Coalition budget delivers $30bn in tax breaks and money for fossil fuel projects but no measures to help struggling universities or clean energy projects. Follow all the latest news and reaction to the 2021 federal budget as it happens
- The complete 2021 Australian budget: choose what matters to you
- ‘Team Australia’ is bouncing back, Josh Frydenberg declares
- Explore all of our 2021 Australia federal budget coverage
And along with the fact the international border is expected to remain closed for another year at least (a whole other year – which means stranded Australians have up to a year to wait to come home) there is also the issue of wage growth which doesn’t seem to be getting the attention it should.
For me these are the most important number out of the budget - slower wages growth than ever before, and nothing predicted over 2.5% till 2025.
Remember the RBA says wages need to grow above 3% in order to get interest rates to rise https://t.co/6HBeBZMKqM pic.twitter.com/qLZ7es4Dw4
There was nothing in the budget (again) for dental.
It’s kind of amazing how little fuss there is about an entire section of health being excised from universal health care. If you have ever needed to get to a dentist and can’t afford one, so have had to wait for a publicly funded position, you know just how detrimental to your health and life lack of access to good dental care is. I grew up with the school dental van visits as my only access to dental care and have had to rely on dental vouchers more than once.
More than six out of 10 over-75s in Australia suffer from gum disease, while more than one in three Australians aged 75 and over have complete tooth loss,” she said.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety heard distressing evidence of older patients going without basic dental care such as toothbrushing and denture cleaning.
Continue reading...
Biden Administration Prohibits Health Care Discrimination vs. Transgender People
The administration reversed a Trump administration policy that said the Affordable Care Act’s protections did not apply to transgender people.
Obamacare recipients worried after Trump comments
Patients who depend on Obamacare voiced concern after President Trump claimed it was essentially repealed under the new tax bill. CBS News national correspondent Chip Reid has more.
Biden’s ACA special enrollment period continues to pay off
As one observer put it, "So this is what it looks like when the people in charge of 'Obamacare' want to enroll as many people as possible."
John McCain opposes health care bill
The latest Republican plan to replace Obamacare is in danger of flatlining. And once again, the fatal blow may be a "no" vote from Sen. John McCain. Nancy Cordes reports.
Did Bernie Sanders unintentionally help Republicans with their Obamacare repeal?
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who's leading the latest Republican health care effort, said Bernie Sanders' "Medicare for All" bill helped consolidate support for the GOP repeal measure. CBSN political contributor and Founding Partner of 270 Strategies Lynda Tran joins "Red & Blue" to discuss.
Would a “Medicare for All” system work in the U.S.?
Bernie Sanders introduced his "Medicare for All" plan to the Senate last week. While some Democrats have backed the legislation, some policy experts have doubts. Hoover Institution senior fellow Lanhee Chen joined "Red & Blue" to discuss why single-payer plan could be too good to be true.