Here is a look at what is making news around the country today.

Today’s national news includes the Labor government saying that the cost-of-living relief will not push inflation up, Virgin Australia advances initial public offering, First Nations female leaders across Australia demanding reform to Western Australia’s approach to youth justice, and Australia’s health regulator to issue warnings about dubious physicians.

Economy

Treasurer rubbishes concerns budget may worsen inflation

The Labor government said the billions in cost-of-living relief unveiled in the federal budget for families and businesses will not worsen inflationary pressures and put more pressure on the central bank to lift rates further, Free Malaysia Today has reported. Australia posted its first budget surplus in 15 years after its coffers swelled from bumper mining profits and a strong job market, with unemployment now at near 50-year lows of 3.5 per cent, boosting income tax while curbing welfare payments. Inflation, however, is near 30-year highs of 7.0 per cent, forcing the government to announce relief measures aimed at lowering power bills and easing pressure on consumer prices.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2023/05/10/australia-rejects-concerns-budget-may-worsen-inflation/

Companies

Virgin Australia says IPO planning advanced

Planning for Virgin Australia’s upcoming initial public offering (IPO) is “well advanced”, Chairman Ryan Cotton said. He said Australia’s second-biggest airline was days away from finalising a capital return. Investors led by U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital will share an $730 million payment, according to a source who was not authorised to speak publicly.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/virgin-australia-ipo-planning-well-advanced-chairman-2023-05-10/

Human rights

First Nations women call for immediate reform to youth justice

First Nations female leaders from across Australia are demanding immediate reform to Western Australia’s approach to youth justice in the wake of riots at the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre, The Australian Human Rights Commission said. “These children need to be cared for in a trauma-informed and culturally appropriate way. This country needs to urgently address the crisis in youth justice to prevent further harm to children in detention, and to reduce youth offending through effective systems of support,” Aboriginal and Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO said. Hundreds of First Nations women are attending the Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit in Canberra this week.

https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/media-releases/first-nations-women-respond-banksia-hill-riots-call-immediate-reform

Health

Health Regulator to issue warnings about dubious physicians

Australia’s health regulator will have greater powers to warn the public about fake doctors, false health advertising and major infection control issues. National law amendments, coming into effect on Monday, will allow the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to issue public statements on practitioners who present an immediate and serious risk to public safety. They will only be used in exceptional circumstances, most often about dangerous unregistered people rather than currently registered practitioners. The regulator already has the power to suspend or place conditions on a registered practitioner’s publicly visible registration, The Shepparton News has reported.

https://www.sheppnews.com.au/national/health-regulator-to-issue-warnings-about-dodgy-doctors/