We’ve rounded up all the latest stories from Australia and around the world – so you don’t have to go searching.
1. Abbott government reveals details of childcare reforms.
The Abbott government has unveiled its promised childcare reforms, pledging more money to some families but stripping stay at home mothers of nearly all the assistance they receive under the current package.
While some parents will benefit from a claimed extra $1500 per year, stay at home mothers will be forced to meet a rigorous ‘work activity test’ if they wish to continue receiving benefits under the new scheme, particularly where the household income is in excess of $65,000.
The Mothers’ Day package also introduces a means tested single payment and dictates that childcare centres will be paid directly by the government for the base costs of services, which has been calculated at $9 per hour per child. All costs above the $9 baseline will still need to be met by families.
2. Joe Hockey plans to ‘crack down’ on paid parental leave.
Under a controversial new budget proposal, Treasurer Joe Hockey plans to crack down on ‘double dippers’ who receive paid parental leave both from their employers and the government.
“At the moment people can claim parental leave payments from both the government and their employers so they are effectively double dipping,” Hockey said.
“We are going to stop that. You cannot double dip, you cannot get parental leave paid from your employer and taxpayers … so for people on on the minimum wage they will still get $11,500 for the 18 weeks they are off on parental leave but people will not be able to claim it both from their employer and the taxpayers.”
Top Comments
4. Clearance rates for auctions is a scam. There is no legal reporting requirements to agents just fudge the numbers to make it look good.