Queensland’s social-housing waitlist is falling but the housing crisis is far from over. The number of people waiting for social housing has dropped to 44,294, but thousands of Queenslanders remain caught between two realities: earning too much to qualify for public housing while still struggling to afford private rentals. With 53,500 social and community homes targeted by 2044, the bigger question is whether supply can keep pace with demand and whether affordable housing will remain accessible to ordinary working families.

A Victorian farm labour case is raising bigger questions about how Australia protects seasonal workers. With millions of dollars potentially at stake and concerns over unlicensed labour-hire arrangements, the case highlights the challenges created by different rules across Australian states. For farmers, workers and labour-hire businesses, the debate is increasingly about one thing: should Australia have a single national system for regulating agricultural labour?

Mildura’s hospital pressures highlight a much bigger challenge facing regional Australia. Financial strain, staffing shortages and reliance on costly temporary workers are forcing regional hospitals to rethink how they deliver essential healthcare but cost-cutting must not come at the expense of patients or frontline workers.

Australia’s NDIS is set for a major overhaul. The reforms aim to make the scheme more sustainable, strengthen protections against fraud and change how eligibility and funding are assessed. But with participant numbers targeted to fall from around 760,000 to 600,000 by 2030, concerns remain about how the changes could affect people who rely on NDIS support. The reforms have now cleared the Senate, bringing Australia closer to a significant reshaping of its disability support system.

NSW’s stamp duty system is facing scrutiny over claims that property buyers may have been overcharged since 2022. With more than 1.1 million transactions potentially affected, the dispute could have major financial implications for taxpayers and the state government.