Key events
Gallagher, who is also minister for women, was asked whether US president Donald Trump’s executive order ending diversity targets is of concern.
She tells ABC Insiders host David Speers:
We have arrangements in law, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has requirements for businesses to report against certain targets and measures. So that will continue.
Speers listed Google and Meta as among companies to have dropped their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and gender quotas in the US. Gallagher said:
I note all of those companies that have operations in Australia have confirmed, of course, that they would continue to operate with Australian law, which does allow for reporting and for progress to be made, particularly around issues of gender equality.
And as an employer, I guess for us, in the public service, you know, we have measures where we want to see more First Nations people attracted and retained in the public service, more people with a disability, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and make sure women are getting fair opportunity.
We’re all searching for talent and we know the services we provide as a public service are stronger based on the make-up of your own workforce.
Asked if there is “any fear of upsetting Donald Trump,” Gallagher says “we will always make our decisions based on Australia’s national interest”.
The finance minister was speaking on ABC Insiders a short while ago:
We’ll always make our decisions based on Australia’s national interest. Obviously … America is an important strategic partner and our closest ally, has been for decades through different administrations. We will make decisions in our national interest and we will navigate the relationship and President Trump’s presidency in accordance with those principles.
Katy Gallagher pressed for response on Gaza
Forced displacement of people “is not consistent with international law”, finance minister Katy Gallagher said on ABC Insiders this morning.
Host David Speers asked a number of times for her response to Trump’s proposal that the US should “take over” Gaza and “own it”, which the UN secretary general, António Guterres, warned would be “ethnic cleansing”. Gallagher said:
I think President Trump has made it clear that he’s going to do things differently. I think the prime minister was right to, you know, confirm what our position is – which is a two-state solution that supports the rights of the Palestinian people, the state of Palestine, and the state of Israel to coexist peacefully.
Speers asked whether Gallagher supported “the idea of an American-owned Gaza?”.
Gallagher said:
Well, we have made clear what our position is – two-state solution – and that the conflict in the Middle East is resolved as soon as possible and peacefully, and in accordance with international law.
Speers pushed again: “And this wouldn’t be consistent with international law?”
Gallagher responded:
If you’re talking forced displacement, David, that is not consistent with international law. So our position is and has been very clear and consistent and remains consistent and it’s a bipartisan position in this country.
Cait Kelly
Triathlete dies in Tasmania
A man in his 60s died on Saturday while competing in the Coles Bay Triathlon, on the east coast of Tasmania.
The man from Launceston was taking part in the swimming leg at Muris beach when he died, police said:
He was known to be a strong swimmer, and investigations are continuing into the cause of death.
A report is being prepared for the Coroner. Our thoughts are with his family.
The triathlon features a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike and a 21.1km run.
More severe weather to hit north Queensland
Already sodden parts of north Queensland are set for further heavy rainfall after near-record flooding that isolated towns and required defence force assistance.
Totals in excess of 200mm were possible in areas spanning from Tully to Ayr, south of Townsville, before additional rainfall blankets the region through Monday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned a strengthening monsoon trough lingering across northern parts of Queensland will drive the intensification of rainfall in tandem with a tropical low off the coast.
It comes after a week of wet weather that cut power to communities, forced hundreds to evacuate and required the Australian defence force to erect a temporary bridge near Ingham for critical supplies.
A number of flood warnings remain in place through the weekend, with river systems and catchments likely to respond, the bureau warned.
High weekend totals and another severe weather warning are hammer blows to residents who have begun returning to their inundated homes.
Read the full story here:
– Australian Associated Press
Cait Kelly
First new contraceptive pills in more than 30 years on PBS
Some measures will take effect almost immediately, including the PBS listing of the first new contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, and the first new menopausal hormone therapies in more than 20 years.
Other measures will be implemented after the re-election of the Albanese Labor government, the party says.
Minister for women Katy Gallagher:
Women have asked government to take their healthcare seriously, and we have listened.
Our investment of more than half a billion dollars will deliver more choice, lower costs, and better healthcare for women at all stages of their lives.
These changes could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes.
Whether it’s saving hundreds of dollars on contraceptives, opening more endo and pelvic pain clinics, or ensuring more reliable support for women going through menopause – this comprehensive package will deliver for millions of women and their families.
Labor’s $573.3m package for women’s health
Cait Kelly
Today the Labor party will announce a $573.3m it says will deliver more choice, lower costs and better healthcare for women.
The package of measures includes:
-
The first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years.
-
Larger Medicare payments and more bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants saving about 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.
-
A new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, funding to train health professionals, the first clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign.
-
The first PBS listing for new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years.
-
Opening 11 new clinics for endometriosis and pelvic pain, and ensuring these and the existing 22 clinics are also staffed to provide additional specialist support for menopause.
-
Contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs directly from pharmacies, with two national trials to benefit 250,000 concession cardholders.
Good morning
Rafqa Touma
And welcome to our live news blog. I’m Rafqa Touma updating you with the stories of the day as they happen.
We woke up to news that a heatwave, bringing high humidity and hot nights, is moving east from southern and central Australia. Southern parts of the Northern Territory and far western parts of Queensland are bearing the brunt, while Melbourne and Hobart are also expected to experience a run of unusually hot weather.
Yesterday thousands of people attended rallies across Australia to show solidarity with transgender youth and their families, after the Queensland government’s decision to pause essential healthcare for trans minors. Twenty rallies were held, including crowds of 5,000 gathering in Brisbane and Melbourne, 2,500 in Sydney and more than 200 in Cairns, a lead organiser said.
And Australia’s largest childcare provider is facing activist pressure to give staff paid parental leave. Australian employers commonly offer paid parental leave – in addition to the government scheme – to attract and retain workers in a competitive jobs market. But the largest listed childcare provider in Australia, G8 Education, has no such policy, drawing the attention of activist shareholders who want to pressure it to change.
Now let’s get into the news of the day.