Men with prostate cancer across western NSW could lose specialist nursing care when federal funding for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia nursing service ends in June 2027, Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says. The Government will redirect $46.5 million over five years to the McGrath Foundation. The Prostate Cancer Foundation says it was not consulted, and a voluntary survey found 96 per cent of affected specialist nurses oppose the decision. Mr Chaffey called on the Government to release its evidence and guarantee no regional community loses access.
The Gold Coast Titans will receive $15 million in federal funding towards a new high-performance and community sports centre in Carrara. The centre will bring the club's NRL and NRLW programs and Titans Netball together at one site. It is also intended to support preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Planned facilities include playing fields, shared amenities and inclusive facilities for Para-athletes, plus a First Nations cultural education centre. More than 100 people are expected to be employed during construction, with over 145 ongoing roles supported.
Victoria has signed a school funding deal with the federal government, giving its public schools a timeline to reach full needs-based funding. Every other state and territory had signed long-term agreements by mid 2025. Public schools in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia will not reach full funding until 2034. Victoria plans to lift its state share to 75% by 2031, with the Commonwealth share reaching 25% in 2034. Analysts warn that back-ended deals are fragile and that inequality between advantaged and disadvantaged students is growing.
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Community groups and councils in the Parkes electorate have until 5pm on Monday, 2 November to seek up to $20,000 for small infrastructure projects. Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says expressions of interest for Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Programme close on that date. Each electorate has $150,000 available. Eligible not-for-profit groups can receive funding covering up to 100 per cent of project costs, while councils must contribute at least 50 per cent. Expressions of interest go to Mr Chaffey's office.
The Albanese Government has committed $10 million to upgrade Cloncurry Airport in North West Queensland. The funding adds to $11.5 million already provided by the Australian and Queensland governments through disaster recovery arrangements. The airport suffered significant flood damage from weather events in late 2025 and early 2026. Earlier funding paid for emergency repairs and flood resilience work so the airport could reopen. The new money will give Cloncurry Shire Council the remaining funds needed to finish upgrades for regular passenger services. Ministers say the airport supports aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
Victoria has signed a federal housing deal that will support 25,600 homes reserved for first-home buyers across 20 locations, including Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. Federal housing minister Clare O’Neil announced the agreement, which is part of a commitment to deliver 100,000 new homes for first-home buyers nationally. The federal government will provide $2.5 billion, while the Victorian Government will contribute at least $499 million. The funding will go towards essential infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage and electricity connections. The first homes are expected to be delivered in 2027.
The Australian Government has dropped plans to cut its disaster recovery funding contribution from 75 per cent to 50 per cent. The change would have cost NSW councils an estimated $800 million or more. Hay Shire Council General Manager David Webb welcomed the decision.
State budgets face significant challenges, with debt doubling since 2019 and rising interest costs. The GST, intended to provide stable revenue, now contributes less to state coffers. A Grattan Institute report proposes increasing the GST rate to 15% and expanding its base to include all food, with revenue used for income tax cuts and welfare increases. This approach aims to ease the tax burden on lower-income households while improving state fiscal health. The reform could also address inequities in GST revenue distribution among states.
Nearly $3 million in federal funding is set to make the drive to and from South East Regional Hospital in Bega safer. Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said the money comes through the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program for roads councils have prioritised, including Tathra Road and Boundary Road. The work will complement existing projects and extend the path network into the hospital site. McBain also spoke about regional aviation, saying Rex's new owners must make decisions to keep the airline viable, and about the economic value of the snow season.
The first residents have begun moving into Newtown's $49.6m social housing development on Marshall Road. The project has raised the number of apartments on the site from 22 to 77, including larger homes for families and places for people in crisis. The development includes 12 three-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom apartments. Landscaped communal areas include a children's play area, barbecue facilities and seating. Unison Community Housing built the development and will manage it, with funding from the Housing Australia Future Fund. It forms part of a $430m federal investment in more than 520 homes across Greater Geelong.
Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to reverse proposed changes to Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. He said the proposed changes would have left TRC ratepayers almost $50 million worse off. McDonald said his region has faced 12 declared disaster events since 2018. He thanked the Queensland Government, the Local Government Association of Queensland and councils across the state for their advocacy. He said the Federal Government had made the right decision to keep the current arrangements in place.
UAE investigators claim Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, accused of attacking a Flydubai pilot on a flight towards Tel Aviv, became acquainted with people linked to a Melbourne centre while studying there in 2017. The Multicultural Youth Centre, also known as My Centre, received more than $68,000 in federal funding through a community language grants program. It is not suggested that the centre was involved in wrongdoing or that al-Hammami was radicalised there. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he did not have more information about the funding.
