1 Million New Homes: A $10 Billion Plan
Back in 2022, Jim Chalmers declared that he wanted to build 1 million new homes. However, Chalmers is the Federal Treasurer of Australia, not an architect wizard, so this man wants to use policy and procedures to make this dream a reality.
This plan already consists of a $10 billion housing future fund announced in the October budget. Chalmers also wants to incentivise the private sector to create some affordable housing and maybe turn bits of Australia’s Commonwealth land into areas where new homes can be built.
Moreover, Chalmers is now telling our state and territory governments to get in on this action. He wants these folks to expedite their zoning, planning, and land release procedures. Chalmers specifically wants land near train stations and TAFE campuses to become the foundations of some new homes, stat.
Our Treasurer has given our state and territory governments a June deadline. By then, he wants them to present him with some practical ideas for how they will speed up Australia’s new homes processes.
Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Death Toll Surges to Over 20,000
Tragically, Türkiye and Syria’s death toll has continued to climb. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which devastated these countries on February 6, has officially killed over 20,000 people.
One of the people now struggling to get by is Bahjat Selo, a Syrian refugee who’s now living in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş. Selo cannot go back inside his home, as there’s still a chance that it will collapse.
“It’s too dangerous to be inside. When we go in to get things, we go in like thieves,” explained Selo. “We spent four years in a camp and this is harder. It’s so dark.”
Related: Earthquake in Türkiye — Here’s What You Can Do to Help
Related: What It’s Like to Be an Asylum Seeker or Refugee in Australia
Is God a Nonbinary Icon?
Meanwhile, the Church of England is considering gender-neutral terms when referencing God in their services. What’s more, the church is even launching a commission into this matter.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting this organisation isn’t planning on changing their current services just yet.
“This is nothing new,” said a spokesperson for the Church of England. “Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female, yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship.”
“There has been greater interest in exploring new language since the introduction of our current forms of service in contemporary language more than 20 years ago. There are absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise currently authorised liturgies, and no such changes could be made without extensive legislation.”
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