In its interim response, the Government said it would introduce legislation into the Parliament in October 2009 to remove the provisions in the current NTER Acts that exclude the operation of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA). On 21 May 2009 the Government released this discussion paper setting out proposals for the measures affected by...

The basic structure of Australia’s pension system, with its focus on poverty alleviation, indexation to community living standards and prices, and means testing, is sound, according to this report. However the system faces challenges in both the short and long term and reforms are needed: • Pension rates do not fully recognise the costs faced...

On 26 February 2009 the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made his first annual statement to Parliament on the Australian Government's Closing the Gap strategy, outlining whole-of-government objectives and strategies. That statement was supported by a booklet outlining the whole of government approaches to Closing the Gap, as well as detailing National Partnerships and engagement with...

More Australians with disabilities are using Australian Government employment services according to new figures in this report. Over 82,000 people used open and supported employment services to help them find a job - an increase of over seven per cent on the previous year. Of these, over 61 per cent were employed for some or...

This white paper sets the strategic agenda for reducing homelessness to 2020. Its goals are to halve overall homelessness and offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who need it.