By Hope NewsroomWednesday 12 May 2021NewsReading Time: 2 minutes
Today’s headlines from the Hope News team. You can listen to hourly bulletin updates at hopenews.com.au.
This year’s federal budget is being broadly welcomed with big spending measures across most parts of the economy.
The money being spent on infrastructure, childcare, and another tax cut for low– and middle–income earners will continue Australia’s economic recovery and drive jobs.
Business groups say the budget is what’s needed during a time of global turbulence.
Welfare groups are welcoming the boost in spending on aged care, childcare and mental health but say too many people have been left behind.
The budget also includes $30 billion to boost aged care and disability services.
An extra $1.1 billion will be spent on women’s safety measures.
But there’s still a cautious approach to re-opening international borders, with assumptions of a re-opening by the middle of next year, which tourism advocates say isn’t soon enough.
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Health officials say they hope the rollout of coronavirus vaccines will speed up, now people over the age of 50 can book appointments at Sydney’s mass vaccination centre.
Only the AstraZeneca shot is being administered for that age group, when vaccinations at the hub begin on the of May 24.
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced two new metro train stations for the Sydney west line.
One will be on the corner of Hunter and George Streets, the other near Star Casino in Pyrmont.
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Transport New South Wales says a glare issue with Sydney’s new River Class ferries is being fixed.
Unions say the 10 vessels can’t currently operate at night because of the distraction caused by the reflection of lights on the cabin windows.
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The number of people arrested by the State’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team more than doubled in 2020.
“Ideological” extremism now accounts for a quarter of those arrested.
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A man has been charged over a stabbing at Wiley Park in Sydney’s south-west last night.
A 30-year-old man was seriously injured.