% fee increase since 2010 shows that specialists are simply charging what the market will bear.

Gemma Killen

How much does an abortion cost in Australia? And why are these costs – for essential healthcare – paid by individuals rather than by our public health system?