Acknowledgement of Country//
Headlines:
Antipoverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell joined us to unpack measures announced in Tuesday's 2026-27 federal budget with a disability and economic justice lens. While Treasurer Jim Chalmers' budget speech emphasised cost of living relief, this did not extend to people living below the poverty line on social security payments. Significant changes to limit the growth of the National Disability Insurance Scheme were marketed as a considered choice to claw back government revenue, but disability advocates argue that these restrictions will have serious implications for disabled peoples' quality of life and access to supports. Register for Antipoverty Centre’s post-budget event next Tuesday 19 May here.//
We listened to speeches from the Homeless Persons Union of Victoria's gathering outside Melbourne Town Hall this past Tuesday to amplify community opposition to the City of Melbourne's plan to expand its violent and exclusionary security patrols in the next financial year. In this segment, we first hear Rory of Vixen Workers talking about anti-homelessness measures in the City of Port Phillip and their impact on street-based sex workers. We then hear from Shifra of Footscray Community Response discussing the City of Maribyrnong's disingenuous announcement of the end of its own security patrols after a sustained community campaign, only to reveal that this will be replaced by a significantly increased local police presence in the area.//
Yolanda Robson, Director of Young Workers Centre joined us following their landmark campaign in collaboration with YouthLaw, that brought an end to junior pay rates for workers aged 18-20 in the retail, fast food, and pharmacy sectors. This phase out to full adult pay rates for these workers over four years will begin this year December 2026. We also discussed the ongoing fight to protect young people and young workers, following this week's budget announcement.//
Last week, the High court dismissed a legal challenge brought against the Albanese Government in 2025 contesting the right to permanently exile refugees and stateless people to Nauru. To unpack the details of the Albanese government's arrangement with Nauru and the High Court decision we were joined by Human Rights Law Centre Associate Legal Director Josephine Langbien.//
Shirley, co-convenor of No AUKUS Victoria and the Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition Working Group, joined us to discuss updates in the campaign against the trilateral AUKUS security partnership, including the establishment this year of an Australian Federal Police command tasked with targeting anti-AUKUS protests. Shirley will also talk about AUKUS-related expenditure in the 2026-27 federal budget, and about an upcoming webinar organised by the Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition on Wednesday the 20th of May at 6:30PM. This webinar, moderated by Kellie Tranter and featuring a range of expert speakers, unpacked the dangerous world of the AUKUS pact, US military occupation, and local suppression of dissent. Register here.//
Emily, Inez, Leila, Priya, River, Candy
