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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved a motion in the lower house of parliament to honour MP Helen Haines, who is in hospital recovering after being struck by a car outside her electorate office in regional Victoria last week.
He says he and others in parliament can't wait for the moment when she is well enough to return to the parliament.
"She always engages, always looks you in the eye and never lets up. And she always works on the principle that disagreement only truly functions when it doesn't depart from respect and humanity. Right now, the member of Indi is on the hardest road of all. As we pray for her, we console ourselves with this one solid truth. As Phil (husband of Helen Haines) who I have spoken to daily keeps reminding me every day. Helen Haines is a fighter."
Meanwhile, additional security measures are being introduced across public areas of Parliament House.
Liberal MP Tony Pasin says what happened to Helen Haines has prompted deep reflection about the security and safety of MPs.
"Look, I have never been concerned, but the events of last week were shocking. I think they sucked the oxygen out of the lungs of most members of parliament. And I think it has got members of parliament reconsidering their movements and their activities. I don't want it to change the way we go about our business. I think that would be a sad outcome - and not one that Helen would want."
A review by the Commonwealth Ombudsman into a controversial aged care assessment tool, has recommended an amendment to legislation to allow humans in decision-making positions to override automated decisions.
The Integrated Assessment Tool is required under law to be used to determine access for older Australians to partially or fully funded aged care services - through the home support system, and the changes* that came into effect last year in November.
Among the 10 recommendations, the Ombudsman also calls for a review of the rules underpinning the algorithm.
A Senate inquiry in August heard evidence from Professor Kathy Eagar who said the tool relies on just 23 of the 622 questions asked during an assessment.
The ombudsman noted that no public information exists explaining how the tool reaches its outcomes, going against the recommendation for transparency on automated decision-making that came out of the Robodebt Royal Commission.
Women's health advocates are welcoming a trial that will allow all Australian women to attend a pharmacy for urinary tract infection treatment and for re-issues of hormonal contraceptives.
As part of the year-long-trial, patients will also be able to access subsidized drugs for UTIs and contraceptives from January next year.
While previously restricted to concession card holders, the program will be expanded to all women.
Patient Advocate Erin Cross says the changes will give women much-needed flexibility.
"I've been on hormonal contraception for coming on nine years now and being able to access the services I need without having to go to a GP at a reduced price is amazing. It's also extremely convenient. I know a lot of women struggle to put their health first, especially if they're working or caring full-time, and this new trial will allow women to fit in their own health needs during hours that are convenient for them. Um, pharmacies are open later and longer, which is fantastic. They can fit it in during their day."
100,000 more Australian households have experienced food insecurity in the last twelve months, according the latest Foodbank Hunger Report.
The report finds one-third of all Australian households report skipping meals or being unable to access quality produce at some point in the past year, with 18 to 34 year-olds and couples with children at increasing risk of falling into food insecurity.
Foodbank Australia is lobbying to raise the rate of government support payments like youth allowance, the pension and single parents’ payments, to combat rising food insecurity.
Former social worker, Travis Gilbert, who became unemployed for the first time in 22 years last year, says he's been forced to withdraw money from his super to ensure he has enough to eat.
"I've done things like market research surveys to get grocery vouchers. Um, I have drawn down $10,000 of my super. I'm lucky to have, uh, a reasonable super balance. And I've kept that s- uh, the $7,700 of that after tax to pay for medical appointments and groceries and draw down on that over the course of the year."
And to sport, Sydney will host the Super Netball Grand Final for the first time next year.
Netball Australia CEO Mark Falvo says the arrangement will make it a bumper year for fans, with the grand final in July coming ahead of the Netball World Cup - which is also happening in Sydney in 2027.
The 2027 Super Netball season begins in April next year.
The round 1 games will see the New South Wales Swifts will take on the Queensland Firebirds; while the newly branded Sydney Sirens face the reigning Super Netball champions, the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
