What we learned, Sunday 23 April
That’s it for our live news coverage today. Thanks for being with us.
Here’s what we learned.
The world has reacted to the death of Australian comedian Barry Humphries with tributes flowing from fellow entertainers, political leaders, and significant public figures around the world.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese, King Charles III and Rupert Murdoch were among the notable figures to pay tribute to Humphries, with the Victorian government speaking to the family about a possible state funeral.
Anthony Albanese has announced New Zealand citizens living in Australia on a special category visa, and their children, will have a direct path to Australian citizenship from 1 July.
Finance minister Katy Gallagher says the government is addressing gender inequality in its upcoming budget but won’t lift the base rate of jobseeker as it has other priorities.
Anti-poverty advocates have described comments by Gallagher as “heartless” and that the “government can’t get its story straight on jobseeker” after advocating for an increase while in opposition.
A new phone number registration scheme will be trialed to block scam calls.
Coalition MP Andrew Hastie has said the identification of his great uncle’s final resting place on the USS Montevideo Maru has brought “many a degree of peace” to his family.
Have a good rest of your weekend. We’ll have another live blog tomorrow.
Updated
Young carers to get study funding boost
The federal government will extend support for young carers who want to continue their studies while caring for a loved one.
Around one in 10 Australians are unpaid carers, including 235,000 young carers (aged 12-25).
Young carers face a higher risk of unemployment and underemployment, along with long-term welfare dependence related to difficulties engaging in education, federal social services minister Amanda Rishworth said.
We don’t want young carers missing out on their education or missing the opportunity to connect with friends.
The federal government will boost funding to a Carers Australia-delivered bursary program by $10m, increasing the value and number of bursaries available for the historically oversubscribed program.
The bursaries promote future financial security for many of our young carers across Australia.
This funding boost will increase the number of bursaries available by almost 60 per cent.
Carers Australia CEO Alison Brook said the 2022 Carer Wellbeing Survey revealed young carers faced a higher level of financial hardship than other carers and were more likely to seek assistance.
Young carers who have accessed the program tell us the bursaries have helped to relieve the financial pressures they experience so they can focus on their studies, develop academic and workforce ready skills, balance competing demands, and also improve their emotional, social and mental wellbeing.
To date the bursaries have supported more than 9,000 young carers across the country.
Applications for next year’s young carer bursary program open on 18 July 2023, through the Young Carers Network.
– AAP
Updated
Queensland’s Mary River mapped
A collective of ecological and cultural experts has returned from a 10-day “stocktake” of Queensland’s only north-flowing river, having navigated a 150km stretch by canoe to document flood impacts, endangered flora and fauna and hidden Aboriginal artefacts.
The group used modern technology and Indigenous knowledge to map threatened species, heritage markers and bank damage and sediment buildup caused by inundation between the Sunshine Coast town of Kenilworth and Tiaro on the Fraser Coast.
The expedition discovered evidence of occupation along the entire river, including scar trees whose bark and wood was often used by Indigenous inhabitants for shelter or toolmaking with the leftover markings serving as territorial boundaries.
Baseline habitat records were created for the unique and threatened “bum breathing” Mary River turtle and the Queensland Lungfish, whose lineage dates back 350m years.
Both are endemic to Moocooboola, as the river is known to the Kabi Kabi people.
Burnett Mary Regional Group director of research, Tom Espinoza, said data was also collected for the critically-endangered white-throated snapping turtle along with key cultural species including platypus, freshwater mussels, rakali, large birds of prey and elder trees.
This expedition immersed itself to map the landscape, not only scientifically but culturally, providing valuable data to manage this precious region into the future.
If there’s a project to restore habitat in the river, managers will know where the good habitat is and where more work needs to be done.
The same goes for targeting flood mitigation, conserving threatened species and cultural heritage.
Others to participate in the federally-funded research included the Kabi Kabi, Jinibara, and Butchulla First Nations corporations, Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Griffith University and Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee.
- AAP
Updated
RBA to keep an eye on inflation data due next week
The Reserve Bank will get the missing ingredient it needs to make its next interest rate decision this week.
A still-high but easing inflation reading is expected from the Australian Bureau of Statistics when it releases the quarterly consumer price index on Wednesday.
The inflation report is likely to dominate the economic agenda in a week broken up by Anzac Day on Tuesday.
The ABS will also release government finance and taxation revenue data this week, as well as statistics on the rental property market and temporary visa holders.
Further insights into the RBA review, released last week, will be revealed via a panel discussion with the reviewers on Monday.
Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Prof Renée Fry‑McKibbin and Prof Carolyn Wilkins will speak on the landmark report at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event at the start of the week.
- AAP
Updated
Barry Humphries remembered
Updated
Recap of Albanese’s NZ citizenship announcement
The earlier press conference from the PM went pretty quick, so I just wanted to revisit the key element of the announcement. Here is the quote:
From 1 July, New Zealand citizens living in Australia who hold a special category visa will be bale to apply directly for Australian citizenship without going through the permanent residence provision first, provided they meet the four-year residence and other citizenship eligibility requirements. Any child born in Australia from 1 July 2022 to a parent who holds a special category visa and is a permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth, will automatically acquire Australian citizenship at birth.
Just in case you missed it …
Updated
Comedy festival joins chorus of Humphries tributes
Melbourne International comedy festival has joined the chorus of local tributes despite its chequered history with the late star.
Humphries delighted and outraged audiences for more than half a century and was a founding patron of the MICF, leading to it naming its annual prize for most outstanding act after him in 2000.
But an outcry over a series of comments widely seen as transphobic prompted the festival to rename its top gong in 2019.
In a statement, the MICF said it was saddened to hear of comic legend’s passing and hailed his contribution to the festival during its formative years.
Having started his career in Melbourne, Barry’s early support, along with Peter Cook, helped kick off and raise the profile of the festival nationally and internationally.
With festival founder John Pinder, Barry was part of a creative generation who celebrated and developed a global platform for Australian comedy. He will be remembered by legions of fans around the world for his wit, inimitable characters and biting satire.
In 2016, Humphries told a small gathering in Melbourne he was a little “embarrassed” the accolade was called the Barry award because he never liked his own name.
Sunday marks the final day of the nearly month-long festival, with 316 performances still to run.
When asked if the festival would pay special tribute on its last night, MICF director Susan Provan told reporters:
We just have a party, a big party. We don’t have any formal event tonight and it just happened last night so we’ll be looking at all of that.
A MICF spokesperson said it doesn’t control how individual artists pay tribute to Humphries as it is an open access festival.
Despite Humphries’ name being stripped from the award, Provan said nothing can ever detract from his “great contribution as an artist” and he would always be celebrated.
Barry made an extraordinary contribution to Australian comedy.
– AAP
Updated
Barry Humphries' family in talks for state funeral
The family of Barry Humphries could be offered a state funeral in his home state of Victoria, as tributes continue to trickle in for the Australian entertainer.
Creative industries minister Steve Dimopoulos said on Sunday that the Victorian government is talking to Humphries’ family about the best ways to honour the comedy legend’s legacy.
A range of options are being discussed, including a state funeral.
The primary mover of these things is the family because it’s their gift effectively to decide in conversation with government.
So, yes, it could be that [a state funeral]. It could be many other things to honour his legacy.
– AAP
Updated
Montevideo Maru discovery brings ‘a degree of peace’ to families
Coalition MP Andrew Hastie says a War Memorial decision to formally list the final resting place of his great uncle after the location of the SS Montevideo Maru has officially been confirmed has brought “many a degree of peace” to his family.
The War Memorial lists the final resting place of NX52913 Private Neill Ross Callaghan, my great uncle, as being ‘Known unto God’.
As of this morning, his resting place is also known to my family, at last.
Hastie’s grandfather, Private Neill Callaghan was aboard the Montevideo Maru after being taken prisoner by the Japanese during the defence of Rabaul.
The ship was torpedoed by the USS Sturgeon which was operating in the area and did not realise the ship was carrying 1,000 prisoners of war.
His disappearance with that great ship has always disturbed my family. Some time before the family heard official news of the sinking of the great transport ship in 1942, my grandfather had a vivid dream about Neill, that woke him in a cold sweat. That he’d held out his hand as a brother, and said, ‘Reg, I’m not coming home’.
Worse, there was a persistent rumour that Neill had died in Rabaul, used in bayonet practise by the invading army. Thanks to the work of the National Archives of Australia, we know he was on the ship’s manifest.
My grandfather, Reginald, never got over the loss of his brother. I know that pain lingers in families across Australia, which includes my friend the Hon Kim Beazley. I hope today’s news of the finding of SS Montevideo Maru would have brought many a degree of peace.
For more on the story of the Montevideo Maru, read the Guardian’s previous reporting on efforts to find and identify the wreck.
Updated
A sad farewell to the legend that was Barry Humphries today. From Dame Edna to Sir Les Patterson to Sandy Stone, his characters left an indelible legacy on the history of Australian comedy. pic.twitter.com/YvsvdrwRFF
— Rove McManus (@Rove) April 22, 2023
Australia and NZ cooperation is a ‘win-win’, Albanese says
Albanese says Australia and New Zealand have a “common interest” going forward and are closely cooperating on shared issues – one area is climate change where Australian institutions are engaging with New Zealand’s.
It’s a win-win, in all aspects.
The Australian prime minister says he set a target to get the path to citizenship arrangement in place by this date.
Albanese closed out the press conference by saying he looks forward to seeing the NZ PM again at King Charles’s coronation and when Nato meets in Lithuania.
Updated
Australian citizenship pathway ‘simply a question of fairness’, NZ PM says
Albanese is asked about whether the decision will accelerate a brain drain for New Zealand – in the form of a question about whether will Australia will claim New Zealand’s best and brightest for its own.
We welcome all your smartest and brightest, but I have never met a Kiwi that wasn’t smart and bright.
But more seriously, the contribution is already being made. These are people who are here, now.
However, Albanese says it would be nice if Australia were to poach a few more rugby players.
Hipkins says “this is simply a question of fairness” and that “these people are already living in Australia”.
I’m absolutely confident that New Zealanders living and making a life at home in New Zealand will want to stay.
Updated
Citizenship changes rewards New Zealanders who have ‘contributed to Australia’
Albanese says the changes to citizenship will reward New Zealanders living in Australia, who have contributed to the tax-base and have “contributed to Australia”.
I see this as being a commonsense approach and also being consistent with the rules there for Australians in New Zealand – it’s different there, only five years but we might talk about making a slight change to that period of time.
You know what true friends do? They have equal relations and that’s the partner that NZ and Australia have.
Updated
Albanese praises NZ’s role in Pacific regional security
Albanese has praised New Zealand’s role in navigating regional security challenges ahead of an upcoming Pacific Island Forum.
Albanese criticised the previous Australian government for withdrawal from engagement in the region.
Once you have a withdrawal, that can easily lead to a second withdrawal, a third, a fourth. And it is important that the Pacific Island family stay together. And New Zealand has played a significant role.
Updated
Albanese and NZ PM Chris Hipkins hold joint press conference
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has laid a wreath this morning with his New Zealand counterpart, Chris Hipkins in a ceremony to commemorate Anzac Day.
Both leaders began the press conference by paying tribute to Australian entertainer Barry Humphries following his passing.
Albanese also announced a scheme where any child born in Australia as of 1 July, who holds a special category visa will automatically acquire Australian citizenship.
This has been a substantial lobbying effort just saying that New Zealand citizens living in Australia, paying taxes, should be treated with respect.
That’s what this will do; strengthen our bond.
Hipkins says the two leaders have also discussed the “geostrategic challenges” in our region and how the two countries can work together in a “more complex world”. He described Australia as “clear-eyed” about the evolving security situation in the Pacific.
Updated
Rupert Murdoch pays tribute to Barry Humphries
Humphries played Rupert Murdoch in the 1991 TV mini-series Selling Hitler and was invited to celebrate the news mogul’s marriage to Jerry Hall in 2016.
The News Corp chairman and chief executive remembered the shape-shifting comedian as a genuine genius in a message to his outlets.
His works, his creations, his spirit will echo across the generations and his friendship is eternal.
– AAP
Updated
New plan to curtail text scams
A new register for text scams funded by the federal government should help stop fraudsters fleecing Australians via fake messages.
Almost half the nation has been deceived by or exposed to a dodgy text message in the past year, says communications minister Michelle Rowland. As a result, an estimated $3.1bn was lost.
The registry will support telcos in preventing scammers imitating key industry or government brand names like Linkt or myGov in text headers.
Rowland said the measure will add a new layer of protection for consumers against scammers who use known brands to target and deceive.
We will all reap the practical benefits that will be delivered by the implementation of the SMS sender ID Registry.
I look forward to working across government portfolios in our shared mission to combat scammers.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority will receive $10m over four years to launch and maintain the facility.
It will complement rules registered by the ACMA last July for telecommunications companies that blocked more than 90m scam texts over the following six months.
The registry will have a phased introduction before an industry-wide model is in place – subject to rule making, industry readiness and security arrangements.
The government has also set aside funds to establish a National Anti-Scam Centre within the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to help disrupt scammers.
– AAP
Updated
Advocates say government ‘cannot get its story straight’ on jobseeker
Anti-poverty activists say the federal government “cannot get its story straight” after having called for an increase to social security payments in opposition, only to abandon these plans once in office.
Responding to comments by Katy Gallagher on ABC Insiders this morning, Antipoverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O’Connell said the finance minister “should be embarrassed and ashamed with her heartless response”.
The government cannot get its story straight on why they won’t increase Centrelink payments and get people out of poverty. Because the truth is, it’s not about inflation, it’s not about budget deficits, it’s because they are too cowardly to defend a decision to support the people who need it most to rightwing media.
Polls repeatedly show high levels of support for increasing welfare payments. Wealthy people are increasingly saying they don’t need a tax cut and would rather help those who can’t afford to live.
There is no acceptable policy that leaves people below the poverty line.
Here is the moment on ABC Insiders this morning when Gallagher was asked directly about the government’s reluctance to lift the base rate of jobseeker.
Does the Finance Minister think people are able to live a "dignified life" on the current JobSeeker rate?
— ABC News (@abcnews) April 22, 2023
"It's hard for me to pass a judgement on that," Katy Gallagher says.#Insiders #auspol pic.twitter.com/igQZW6l2Kb
Updated
Windy conditions expected in Queensland on Sunday morning.
Non-severe thunderstorms are possible about the Peninsula and coastal parts of the North Tropical Coast today. Some moderate rainfall accumulations are possible about the Cassowary Coast and Daintree areas, but are not expected to exceed severe thresholds. pic.twitter.com/wYj6zUUW9i
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) April 22, 2023
⚠️⛵Windy conditions continue in eastern QLD, with marine wind warnings and hazardous boating conditions stretching from Cape York down the to NSW border and beyond. Top gust 91km/hr or 49 knots at Hamilton Island. Winds not easing until Thursday. https://t.co/P0iChJyepC pic.twitter.com/7IArFCB4YR
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) April 22, 2023
Updated
A few tributes from Australian state leaders – and former state leaders.
Tonight we lost a legend.
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) April 22, 2023
Barry Humphries has contributed more than seven decades to Australia’s entertainment industry.
And his legacy will live on through his many larger-than-life characters and iconic writing.
Barry and his alter ego Dame Edna Everage set the world's stages and screens alight.
— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) April 22, 2023
The all-time most successful solo theatrical performer, anywhere in the world - Barry was a legend.
Defining Aussie creativity and performance for generations.
Vale Barry Humphries. pic.twitter.com/atPCJe2XZ4
Very saddened to hear of the passing of Australian entertainment legend Barry Humphries. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) April 22, 2023
Vale Barry Humphries.
— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) April 22, 2023
Genius. Put a smile on everyone’s face. pic.twitter.com/Ok7SoDbAMk
King Charles in Barry Humphries tribute
King Charles III will privately write to the family of Barry Humphries to convey his remorse at the passing of the comic legend.
A palace spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald that King Charles had been “saddened” by news of his passing.
Charles was a personal friend of Humphries who performed at several significant concerts and royal events over the years.
Thank you dearest Barry for giving my father so much kindness and to all my family — we will miss your amazing brilliance. pic.twitter.com/LW18bLrS0O
— Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) (@SarahTheDuchess) April 22, 2023
Updated
Queensland political leaders court NZ prime minister Chris Hipkins
New Zealand Chris Hipkins was the guest of honour at a dinner on Saturday night attended Queensland’s most powerful politicians.
The Kiwi PM Hipkins arrived in the Queensland capital on Saturday with a business delegation in tow.
He was guest of honour last night at an event attended by Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, federal treasurer Jim Chalmers and lord mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Dr Chalmers, an architect of the citizenship deal, said there was a “Kiwi caucus in the parliamentary Labour party” pulling for Kiwis to have more rights.
It is a sign of respect that we consider balance when it comes to the flow of people to be a really important thing.
Dr Chalmers’ electorate of Rankin – like many in Queensland – has thousands of New Zealand-born residents that will now be eligible for citizenship under the policy tweak.
Hipkins said he wanted a renewed focus on eliminating regulatory differences between the two countries.
One of the features of CER that’s incredibly important to us is successfully arranging the alignment of our regulatory systems … so doing business in New Zealand, doing business in Australia isn’t seen as different, it’s something that’s utterly compatible.
The Australian and New Zealand leaders are scheduled to meet again later this year in New Zealand.
– AAP
Updated
NZ PM Hipkins to meet Albanese in Brisbane
Anthony Albanese and his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins will celebrate their citizenship deal today in Brisbane at a ceremony and barbecue to toast renewed trans-Tasman ties.
This weekend, the Australian prime minister announced a relaxation of citizenship rules that will allow an estimated 400,000 Kiwis to claim Australian citizenship this year.
It’s a major win for New Zealand, which has been campaigning for the change since a 2001 tweak by John Howard’s government that shut the door.
On Sunday, the pair will acknowledge that move and broaden talks to include other issues, such as possible NZ involvement in Aukus arrangements that could see the sharing of military technologies.
As Anzac Day approaches, they will also unveil a plaque at a Brisbane cemetery to recognise previously unmarked graves of soldiers who served during the two world wars.
Then it’s off to a citizenship ceremony, community barbecue and joint press conference, concluding Hipkins’ whirlwind two-day visit: his second as Kiwi PM in three months.
The two nations are celebrating a number of anniversaries this year; 40 years of the Closer Economic Relations (CER) free trade deal, 50 years of the trans-Tasman travel arrangement, and 80 years since the establishment of high commissions.
– AAP
Updated
Tributes flow for Barry Humphries
The death of Australian entertainer Barry Humphries has sparked an outpouring of tributes for the treasured national icon at home and around the globe.
Humphries died on Saturday, aged 89, at St Vincents hospital in Sydney where he was being treated for complications stemming from hip surgery earlier this year.
He was surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender, his children Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and 10 grandchildren.
Humphries, who has lived in London for decades, came back to Sydney in December for Christmas. He subsequently suffered a fall that led to his hip replacement surgery.
No one made me laugh as much or for so many years.
— Shaun Micallef (@shaunmicallef) April 22, 2023
VALE Barry Humphries.
In a statement his family said he was “completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit”.
Humphries spent more than 70 years on the stage and was “an entertainer to his core” who loved his audiences and never took them for granted.
But he was also a painter, author, poet and collector of art.
He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives.
The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.
Humphries, who continued touring up until the last year of his life, was a man of many faces led by his comedic alter egos, self-described housewife “gigastar” Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
I'll miss the pink snakeskin shoes (his, not mine).
— Jane Hutcheon (@JHutcheon) April 22, 2023
My most difficult interview. EVER.
But what a brilliant life. Vale #barryhumphries
"Jealous little journo
In your Balmain hutch
What is it you earn-o?
It can't be very much." 1991 ('Journo' for Clive James) pic.twitter.com/r6UbjuSouI
John Barry Humphries was born on February 17, 1934.
- AAP
Updated
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says Australia has lost its “finest cultural raconteur”.
Australia has lost its finest cultural raconteur, its most brilliant satirist, and its greatest cultural comedian with the passing of the witty and wonderful Barry Humphries AO CBE.
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) April 22, 2023
He will forever be a treasured Australian icon.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/JMPiMITAol
Updated
Gallagher on the NDIS and RBA appointments
On the NDIS, Gallagher refers to a speech given by Bill Shorten at the Press Club last week on the future of the scheme.
I think the challenge in the NDIS is actually about making sure that every dollar going in there – and it’s a substantial amount of dollars now, is actually delivering the outcomes we want in supporting people with a disability to live a dignified life, and, you know, some of that might involve changes within the scheme.
On a final note, Gallagher is asked about two recent appointments made to the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Gallagher says the two appointments are “first-rate candidates” that were selected after an “expression-of-interest process”.
The [RBA] governor and Treasury were involved in that. That’s the first time that’s happened. I note the governor in his press conference welcomed those appointments to the board. From our point of view, apart from them having incredible careers of substance, both of those appointees, we absolutely think that people with experience about working people’s lives and about wages and wages’ role in the economy is absolutely important to reflect on the board.
Updated
Government has not finalised view on changes to gas tax: Gallagher
Gallagher says the government has not yet finalised a view on whether gas producers are paying enough tax under the PRRT – but:
I think from other point of view, we want to make sure, that you know, taxpayers are getting the right sort of return through that measure. And, you know, that’s the work that Treasury has done. They think there are some changes that could be made. There are a number of different recommendations, or views, put through that, and we’ll conclude our discussions on that in the short term.
The government is also considering budget savings members in the upcoming budget, particularly as it is looking at the various “booby traps” left by the Coalition.
We’re actually having to deal with that. And you’ll see a reasonable part of the budget is actually addressing these terminating measures, which is essentially the dishonesty of the previous government about the state the budget was in.
Updated
Gallagher on new taxes in upcoming budget
There are difficult decisions. I don’t want to pretend to anybody that these are easy decisions. They are difficult. But how do we get that balance right? How do we address disadvantage? How do we support those that are most vulnerable? How do we provide cost-of-living relief within the context of the environment we’re in?
Gallagher is asked whether there will be new taxes in the upcoming budget. She says that the government has been considering multinational tax avoidance so “in that sense, yes, you will see that reflected in the budget”.
On the petroleum resource rent tax, Gallagher says the government has “received advice from Treasury” but has not yet “formed a concluded view on that”.
That was work commissioned by the former government. It’s been going for the last few years. And, you know, Treasury’s view is that they think that there are improvements that could be made to the PRRT. We’re considering those. We haven’t formed a view about whether it’s this budget or this year. I think the industry is sort of well across what those modest changes might be, because they’ve been involved in those consultations, but we haven’t finalised a view on that.
Updated
Budget is about ‘balancing different pressures’: Gallagher
Gallagher is asked about the difference between the $34bn cost of raising the base rate of social security and other payments compared to the cost of the stage-three tax cuts.
The finance minister says “those will be updated in the budget”.
The stage-three tax cuts are legislated. They are due to come in July next year. You know, we haven’t changed our position on those. And the challenge for us is looking across the budget as a whole, where we can make additional spending, where we can make additional savings, and how we make those decisions. And it’s a balancing act. There’s no doubt about it. We have to balance all of these different pressures, whether it’s defence, health, you know, all the investments in Medicare that have a cost-of-living focus, how we balance all of those …
Updated
Finance minister acknowledges ‘it’s hard to live on jobseeker’
Gallagher is asked directly about jobseeker and the base rate of social security payments. The government has flagged that is not intending to lift the base rate at this budget despite calling on the previous Coalition government to raise the rate while in opposition.
You know, in terms of jobseeker, there’s no doubt that people on jobseeker do it tough. There’s no doubt about that.
Insiders host David Speers asks whether those living on jobseeker are entitled to live a dignified life.
Gallagher says she acknowledges that “it’s hard to live on jobseeker”.
I accept that. The challenge for government, and, you know, I note some on the couch, you know, don’t see this as a real issue, is how we balance up the range of pressures across the budget, and, you know, they’re substantial and they’re across almost every area, in a budget that’s been booby-trapped in all of those areas that we’ve inherited – $1tn of debt – how do we balance up all of the need, and, you know, finalise those decisions …
So, in short: yes, life on jobseeker is no life at all, but the budget has to come first.
Updated
Gallagher hints at lifting rent assistance in upcoming budget
Gallagher is now asked about recommendations saying the government should urgently lift rent assistance that have left women in a vulnerable situations.
She hints that there may be assistance in the upcoming budget.
The women’s economic equality taskforce makes this point. You know, we earn less. We retire with less. We have less assets, less wealth. We earn less in lower-paid jobs.
This is the reality of 2023 for Australia’s women. And this is the work that we have started in the budget. It’s the work we’re going to continue in this budget.
Updated
Government ‘deadly serious’ about addressing women’s inequality: Gallagher
Katy Gallagher says the government will “send the signal that we are deadly serious about addressing women’s inequality across the economy more broadly”.
However Gallagher said the government is “having a look” at arrangements that will force single mothers on to jobseeker when their child turns eight and results in them losing $100 a week.
We are having a look at it. You know, we don’t set up these task forces to then not seriously consider the recommendations that they come forward with. The budget will look to do as much as it can within, you know, the responsible fiscal environment that we are in, to deal with addressing disadvantage and inequality where we can.
Updated
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Humphries as “one of a kind”.
For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 22, 2023
But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry.
A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/oSAKpxPGae
Updated
Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers has appeared on Sky News this morning and finance minister Katy Gallagher is being interviewed on ABC Insiders this morning, where she is expected to discuss the upcoming budget and the government’s reluctance to lift social security payments.
We’ll bring you all the latest as it comes.
Updated
Good morning
And welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian live blog.
Tributes have continued to flow for Australian comedian and satirist Barry Humphries at home and abroad. Humphries’ death at 89 has been met with messages from Australian leaders including prime minister Anthony Albanese, opposition leader Peter Dutton, and state premiers.
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute to Humphries, as did British comedians Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr, Eric Idle, and Matt Lucas and Australians Adam Hills, Rove McManus, Marty Fields and Jason Donovon. Sir Michael Parkinson remembered Humphries as one of his favourite guests and News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch praised Humphries’ “works, his creation, his spirit”.
An upcoming strategic review of the Australian defence force is expected to bring more cuts amid concerns about potential anger from Beijing. The review is expected to be released on Monday but some experts have argued that with the “drums of war” beating loudly, the government “has a difficult line to pursue” in balancing Australia’s defence needs without upsetting a sensitive relationship with its largest trading partner.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs, taking the blog through the day. With so much going on out there, it’s easy to miss stuff, so if you spot something happening in Australia and think it should be on the blog, you can find me on Twitter at @RoyceRk2 where my DMs are open.
With that, let’s get started …
