Australia Scraps Aged Care Fees, Treats Basics as Essential

0:00It's April 21st. This is Sydney News Today, driven by AI. The Australian government's making a big U-turn on at-home aged care fees, scrapping a controversial charge that had some seniors paying $50. An hour just for basics like showers. Aged care minister Sam Ray announced the backflip, saying it'll cost the budget $1 billion over the next four years. This scheme kicked off back in November as part of sweeping reforms to control spending, but older folks were hit hard, often skipping showers or other help to make ends meet. Ray is calling it a response to real feedback, treating showering, dressing, and confidence care as essential clinical services, not extras. Seniors and advocates slam bit as an outrage, arguing no one should go without dignity because of costs. Ray himself said, these are the basics of aging right. The move comes after months of outcry, easing the pain for those on support at home packages. Shifting gears to resources, former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry dropped in at a gas

1:04tax inquiry yesterday, urging a new 25% levy on. Exports, or revamp of the petroleum resource rent tax, he ripped the old system, saying tear it up and star fresh for the national interest, no more excuses. Hearings continue today with gas companies like Shell and the Business Council pushing back, warning of energy risks, while NDIS reforms loom large in. The budget talks ahead, keeps the pressure on for smarter fiscal plays down under.