The diplomatic stalemate between Australia and Indonesia continues today, following the recall of the Indonesian ambassador back to Jakarta, over moves to grant 42 West Papuans asylum here. In a major win for advocates of West Papuan independence, the Government granted temporary protection visas to the majority of a group of West Papuans. Observers have stated that the recall of the Indonesian ambassador represents the biggest diplomatic breach between the two countries since Australia led forces into East Timor in 1999. But supporters of the asylum seekers believe the story of West Papua’s province’s struggle for independence is not so different from the better-known conflict in East Timor. Greens Senator Kerry Nettle gave her response.

The Government's new workplace reforms come into affect today. Workers at the bottom end of the income scale don't have their job to worry about but also their house. Job instability exacerbates the stress felt by public housing tenants. For instance in New South Wales low income earners in public housing have been further hit by changes to publci housing introduced in December 2005. The reforms mean that tenants who work will now have to pay up t 30% of their income, as opposed to a flat rate of 25%. Resident of the inner Sydney suburd of Glebe held a forum on the weekend on the future of affordable housing. Stephanie Raison spoke to Annie Atkinson and Darcy Byrne from Labor for Affordable Housing.

The Federal government has decided that $10,000 is not really that much money, not when you are talking about donations to political parties. And if legislation due to be reintroduced to parliament this week gets passed, corporations and groups will be able to donate up to $10,000 to the political party of their choice, without having to tell a soul. At the moment, individual donations over $150 and donations from corporations or other groups over $1500 must be disclosed. But the electoral and referendum amendment Bill 2005 will change all of that. A recent report by Melbourne University law academics, Sally Young and Joo Cheong Tham said that even discounting the current legislation, Australia’s disclosure of political donations is a bit slip shod. Joo-Cheong Tham spoke to The Wire.

When it comes to domestic violence against women, the perpetrator is often stereotyped as being poor and uneducated. However, increasingly studies are showing its a widespread problem across all demographics. A new report released by Northside Women’s Services indicates an increase in domestic violence against women in Sydney’s affluent North Shore. According to the report one in four women have been affected by domestic violence in some form. Kirsten Veness spoke with Amy M. David, Project Co-ordinater of Northside Women’s Services who says the results as not as suprising as you might think.

Does Medicare, our universal healthcare system in Australia, need major surgery? Recently there's been a lot of rhetoric about health reform on a state and federal level. Governments are being urged to adopt radical reforms to deal with pressure from improved technology and high consumer expectations. But not all economists agree that a shift to a more privatised system would necessarily benefit the consumer. Professor Jane Hall is the Director of the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation at the University of Technology, in Sydney. Dr Hall spoke to Alma Mistry who asked her if Medicare does need major surgery.