THE election campaign battle over Medicare should come as no surprise. It echoes disputes during previous campaigns and have their origins in ideological divides that date back to well before Medicare was founded and have persisted through the subsequent political disputes. Labor sees the health of Australians as a matter of sufficient national importance that...

The 2016-17 Budget presents a sad story about the level of commitment of the Turnbull Government to Indigenous Affairs. Even as the 2016 Prime Minister's Report on Closing the Gap shows progress towards this goal has stalled, addressing Indigenous disadvantage is not listed as a Budget priority, was not mentioned in the Treasurer’s Budget night...

The impacts of the 2015-16 Budget must be assessed in light of the previous Budget, which casts a long shadow. ACOSS estimates that, combined, the two budgets strip approximately $15 billion / 4 years from basic services and supports that affect low and middle income households. Analysis from NATSEM highlights that the Abbott Government’s Budget...

The 2015-16 Budget from the Abbott Government has no major announcements on Indigenous issues, but it is far from benign in its support for Indigenous programs. Advocacy groups say it has failed to undo the damage done and anxiety caused by funding cuts in last year's Budget. Many programs and services must continue to operate...

Growing out-of-pocket health care costs are creating barriers to essential care for many Australians and arguably leading to increased hospital costs. Over time they will undermine the universality of Medicare and widen health disparities in our community. Despite this, the Abbott Government is intent on increasing Australians' individual health care costs, claiming variously that the...