Last Sunday morning brought great news - ACT Labor, led by Andrew Barr, has been given the opportunity to continue delivering a progressive government for the ACT. The result really is a credit to ACT Labor's strong record, as well as the hard work of all of our MLAs, candidates and volunteers.
This win means the Albanese Labor Government can continue to work hand in hand with the Barr Labor Government to deliver the investments Canberrans need right now.
From delivering Medicare Urgent Care Clinics that make it easier for families to get medical attention when they need it, to investing in the light rail, the AIS and all of our treasured national institutions - we've already achieved so much in the past two and a half years! I'm really looking forward to continuing to work with Andrew Barr and his team to drive the investment and change that Canberra needs to thrive.
Katy's explainer: How Labor is reducing card surcharges
The Albanese Government is cracking down on unfair and excessive card surcharges to get a better deal for Australians and small businesses at the physical and online checkout.
The declining use of cash and the rise of electronic payments means that more Australians are getting slugged by surcharges, even when they use their own money.
That's why we're investing $2.1 million in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to tackle excessive surcharges, with further work underway to reduce payment fees for small businesses and consumers.
What Are Debit Card Surcharges?
Debit card surcharges are extra fees some businesses charge when you use your debit card to pay. Instead of just paying the price of your item, you might get charged a bit more to cover the cost businesses incur when processing that card payment with the card providers. These charges can add up, which is why the Albanese Government wants to make sure these surcharges are fair and not excessive.
Launch of ACT Sexual Violence Legal Service
The Albanese Government is piloting a program to support victim-survivors of sexual violence to safely engage and navigate the justice system. Last week Alicia Payne MP and I joined the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who officially launched the ACT pilot of this program at the opening of the ACT Sexual Violence Legal Service.
The team at Women's Legal Centre ACT work hard every day to help women navigate the legal system often when they need it most. The ACT Sexual Violence Legal Service will compliment the work they're already doing and help to ensure that justice is accessible for victim-survivors and does not add to the trauma. This new service provides legal assistance (including legal representation) to support victims and survivors, with integrated services, including financial assistance, counselling and specialist support.
Economic Update from the Finance Minister
The Albanese Labor Government is making history again - the women's workforce participation rate is at a record high, with an additional 23,100 women in jobs
On top of that, this is the first time any Australian government has delivered more than 1 million new jobs in a single parliamentary term, and over 60% are full-time.
Today, the average full-time worker is now earning $159 extra per week since the Albanese Government was elected. And the average full-time worker is also receiving a tax cut of $44 per week because of the tax cuts we introduced.
This is really important because helping all Australians find work and delivering higher wages is one of the best ways we can support households with current cost-of-living pressures.
