TRANSCRIPT
- Treasurer Jim Chalmers says there will be cost of living support measures but no big cash splashes in the budget
- The United States asks Australia to give more humanitarian aid in Gaza
- Eddie Jones making big plans in his new role as Japan's rugby coach
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says there will likely be cost of living support measures in the upcoming budget but no big cash splashes.
Dr Chalmers says the additional support won't be anywhere near the magnitude of the stage three tax cuts, stressing that anything too costly would risk undoing the progress made on inflation.
The treasurer also says the government is still aiming for a second budget surplus but warns a softening labour market means less substantial revenue upgrades will be seen.
Dr Chalmers says there will be a bigger focus on sustainable growth in the upcoming budget papers.
"When we say that there will be a bigger emphasis on growth in this budget we mean but we also mean sustainable growth. Think of it as protein, not just carbs. By this I mean a bigger emphasis on the foundations of growth and the drivers of growth. That's what the budget will be all about. It will be all about a future made in Australia, the energy transformation. A human capital buys, capable of adapting and adopting technology and catching up and keeping up with changing workplace needs."
The budget will be delivered on May 14.
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The Australian Workers Union is calling on the Victorian government to take criminal action, after an underground collapse at the Ballarat Gold Mine.
The incident left one man killed and another was left fighting for his life.
Operations at the mine have been closed while an investigation is conducted by Victoria Police, the coroner and WorkSafe Victoria.
A-W-U Victorian Secretary, Ronnie Hayden says more action needs to be taken after the event.
"I think that the union movement did very well to lobby the government to get industrial manslaughter introduced. We now need to get them to grow some teeth and start actually using it for what it's there for."
Victoria introduced workplace manslaughter laws which came into effect in July 2020.
Those found guilty would face fines of up to $16.5 million dollars, while individuals face up to 20 years in jail.
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A man has been killed in a crash with a train in Melbourne's north.
The man was the driver of the car that collided with a train on the tracks at Pascoe Vale.
Victoria Police say investigations are ongoing, but they have established that a female passenger managed to escape the vehicle before the collision.
The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined.
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The United States has asked Australia to give more humanitarian aid in war torn Gaza as Washington moves ahead with plans to bring in relief by sea.
The international community has raised concerns about dwindling supplies reaching civilians in the besieged strip and starvation, and the United States is setting up a port in Gaza in response to those concerns.
It's understood a request has been made to partner nations, including Australia, for help in setting up the port, while further aid to flow through would be "welcomed".
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says getting humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza is of critical importance.
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Japan's new rugby coach Eddie Jones says he plans to make his side one of the best four teams in the world.
Jones takes over Japan for a second spell after a short-lived stint with Australia and a seven-year run with England.
He says his new team has to create a style of play which suits Japanese instincts.
"I remember 8 years ago or 9 years ago, talking about Japan being top 8, and everyone thought we were crazy, thought we were absolutely crazy. So, there’s no reason why we can't jump into the top four. Now, it comes, everything comes with a cost so at the next period of time we need to develop a new style of play which is difficult to do at the top level when you’re playing against England, and you’re playing against Italy in those games. But we need to create a new style of play that is adventurous."
