Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a major expansion of financial assistance for students in mandatory placements, as the Labor national conference grapples with Gaza war policy. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Students in 10 fields including physiotherapy, speech pathology and clinical psychology will receive up to A$338.60 per week during mandatory placements, starting 1 July 2027. The program currently covers teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work.
The expansion follows pressure from MPs David Pocock and Helen Haines, who last month tabled a 43,000-signature petition calling for allied health courses to be included.
Albanese will make the announcement in his speech opening the Labor national conference on Thursday, casting "practical" policies as key to combating voter anxiety and frustration.
The three-day conference will set the party's policy agenda for the next three years. Commitments to increase taxes on gas exports and wind back fuel tax credits are expected to be enshrined in the party platform.
Debate on the party's position on Israel and Palestine is expected on Saturday. Jewish groups and Israel's embassy are pressuring the party to water down the draft text, while pro-Palestine supporters push to strengthen it.
A Students for Palestine protest is planned for Thursday afternoon outside the Adelaide Convention Centre, calling for a stop to arms trade with Israel.
In his speech, Albanese will draw a contrast between Labor and its opponents, particularly One Nation, warning that "raging against a system" without a plan doesn't "take the country forward."
"I understand that for many Australians right now, looking to the future runs second to the immediate pressures they are under," the prime minister will tell the conference.
Left and right faction delegates held lengthy meetings on Wednesday to discuss positions. The draft platform's section on securing a "fairer return" for natural resources is expected to remain in the final text.
Left faction sources were optimistic that a proposal to "remove disincentives for decarbonisation" would also make the final text. The grassroots Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN) is pushing to cap fuel tax credits for mining companies.
Even if amendments succeed, the government is unlikely to move quickly on fuel tax credits or a gas tax due to Middle East conflict uncertainty affecting global oil markets.
Debate on tackling online gambling harm, including a national regulator, is scheduled for Friday. The draft platform already commits to addressing inducements offered by wagering companies.