Exclusive: Taskforce led by former Treasury official Anthea Long will advise on cost-cutting options for $52bn programGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor has quietly established a razor gang to drive budget savings in the national disability insurance scheme, as it works to further rein in costs ahead of next month’s federal budget.An NDIS Sustainability Taskforce was established within the health department earlier this year, with instructions from the federal government and national cabinet to advise on cost-cutting options for the $52bn program. Continue reading...
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Cuts to NDIS to be focus of Labor’s quietly launched ‘razor gang’ ahead of May budget
The Guardian World
April 08, 2026
15:00 GMT
Exclusive: Taskforce led by former Treasury official Anthea Long will advise on cost-cutting options for $52bn program Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Labor has quietly established a razor gang to drive budget savings in the national disability insurance scheme, as it works to further rein in costs ahead of next month’s federal budget. An NDIS Sustainability Taskforce was established within the health department earlier this year, with instructions from the federal government and national cabinet to advise on cost-cutting options for the $52bn program. Continue reading...
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Pastor charged over drowning of man at baptism ceremony in Birmingham
Cheryl Bartley is charged with gross negligence manslaughter after 2023 death of Robert Smith, 61 A woman has been charged with manslaughter after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham. Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, south London, drowned during the ceremony, which took place at a home in Slade Road, Erdington, in 2023. The ceremony, which involved a paddling pool in a back garden, was filmed and livestreamed, with a congregation of about a dozen people looking on. Continue reading...
The Guardian World•Apr 08, 2026
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Middle East crisis live: Trump says Lebanon is ‘separate skirmish’ to Iran as Israel launches massive strikes on country
Lebanese PM says Israel is killing unarmed civilians as US president says country is not included in provisional ceasefire Israel hits Lebanon with massive strikes amid ceasefire uncertainty Hegseth claims Iran ‘begged’ for ceasefire A genocidal threat, and then the US president, Donald Trump, blinked – without any apparently meaningful concessions from Iran. As in so much concerning the second Trump administration, the two week ceasefire “deal” that will see the strait of Hormuz reopened – if it can be described as such – is maddeningly vague and short on detail, apparently kicking the can on key issues down the road. Iran’s nuclear issue, Trump said, would be solved “perfectly.” “It was a big day for world peace”, Trump posted on Truth Social. “Iran can start reconstruction” he added. “Big money” could be made. Yada. Yada. Yada. Continue reading...
The Guardian World•Apr 08, 2026
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Starmer warns ‘lot of work to do’ to make ceasefire permanent at start of talks in Gulf - UK politics live
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The Guardian World•Apr 08, 2026
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Congress must take up war powers resolution to curb action on Iran, says top House Democrat – US politics live
‘We need a permanent end to Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice,’ says Hakeem Jeffries as he calls for immediate vote Sign up for the Breaking News US email Pete Hegseth repeated Donald Trump’s social media comments that Iran will cease uranium enrichment – a condition that Tehran has previously refused to budge on. “Any material they should not have, will be removed right now,” Hegseth said. “The president has been clear from the beginning, there will be no Iranian nuclear weapons.” Continue reading...
The Guardian World•Apr 08, 2026