The Federal Budget was handed down overnight with the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, offering a range of incentives just weeks out from the unannounced federal election.

One of the sweeteners is a boost to Medicare that's worth $8.5billion, which the Federal Government hopes will lift bulk-billing rates - they have fallen in recent years due to a lack of incentives, industry leaders claim.

In 2022/23 over 1.2million Aussies did not see a general practitioner (GP) due to cost-related concerns. The Bureau of Statistics backs that fact up with 8.8% of Australians nominating 'cost' as their main reason for delaying or not seeing a GP.

The Government's aim is to realise a medical future that sees nine out of 10 GP visits bulk-billed by 2030. If realised the country will have an estimated 4,800 clinics, saving patients approximately $860million. Incentives will be provided to practices that choose to fully bulk-bill.

Medications will also be cheaper with the Government pledging to cap the price of a prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to $25. In addition to that, $1.8billion will go towards listing more life-saving drugs on the PBS.

BREAKING: Libby Mettam has announced she's stepping down as the WA Liberal Party leader.

In a statement, Ms Mettam confirmed she would not seek re-election to the position when the party room meets on Tuesday.

“I made a commitment to consult my colleagues before making a decision on my continued leadership. I thank my colleagues for their public support and their considered advice to me. While I take responsibility for our result it is very clear that the constant and ongoing leadership speculation and destabilisation in late 2024 was a significant contributing factor to our outcome,” she said.

“While I would have liked and hoped to continue as leader it has become clear that I do not have that support of my colleagues to continue as leader through to the election in 2029," she added.
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More to come.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) Student Guild has apologised for any "discomfort" its satirical newspaper "may have caused" to the Western Australian Jewish community.

The guild's annual 'PROSH' newsletter was released on Wednesday and features a cartoon of Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

The headline reads "Lobbied up the a$$" and presents the Israeli Prime Minister as a satanic demon, meanwhile Musk is bending the US President over holding a wad of cash.

Post its release the UWA Student Guild released a statement apologising for the way the cartoon may be interpreted.

“The cover illustration was intended as a satirical political caricature reflecting current American geopolitical issues, rather than a targeted commentary on any specific community. We regret that it has been interpreted otherwise and acknowledge the discomfort it may have caused," guild president Nikhita Talluri said in a statement to The Australian.

Ms Talluri claims the publication was reviewed by defamation lawyers prior to release and added that several Jewish students were apart of the editorial process.

“Nevertheless, we recognise that some readers found elements of the cover objectionable. We apologise to those who felt uncomfortable or offended," Ms Talluri added.

The newspaper is released annually and is designed and edited by student volunteers at UWA. It is then sold to members of the public with all proceeds being donated to Western Australian charities.

WATCH: Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers was heckled by two climate activists during a pre-budget speech in Queensland.

Mr Chalmers was addressing the Queensland Media Club, on Tuesday, when two protestors from 'Rising Tide' separately walked on-stage demanding answers surrounding coal and gas projects approved by the Federal Labor Government.

“Mr Chalmers, Australia cannot afford any more climate disasters. When will the Labor Party stop funding more coal and gas projects?” one of the protestors - identified as 63-year-old Paul Gabbert - asked the politician.

Mr Chalmers quickly dismissed the activist replying “OK, off you go".

Last December, the Albanese government approved the expansion of four coal mines across NSW and QLD.

BREAKING: Labor Minister Hannah Beazley will continue as Western Australia's Youth Minister, after Premier Roger Cook announced his cabinet.

Ms Beazley - who is the member for Victoria Park - was thrust into the role in 2023 after Bill Johnston retired from the cabinet.

Upon confirmation that she'd serve as a Minister, in Premier Cook's rearranged Cabinet, Ms Beazley said it was an "honour".

"It is an incredible honour to serve our great State as a Minister in the Cook Labor Government. We will continue to work hard every day to deliver for Western Australians and ensure our economy remains the strongest in the nation," she wrote on social media.

Minister Beazley has phoned into Youth Jam on numerous occasions, discussing the issues that matter to West Aussie young people. We hope that will continue into the Labor Government's third consecutive term.

The Federal Government has announced it'll subsidise another oral contraceptive pill, with users expected to save around $50 each time they fill a prescription at the pharmacy.

Popular birth control choice 'Slinda' will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from May 1. It'll becomes the third contraceptive pill to be added to the PBS in 2025, following 'Yasmin' and 'Yaz' which were added earlier this month.

The drug is a progestogen-only-pill - unlike other contraceptives, which can contain contain both oestrogen and progestogen - and may be used by women who can't take contraceptives with estrogens.

According to the Federal Government over 100,000 Aussies are expected to benefit from the subsidisation, as some users pay north of $250-per-year for the contraceptive.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the move is proof the Labor Government is taking women's health seriously.

“Women have asked government to take their health care seriously, and we have listened. These listings could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes," Minister Butler said.

WA's Opposition leader, Shane Love, has commented on 7NEWS' election debate that Mr Love wasn't featured in.

The televised debate, which was broadcast on Channel 7 overnight, featured Labor leader Roger Cook and Liberals' leader Libby Mettam as they debated scores of contentious issues.

In a social media post Mr Love blasted both parties for the "same old tired answers" and pledged a new way forward if The Nationals are elected into Government.

"Just watched the Leader’s Debate? Same old tired answers from a two party system," he wrote.

"Time for a different approach, and The Nationals do things differently," Mr Love added.

A number of social media users questioned why Seven West Media didn't feature Mr Love, in-place of Ms Mettam (who is not the opposition leader).

"Just a question why is it Roger vs Libby when it should be Roger vs Shane as he was sworn in as opposition leader," one social media user wrote.

"(Shane Love) watch the Lads, they see you as a threat. That's why you weren't there (sic)," another added.

​"Not sure why you weren’t there it could’ve done with your input," another commented.

The Labor Party has committed to launching a free CAT bus between Stirling Train Station and Scarborough Beach as part of a $14.2million election pitch.

The 'Surf CAT' would operate every 10minutes during peak periods and will travel along Ellen Stirling Boulevard and Scarborough Beach Road direct to Scarbs. The trip is tipped to take approximately 15minutes.

The funding will also allow for an extra bus stand to be erected Scarborough Beach Bus Station, as well as more seating and shade. There would also be improvements to to the West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road intersection bus lanes to prioritise bus movement and reduce traffic build up.

Premier Roger Cook has hailed the election pitch as a way of decreasing hassle.
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"(Scarborough) is an incredibly popular spot for locals and tourists with good surfing conditions all year round and a great array of bars, cafes and shops, so we want to make it easier for everyone to access this vibrant precinct. Fittingly named the Surf CAT, this free service will save beachgoers time, hassle and money trying to find a spare park and have them at the beach in under 15 minutes," Mr Cook told the media.

Mark McGowan is reportedly getting ready to help Labor campaign ahead of the next state election, according to Seven West Media.

The former "state daddy" - a nickname he earnt during the COVID-19 pandemic - is expected to attend WA Labor's campaign launch on Sunday in central Perth. Hundreds of supporters are expected at the event, which is believed to coincide with the Liberal Party's event.

The appearance would be his first since May 2023 when he surprised Western Australia by resigning, making way for then health minister Roger Cook to take the top job.

It's believed Mr McGowan will also visit a number of polling booths on election day, but party insiders believe the party is strong enough to win without WA's "daddy".

“Cook needs to win this in his own right,” one Labor source told Seven West Media.

Polling suggests Mr McGowan is still the most popular political figure in the state, with leaked figures - from the Liberals - showing the former Rockingham MP still had a net approval of 40 points.

Should visits/tours of Parliament House be mandatory for school students?

New research - by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) - has found just 27% of year 10 students were proficient in civics and citizenship issues last year, that's down from 38% in 2019.

The data also indicates that only a quarter of year 10s intend to take part in protests or demonstrations and a small number (28%) said they had been on an excursion to a parliament or court of law in 2024.

The statistics have brought up a novel idea for Isaac Mulcrone - host of the Newsflash podcast. He wants all school students to be offered the opportunity to visit a Parliament, whether it be WA's state Parliament or the Federal Parliament, in Canberra.

"I strongly believe every student should have an excursion to Parliament House, whether it be the state parliament or the federal parliament. Every single school student should be given the opportunity to go to Parliament House," Isaac suggested to listeners.

Mulcrone visited Federal Parliament - in Canberra - as part of a primary school camp and said it helped to educate him on "how Government works".

"If we want people to be involved and interested and vote with actual practicality then we must teach people about politics, because funnily enough it does effect every single person. Every single person is impacted by something the Parliament does," Isaac said.

Just a week prior to this data being observed the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into civics and citizenship called for mandatory lessons for all Year 11 and 12 students.

The Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson has laid blame at the feet of the Albanese Government, arguing that school curriculums needed to prioritise the "fundaments such as a deeper knowledge of civics and citizenship".

“Young Australians must understand the democratic principles which underpin our nation which is why civics education is so important. Teachers must have the training and curriculum resources to ensure students learn the value of our democracy," Senator Henderson said.

Hear more by clicking the link below.