Good afternoon. It’s getting harder to find a bulk-billing GP. The horror personal stories of people becoming ill due to a lack of available GPs, or the inability to afford one, are increasing.
Now we can see what this decline looks like by electorate, courtesy of exclusive data the Guardian has obtained from Services Australia. Look your electorate up on this interactive map. Note this data is for 2021-22, so it’s possible these numbers will be worse this year as more GPs cease bulk billing.
While the health minister, Mark Butler, has acknowledged Medicare needs reform – blaming years of Coalition cuts resulting in the introduction of American-style GP co-pays – he has also warned “it’s not going to be fixed in one budget”.
Top news
RBA expects inflation to fall to target by mid-2025 | The RBA governor, Philip Lowe, fronted a second parliamentary committee today, this time in the House of Representatives. Lowe continued to defend his handling of the inflation crisis, adding that he expected inflation “to decline to 4.75% this year and about 3% by mid-2025”.
Cyclone Gabrielle death toll climbs | … to at least eight. That number is expected to rise. Severe storms have cut off entire New Zealand towns, washed away farms, bridges and livestock, and inundated homes, stranding people on rooftops. Australia is sending 25 emergency personnel to assist with relief efforts.
Monique Ryan and Sally Rugg | … will spend two more weeks trying to solve an impasse about Rugg’s legal claims regarding working conditions, after a “robust exchange of views” over four hours failed to settle the case. Rugg, the chief of staff for the independent MP, previously claimed Ryan caused her to be terminated for refusing to work “unreasonable” additional hours.
New Brisbane arena part of Olympics package | The Queensland and federal governments have struck a $7bn funding deal for major Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games venues. Under the deal, an overhaul of the Gabba stadium will be solely funded by the Queensland government, while the commonwealth will fund the new 17,000-seat Brisbane Live arena at Roma Street.
ATO targets GST fraudsters | The ATO-led Serious Financial Crimes taskforce has resulted in arrest warrants for 10 people across three states. The assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones, said people were alleged to have invented fake businesses and lodged false ABN applications, then attempted to submit fictitious business activity statements to gain a dishonest GST refund.
NSW premier backs banning gay conversion practices | “There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable,” Dom Perrottet said. The premier offered “in-principle” support to a bill banning the practice, to be tabled by independent MP Alex Greenwich.
Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia | The 67-year-old actor, who retired from acting last May as a result of aphasia, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” a family statement read.
Tesla recall over self-driving crash risk | The company is recalling 362,000 US vehicles to update its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software after regulators said the driver assistance system did not adequately adhere to traffic safety laws and could cause crashes.
More personal security for Zuckerberg after job cuts | Meta is increasing spending on Mark Zuckerberg’s personal security by 40% after dismissing 11,000 employees.
Full Story
Why we need to talk about happiness – with Lenore Taylor
The torrent of bad news – on the economy, the climate and the war in Europe – can be exhausting. Our editors talk about how we can find joy without turning away from the world’s most pressing issues.
What they said …
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“We have made it very clear that the government hasn’t come to a view on [RBA governor Philip Lowe’s] reappointment in the future.” – Anthony Albanese
The PM was responding to questions about Lowe’s job renewal, which will be decided by the federal government later this year. Albanese expressed confidence in Lowe while leaving the door open on extending – or not – his tenure as RBA governor.
In numbers
The housing crisis in data form, from UNSW’s City Futures Research Centre.
Before bed read
Have you ever lost a dear friend due to life events – with no one at fault? A reader wrote in sharing the story of how her friendship of 20 years fell apart after they both fell pregnant. The reader miscarried, while her best friend gave birth to a healthy baby.
“I had to distance myself from my friend, as her growing bump was such a cruel reminder of my loss.”
How do we reconnect when there’s so much pain? Advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith has two suggestions.
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