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29 August 2026

Schoolteacher and Freemantle Dockers diehard named 2026 AFL Fantasy champion

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Schoolteacher and Freemantle Dockers diehard named 2026 AFL Fantasy champion

A regional South Australian PE teacher has had all his hard work over 13 years pay off, beating out 140,000 players to win this year's AFL Fantasy competition.

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30 August 2026

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Millions of Australians will receive higher social security payments from 20 September as the latest indexation changes take effect. The federal government says more than 5.3 million people will benefit from increases across pensions, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment and Commonwealth Rent Assistance. For a single JobSeeker recipient without children, the maximum rate will rise by $16.20 to $833.70 a fortnight. The maximum single pension rate will increase by $36.80 to $1,237.70 a fortnight, while the combined maximum rate for a pensioner couple will rise by $55.60 to $1,866.00. Parenting Payment will also increase. The maximum rate for a single recipient will rise by $20.90 to $1,087.20 a fortnight, while partnered recipients will receive an increase of $14.80 to $763.00 each per fortnight. Renters are also part of the September change. Nearly one million people receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance are expected to see higher maximum rates and thresholds as part of the regular indexation process. The changes matter because they arrive while households are still dealing with high grocery, housing, insurance and energy costs. The increases will not transform household budgets, but for people relying on income support even a modest fortnightly rise can help with food, transport, medicines or utility bills. The important date is 20 September 2026. Eligible recipients do not normally need to lodge a separate application for standard indexation increases; updated rates are applied through the social security system. Individual payments can still differ because of income, assets, relationship status, supplements and other circumstances. Downunder Voices recommends checking the amount shown in your Services Australia account after the new rates take effect rather than relying on social media posts or unofficial calculators. If the amount looks wrong, contact Services Australia directly. The September indexation is automatic and based on the rules applying to each payment. It is separate from temporary pauses to mutual-obligation requirements or other administrative changes that may apply in particular regions. For households already stretching every dollar, the practical question is not simply how much the headline rate rises, but how much actually reaches the bank account after individual circumstances are taken into account. The safest approach is to check the official payment details once the new rates are active.

Community angle

The 20 September indexation affects more than 5.3 million Australians, including JobSeeker recipients, pensioners, parents and renters receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Source: Australian Department of Social ServicesOriginal source
Australia’s EV surge is forcing a bigger question: how should every driver pay for roads?Australia

30 August 2026

Australia’s EV surge is forcing a bigger question: how should every driver pay for roads?

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Community angle

With EVs taking more than one in five new-car sales in July, the way Australia funds roads is becoming a practical household and transport-policy issue rather than a distant debate.

Source: ABC NewsOriginal source