Weak economic growth figures forced Labor to tread a delicate line this week, positioning the results as positive while hoping for an interest rate cut to further reduce household stress before the election. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues:
- Economic Figures: The Opposition have criticised the government’s economic policies and spending as new figures show the GDP per capita has been down for seven consecutive quarters, and that the economy has grown 0.3% in the September quarter.
- Veterans Affairs: The Labor government handed down their response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, agreeing to implement 104 of the recommendations.
- Making QLD Safer Bill: Hearings began this week for the ‘Making Queensland Safer Bill’ that was introduced in state parliament last week during David Crisafulli’s first sitting week as Premier. The controversial legislation that promotes “adult time” for “adult crime” has received a lot of pushback from stakeholders including the United Nations.
- Day of People with Disabilities: Politicians took to social media to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities which took place on the 3rd of December. In an effort to improve transparency, the government released scorecards for disability employment services, finding that 92% met quality expectations.
- Medicines: For the first time in three decades, an endometriosis treatment has been listed on the PBS. Additionally, a new Moderna facility in Victoria was just opened and will produce up to 100 million vaccine doses for respiratory diseases.
