What we learned, Thursday 11 May
That’s where we’ll leave the blog for today – thanks so much for joining us. Here is a wrap of the day’s biggest stories:
The Greens voted with the Coalition in the Senate to block a move to guarantee a vote on the housing Australia future fund bill.
The Greens say they want Labor to commit to more, with Adam Bandt comparing the bill to “a bucket of water to a house fire”. Meanwhile the Nationals senator Matt Canavan said the opposition would “use every tactic to make sure it does get stopped”.
The Labor Senate leader, Penny Wong, said the Greens had joined a filibuster against the bill and accused their housing spokesperson of putting his “ego” above the need for more housing, before withdrawing the comments.
You can read our full coverage of the housing fund fight for more, and this analysis from our chief political correspondent, Paul Karp.
A spokesperson for Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto confirmed he had received a defamation concerns notice from suspended MP Moira Deeming.
Labor MP Mary Doyle made her first speech in parliament since her historic win in Aston.
Young Australians had high levels of mental stress and climate worry, according to the latest findings in the wellbeing index report released by Australian Unity and Deakin University.
Stick around on the Guardian website tonight as we bring you the latest from the opposition’s budget reply, due at 7.30pm.
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Mehreen Faruqi criticises continuation of childcare subsidy activity test
In a series of tweets, the Greens spokesperson for education, Mehreen Faruqi, said it is “beyond disappointing” that the government has kept the childcare subsidy activity test, which she says “locks thousands of the most disadvantaged children out of accessing [early childhood education and care]”.
It's beyond disappointing that the Govt has kept the punitive & universally despised activity test, which locks thousands of the most disadvantaged children out of accessing ECEC. Even the Govt’s own Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce recommended abolishing the activity test.
— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) May 11, 2023
The ECEC workforce desperately need a pay rise & recognition for the important work they do. However, Labor has just tinkered around the edges, with more funding for professional development & skills building whilst ignoring the elephant in the room - wages.
— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) May 11, 2023
She also argued that there was “nothing” in the budget to “ease the burden” for those with student debt:
Uni students are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, with many being forced to abandon their degrees in favour of paid work. Unfortunately, this budget will provide scant relief, with Youth Allowance & Austudy being raised by a measly $2.85 a week.
— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) May 11, 2023
Faruqi said extra university places in Stem disciplines were welcome, but should be about more than just supporting Aukus. She also welcomed more fee-free Tafe places, but said long-term investment and abolishing fees altogether was needed.
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