Key events
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:
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The first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years.
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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.
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A new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, funding to train health professionals, the first clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign.
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The first PBS listing for new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years.
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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.
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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.
Article by:Source: Rafqa Touma
