Government makes concession on controversial aged care assessment tool
The government has partially reversed its stance on the controversial aged care integrated assessment tool (IAT), which had faced criticism for lacking human override capability and was under review.
The IAT requires an assessor to ask an older person questions regarding their physical, social, and personal circumstances to determine eligibility for government-funded home support.
Prior to the IAT’s launch, the Department of Social Services, Disability and Ageing quietly incorporated an algorithm to classify IAT responses and assign a funding classification. According to the department’s user manual, assessors were required to accept the IAT’s classification outcome when allocating home support.
This approach prompted hundreds of complaints and requests for internal review.
This morning, the aged care minister, Sam Rae, who has faced significant scrutiny over the issue, told the ABC that in limited circumstances the system will now permit some human oversight for complex cases.
"In some limited circumstances, people’s complex circumstances don’t necessarily fit neatly into a framework. And in those small number of circumstances, we want the system governor to be able to make the necessary decisions to get the most appropriate outcomes for older people …
We’ve listened and we’ve done the policy work to make sure that we get the best outcomes for older people."
‘We want sport to be about families, not addicting children’, says Leeser
Julian Leeser declined to specify the Coalition’s red line on the government’s gambling legislation but stated it is under close review. He emphasized the principle that children should not be exposed to gambling advertisements while watching sport with their families.
The government’s gambling bill limits ads to three per hour between 6:30am and 8:30pm on television, yet many sporting events occur after 8:30pm or start later.
This contrasts with former Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s proposal to ban all online gambling ads during, one hour before, and one hour after games.
"Whenever my colleagues and I talk about gambling restrictions, it’s always on the basis that we want to protect children and families that are enjoying sport. Sport is family time, and it’s time that across the generations people enjoy games … that shouldn’t be interrupted by gambling. And sometimes gambling, particularly online gambling, can destroy lives. So it’s important that we do restrict some of this behaviour and I know we’ll be looking at those laws closely."
When asked about Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s call for stronger protections for parents from gambling, Leeser expressed sympathy.
"Children are much better off when parents spend their money on essential services, getting them to school, making sure they’re properly fed and the like rather than on gambling … So in principle, I have some sympathy for that view."
‘It’s got worse since Bondi’: Julian Leeser details experience of antisemitism
Julian Leeser, a Liberal frontbencher and Jewish MP, revealed he has been called a “traitor and a Mossad agent” on social media, describing the antisemitism he has encountered.
He told RN Breakfast that antisemitism on social media has worsened, particularly since the Bondi terror attack in December.
Leeser noted the royal commission on social cohesion is examining the prevalence of antisemitism on social media and will provide recommendations on holding technology companies accountable for harmful content.
"It’s got actually worse since Bondi. I’m called a traitor and a Mossad agent. And graphic and sexual imagery is used about me because I’m a Jew of the sort that I will not repeat on your program. I love this country. I want my children to enjoy this sort of Australia I enjoyed growing up …
I think the social media companies are more than on notice about this now. And I think this is one of the issues that the royal commission is looking at. And I think we need to look at the recommendations that come out of the royal commission."
‘Eight weeks to shred documents’: Wells on social media law delay
Communications minister Anika Wells criticized the opposition and the Greens for referring the social media bill to an eight-week inquiry.
The bill aims to increase fines for platforms and grant the eSafety commissioner greater powers to compel documents from companies.
Wells told RN Breakfast that the legislation is concise and does not require extended scrutiny.
She also highlighted warnings from the eSafety commissioner about the risk of being unable to compel documents from platforms to address breaches, emphasizing the urgency of the legislation.
"It’s not complex, and I think Angus Taylor should explain why he is honestly giving big tech eight more weeks to prepare their case, eight more weeks to get their ducks in a row, potentially eight weeks to shred documents now that they know these changes are coming.
I think this is genuinely urgent. I’m crestfallen. Angus Taylor has decided to walk away from bipartisanship and he should explain why he would make such a craven and expedient decision."
Wells defends gambling reforms amid criticism they don’t go far enough
While Anika Wells expressed frustration over the social media bill delay, she appeared less concerned about the government’s gambling legislation being referred to a Senate inquiry.
The Greens forced the legislation into inquiry, which will report back on 17 August, after the winter break.
Speaking on RN Breakfast, Wells addressed concerns that the legislation does not prohibit inducements such as bonus bets designed to encourage continued gambling, arguing that the government’s BetStop program addresses this issue.
When asked why the government is not banning online gambling ads on television entirely, Wells suggested parents could avoid free-to-air television and instead watch through streaming services, which do not require adult login.
"If you chose to watch – I don’t want to name any particular given that we’re on the ABC – but if you are watching the football World Cup on SBS, another public broadcaster, for example, you have the ability to opt out of seeing gambling advertising and from 1 January on streaming. And we know the trend for viewing in Australia is that more than half of the population now view these things online through streamers."
Anika Wells criticizes opposition and Greens for social media bill delay
Anika Wells accused the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, of siding with big tech companies over the interests of children and parents by delaying the social media bill.
Speaking on Sunrise, Wells described the decision to refer the bill to an inquiry as "craven and trivial."
The bill, which doubles penalties for platforms breaching the ban for under-16s and enhances the eSafety commissioner’s powers, was previously a bipartisan measure.
"It is a craven and trivial decision for Angus Taylor to push this off for eight weeks … Until yesterday this was a bipartisan measure proudly vetted across the world and it’s on Angus Taylor to explain why a 500-word, four-page bill needs eight weeks of inquiry."
Australia to give $2m in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela
The government announced it will provide $2 million in humanitarian aid to Venezuela following the earthquakes that struck the country last month.
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong stated that the full extent of the disaster is still emerging, and the death toll, which is already in the thousands, is expected to rise in the coming days.
The funding will be delivered through partners including the Red Cross and the United Nations, alongside contributions from other nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, to provide emergency food, shelter, water, hygiene, and psychosocial support.
"Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela, the Australian-Venezuelan community, and all those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Australia’s humanitarian assistance will support access to food, shelter, medical care and other essential services."
Best dressed at Canberra’s Midwinter’s Ball
Last night marked Canberra’s Midwinter’s Ball, a prominent event for the press gallery where political figures dressed in their finest attire.
The glamorous occasion was covered by Caitlin Cassidy, who judged Labor’s Anne Aly as the best dressed woman. Aly shared on social media that she crocheted her own dress.
Tanya Plibersek’s husband, Michael Coutts-Trotter, was awarded best dressed man, noted for his distinctive non-black jacket.
Taiwanese man charged over people-smuggling operation
A Taiwanese man has been charged in connection with a failed people-smuggling operation that alarmed campers when a boat carrying foreign nationals landed on a remote beach in far north Queensland, according to Australian Associated Press.
The group, believed to consist of about 12 Chinese nationals, arrived by boat at a remote camping site before traveling to Weipa on the Cape York Peninsula early Tuesday.
The 34-year-old Taiwanese national was arrested in a supermarket car park in Weipa following reports of suspicious activity.
Police charged him with one count of aggravated people-smuggling involving at least five people. He was remanded in custody after appearing in Cairns magistrates court and is due to appear again today.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment. Another 30-year-old man was also detained pending further inquiries.
Progressive patriotism underpinning defence strategy: Conroy
Defence industry minister Pat Conroy stated that a strong national defence and a robust domestic industry to supply necessary equipment are central to the government’s concept of "progressive patriotism."
Conroy is scheduled to address the National Press Club in Canberra today, arguing that Labor, rather than the Coalition, is the true party of defence and national security.
The speech will coincide with the release of the 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy and details of the government’s defence reform process. Reports indicate Conroy will highlight nearly $30 billion in wasteful defence spending, with an audit revealing an average cost increase of nearly 40% on a small sample of projects before contracts were finalized.
"Progressive patriotism, in the eyes of the Albanese government – and the great labour movement – is confidence in, and celebration of, what our national project has built
It is confidence in how it is evolving, and confidence in the future. Strong defence of our country – including the need to invest in our defence industry, people and systems – is a critical part of understanding what Australian progressive patriotism looks like today.
Building our defence industry, delivering the capabilities we need, is an investment in our country and offers the further dividend of deterrence to protect what our great national project has built."
More details on the speech will be provided at lunchtime today.
Good morning and welcome to our live politics blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories, followed by Krishani Dhanji with the main updates. We will cover overnight news and preview today’s press club speech by defence industry minister Pat Conroy, who will present Labor’s vision of "progressive patriotism" as the foundation for defence policy.
