This Month
Labor admits to being ‘a bit slow’ on SA algal bloom
Cabinet minister Mark Butler concedes Labor will need to do much more to address the environmental disaster decimating South Australia’s marine life.
No longer a ‘state issue’: Feds stump up $14m for marine crisis
The federal government has pledged millions to help South Australia deal with its catastrophe, but experts say much more is needed.
Environment minister bows to pressure on SA sea life crisis
After weeks of insisting the South Australian marine catastrophe is a state issue, Murray Watt will visit Adelaide on Monday.
Government, business reject criticism of PM’s China ‘working holiday’
As Anthony Albanese flew home, the opposition said his six-day visit lacked tangible outcomes and was just a photo opportunity.
‘It’s a state issue’: Watt won’t step in over marine crisis
The federal environment minister is yet to offer support for SA’s unfolding ocean catastrophe, as scientists ask the state to lobby the PM.
Ministers urge PM to deal with SA algae crisis as backlash grows
Some of Anthony Albanese’s closest confidants will petition him for a response to the escalating algal bloom in South Australia as anger increases at inaction.
Healthscope’s not-for-profit plan to bid for itself
Healthscope’s lenders are weighing up a proposal to restructure the hospital operator into a not-for-profit company which will save $100 million on payroll tax.
Stop the mental health blowout, says Labor MP
Paediatrician and MP Mike Freelander says the way society diagnoses mental health is part of the problem behind a huge rise in compensation claims.
June
Labor threatens pathology giants with price fixing probe over fee hike
The three largest providers, Sonic Healthcare, Healius and Australian Clinical Labs, say bulk-billing changes will leave them millions of dollars worse off.
Health insurers dodge funding intervention
Health Minister Mark Butler says health insurers have coughed up as much as $350 million in extra hospital funding this financial year.
Hospital tax makes mockery of Labor’s health claims: Libs
The federal Liberals say an ACT Labor budget measure imposing a $250 hospital levy sets a “concerning precedent” for the rest of the country.
Chalmers pushes back on states over GST reform
The treasurer wants a national view of tax reform ideas at his productivity roundtable, while the states continue to squabble over their share of GST.
Monash IVF bungle leaves booming sector under the spotlight
After two embryo transfers were botched, there are growing calls for nationally consistent laws to strengthen regulation of the sector.
How specialist fees of $900 per visit are hurting private hospitals
Australians are paying hundreds of dollars to see a doctor that they cannot claim back on health insurance.
May
Brookfield has made private equity’s life harder after Healthscope
The failure of the country’s second-largest private hospital operator will have implications for private investment in social infrastructure for years to come.
Healthscope’s terminal prognosis could be just the start
Another eight private hospitals are earmarked for closure as the operator’s collapse raises questions about the business model.
Hedge funds weigh up longer-term ownership of collapsed Healthscope
Polus Capital and Canyon Partners are considering whether they should tip money into the failed hospital operator amid questions about private equity ownership.
States demand assurances from Butler after Healthscope collapse
The future of the failed private hospital giant is partly in the hands of five Chinese state-owned banks and asset managers which control a fifth of its debt.
Healthscope lifeline to keep hospitals afloat amid buyer search
While the company says it has 10 prospective suitors, Health Minister Mark Butler has flagged that overseas private equity firms are unacceptable hospital owners.
Getting medicated has never been easier, and Canberra is worried
Online prescriptions – for everything from weight loss to medicinal cannabis – is now a big business backed by Woolworths and NIB. But regulation is coming.