Senate estimates hearing told issues caused by a glitch in the automated system that runs the controversial mutual obligations scheme * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The government has admitted it illegally cancelled hundreds of thousands of Centrelink payments because of a glitch in the automated system that runs the controversial mutual obligations scheme, it has been revealed. Speaking at senate estimates on Wednesday, representatives for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations said the number of illegal cancellations, where people were not given enough time to reconnect to a job provider after missing a compulsory activity as part of their mutual obligations, was in “the vicinity” of 300,000. Continue reading...

Employment department’s annual report shows just 11.7% of jobseekers ended up with jobs lasting at least 26 weeks last year * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australia’s private employment services are failing to get jobseekers into long-term work, despite costing taxpayers millions of dollars each year, department documents show. Just 11.7% of jobseekers in Australia found long-term employment through a job provider in the latest financial year, according to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ annual report. Continue reading...

Run by multiple departments and hundreds of private companies, advocates warn errors will continue to rock a system ‘in crisis’ * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast It’s a system designed to help Australians who most need it. Yet its created continuous scandals, with parts of it paused because the government can’t say if it’s operating legally. Hundreds and thousands of Centrelink clients are affected by its frequent problems, being charged or overpaying debts incorrectly calculated as another class action is launched. Continue reading...

Disabled people and their advocates are exhausted and frustrated but say it’s worth fighting for a system that ‘really does change lives’

After taking his case to the administrative review tribunal, Daniel’s complaint then went to the commonwealth ombudsman, which is now investigating Centrelink

People in social housing often face hottest conditions and struggle to pay for air conditioning, advocates say

The world trade system, and our ability to trust our biggest defence ally, is all gone to hell. What will Labor prioritise in the 2025 federal budget in such an uncertain global environment?

Advocates warn that without funding for affordable housing, essential workers will increasingly be priced out of the areas where they work * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast In the shed of the house where Lynette* sleeps,…

Disability employment provider Help asked jobseekers to perform telephone appointments before later clarifying they were voluntary * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Private employment agencies across Queensland have given…

Men do an average of 12.8 hours a week, while women do 18.4 hours, Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (Hilda) report finds

Study by Monash University recommends spending increase to fix inequalities in housing, health and education

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Half of all government spending on dental care goes to private insurance rebates – meaning those without often skip treatment until things get worse

Advocates say they are struggling to place people experiencing homelessness in secure housing, resulting in preventable deaths

Falling donations and unprecedented demand push cost of essential items ever upwards, triggering serious ‘knock on effect for charity groups’ * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australia’s food charities are buckling under…

I am an out and proud inner north Melbourne lesbian. We don’t do colour and we definitely do not wear rainbow

Master Wealth Control, trading as DG Institute, breached privacy laws by sharing names and addresses, regulator finds

‘Staggering’ annual death toll of 1,500 revealed in 10-year analysis ‘a shocking indictment on our society’, expert says

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Moving house is generally considered one of life’s most stressful events. The financial costs, and the stress and anxiety associated with moving are substantial, and these are exacerbated when a house...

Number of older renters has increased by 73% in the past decade as rental affordability plunges to record lows in almost every state