QLD school vouchers rise to $150; NDIS cuts paused
Queensland families will receive more financial support for school costs, while a major national disability funding review has been delayed. Meanwhile, a strong El Niño weather event is expected to impact food prices and local economies across the country.
Families in Queensland will receive an extra $50 per primary student to help with school expenses. The state’s 2026/27 budget has increased "Back to School" vouchers to $150 for items like books and excursions. This move is part of the government's plan to provide cost-of-living relief while working toward a budget surplus.
Major changes and potential cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have been put on hold following an extension of a Senate inquiry. Disability advocates welcomed the pause, arguing that the original timeline for the bill was too short for proper consultation. The NDIS provides funding for support services to Australians with permanent and significant disabilities.
A strong El Niño weather event is expected to drive up food prices and create hotter, drier conditions across Australia this year. While food supplies remain stable, the shift in the Pacific Ocean usually leads to lower crop yields, which can increase grocery bills and impact jobs in rural communities.
A renewable energy consortium has admitted to destroying an Aboriginal rock shelter during construction work. The group has now implemented stricter rules to protect cultural heritage sites after an internal investigation found failures in their previous protocols.
For more on these stories, including a legal challenge against coal exports and the discovery of a new spider species in Far North Queensland, visit the app's News section.